Nathanael got in!

Look who was accepted into the Vienna Bilingual School system!!!

We are so proud of him!

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I mentioned back in Autumn that Nathanael and I visited his grade school's Open House.  Well, on Monday, January 11th, he had his interview for the bilingual school system, and we found out on that Friday that he was accepted!  We are so excited for this awesome opportunity for him to learn with other English-German speakers.  We are also proud of his progress this last year in developing both in school-readiness and in his pronunciation in both languages.  He'll attend first through fourth grade here, Monday through Friday, about 8am until noon.  In the afternoons, he'll still have time to keep being the crazy, energetic, creative, social kid he is.  I can't wait to see what these next four years hold for Nathanael!

At Heldenplatz for the National Holiday in October

Time for a Photo Shoot

While in London, Auntie Angie and Uncle Andrew humored us and took some pictures.  Considering how quickly we did them and with little preparation or forethought, I think they turned out alright. :)

A wee bit of snow

It was bitter cold when our first real snow fell.  The dusting last month didn't really count.

I finally took the kids out two days later, and Nathanael persistently attempted to build a snowman in the melting snow/slush.  Of course, his name was Olaf. ;)

My little snow bunny

Christmas in London

What fun it is to have family in Europe!  We spent Christmas week in London with Uncle Andrew, Auntie Angie, Cousin Desmond, and Opa and Oma who flew over from Detroit!  What special memories we made together!

I was horrible at taking photos this year, but here's what I came away with.

(This one is Angie's photo, but it's too cute not to copy here!)

Cousin time!

Watching something together on the ipad

Auntie Angie bonding with Eva

Enamored with the sweet outpouring of gifts from our family

Homemade eggnog and a Christmas story on the Eve

Oh yes, and flying back home to Vienna

All the way from Boston!

Oh my, what a delight to receive a BIG Christmas box from our friends at Hope Fellowship Church in Cambridge, Mass!  Seriously, unpacking and unwrapping all these items was a true highlight of the month for our kids (and for us as well)!  Each item was full of love and sacrifice.  We are so grateful.

Yes, those are Wheat Thins!!!

And three awesome Lego sets!

Sheer excitement over Winnie the Pooh items and, wait for it, an Elsa dress!  (Cue children singing loudly, "Let it Go")

Playing with the new loot

Seriously, folks, we feel so special.
Thank you.

Celebrating St. Nicholas with Grandpa and Grandma

Grandpa and Grandma arrived a few days before the Eve of St. Nicholas, so we took advantage of it and filled stockings that night!

Apparently I didn't take any photos! (What?!)  So I need to plead with my parents to upload theirs for me. :)
Auntie Carrie made this sweet collage of Eva and sent it to us!

Nathanael and Eva each received a film.  Of course, we had to watch Planes 2 as soon as possible.

This is Eva wearing my back brace belt. :)  Just like Mama.

Grandpa and Grandma helped the kids decorate snowmen ornaments.

Of course, we couldn't withhold a stop at a Christmas Market for sausages and desserts.

We always have such special times with Grandpa and Grandma when they visit.  This visit was no exception.  In addition to simply enjoying time together, they were both a huge help to our family as I continued to improve and recover from a herniated disc.  Their time here was a God-send!

Tree Decorating, Christmas Cookies, and Cider

Our family tradition continues.  This year, we added something by beginning with pizza decorating.  (Eva dumped it all on and then stuffed her mouth with cheese!)

Eva was more interested in cookies and cider than tree decorating, but she had fun watching her brother (while stealing bites of his cookies).