Maria Alm, Austria

We just returned from another great trip to the Austrian Alps. It's now been over 10 days of spring, but you wouldn't be able to tell in Europe! We're still getting snow. As much as I love winter, I am sooooo ready for warmer weather. All that being said, it was still nice to have one last getaway to really enjoy the cold weather. The snow covered mountains are a favorite of ours. We spent a week in a great little Village called Maria Alm, about an hour southwest of Salzburg. We love these little towns that offer so much charm. We skied for 2 days and had a ball. Addy is becoming quite a good little skier and started skiing down some bigger hills. Luke not so much, but he was a good sport and still enjoyed the outdoors. Jeff and I took turns on runs and each had really good ski days. The snow was actually perfect and the sun even came out a few days! One of our favorite days was a hike we took up into the mountains along a tobaggan trail. We hiked up with the kids (we had to carry them a lot of the way-- good thing we're in shape) and arrived at an adorable Gausthaus. We were served up a delicious lunch and enjoyed the spectacular views and some cute Reindeer. Aunt Jennifer arrived to visit us on my birthday and we decided to take her up the same trail-- she loved it! On the way down we sled and had a blast. We also spent a full day in Salzburg with Jen (post to follow). We were hoping to really say good-bye to winter, but arrived home on Sunday to a white Easter. We hope the snow and cold weather leaves VERY soon. Like tomorrow.

Easter fun

Every year since Addy was 2, we've been doing an Easter playdate with her friends. It's a great time for the kids to decorate cookies, eggs, and for me to make some cute Easter treats. This year I wasn't feeling it. We've been so busy with trying to squeeze in our homeschool between traveling, Jeff's been gone a ton with school & work, and it seems as though I have a full time travel agent job that has been sucking up all of my free time! We have lots of exciting trips coming up and I've been in full planning mode. I feel very blessed that this is the source of my busy-ness! Back to Easter. Addy talked me into this (she never forgets about it). We whipped together a few treats and invited her friend Delaney and Luke's best buddy MJ (who is Delaney's brother). Much easier and low key with 4 kids. They had a great time decorating cookies, drinking tea, eating treats, and we even did a little easter egg hunt in the backyard. 

I love these! So simple and the kids love them. Just melted white chocolate chips and jelly beans!

Luke is looking a little rough, he just woke up from his nap :) 

American Girl Doll Tea

Addy loves her American Girl doll, Molly, that she got for Christmas. Our on-post library has put together this great event once a month for little girls and their American Girl dolls. The girls bring in their dolls and enjoy learning about a new doll through story time, they do a craft, and enjoy cookie & tea. Addy just loves it! An older woman, Grandma Joyce, bakes all the cookies and plans the entire event. I think it's so great that she volunteers her time like this! Addy has gone twice already and enjoys seeing her friends, making new ones, and admiring all the dolls she doesn't have (of course). She also comes home and tells me things she learned from the books, which are fabulous reads for little girls! I was able to get a few photos of her, but hope that next time I'll get photos of all the little girls sitting at their tables. Grandma Joyce also teaches them manners and etiquette. As Jeff would say, never to early to start that!