Week 18

Venice

We decided since Monday was an American Holiday (President's Day) and not an Italian Holiday that it would be the perfect day to go to Carnivale in Venice - I was hoping it wouldn't be very crowded but... it was.  Maybe because we went the day before Fat Tuesday... I don't know.  Either way, we had so much fun!!

We started our trip by walking from our house to the train in our little town.

Got on the train with no problems!  Venice is about an hour away by train.

First sight after stepping out of the train!!!

Even on a Monday afternoon there were still several who dressed up!!  I was so glad!

Forced to get a cappuccino so that we could use the bathroom

The ground was covered in graffiti

The line for Gelato

Getting in the spirit with a nice face painting!

Could life be any better??

This is how the walk was pretty much the entire way from the train to Saint Marks Square... crowded!

Daddy wheeling and dealing with the Gondoliers

Pure excitement!

The view from our Gondola... looked like a scene that really could have happened 100s of years ago!

I couldn't believe we squeezed through some of these very narrow canals!

He said his photo is taken more than Tom Cruise.. lol!

Back on land!  Whitney got picked to help a street performer complete a magic trick!

We made it to the Square!!!

A theater was putting on a show when we got there

Scary street performer

Dinner in the middle of the Square...  (and 8 euro Fantas!!)

Walking to the water bus as the lights are just starting to come on

Oldest casino in the world

Trying to find the right train to take us home

Fun day that I hope she will always remember!

Other fun things this week.....

Last game for Aiden... before tournaments

Last game for Whitney...  I could hear her telling this kid "your guarding me and I'm guarding you" haha!!

The scouts did had a campout in our backyard!  They built a fire and they all completed their cooking merit badge. 

And last but not lest..... one of Whitney's assignments that I loved.
You ARE stronger, faster, and smarter Whitney!!!  I love you!

Week 17

Surprise!

This week we got a surprise phone call at 3am letting us know our friend was going into labor.  They dropped these little cuties off at our house on their way to the hospital. 

It was hard getting up for school the next day but we celebrated with blueberry pancakes!

Waiting outside the hospital room to see their new baby brother!

I felt so honored to be a part of this sweet moment.  Welcome to your wonderful family Cam!

Valentine's Day! 

In 2009 we came to Vicenza during a family vacation to Italy.  We met my friend who lived here and she took us to a wonderful restaurant.  In fact, the dish I had that night has since been my favorite meal I ever had in Europe.  Jeremy made reservations for us to have dinner there again this year for Valentine's Day.  (The food was great but they had a fixed menu so I wasn't able to order the same dish again.... next time!)

2009

Jeremy wrapped a gift and wrote a beautiful letter on the outside.  He put it on the table and didn't say anything.  I thought it was part of the table decorations when I first saw it - then I realized what it was. 

My favorite perfume

Appetizer

First Course

Second Course

Dessert

Week 16

Lots of basketball games this week!

Aiden has become a great basketball player and really likes it!  He got to travel with his team to Aviano and play against some Air Force teams there.

Whitney and her rowdy team!  Those poor coaches!  This was her first time playing basketball and she improved a lot from the first game!!  

Lunches with the Kids!  

I can't have lunch with Connor anymore but I can still see these 2 for now so I need to have lunch with them more often before they are all out of elementary school... :(

Week 15

Cheer Clinic
The highschool cheerleaders held a one-day cheer clinic for a fundraiser and all the little girls couldn't wait to get started... including Whitney!

Aiden has been saving every penny for over a year now.  He made a lot last summer mowing our neighbors yard, plus Christmas and Birthday money he finally decided on something to spend it on.  He bought himself an iphone 6!!

All A's Honor Roll

Aiden was honored at a school assembly this week for getting all A's on his report card.  We are so proud of him!  This has not been an easy year for him - but he is such a responsible and conscientious little guy! He has really worked hard and should feel really good about that.  

GOOD JOB AIDEN!!