Last days of Summer

Below are 40 photos (yes, I know, that’s a lot) from the weeks between our trip to Austria and the first day of school for the kids. You’ll see lots of water, a Django saying good-bye to bottles, his 4th birthday and some daily Petrignani fun. I hope you enjoy!

To mark the end of an era, we let Django destroy his bottles as a way to say “good bye” and to help him realize what was going on. He did great!

He’s so fun. We walked down to the dumpster, and Django chucked everything in the trash. He only asked once or twice for his bottle the next day or so.

As many of you already know, we live in the same building as Tonio’s parents, Papi Pierre and Mamie Nancy. When Django goes downstairs to their house, he often gets a cookie of epic proportions. Haha.

It’s fun having friends with a pool. Thanks Anne-Laure and Jérôme for letting us enjoy your little oasis.

They even had 2 cats. Daphné was so happy!

And this is just precious. Daphné would swim across the pool with Django on her back. They had a blast together.

Saying good bye to Robine the kitty cat.

And here we are at another pool. Tonio’s Aunt Cricri and Uncle Rob have a residence pool. It’s absolutely lovely in the summer.

Here is Tata Cricri (short for Christiane) with our Daphné Christiane. We named Daphné after Tata Cricri.

Pierre got this great shot of our swimming family! I love it!

Django can be totally content all alone, and happy as a clam in a crowd. I love this about him.

Cricri bought out the boulangerie to celebrate our Django’s 4th birthday (round 1).

Happy birthday Django! We are so thankful God gave you to our family to take care of and love. You’ve brought us so much peace and so many laughs!

And we also celebrated Rob’s birthday, which was August 12th, while we were in Austria.

Rob showed his candles who was boss. Daphné loved it.

A few days later, Django’s birthday celebration (round 2) on his actual birthday date, August 21st.

We invited 2 families and Mamie and Papi of course. Here are the kids playing in the bedroom. Emmanuel, Daphné, Django, Hector and Béryl. Sweet group of kiddos.

Lunch time on the picnic blanket in the living room.

Emmanuel and Django enjoying some fries.

This girl brings us so much joy! She explodes it everywhere she goes, which is why her nickname when she was little was our “Little Joy Bomb”.

Gift time is always fun. Django was happy with all his gifts! Thanks everyone!

Opening a gift from my parents, Grandpa Tim and Grandma Kathy. This gift traveled in my suitcase all the way back from California. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

The whole birthday crew : Gloria, Luis with their son Emmanuel, Mamie Nancy, Papi Pierre, Edgar with his two kids, Hector and Béryl, then Daphné, Django me and Tonio.

Tonio took this one evening while I was reading to the kids.

My friend Crystal told me she could hear this picture. Can you?

The kids are allowed to use Papa’s binoculars. I love when they see something outside, like a huge boat or birds, and run to the drawer to grab these. Such wonder!

This view is truly a gift from the Lord.

Our friends Denae and Dave came to visit from Torino, Italy. Daphné and Denae enjoyed reading about creepy, crawly creatures in her animal book.

And while the above picture was happening, I turned around to see this across the hallway. Django, making people laugh since 2017. Hahaha!

Our kids really enjoy the animation films Hotel Transylvania 1 and 2 (not big fans of the 3rd one). If you ever watch the 2nd one, keep your eye out for Django’s Doppelgänger, Dennis, the little curly red-headed vampire. Haha!

Throwing rocks at the sea is a Petrignani pastime.

Tonio teaching God’s Word at church on Sunday. We are currently studying the Psalms. He is also wearing a shirt from my brother-in-law’s business, Forged Performance Institute. I always love to plug his company if I can. Check it out. www.forgedperformanceinstitute.com #forgedperformanceinstitute

The day before school started for Daphné some friends from Italy were cruising through town, Donovan and Caryn with their kids David, Isabelle and Gianmarco. Thanks for stopping by guys!

After hanging with our friends, we headed to the fountains for the last summer hoorah before school starts!

I love this picture for so many reasons: 1) Daphné looks sooooo tall, 2) Django is such a cuddly ball of cuteness, 3) the city in the background is so beautiful and is my home and 4) I love hanging with these two people!

And to end this season of summer, I share A Liturgy of Praise to the King of Creation from “Every Moment Holy” by Douglas Kaine McKelvey.

“Christ, you are the Snow King. You are the Maker of All Weathers. You are The King of Sunlight and Storms, The King of Grey Skies and Rain. You are The Rain King, The Sun King, the Hurricane King. You are the King of Autumn and King of Spring.

And our thoughts of you, O Lord, have been too small, too few.”

Thankful for the close of this season and looking forward to the next one,

Love Linz

Back to School

Austria