Tiergarten Schoenbrunn

The kids had the first week in November off for Fall break so Jer took a few days off of work and we headed to Vienna. Our first stop was the Schoenbrunn Tiergarten (zoo) which just happens to be the oldest zoo in the world. It was founded back in 1752. It is currently part of the grounds of the Schoenbrunn Palace in the outskirts of Vienna. Being it was the first week in November- the fall colors were beautiful - leaves were falling everywhere. We enjoyed a great afternoon with picture perfect weather to be outdoors.

Let the fun begin! Searching for animals hidden in the woods. This artic wolf was pretty easy to spot. If I remember right this giant bird was a type of Emu...I'm glad it was on the other side of the fence...it didn't appear that friendly!

The kids really liked the penguins.

And the seals were so hilarious to watch.

There was this area where you could see underwater. This particular seal would dive down, and do a headstand...waving his flappers in your face...quite hilarious! He must like attention!

There was also an observation deck above the polar bears. Shane took this photo of "Mr. Bear" just relaxing.

There were a few places at the zoo where the kids could play - they had a great time.

Over by the Lions the kids could go into a cage and pretend to be lions themselves...Sydney is definately filling the part. Shaylee on the otherhand seems to be more calm...maybe like Daniel was in the lions den? Or possibly riding on Aslan's back as in the Narnia books.

Shane at the Great Wall of China...while we were visiting the pandas.

The kids were really interested in watching these lemurs from Madagascar. They were climbing all over this door on the side...really amazing.

Enjoying the beauty...and the zebras.

The kids also liked the elephants, giraffes, rhinos, and tons of other animals....can't take pictures of them all. We really enjoyed our first afternoon in Vienna....now its off to the hotel which just happened to be right around the corner from the zoo...perfect!

6 Months

Shelby is 6 months old now (soon to be seven since it took me so long to post this). She brings such joy to our lives. She is usually full of smiles and her whole face lights up when you talk to her. She enjoys being in her exersaucer and likes to pick up her toys and bring them to her mouth. She has a high-pitched screech - I really think she likes to hear herself "talk". She is usually good as gold (just ask my sister). She hardly ever makes a fuss. Shelby is rolling over more and more. Now when I lay her down at night on her back, she is usually rolled over on her tummy come morning. She isn't sleeping through the night (but that is probably more mommy's fault then her own) since if she makes a peep I go and get her. But she nurses and then goes right back to sleep. We've recently started a bit of Milchbrei (rice cereal) in the evenings. She isn't too fond of it yet, but I'm sure its just a matter of time.

Sydney's Birthday Celebrations

November is a busy month for birthdays around here. And this year November was even busier with the kids having had fall break the first week (stay tuned for more posts on that), and my sister arriving the second week (more posts ahead on that as well) -November has really flown by. I can hardly believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow!!! Things have slowed down a bit and so I hope to get some updates to the blog. We will start with Syd's birthday - even though I truely have tons of other posts to go before her (if I did them in correct order)- but she is super special and deserves to be first!

Syd actually got to celebrate her birthday twice. Once with us at home on her actual birthday, and then again on Friday afterschool with her friends for her birthday party! My sister was here for her actual birthday - and so we made cupcakes for her, thus saving her cake for her party. I found this #8 birthday candle (that I believe we used with Shane a few years back) and it worked perfect with the cupcakes. Hard to believe she is 8 already! We love you dearly Syd, you are such a sweet girl.

Syd wanted a dog cake/party theme this year. When I was looking for invitations for her party I found some Littlest PetShop ones and decided that would work nicely. So when it came to making the cake I asked her to get one of her Littlest PetShop figurines, and I'd try my best to make something from that. Here it is!

Syd had 4 girls over from her class for her party. They played some games, did a craft, went on a scavenger hunt, ate some cake, opened gifts, and then were up to Syd's room to play for the remainder of the party.

Girls with Syd and the cake. Then playing "Pin the Collar on the Puppy". It is amazing how at each party they never tire of this game. We've done it so many ways - they love it each time! Maybe its the blindfolding and spinning of friends that they like most?!?

The girls making a craft (picture frames) just like we did a Shaylee's party. They all did a great job...I think I might go buy some more and make some for myself! Glitter glue, gems, stickers...maybe I'll do a Christmas theme...oh what fun! Then it was time for the gifts. I think the girls giving the gifts were just as excited about giving the gifts as Sydney was receiving them! It was so neat to see them so excited and happy for Syd. Then they were off to Syd's room to play with the new toys...fun, fun, fun!

Thank you for the fun gifts. Sydney LOVES them all and has been busy playing ever since her party!

It is GREAT to be EIGHT!

Extra Special Birthday

This year my birthday was extra special since I got to spend it with my sister! I'm so glad she came to visit and just happened to be here over my birthday. We spent the morning in Schwetzingen and went for cake and coffee at Cafe Leisinger. YUM! I do think Shaylee has her eye on my cake!

Then we did a little shopping and I came home with some new boots! And last, but not least, my lovely sister cut and colored my hair! I so needed it! I feel like a totally new person, which when you are getting a year older, the best birthday present is anything to make you feel younger! Although when I go blonde, my sister and I look nothing alike...maybe there are some similarities in there somewhere?!? Love you sis- thanks for spending my birthday with me and making it EXTRA SPECIAL!

Let's Party!

Shaylee had an absolute blast at her birthday party. She loved having her friends over. We started off the party with snacks and a unicorn picture to color. The girls were all so sweet sitting around the table.

Next they went on a Birthday Egg Hunt around the house - searching for Birthday Eggs :) Inside each egg was a number and a letter. According to the numbers the letters spelled a special message - HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAYLEE. Then it was time to sing Happy Birthday - and have some cake!

After cake we played pin the horn on the unicorn. The girls had fun with this one spinning eachother around and then pointing them in somewhat of the right direction.

Then it was time for each girl to decorate their own picture frame. I had glitter glue and stickers and markers and sparkly gems - the girls loved this and were all so creative!

A huge thank you to Kara (mom of one of Shaylee's friends) who helped me with the party and watched over Shelby :)

Finally they headed to the basement to play the Musical Dress-up game. I changed the game up a bit this time. Instead of picking an item out of a bag without looking the girls had to pick a colored piece of paper out of a basket. Then match that color with another piece of paper stapled to a bag which contained the item they should put on. The girls all dressed up...aren't they sweet!

It is hard to believe Shaylee is 6! Where did those years go? I'm so glad she has such a great bunch of friends - and she got to enjoy this special party with them!

More Fall Fun

Last weekend we also went for a family bike ride. We biked to a little restaurant in the vineyards that is open for the fall season. It was a nice afternoon to be outside again. After I got to the top of the railroad bridge I turned around and snapped this photo of the others still trying to make their way up...I think I can, I think I can.... Silas has a pretty good seat - along with Shelby and Shaylee who were in the bike trailer.

At the restaurant - a few cute photos of daddy and Shelby.

Fabulous Fall

Last weekend we had some fabulous fall days. We spent some time outdoors and went to a local park and walked in the woods. The colors of the changing leaves were so vibrant...I wish the pictures would have shown it better.

There are two big oak trees by the park. The leaves were such a beautiful red - however they seem a bit duller in the photos. Silas having fun on the slide. He is getting so big - he could climb up the rope with no problem. He was so cute with an "I did it, phew!"

Then we continued on for a walk in the woods...

Of course a walk in the woods wouldn't be complete without a walking stick. And daddy just happened to bring along his Leatherman, so he did a little whittling as well.

Shane - looking quite serious. The yellow leaves in the background really made this photo a strange color. Shane took this nice one of Jer and I.

Don't worry - most of our walk wasn't serious - more on the CRAZY side!

We really are a bit strange...

Fun - Fabulous - Fall!!!!!

Tongue

Little Miss Shelby has quite the long tongue. She is always sticking it out - and I just had to capture a few photos of her. Someday she will really love me for this :) She didn't get her long tongue from a stranger - that's for sure!!!!