Winter is coming!

We decided this year to buy a small, potted evergreen tree to be our Christmas tree. Since we had a rental car for our little Fall Break vacation last weekend (more on that later...), we took advantage of the car's trunk and bought the tree early. Fun! We ventured out to run some errands today, and since the beautiful fall weather is officially over, I broke out the winter city garb. It's the thing in Austria to get a stroller sleeping bag since city life demands being outside so often. So, ours is ready to go. Cole's hat reminds me of the hat my Uncle John wore when he told the fish story in Northern Michigan. Anyone remember?

Back by popular demand

We went to the park today and knew that some of you would be anxious to see more video of the Cole meister. It's a windy day so it's a noisy video, but it is still cute. enjoy


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Joke O. Heute

What is a cat's favorite thing to read?




A catalog.

New Video!

We're trying something new with this video thing! Cole & Chris had fun after dinner tonight. Our friend Lauren was over, too, and got to see the show. In the background, we're trying to sprout avocado pits. Chris's new venture...we'll see!Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Joke O. Heute

Where do very smart hot dogs end up?




On honor rolls.

Park!

It seems like the park is our new hang out. It's close. It's free. Cole laughs at other kids doing silly things on the slide or at dogs that bark and frolic around. The weather has been amazing. The swing is Cole's favorite, especially when I make faces or jump.

A fun Sunday...and a talk on the phone

Joke O. Heute

Where do you find prehistoric cows?




In a mooseum.

Joke O. Heute

What does a chicken and a band have in common?




They both have drum sticks.

Give Us Today

Our Daily Bread...

We're studying the Lord's Prayer in elementary chapel at VCS, and above you see today's lesson. The VCS elementary drama club did a great skit about how God provided food for thousands of people from a boy 's meager 2 fish and 5 loaves. Then, I shared about how God provided manna, quail, and water for the complainer Israelites as they traveled in the desert led by Moses. Two great reminders of true ways God provided for his people many years ago. I tried to communicate to the kids that when we feel like God will leave us hangin', we can remember these stories of God's provision, and trust that his promise to provide for us IS really true.
The kids at VCS have few visible needs, so it's hard to communicate to them about God as a provider. So we makeshifted. Instead of a need for lunch, maybe they need a good friend. Instead of a need for a winter coat or a backpack, maybe they need help with their multiplication facts.
All in all, the point of teaching in chapel is to fill kids' brains with truth from the Bible, and give them an opportunity to understand more about this Almighty God who, out of love, sent his son to die, so that WE could be free.
Chapel is such a fun way for me to still be involved at VCS this year. My 20 minutes make me the most part time staffer there is, but it's worth it.
Thanks for making it happen that the little Frank family can live and work in Austria. Your support is priceless to us.

Learning Central

Behold the changing table in Cole's room! The missing left bin on the bottom holds toys.

The bottom right bin holds extra diapers and wipes. The bare necessities.

When the toy bin used to emerge from it's home, I would take out a toy or two for Cole to play with. I'd put those back and pull out news ones based on Cole's disinterest factor. Little mess. NOW, though, Cole pulls out each toy one by one. He holds it in his right hand, and he bangs it with his left. If sound comes out, he plays with it. If not, he tastes it. If it's chewy or satisfying to his ever teeth cutting gums, he gnaws it. If neither option is successful, he reaches into the bin for the next victim.

Chris and I continue to wonder and marvel at the fact that Cole learns and discovers so many new things every day. He knows now to tip the cup up and lean his head back to get water. He knows now to pick up the food on his tray and stuff it into his mouth, albeit he still doesn't know portion control. He knows how to bang Chris's drum to get sound to come out, and most often while playing with a spoon (since no eating happens unless we each have our own spoon) he knows which end brings food to the mouth.

Cole chooses his next victim from the toy bin.

The toys return home. We haven't learned yet how to return the toys to the bin. Another day, another lesson, I guess. For now, it's nap time.

Joke O. Heute

How do mules open locked barns?



With a don-key.

Joke O. Heute

Why did the little mouse run away from home?




Because his father was a rat.

Crispy's New Deal

Chris got a new camera for his birthday in August. My mom brought it over a few weeks ago when she visited, so now we have some new shots to reveal from the last couple weeks. Pictures are coming...

Joke O. Heute

What is an owl's favorite school subject?


Owl-gebra

Rechargable

Batteries here in Vienna are a lot more expensive than in the US. This didn't really bother me cause I hardly need them. All of a sudden, though, we have a growing stash of little kid toys that require: (you guessed it) batteries. It seems like every couple of weeks we're needing new ones and just letting some toys go without the batteries. It makes me think - "Hey, Cole won't notice that this fire truck is supposed to honk and make noises." Maybe he's smarter than I think. So, I'm realizing this might push us over the edge of disposable ones into rechargable.

But then again, maybe the recharger and fancy schmancy batteries will be too expensive.

For Bubba

Bubba (Chris's dad) gave Cole these wooden animals before he was born. We put magnets on them, and they've been sticking to the top of the door frame to Cole's room. UNTIL TODAY. We pulled them down, Cole loved pulling the magnets off, and I had fun teaching him the animal sounds that go with each one. Meow, quack, moo, ribbit, oink...you can imagine the BIG fun we had. Makes you want to come over, huh?

curious cole

Cole & Omi

Catch Up

We have a lot of catching up to do. The BIGGEST event in our lives recently is that Omi came for a visit. We hung out a lot, played at the park, cooked, and shopped. Chris and I had 3 DATES in one week. We celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary and Omi's birthday during her visit, too.
Now we're back to regular old life around Vienna. Yesterday we went to the Prater park, and today we went to the mall for a quick errand. This Friday night is Fall Festival at VCS, a HUGE event each year. All VCS families are invited to bring food from their countries, and enjoy games, hang out time, and a musical performance by the kids, K-12.

Happy 8th Birthday Leighton!!

We hope your birthday is WONDERFUL and full of special things!

We miss you!

Cole played a birthday song on daddy's drum for you this morning!