My Woolley Family Reunion in Florida!

We just spent the last week at a wonderful Woolley family reunion in Florida. My parents are leaving to serve a mission in Russia for the next 3 years so the entire family gathered for a last hurrah. The Florida Keys was a surprising choice for us -- given that we are all lily white and usually prefer cultural/history vacations. But it was perfect! Still in the U.S. (for Joy) and not too far from Europe (for us). We stayed at a fabulous resort -- but we got to stay in individual houses with little backyard pools (which the kids loved as much as the big ones). What did we do there? Schnarn, swim, scuba, see dolphins, play tennis, swim, swim, swim. (Oh, and Rob tried to bike but it's kind of hard when the main road is flat, narrow and very busy.) Despite the jetlag for us, it was so much fun to have a whole week of family time -- it wasn't enough!

A peek down the street where we stayed -- can you believe this is actually a resort? So homey.

Family pictures -- finally. My mom insisted that we get a huge family photo taken. It will be great to have, but trying to coordinate 13 grandkids plus 15 adults was not an easy task. We at least got something decent of our own family. At least they are all looking!

Mariah and Anna -- hurry up and wait for these photos.

Anna Claire with her cousins Gretel and Grace.

Tyler is looking a little drowsy.

We finally blessed Tyler with the entire family there. Rob gave him a really wonderful blessing.

Tyler checking out his cousin Isabel, who is 1 month younger.

Yes, mostly we swam, swam, swam. The kids loved the many themed pools. Here is Anna Claire paddling away behind her cousin Peter.

Mariah enjoyed hanging out with Grandpa Ken.

Rob and Chris started throwing her up in the air. She loved it and kept saying, "Higher! Higher!" She's a thrill-seeker like me.

Anna Claire didn't want to miss out on the fun!

Anna and Mariah with cousins Gretel and Olivia -- searching for seashells.

Tyler had fun in the sun too!

We visited a mini-Sea World place that had an amazing dolphin show. Look at this woman jumping off the dolphin.

My dad took a group of us for a ride in a bi-plane. Here we are: Ashley, John (who is actually a real pilot), Chris, Rob, me, Franz and Dad.

The ride was incredible. I felt like a WWI pilot. The plane's double wings allow it to take off a lot more quickly than a regular plane -- it was almost like an open helicopter ride.

I tried to get some photos of the keys below -- but all of them have these bars obstructing the view.

Unfortunately, the girls never quite got over jetlag. Here is Mariah going down for a long afternoon nap.

The two cousins -- only one month apart but look at what a chunker Tyler is!

Grandma Tia and Grandpa Ken with the babies. This perfectly captures my dad. A grandchild in one arm and a cellphone in another. (Actually, I think it's a camera here -- but it's usually a cellphone.)

It's icecream time!

Here, Mariah, have some more!

Goodbye Grandma and Grandpa. We'll miss you!

Fields of Gold

Today was a beautiful spring day and the flowers are in bloom all over our backyard. The girls ran outside to gather flowers. Isn't this a little girls dream?

SALZBURG: The Hills Are Alive!

For Easter weekend, we planned a last minute trip to Salzburg. We found a Kinderhotel just about 15 minutes away from Salzburg, across the border in Germany. It was fabulous. They do programs for the kids all day, so the parents are free to do as they please -- and the kids love it because they get to do crafts, play, etc.

Here we are on our way to church on Easter Sunday. We had to stop to get a photo in front of the beautiful mountain castle behind. (Tyler is sleeping in the car.)

This is one of the many lakes in the Salzburg region. Rob and I left the girls at the hotel and went biking around the lakes area. It was so refreshing for me to get back out on a bike.

Unfortunately, Tyler was just one month shy of being eligible for daycare, so he got to accompany us on our bikeride. He didn't mind at all.

SALZBURG: The Town

After attending church in Salzburg, we spent Easter Sunday roaming this charming town. We DID NOT do the Sound of Music tour. I am a huge fan but I did that tour when I visited 14 years ago and Rob preferred to see other things -- like Mozart's birthplace etc. Nevertheless, we borrowed a copy of the Sound of Music and watched it with the kids at night.

Here I am re-enacting a Sound of Music scene. Don't I look like Maria in my hat?

We stopped and ate lunch in one of the main squares. I ordered a Sacher tort -- a famous Viennese cake that isn't as tasty as it is famous. The girls had the most fun running around the Mozart statue.

It even feels like Maria's town when you see the horse-drawn carriages. "So-Do-La-Fa. . ."

"Let's start at the very beginning. . ."

We took the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress -- an impressive castle overlooking the town and the site of the Salzburg Music Festival. (You know, where the Von Trapp family performs just before they escape.) It gave us a fantastic panorama of the city.

Mariah hanging on with Daddy.

Here I am, with Anna, Mariah and Tyler, climbing up the steps to the fortress.

The fortress is pretty imposing inside -- with lots of museums and places to explore.

Me and the kids again. I think Rob must have had the camera all day, because I can't find many of him. Unusual!

Anna Banana.

SALZBURG: Back at the Ranch

Back at the Kinderhotel, Rob and I enjoyed a nice, quiet dinner without the kids (except Baby Tyler). The kids got to eat pizza in the kids room tonight.

Rob and I then walked around the hills a bit with Tyler.

This is me after singing "The hills are alive. . ." so scenic with the snowy Alps in the background.

Our hotel gave us a gorgeous view of Salzburg. Can you believe we are actually in Germany? That whole scene of the Von Trapps hiking over the Alps to Switzerland was a crock -- they actually would have been hiking right into Germany near Hitler's Eagle's Nest hideout! Not a wise move.

Up and down the teeter totter with Tyler and Mariah. Daddy and Anna balanced out the other side.

I love this movement photo of Mariah on the merry-go-round.

Anna and Mariah ready for bed in their "car room".

Tyler etc.

Tyler has become such a wonderful baby! He had some feeding problems at first -- but now he does pretty well. He burps gigantic "manly" burps and spits up volcanoes, but other than that he is such a nice boy. He doesn't demand attention constantly and is often content playing with his little play gym. He loves to be tickled by the girls -- but they can go a little too far. Oh, the contented third child. Please let this continue!!!

We met some friends at the Rapperswil Zoo and Anna Claire just had to climb the giant whale.

Anna and her friend Joseph on top of the giant whale.