When friends and family come to call

These last few of my 13 months away are pretty full ones.  In March, Wes (an APU friend) visited, and I told you a little about that here.  A couple weeks ago, wonderful family friends Robert, Virginia, and baby Amelie (whom  I visited in Berlin in December) came to Vienna for a conference, so I got a couple days with them here!  I meant to share some pictures from our time together before my next guest arrived.  Oops.  A dear old friend from Eureka arrived today!  It just so happens, though, that he left Spain at 2 o' clock this morning, and fancied a nap.  Here's my chance to report on my last visit before Bret and I go off on our own Viennese adventures!

I am so grateful for these ones.  They met me when I was in the really awkward tween years, and they like me despite that.  These are the ones who buried my hamster who died while I was away on vacation, who took care of my precious baby sisters while my parents were out of town, and who were my home away from home when we all moved to Los Angeles around the same time.

Berlin in December

Robert and Virginia welcomed beautiful baby Amelie to the world last summer, and then moved to Berlin in the fall for Robert's work.  Bummer for American family and friends, but wonderful for me!  I got to spend time with people who are as good as family just before Christmas, when I was feeling a bit homesick.  And seriously, this smile will cure any kind of sickness, don't you think?

Virginia and Amelie came to see me in Hollabrunn while Robert was at his conference.  We spent some time at the park, walked around town, and ate...Chinese food.  Because what else do you do in Austria?

I went into Vienna to meet the whole family on Saturday.  We wandered around, ate some really good food, and caught up on our last few months.  Most of our afternoon was spent at Schloss Schönbrunn, which is stunning at this time of year.  The garden is starting to bloom, and I think I could just spend every day there.

The day went by far too quickly.  We didn't even get a picture of all 4 of us together!  Luckily, right before I had to catch my train back to Hollabrunn, we snapped one of the ladies.

I miss these lovelies already, but I know it won't be too terribly long before I see them again.  With each year, I realize more and more just how small this planet really is.

Grace and peace,

Hilary