under the tuscan moon

Why is it that there are only two occasions in which you are surrounded by dear friends and family, weddings and funerals?? Mark's friend broke that cliche with style last weekend at their home in Chianti wine country. We were grateful to be among the chosen to celebrate at "The White Party."

"cheers" to being back in paradise

breakfast at agriturismo Inabli

cappuccino time

Luca practicing his stroke

while princess bugoo looks cute in pink

Bistecca Fiorentina with a side of lard soaked potatoes!

Luca's "selfie" entertainment

Ella brushes up on her Dante, in every language

On the move with "kitty cat backpack"

dressed for White Party

the stage is set

family portrait with the host

practicing her dance moves

like a wedding, but better.

Gelato cart? yes please.

relaxing after a short night.

soccer players get a blast of water when a goals is scored

off to find the treehouse

another reason to come back

alla prossima!

faces

Ella makes some of the funniest faces, and if I may say so, adorable. Spoken like a true mother.

"cheese" face

"cold" face

God Bless America & Little B

Our visit home was made extra special as this was the last time we got to see Little B. She must have known, because she saved the best of herself for our visit. She loved having her great grands around. Now that her grandkids all are grown, she lit up when there were new little people scampering around the house. On this particular morning, we stopped by just in time for waffles with Little Bakka. Little B ate almost all of hers, before Ella managed to steal one of her pieces!

She passed peacefully on a beautiful sunny day, Mother's Day, May 11th, 2014. She was surrounded by family, flowers, and food. All of her favorites.

Here's a link to the highlights of our visit to the Northeast, and the Northwest:

God Bless America

Spider-Man Pancake Pajama Party

It was all happening at this party. Including Luca's debut on two wheels! The only one not happy about it all was our dear landlady. She appeared outside once, mumbled that it was like the "ghetto" in her yard, and headed for the door, but not before Angela said the kids were going to loot the place while she was gone. :)

Big man on campus

Ella lends a blow

pancakes!

pancake and syrup master

Spiderman makes superman look small

Milliard and some cinnamon rolls!

Uh oh....frisbee got run over!

Jiyon, the most committed parent to come to the pajama party in her robe.

1,2,3,4 clues the kids followed to find.....

this beauty.

where the "wild things" are

Happy Birthday Luca!

Spring Break, the Alps

Taking advantage of the abnormally nice weather, we've been to various places in the 

Alps with friends over the last few weeks. Luca has tumbled off sleds, slides, and

mountains sides more times than I can count, and Ella has been mostly laughing her 

way along, when she's not dancing with a mushroom to "Sexy Lady."

Luca's Pancake Pajama Party

Venite a festeggiare 4 anni con Luca! Venite in pigiama (anche i genitori, volendo), un paio di stivali per giocare fuori e un appetito.

Vi aspettiamo dalle 10 in poi, Sabato il 22 Marzo alla casa di Luca.

Come celebrate 4 years with Luca! Come in your pjs (parents as well, if they wish), some shoes to play outside, and an appetite!

Party starts at 10am on Saturday the 22nd of March at Luca's house.

Cheers,
Luca

Pecetto PFD

                     

Pecetto will sleep a little better tonight knowing they're in good hands.

Fire Captains Alberto, Luca & Emanuele

Ella, as Girl on Fire

Giorgio asleep at the wheel