Vienna!

Once again Conor was able to travel with his choir to Vienna, and this year the whole family tagged along! We decided it was too good an opportunity to pass up to actually see a bit of what living in Vienna will be like. We were able to visit the school the boys will be going to (Vienna International School) and meet the secondary school principal. Greg went into work and met his team, and we had a lovely dinner with the person Greg will be replacing and were able to get so many questions answered it was wonderful! We also got to see the apartment we might be able to move into, and although it was small it was in a great location and had a quirky quality that I think we will really love. The balcony has a view of the Rathaus, as well as the tippy top of St. Stephen's cathedral, and the view from the kitchen and living room looks out toward the Prater with a view of the famous ferris wheel.

The gardens at Schonbrunn are amazing.

Conor showing me the short cut to the center of the maze at Schonbrunn Palace.

The choir group in front of the State Opera House where we had just gone on a really interesting tour.

AES Choir group getting a lesson from one of the Choir Masters for theVienna Boy's Choir.

Conor's choir group with the boys, after they had just performed together.

And a group pic on the grand staircase in the castle the Vienna Boys Choir kids live in.

Conor didn't have any issues at all being on a choir trip with a bunch of girls...

...but he may have been giving me this look so I would stop taking pictures!

Hot chocolate on a cold day in Vienna. This could someday be our local hangout!

Seriously the best swing in the world...

We all had to give it a try!

One night we went to St. Peter's Cathedral to listen to a free concert with an organist and a soprano. It was cold, and beautiful, and joyful and spiritual, but the thing I will keep with me most is the image of Conor and Ryan who were sitting together a few pews in front of me and Greg. These two just couldn't be better brothers, and I hope that they always appreciate how special their connection is. 

View from the top of the ferris wheel at the Prater. I'm glad we did this on our last day because we were able to spot so many of the places we had visited.