housing around

Luca flies very briefly with his Batman cape, and Ella shows just how "evil" she can be on the dance floor.

march candle madness

There were so many reasons to celebrate this March. Three birthdays, Father's Day, and a new family!

starting with a personalized crostata by Valeria using her mamma's homemade apple marmellata.

Ella can't wait to steal one of the stars

Mamme iper-tecnologica (-Angela)

Benvenuta Yi Lan! Yi Lan shares her "faccia brutta" face. Giovanni & Elena are in love.

Buona Festa di Papa! Notice Ella's face is covered in flour after experimenting in the kitchen.

Alice & Luca celebrating 5 years together with Rice Krispy treats

Luca's 5....and we're going to Legoland!

We celebrated the big day by doing exactly what Luca likes most. We had a big strawberry/blueberry crepe breakfast with neighbors Alberto & Giorgio. Then built Legos all day until it was time to go to Caterina's baptism. Played silently (not really) during the 1 hour mass, and partied hard with his best friends from Pecetto, fueled by Fanta, cake and potato chips. In the evening it was time to call the Nonni on Skype. A Skype treasure hunt ensued. They gave him clues to find his birthday gifts hidden in the house. Grandma had to be reminded of her clue, but in the end, treasures was found, and all was enjoyed. We watched a little bit of Despicable Me (Ella calls it "Pickle Me") and then Daddy read the bedtime story with a flashlight!

"Luca, how does it feel to be 5?"

"Good."

"Mamma, when I'm 7, I want to be a babysitter."

"Really? Why?"

"Because when I'm 7, I can drive a big truck and drive all the babies around."

To think it was only 5 years ago that our lives were enhanced greatly by this little bundle of energy. In a way it feels like a lifetime, and in another way, a few days. Luca still has the same zeal for life at 5 years that he did at 5 months old. Mark and I feel trully blessed to be the chaperones.

Notre Dame Weekend

6 families, 11 bambini, snowpark, sunshine, spa, skiing, la grolla, a wedding = happy!

finding the Matterhorn

I think it was more exciting for Mark & I to see and ski under the Matterhorn this weekend than it was for our children who have no idea of the magical fake one in Southern California and Orlando. We headed to Cervinia with the McGraw family in search of the real one...

Alice, Luca & Evan before heading up the gondola to our hotel at 2,555 meters (8,400 feet)

Bridget & Brian and blue skies appear

Mark & Luca head off to the real ski slopes

After a couple wrong turns, Luca and Mark arrive all the way at the bottom. Luca still smiling after the 1,800 foot descent. Mark did have to carry him a few times, but he still wanted to ski the next day. I was proud!

Alice patiently holds Ella's hand down the bunny slope. This was her first time on skis. They made it the whole way without falling. I think she'll be skiing the blues by next year!

Matterhorn shows herself, and now it's mammas turn to go!

Famiglia Coletti, minus a tired Luca

Brian & Evan on the Swiss border at 3,332 meters (11,000 feet). 

That night we enjoyed dinner while the kids ran back and forth from the playroom, and then from 8:30pm the classic italian "animatore" appeared to entertain the kids with "baby dance." While Luca and Ella danced to Shakira, they passed Bingo sheets out to the adults and we managed to all stay awake until 10pm. 

A look out over the slopes. In the distance is Valtournenche, where I skiied with Amy & Eric back in 2008 in subminus freezing temperatures: 

totally equipped for minus 20 and wind chill

yellow yeti!