A lot has happened since our last post...for sanity's sake I have decided to do one post recapping the highlights...so here we go!
The Austrian club baseball team that I (Michael) play on made the playoffs! We needed a victory in our final game of the season and also needed the team ahead of us in the standings to lose their final two games...obviously, since I already told you that we are in; both necessities happened. We play a best of three series next week against Team Japan (no, not the real team Japan, just a collection of Expat Japanese that have formed a team).
Justin and I put the finishing touches on Kailyn Ann's new crib. Our friends, the Wells, blessed us with this upon their departure and Rebecca stained it earlier in the summer to match some of our other furniture.
After we spent the week helping the new staff get settled in their new homes, I led a tour of Downtown Vienna for the newbies. I don't have any pictures cause I was busy sharing informational tidbits about all the sites...I think Gardner took some, so maybe later.
At the end of the week we headed up into the hills above Vienna to a part of town call Grinzing. This part of Vienna is known for its Heuringers; small, family owned wineries that serve their wines and local food in a cafeteria style (due to a traditional restaurant laws that specifically limit how they serve their food). Again, no pictures...except this one take by our school director...he wanted to see what I looked like in some sunglasses he found. Not the most flattering picture of me.
We took our second trip to the zoo...a bit warmer this time, but we enjoyed seeing another section of the zoo. We ate lunch in the central gazebo where the royal family would eat their breakfast and cooled off with some ice cream overlooking the rhino pen.
The last two weeks have been full of welcoming all our friends back to Vienna. We had a "guys night" at a local restaurant called 7Stern (Siebensternbräu).
One of our staff members and pastor of a local church is a very talented magician...specializing in card tricks. He took some time to blow our minds with his slight of hand and deception
A couple of Days ago we welcomed back one of Rebecca's dear friends (let's be honest, she's essentially family). We met her at the airport, rode the train with her, and then went out to dinner. Rebecca was excited to see her friend, but jet lag hit Kristi pretty hard at dinner, as the picture will attest.
Yesterday was a busy day...first...
We had the All Staff Welcome Back BBQ...I had the privilege of being part of a trio of guys (Gardner, Overby, and myself) responsible for planning and cooking all the food for 80+ folks. Gardner has wowed people with his BBQ ribs for years now, and Overby and I added Baked Beans and Salsa and manned the grills. Long day of cooking...and I came home smelling of BBQ smoke (not a bad thing)...but tons of fun.
After the BBQ I hurried home to join an already in progress baby shower...My mom hosted a baby shower that we were able to attend via skype. It was a great encouragement and blessing to be able to see, hear, and talk with so many friends, family, and supporters back in the states.
So...sorry for the long post...but school starts in a week and I wasn't sure if I'd have the time to do this once we got busy with everything. Please pray for all of the staff, students, and families as we get going in the next couple of weeks.
The Austrian club baseball team that I (Michael) play on made the playoffs! We needed a victory in our final game of the season and also needed the team ahead of us in the standings to lose their final two games...obviously, since I already told you that we are in; both necessities happened. We play a best of three series next week against Team Japan (no, not the real team Japan, just a collection of Expat Japanese that have formed a team).
Justin and I put the finishing touches on Kailyn Ann's new crib. Our friends, the Wells, blessed us with this upon their departure and Rebecca stained it earlier in the summer to match some of our other furniture.
I joined my friend Gardner in picking up the new staff at the airport.
We got there a bit early so we enjoyed a cappuccino in the airport cafe...here's Gardner looking as proper as possible with his pinky up!
We got there a bit early so we enjoyed a cappuccino in the airport cafe...here's Gardner looking as proper as possible with his pinky up!
After we spent the week helping the new staff get settled in their new homes, I led a tour of Downtown Vienna for the newbies. I don't have any pictures cause I was busy sharing informational tidbits about all the sites...I think Gardner took some, so maybe later.
At the end of the week we headed up into the hills above Vienna to a part of town call Grinzing. This part of Vienna is known for its Heuringers; small, family owned wineries that serve their wines and local food in a cafeteria style (due to a traditional restaurant laws that specifically limit how they serve their food). Again, no pictures...except this one take by our school director...he wanted to see what I looked like in some sunglasses he found. Not the most flattering picture of me.
We took our second trip to the zoo...a bit warmer this time, but we enjoyed seeing another section of the zoo. We ate lunch in the central gazebo where the royal family would eat their breakfast and cooled off with some ice cream overlooking the rhino pen.
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| Baby sea lion born the week before |
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| I'm wrestling a croc! |
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| Justin climbing |
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| real praire dog |
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| Justin pretending he's a praire dog |
The last two weeks have been full of welcoming all our friends back to Vienna. We had a "guys night" at a local restaurant called 7Stern (Siebensternbräu).
One of our staff members and pastor of a local church is a very talented magician...specializing in card tricks. He took some time to blow our minds with his slight of hand and deception
A couple of Days ago we welcomed back one of Rebecca's dear friends (let's be honest, she's essentially family). We met her at the airport, rode the train with her, and then went out to dinner. Rebecca was excited to see her friend, but jet lag hit Kristi pretty hard at dinner, as the picture will attest.
Yesterday was a busy day...first...
We had the All Staff Welcome Back BBQ...I had the privilege of being part of a trio of guys (Gardner, Overby, and myself) responsible for planning and cooking all the food for 80+ folks. Gardner has wowed people with his BBQ ribs for years now, and Overby and I added Baked Beans and Salsa and manned the grills. Long day of cooking...and I came home smelling of BBQ smoke (not a bad thing)...but tons of fun.
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| GardStoneRby Sause....good stuff |
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| Gardner trying to get the football (soccer) game instead of grilling |
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| Ready for the grill |
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| One of three trays of the finished product...delicious! |
After the BBQ I hurried home to join an already in progress baby shower...My mom hosted a baby shower that we were able to attend via skype. It was a great encouragement and blessing to be able to see, hear, and talk with so many friends, family, and supporters back in the states.
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| Amy was there to help mom and Becky joined in from Ohio! |
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| Watching (and trying to stay awake - it was late) as Kailyn's gifts are unwrapped |
So...sorry for the long post...but school starts in a week and I wasn't sure if I'd have the time to do this once we got busy with everything. Please pray for all of the staff, students, and families as we get going in the next couple of weeks.
Blessings on your new school year and on little Kailyn, soon to come!
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