lost another tooth

 As we were going to bed as I was able to help Aaron pull out his front tooth.  This is the first upper front tooth that he's lost (he's lost the 4 bottom front teeth already).  He was SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!  Jumping up and down.  He was even more excited to find lots of change under his pillow!

ferragosto 2014

 In August we were able to do some fun day trips since Paolo was home on vacation.  In the mountains about 1.5-2 hours from here there are a few artificial lakes created by some dams.  We went the first week we were back home to bacino di suviana (lake suviana), and then on ferragosto (one of Italy's biggest holidays) to bacino di brasimone (lake brasimone).

 I think my kids should have been born either as fish or some other water creature because they really can stay in the water 3-4 hours at a time.

 We also drove past this REALLY COOL old castle called Rochetta Mattei, that was an antique family, very "eccentric" as Paolo describes it to me that built this castle in the middle of the alps!  Unfortunately it's under rennovation and not open to the public. :(

So after an amazing drive in the mountains, we got to this small town called Grizzana.  I had to take a picture of the name of the place because I'm as good at remembering names as I am at remembering the chemical makeup of an atomic bomb!  Names just don't stick in my head.

They had a fun Medieval parade.  It was quite small, but just perfect for my kids.

At the end of the parade, the king read a proclamation and from the balcony nearby were thrown the delicious traditional sweets called "zuccherini" (the link I put in was to show the picture of them better, but their not really lemon flavored, at least not in the Bologna region).  Free treats to boot!  Well, I think it was a good marketing technique because we ended up buying a bag and eating the whole thing the same day! 

Happy Anniversary- 9!

9 years and counting!  What a blessing it is to be married.  It's about love, about not being alone, or walking alone.  It's about forgiving, and loving, and giving the best of yourself.  It's about raising a family together, teaching children together.  I think family life comes with a lot of trials, difficulties, learning to overcome pain and disappointment relying on the atonement of Jesus Christ.  It's for sure not a walk in the park, but it's worth every sacrifice, pain, love and forgiveness that can be given.  I'm grateful for the last 9 years with Paolo, and look forward to an eternity of them!

Happy Birthday Isabel, 3!

 My baby girl turned 3 yesterday!  I can hardly believe it.  I remember when she was born that I had the impression that she would be sweet but tough as nails.  I had no idea what "tough as nails" meant, but I'm starting to learn.  She is one determined girl.  What she sets her mind in not negotiable.  She has to do everything, ALL BY HERSELF or wo to you!  Seriously- doing up her own seat belt, closing her own door, going to the bathroom by herself- in public restrooms (blah!), say the pray first... the list goes on

 She can be soooooo sweet, and her kisses are always welcome.  It makes up for the difficulties of two-year-oldness (now 3-year-oldness).

We made a "princess" castle cake, with ice cream.  It was seriously melting away and we had to sing and eat within 3 seconds of making it!  But she loved it.

We also went to the beach for her birthday.  She discovered rolling down sand dunes.  By how happy she seemed, it was as good as rolling down green, grassy hills.  I'll take the green grassy hill any day!

Random pictures

 These two were inseperable!  I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture of Isabel with Milo too!

 Meeting up with the Smith's again!

 Thank you aunt Kathy for the Darth Vader costume.  Despite being 100 plus degrees, Aaron was happy to dress up and go around like that.

Pioneer children sang as they walked...

 Everytime we were in the car and could see the mountains (every day, multiple times a day) my kids would ask when we could go into the mountains?!  We finally did it with my dad.  Hiking in the mountains.  Something I grew up doing, and still have fond memories of.

 For Pioneer Day all of the kids were given handkerchiefs and learned about pioneers and pioneer children.  They played "pioneers" for several days, including eating like them...

 making and carrying their own hand cart...

and walking and walking and walking... around the block.

water fun

 We did lots of splash pads, and water parks!  If you look close you can see Mary carrying Isabel (something she did often). :)

 And in case all of those other places weren't enough for having fun with water, the back of the Barlow's truck was awesome fun too!

Out with the old and in with the new

 I've decided to buy a couple of new things (since I haven't been clothes shopping in more than 10 years! ok, an occasional thing here and there but not much to speak of).  My good friend Karla very deservingly teased me a bit, and celebrated not having to look at this old shirt that has been WELL worn.  So we celebrated by cutting it up!

 I also got a hair cut and bought some make up.  My husband's not going to recognize me when I get home. ;)