The Hills Are Alive ~ In Austria!

Day 1 ~ Our Bed & Breakfast where we stayed ~ Home Sweet Home~

~This is the view from our room of the Austrian Alps~

~It didn't take long until we were off to explore Salzburg~

~We were very excited to see that the flowers were starting to bloom~

~The Church & Palace in the Old Town Center were beautiful~

~The boys took a break from throwing coins in the fountain for a family picture~

~Salzburg Castle that towered over the city~

~This is what makes me fall in love with Europe - it is just amazing~

~Mozart's Birth House~

~Day 2~

~If you cannot tell.... I was very excited about The Sound Of Music Tour~

~The boys were all very good sports about my tour & enjoyed riding in the back of the bus~

~Mirabell Gardens ~ We are standing on the steps that the kids jumped on for each note of "Do-Re-Mi" ~ Maria & the children were seen dancing around the statue of pegasus which is right behind us~

~Von Trapp Family Home where many of the scenes were filmed. This is also where the children were boating in the lake and fell into the water~

~The red roof is the Nonnberg Abbey where Maria was a nun at the convent~

~The famous glass pavillion in the gardens where "I am Sixteen going on Seventeen" takes place ~ Also, where Maria & Captain Von Trapp have their love song and dance together~

~St. Gilgen & Lake Wolfgang which is where much of the scenery at the beginning of the movie was filmed~

~Mondsee Cathedral~ This is where the wedding scene was filmed of Maria & Captain Von Trapp~

~These are a few of my favorite things..... crisp apple streudel & my smoles~

~Day 3~

~The Salzburg Salt Mines~ These mines are over 450 years old~ We put on our miners' clothes and went straight to work~

~We hopped on the train and started making our way to the underground world~

~These are the same wooden slides used by hundreds of miners many years before~

~Day 4~

~Happy Easter~ We were so spoiled when we got home from our Salzburg adventure. We received flowers & chocolate treats & toys & even clothes from our family & neighbors. Cole is seen holding a chicken cake. It came with a basket of farm fresh eggs - it was so cute I couldn't eat it. We have so much to be thankful for~

~We Be Jammin'~

Elliot Yamin put on a free concert for all of the families serving in the military in our area. It was very personal because there were only about 500 people there. It was a great concert - he is such a good guy. If some of you don't know who he is, he was the 3rd place finalist on American Idol's fifth season. We really had a great time singing along (Kade) & dancing (Cole).

You can't be in Germany and not be a tapestry fan. So a group of my girlfriends & I went an hour away to the American's favorite store. I must now proudly say that I have joined up with the 80 year old German ladies who also love these. I decided that it was time to hang one of these prized possessions in my own home. It was hard to choose what artwork I wanted, but decided to go with The Tree Of Life. It has a perfect spot on my wall next to the front door. I am a women that craves balance, so I decided to keep the theme going with throw pillows for the family room couches. The bag is my new carry all. I was always walking out of the house with tons of things in my hands. Now I have my new bag that I love! I am such a girly girl now - yeah right!

The Dental Clinic hosted a bowling night for all the staff & families. We have turned into quite the bowling family. Those who bowl together ~ stay together, right? Rapper Jade is a hygienist for the clinic. Steve is flexing his big, huge muscles with his VERY heavy 15 lb. ball. He would like to give a shout out thanks to the Army for making him meet his push up requirements which are creating his huge physique~ oooh ahhhh. Maybe next year after more hard work and dedication he can move up to a 16 lb. ball - you can do it Steve!

I love the fact that I am "that" mom who dresses her boys matchy matchy! Do you think they will mind if I keep this going through High School?

OK, I know... another "mean mom" moment. But he looked soooo cute and even was sweet enough to keep it on during Cole's entire basketball game. How do you not love this baby giraffe, I mean little boy? The face says it all!

The Bulls are the team to beat! Cole is having such a good time playing basketball, and Steve is having a blast as the coach. It is very impressive how much these kids have learned in just a few weeks. They can actually dribble the ball, pass, and make shots.

~Cody, Mindy, Jo Jo, Coach Steve, Cole, Kevin, Dylan~

(OK.... so yeah, we did play "favorites" by letting Cole hold the ball during the team photo - oops~)

~Most Valuable Player~ From the eyes of his Mom & Dad~