fresh air Chamois

All this talk of Torino being the 8th most polluted city in the world makes you want to head for the hills....or more properly, the italian alps! We went to a little paradise today that was a 90 minute drive from Pecetto. In the province of Val d' Aosta, we caught a gondola up to Chamois, the only italian town that prohibits cars. After a picnic and run around the local playground, we caught a chairlift up to a delightful little lake. So pristine, you weren't allowed to touch it (bummer.) But that was okay. The kids made their own fun and we relaxed!

 

Chamois Slideshow

we've got another walker!

Ella surprised us last night. I had just carried Luca to bed after he fell asleep upright in the desk chair, and was fixing to put Ella down, when Daddy came home, and she decided to put on a show for us. One day shy of her 14 month birthday she's converting from all 4 to 2. Brava Ella-bug!

Ella Bug Walking

school's out for summer

We've been getting creative with our summer vacation. Mamma's making Limoncello, and yesterday with lots of help, we made Gnocchi all' Americana.

Luca making a mountain out of the cooked potatoes.

Ella, in charge of swatting flies and testing the product

Luca made a gnocchi birthday cake

gnocchi looking promising with some butter and sage to drizzle over

oops, looks like we're having mashed potatoes! Oh well still tastes good.

Later Luca with the scissors, gave Ella her first hair cut. He chopped off most of her wispy curls in the back. He said they were "schiffo" (disgusting) so they had to go evidently. Oh, it's just the beginning!