Lately

Hey friends!! I know it has been way too long since I have blogged, but I am back and hopefully back for good. Zane has been such a blessing, and so fun to have around. I can't believe he is almost 4 months already. He is rolling over now, and its so fun to watch. I almost cried the first time. I know, I know, such a softy.  It's crazy how fast he is growing, but each stage has been so fun, and keeps getting better. I am anxious to start him on solids, and think I will do so when we get home and all settled into our new home!

Speaking of new home, we officially have our keys, and are new home owners. I am super excited to get home and get all moved in. But not until the hockey boys hopefully win the title :)

Hockey is going really well for Derek. He has had an unbelievable year. He was the leading goal scorer for the entire league. We are in the middle of playoffs right now. Semi finals, and it's a best of 5 series. We are down 1 game to 0, and play tomorrow here in Villach. Cross your fingers for us!!

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Hochosterwitz Castle

Hey Guys!! We are back at traveling and feel so blessed. Derek had the weekend off, and we decided to see some of Carinthia's top attractions. (Carinthia is the state within Austria that we live in) Our first stop was the Castle Hochosterwitz. It's about 45 minutes from Villach. It is perfectly preserved and 150 meters above the valley. It has been owned by a local family since the 16th century. 14 gates lead up to the stronghold, that was rebuilt from 1571-1586, as it stands today. The castle was never conquered due to the 14 gates. It was pretty cool to explore. We rode the elevator up, and then hiked down. The valley in which the castle stands, is full of farm lands, rolling hills, and the alps off to the southwest. Pretty amazing that they could build something so magnificent, so long ago. In the United States buildings that are 100 years old, are considered old. This castle is over 400 years old. Pretty dang cool.

After touring the castle, we drove to a local Gasthaus, for lunch. No English was spoken by anyone there, but we both managed to order completely in German, and understood most of what our waitress said. We were pretty proud of ourselves. After lunch we drove to our old stomping grounds in Veldin (where we lived for the first month last season) had some soft serve Ice Cream, and let Bronxie go for a swin in Worthersee. He has become quite the swimming corgi man!

                                                              

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/57455064 w=500&h=281]

Bronx in the snow ! Hilarious (Enhanced) from Bonnie Ryan on Vimeo.

Outdoor Hockey

Last week Derek was able to play in his first professional outdoor game. It was hosted by Olympia, the team in Ljubljana Sloveia, and in an old soccer stadium. It was quite cold that day, so the glass was really foggy, so it was hard to see and take good photos. The boys played well, however they lost in overtime. Derek is still having an outstanding season, and is "tearing it up" as they would say back home. I am so proud of him, and so glad we are here in Austria!! Go VSV!!!

Gorgeous snow capped mountain view from our apartment!