May was a lovely month for the first two weeks and the weather was delightful.  We then had a week of rain (unfortunately while Craig's parents were here) and then a sunny and cool week.  In June, summer began with a bang with four or five days in a row around or above 90'.  We discovered that our apartment stays quite cool in the hot temperatures, so we did not suffer. The average temperature this time of year is in the mid-70's and it will return to that range by the weekend, just in time for us to take a hiking / camping trip (lodges, not tents) for the weekend with Carissa's class.

It's been a quiet month (relatively) so I will prove to you that I CAN write a short(er) post; primarily a family photo album, with some sightseeing in the background of the pictures. The highlight of the last month was a two week visit from Craig's parents.

Craig's parents kept very busy! They had more energy than I did and put me to shame. They saw all the major attractions and most of the minor ones too!  They love exploring and walking around and we did our best to make it easy for them.  Leaving the states for them began in difficult way as their flight from Detroit to Toronto was cancelled (due to smoke in the control tower in Chicago and possible bad weather in Canada). They finally got on a flight two days later, with continuing complications at every transfer point.  Upon arriving, Judy's eyesight was blurry and jumpy and Craig took them directly to an ophthalmologist from the airport.  Turns out Judy was quite dehydrated and so we were all pushing the water during the next 2 weeks. She plans to follow up on a possible circulation problem in her neck which may have also contributed to the problem.

Matthew with his Grandparents at Maria Steinhof Church (also known as Otto Wagner Church)

Mom and son enjoying Vienna

Craig and his parents at the Schonbrunn Gardens

They still love forts - this one with bean bags and air mattresses on the balcony

Minecraft games - inter-generational quality time; Alex and Dominic were connected remotely

Carissa getting an air tattoo of a wolf at our neighborhood festival

After a hike up the mountain, Craig and Judy with Vienna in the background

Carissa loves her Grandparents!

Hosting Hans and Felicie Schweizer, parents of a Swiss German exchange student that Orrin and Judy hosted in the 80's.

Clearly breaking some rule

Orrin & Judy at the Vienna International Center, better known as UN City, or UNO.

Found a vegan place with yummies for all

Maria with Orrin & Judy at Maria Teresia Platz.  The National History Museum is in the background.

The lovely rose garden. They seem to have gotten most of them into trees; not sure how they did that.

When you put your phone in your pocket, a "lens cover" can attach to your phone, making you worry that your camera is broken.

Indian restaurant to celebrate Orrin's birthday

The Apfelstrudel Show at the Schonbrunn Palace, with lessons, recipes and a sample included.

Dominic had been caring for house and home while they were gone.  When they arrived home they got right to work in the garden.

Meanwhile, we took a day trip to Bratislava, right over the border in Slovenia.  Craig met a high school friend who works for the State Department now, and she showed us around.  An afternoon was all it took, as it is a small town, but has the few required monuments and a castle.  It was delightful to hear her stories of life as a state department officer.

Zirbels with Valerie (Howard) 

The must-have picture from Bratislava

A worthy motto to live by.

Now we are in the final few weeks of school, with many religious holidays to make for some short weeks.  Matthew turned 15 on June 12, with little fanfare but he guessed his gift was a watch when it beeped on the hour.

The schools do fun things in the final week.  We will then go to northern Germany for a week to visit friends (and a day or two in Amsterdam).  Craig has a work trip to Copenhagen and Croatia during the coming weeks as well.  We will host some friends from Salzburg in mid-July and then it is time to pack, return all the things we've borrowed from friends, and get on the plane!