PISA

 Yesterday we left Bologna early in the morning with rain and cold wreaking havoc.  We drove over the mini Alps, and we were greeted by sunshine and 18°C (about 65 F).  We went to church in Pisa, and then went for a quick trip to see the leaning tower of Pisa.

 I had forgotten how beautifully white the marble is.  It was an absolutely beautiful day.

 Isabel woke up with a limp in her left leg and could barely walk so we had to carry her to and from and all around the tower.  I suspect she might have toxic synovitis.  Fortunately our parking lot was close by and my arms are well trained to carrying her around (she often gets carried to school).

 The marble and designs are beautiful.  I actually think the diamond in the middle of the arches would make a beautiful quilt block!

 I also think it'd be fun to free-motion quilt something like this onto a quilt.  It won't ever happen though.

 The LDS chapel in Pisa.

Eating an onion

Isabel insisted in a very persistent manner that she really wanted to eat this raw onion.  She L-O-V-E-S onions baked in the oven.  I think she thought it would be the same.  Unfortunately it wasn't!

chicken pox Varicella!

Isabel's got the chicken pox.  There's been a serious endemic in our schools here!  Over half the kids in Isabel and Jordan's school have been out, and almost all are back.  The boys have had both vaccinations, and Isabel her first.  I was convinced that we had escaped this bad guy.  Then Thursday as I was about to give her a bath I found a "zit-like thing" on her chest.  After her bath she was breaking out in red spots.

She started out undisturbed, more whiney than normal, but fine.  Last night she was itchy and fussy for most of the night.  Here we go...  I'm crossing my fingers that Jordan and Aaron have the right antibodies to not get this, but since we're in close quarters I'm not going to hold my breath over this one.

keeping busy during the snow

 This picture of Isabel reminds me a lot of my mom's side of the family.  For some reason she looks like a Wilson to me here.

 Fresh squeezed orange juice!  Love fresh fruit!  Spremuta.  Che meraviglia la frutta fresca!

Jordan pretending to iron.  Way to go future missionary!

The Refiner's Fire

This is beautiful and inspiring!