Adventures in Italy

Halloween 2010

2010-11-21T16:50:00.000+01:00

"Baby" Nolan and Miss Cassie

Yes, that is Aiden....

Aiden trying to slay the girls

The infamous line to stand in for Trunk or Treat

Angel Brinlee, Kyla, and Devil Chloe

My attempt to make a ghost birthday cake for the kids

Now you all know why I say they don't need anything...present mania!!!

Birthday Boy!!!!

2010-11-21T16:28:00.003+01:00

Happy Birthday Girls!!!

2010-11-21T16:05:00.000+01:00

Brinlee trying on her jewels and gloves

Chloe is destined to work in Vegas...

Pumpkin Carving 2010

2010-11-21T15:45:00.000+01:00

Brinlee is grossed out but was a trooper with the guts

Aiden was completely grossed out and needed help to clean out his

BOO!!!

GERMANY May 2010

2010-10-22T17:54:00.000+02:00

Chloe and Brinlee

Aunt Julie and Uncle Randy

Outside our hotel back door. And Yes, we bought these for them, like idiots.

Edelweiss Lodge

We went to Edelwiess Lodge (a military resort) in Germany in May when Uncle Randy and Aunt Julie were here. It was SO nice and SO much fun! We toured a local palace and ate yummy food at the hotel. It was so nice and relaxing. The kids loved the pool and staying at the hotel. We will go back at spring break in 2011. Can't wait!

Castello di Duino in Trieste, Italy

2010-10-22T17:14:00.001+02:00

Duck Duck Goose

2010-10-22T16:51:00.000+02:00

The crazy goose

There is another post earlier in my blog about the fish pond where the water is turquoise blue and contains huge trout and a statue of Madonna at the bottom of the pool-the town is named Gorgazzo (I hope I have the spelling right but I don't think I do). This is another visit to the same place when Randy and Julie were here in May. There was this crazy goose there that was being awfully protective of the flower pot-we are guessing she had eggs in there. It took a liking (or more like hating) to me and chased me around until I lost my flip flop-Jeff thought that was awfully funny. He was hoping the goose was going to take my shoe, but luckily, I prevailed. It was one momma goose against another!

Ca Bruzzo May 2010

2010-10-22T16:27:00.000+02:00

My Aunt and Uncle

The Bruzzo home where we wined and dined!

I got together our closest friends while my aunt and uncle were visiting us in May and we drove to Ca Bruzzo Winery, which is about 2.5 hours from us. It is my most favorite place to go and enjoy organic, delicious wine as well as amazing food! We are served many many courses as well as have their wine paired with each course. It always gets a little wild with our bunch and is always SO much fun! Jeff teases me that I am the president of the Ca Bruzzo fan club because I love it, and the family, so much! It will be one of my most missed places when we move in a year.

Jeff's Oktoberfest Trip

2010-10-18T20:14:00.000+02:00

Jeff's friend

Drunk Jeff

Cheers!

Jeff brought home the kids cookie necklaces from this place. Could have killed him, but they loved them....

Saltburg

Riding on the "slide" down into the mine

The mine borders Austria and Germany

Salt

Marostica Human Chess Game

2010-10-18T19:25:00.000+02:00

The lighting of the chess board with a fire arrow before the game begins (it does burn out)

The princess

Introduction of royal families

The royal family, including the princesses being chosen by the game outcome

A Jester that traveled through the crowd

Flag throwers

This horse was BEAUTIFUL

The chess game being played

The giving of the princesses

Firworks afterward

I had the privelage to take Aiden to the human chess game in Marostica, Italy in September. We went with a local tourist service and ended up being with some friends on the same trip. It was an amazing experience, with singing, dancing, et cetera. Aiden ended up falling asleep at the end since it was late at night but we both had an amazing time together. The following is the history of the game.

The story of the Chess Game dates back to 1454 when Marostica belonged to the Venetian Republic.

It happened that two noblemen, Rinaldo D'Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara, fell in love with the beautiful Lionora, daughter of Taddeo Parisio, who was the Lord of the Marostica's castle. As was the custom in that time, they challenged each other to a cruel duel to win the hand of Lionora.

The Lord, not wanting to make an enemy of either suitors or loose them in a duel, forbade the encounter in conformity with Cangrande della Scala's Edict. He decided the two rivals should play a chess game: Lionora would take the winner as her husband and the loser would in any case join his family, marrying Oldrada, the younger sister.

The game should take place on the square in front of the Lower Castle on a feast-day with armed living persons carrying the noble ensigns of Whites and Blacks, in the presence of the Lord, his noble daughter, the Lords of Angarano and Vallonara, the noble court and the entire population.

He also decided the challenge should be honoured by an performance of armed men, fool-soldiers and knights, with fireworks and dances and sounds. So the armed men entered the field: archers and halberdiers, fool-soldiers and knights, then the Lord and his noble court with an anxious Lionora, who is secretly in love with one of the two rivals, her faithful nurse, noblemen and their ladies, the herold, the master of arms, falconers, pageboys, maidens, standard holders, musicians, farmers and their wives; the Whites and the Blacks with their kings and queens, rooks and knights, bishops and pawns and the two suitors who decide the moves. Then tribulation for the victory, fireworks and music according to the Lord's orders.

This event is repeated today just like the first time, in a framework of sumptuous costumes, multi-colour banners, martial parades, exquisite elegance.

A note of unique courtesy pervades everything; it inspires the whole re-evocation of this ancient story which, from the darkness of remote times, still live today as a miracle of fantasy. The orders are still given to characters and cast today in the "Serenissima Republic of Venezia" dialect. The show, with over 550 characters, last about 2 hours.

Lake Barcis

2010-10-18T17:58:00.000+02:00

Brinlee

Aiden showing off his muscles

Chloe showing off hers

Of course they found a hill to climb

Aiden telling a whopper of a story to his captive audience

The master griller

Lake Barcis is only about 20 minutes away from us and is sparkling blue, surrounded by mountains. We took the kids and our friend and her daughter and son for a cookout one afternoon. The kids had a blast playing in the rocks and water and exploring the hills. The best part was forgetting the lighter to start the grill so after multiple attempts to light it with the car cigarette lighter (the fuse ended up being out!) Jeff drove to a local tobacco store to get one. Thank goodness for the two bags of Ruffles we had!

Lipica Lipizzan Stud Farm

2010-10-18T16:52:00.000+02:00

Aiden and his close friend

Demonstration of how to care for the horse

Aiden feeding one a treat

Brinlee

Chloe

Mare and foal yard

Church on the grounds

We got to attend a field trip with Aiden in the spring to the Lippizan horse farm in Lipica, Slovenia. It is only about an hour and a half from our house. It was so nice to spend the day with Aiden and his classmates and we were able to take the girls too.

The history of Lipica is closely intertwined with the Habsburgs who ruled over an extensive part of baroque Europe and relied upon the use of horses. At that time, the Spanish horse was considered an ideal breed which is why the Archduke Charles, the third son of Ferdinand I of Habsburg, chose to build the royal stud farm in the Karst due to its soil and climate being similar to that of Spain.

When the Turks left this territory after their final invasion in 1545 the summer manor of the Bishop of Trieste was damaged and then gradually abandoned. The Archduke decided in 1578 to establish a royal stud farm and on 19 May 1580 signed an agreement to restore the estate.

In 1581, twenty-four broodmares and six stallions were bought in Spain. Once the renovation was completed in 1585, Franc Jurko, the first manager of the stud farm, informed the Archduke that the existence of the stud farm had been secured.

In 1594 the management purchased an adjoining estate found on the right of today’s vehicle entrance from Sežana, where there is now a golf course.

On 7 September 1658 the Archbishop issued instructions to the stable master, which included a work schedule and a 23 item development plan.

Under the reign of Emperor Joseph (1705–1711) new buildings were erected in Lipica, among which a stable for stallions (Velbanca) and a chapel with a chaplaincy. In the same period, meadows, roads and forests were prepared.

The period under Emperor Charles VI (1711-1740) was very important for the development of Lipica. The manager at that time, Maks pl. Oblak, later to become Baron Wolkensperg, took the lease on the former estate of the Auerspergs in Postojna.

In Vienna the construction of a riding school, the purpose of which would be to supply horses for court ceremonies, started in 1729 and the school soon became famous all over the world. In 1735 54 stallions from Lipica performed at the inauguration of the Vienna court riding hall. The stud farm in Lipica was gradually expanding when three new estates in the vicinity of Postojna were bought: Poček, Bile and Prestranek.

The Lipizzaner breed, such as it is known today, was developed in the times under the Empress Maria Theresa (1740-1780). It was Maria Theresa’s husband Francis Stephen, Duke of Lorraine, that took great interest in horse breeding. Of 22 stallions from the 18th century today's descendants belong to just four breeding lines: Pluto (Denmark, 1765), Conversano (Italy, 1767), Favory (Austria, 1779) and Neapolitano (Italy, 1790).

In the period between 1797 and 1815 the stud farm was afflicted with a series of hardships and calamities. On 22 March 1797 a herd of over three hundred horses had to flee for the first time to escape Napoleon’s army which was penetrating through the Venetian region towards Carniola and Štajerska. The herd moved to Székesfehérvar in Hungary until after the Campoformi Agreement was signed on 17 October 1797 when the herd was returned safely to Lipica.

Soon afterwards, in 1802, the stud farm was damaged by an earthquake in which some buildings were destroyed and several elite stallions died.

Following the 1809 Schonbrun Peace Agreement, the town of Trieste and the region of Carniola were annexed to France, forcing the Emperor to withdraw for the second time the herd of 289 horses from Lipica to Peczko near Mesöhegyesa in Hungary. The horses arrived in Peczko on 27 June 1809 and stayed there until 1815.

In the period under French occupation frequent epidemics decimated the herd. The original studbooks and complete documentation were lost during Napoleon’s wars.

In 1811 Marshal Marmont leased the Lipica estate. The beautiful landscape around Lipica was almost devastated for the first time in history, due to over-exploitation and excessive felling.

After the battle near Leipzig from 16 to 18 October 1813 and the Vienna Conference (November 1814 – 9 June 1815) Lipica again fell under the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

The herd returned to Lipica, the destroyed stables and other buildings were reconstructed and the almost devastated landscape restored.

In 1816 a pure-bred Arab stallion, Siglavy, born in 1810, was introduced to the herd. The fifth classical line of Lipizzaner stallions originates from his descendants and is still being bred today. The studbooks of the horses who survived were restored. These books were then kept in duplicate; the stud farm used the first copy as a working record, while the second was kept in the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna. The oldest entries in the studbooks refer to horses born in 1810 and also contain notes on their progenitors. The oldest entry concerns the mare Golomba, born in 1738.

At the order of Emperor Francis II the breeding stock of the stud farm was enriched by new bloodlines of predominantly Arab origin. The Arab mares gave birth to two of the total sixteen classical families of mares: Mercurio (1806), Djebrin (1824). Among many stallions introduced in the 19th century the stallion Maestoso X (Austria, Kladrubec) deserves particular attention, as he was breeding in the Hungarian military stud farm Mesöhegyes. He arrived at Lipica in 1837 to form the sixth classical line of stallions which started with a stallion named Maestoso Buda (Lipica, 1821). Among many new mares of predominantly Oriental origin another two of the sixteen classical families were formed: Gidrane (1841) and Theodorosta (1870).

As Lipica was located relatively far from the then capital of the empire, transport costs were high and the management of the stud farm proposed to move the stud farm somewhere closer to Vienna.

In 1848 Emperor Francis Joseph I decided to keep the stud farm in Lipica. The renovation of the farm was managed by an extremely efficient general, Count Karel Grünne, who lived in Lipica until 1875.

In 1892 Emil Finger was appointed the last Austrian manager of the Lipica Stud Farm. He began extensive land improvement in Lipica and Prestranek and organised the renovation of the stables and riding grounds.

On 18 May 1915, when Italy entered the war, the emperor ordered the immediate evacuation of the Lipica herd. The core herd had to abandon its homeland for the fourth time; the last train left the station on 29 May 1915. The stallions and mares were moved to Laxenburg near Vienna and 137 foals to Kladrub.

At the end of World War II the newly-established Czechoslovakia kept all the horses from Lipica, while an international committee held negotiations onthe return of part of the herd – which had been transferred to Laxenburg – back to Lipica which at that time was occupied by Italy. After marathon negotiations Lipica welcomed back 109 horses (2 stallions, 42 mares and 65 foals), representatives of all six classical lines of stallions and thirteen of the then fifteen known classical families of mares (but without any mares from the families of Gidrane, 1841, and Rava, 1755). Italians used the acquired breeding stock to renew the breeding in Lipica. Together with the breeding stock, Italy also received the second copy of the studbooks which had been kept in Hofburg near Vienna from 1816.

Following the capitulation of Italy, the German army occupied the region of Trieste and the Adriatic coast was annexed to the Third Reich. The Karst was the location of a partisan attack on Trieste and on 12 October 1943 the German army withdrew all 179 horses (6 stallions, 54 mares and 119 foals born between 1940 and 1943) to Hostinec (Hostau) in the Sudetes in Czechoslovakia. The headquarters of the German cavalry added another herd of 108 horses from Piber (2 stallions, 36 mares and 70 foals) and a great number of horses of other breeds from occupied countries.

After the Yalta conference (February 1945) Czechoslovakia was ruled by the Soviet Union. The German garrisons were disbanded and the displaced inhabitants were left to the squalor of post-war devastation, meaning that the breeding stock of the centuries-old Lipizzaner stud farm was also at stake.

The head of the US cavalry intelligence, Colonel Reed, proposed to General Patton to carry out a brisk military operation to save the horses. The American supreme military command denied the request for an operation on territory which was controlled by the Red Army. General Patton took the initiative and on 28 April 1945 the Americans conducted a bold military operation and transferred the horses to an area governed by Allied Forces. Captain Stewart, a senator’s son who participated in saving the horses described the operation in a letter dated 12 May 1945. Only a few days after, on 7 May 1945, Colonel Podhajsky, Head of the Spanish Riding School, pleaded with General Patton to protect the stallions which had been transferred from Vienna to St. Martin. (The return of the Lipizzaners to the Spanish Riding School was the theme of the Disney film from 1963 “The Miracle of the White Stallions”).

Following the withdrawal of Allied Forces in 1947 Lipica became part of the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia. It only received 11 horses from the herd which was confiscated by the Germans during the war. The studbooks and 80 horses (5 stallions, 42 mares and 33 foals), which were confiscated during the war by Germans, were assigned to Italy on 18 November 1947. The Italians first took the horses to Pinerola in Piemonte and at the beginning of 1948 they moved them to the military stud farm Montelibretti near Rome. The studbooks were used here until 1952. Today they are kept as an important part of the heritage in the Italian state stud farm of Lipizzaners in Monterotonda near Rome.

In 1949 the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry allocated 54 Lipizzaners to the Lipica Stud Farm.

In 1950 the Lipica Stud Farm passed from federal to republican administration. The stud farm lost its estates in the vicinity of Prestranek and a large number of the best stallions and broodmares.

In 1952 a Department of Haute École and Dressage Riding was established. At its helm was the renowned Russian dressage trainer Akarov.

In 1953 the Lipica Stud Farm lost its status as a state institution and fell under the jurisdiction of local and people’s councils. These councils were not interested in preserving the stud farm and were planning to shut it down until the then president Josip Broz–Tito used his personal influence to keep it running.

In spite of difficulties, the first appearance on the international stage followed in 1956. Alfonz Pečovnik with his mare Thais IX performed successfully in the international tournament in Vienna and one year later in Aachen.

In 1959 Lipica was taken over by the company Jadran Sežana which covered the losses of the stud farm in the following decade. In the sixties, Lipica opened up to the public and thus the foundations for its tourist development were set. As the costs increased, the company Jadran Sežana severed the stud farm and transformed it into the Horse-breeding Institute of Lipica. The number of horses decreased and the activities focused mainly on the development of tourism.

In 1963 the stud farm owned only 59 horses. In the following years breeding recovered and the stud farm started opening up to tourism.

To accommodate the increasing number of visitors each year, Hotel Maestoso was built in 1971 and a dressage riding programme for visitors was launched. In the following year the Ministry of Agriculture cancelled the grant to the stud farm and in the same year the grant from the then republican budget was also cut.

A decade of self-management, planned budget and intensive construction followed. In this period a large and a small riding hall were constructed, three outdoor riding grounds, a stable featuring a riding hall, a stable for private horses, hay barns, a hippodrome and blocks of flats for the employees. The historical appearance of Lipica changed substantially due to these new constructions which are, however, now considered questionable from the point of view of urban design and architecture.

In 1974 the first international tournament in dressage riding was organised. Towards the end of the seventies, the life of Josip Broz–Tito was nearing the end. This was the man who tried to preserve the unity of the Yugoslav state, which was a patchwork of several nations and cultures, through his strong personality and persuasion. The internal political crisis at that time deepened as a reflection of the anticipated death of the president. Disintegration of Yugoslavia was drawing closer. Lipica was in dire straits because of the cancelled governmental support. Under the patronage of Tito, the communist government decided to build another hotel in Lipica to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the stud farm.

In 1980 the construction of Hotel Klub was completed and Lipica celebrated its anniversary. The representatives of all Lipizzaner stud farms and breeders attended the central event celebrating 400 years of the stud farm. The horses from the Spanish Riding School from Vienna performed. In the same year a CHIO (Concours Hippique International Officiel) tournament was organised; Lipica also became home to the renowned Slovenian avant-garde artist Avgust Černigoj.

In 1984 the Lipica team successfully performed at the dressage competition at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

In 1985 the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) dressage tournament for the World Cup took place in Lipica for the first time. The artist August Černigoj died in the same year.

In 1986 the Lipizzan International Federation (LIF) was founded in Lipica. The gallery of August Černigoj was opened and features 1,400 works of art.

In the mid-eighties the stud farm was again in a difficult financial situation and its management decided to develop some completely new activities in the middle of this precious and delicate cultural environment.

The war in 1991 slashed the number of visitors. The herd decreased drastically. Losses piled up.

In 1993 the Lipica Stud Farm organised the European Championship in dressage riding. Then, Lipica's financial situation worsened and the real estate, equipment and herd of horses were ceded to the Municipality of Sežana. The latter undertook to meet the obligations of running the estate, the herd of horses and the Gallery of August Černigoj, but were unable to provide sufficient financial resources.

A government committee was established to draw up a bill on the Lipica Stud Farm. When the Lipica Stud Farm Act was adopted in 1996 the Lipica Stud Farm became a public institution owned by the Republic of Slovenia. In the same year the Lipizzan International Federation celebrated its tenth anniversary in Lipica.

Since the establishment of the public institution, the stud farm had made significant progress. The architectural core of Lipica, which was under monumental protection, was renovated and the herd was enlarged.

In 2002 the Lipica Stud Farm was recognised as a breeding organisation holding the original studbooks of the Lipizzaner breed.

At the beginning of 2003 the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Lipica Stud Farm Protection and Development Programme for 2002-2005.

In May 2005 the stud farm celebrated its 425th anniversary.

Today we have in Lipica around 400 horses.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

2010-10-17T18:07:00.000+02:00

Aiden checking out the lake

Uncle B showing off "his" palace!

View of the city

Uncle B and Jeff relaxing at a lakeside bar

Kids' hot chocolate

Aiden waiting to leave at the hotel

Entrance to the castle

Uncle B proving that he really was making the crazy climb to the castle

View of the island in the lake from the castle

Island in the middle of the lake

The Hamilton Clan in its glory

There was a wine cellar at the castle that you could bottle your own wine and you know I took advantage of that! So the hilarious man dressed as a monk helped me through the process. You could do white or red, and I chose red.

Filling the bottle

Putting the cork in (I used my big muscles)

Putting wax over the cork

Sealing the tag on the bottle with wax

View of the city

Part of the castle

Chloe, Aiden, and Brinlee

The lake was formed after the recession of the Bohinj glacier. It is up to 2120 m long and up to 1380 m wide, its maximum depth being 30.6 m and tectonic in origin. After the last Ice Age, the Bohinj glacier deepened the natural tectonic hollow and gave into its present form. The basin was filled with water when the ice melted. The lake has no large natural tributaries; it is fed only by a few springs.

BLED CASTLE – according to written sources, the oldest castle in Slovenia, first mentioned in a 1011 donation deed as castellum Veldes.

Perched atop a steep cliff rising 130 metres above the glacial Lake Bled is a symbol of Bled and Slovenia – Bled Castle. The image of the castle forming a dramatic backdrop to the romantic island and the church on it has earned the resort worldwide recognition through the centuries. Castle terraces offer spectacular views of the lake and the island, down the Dežela area with Lesce and Radovljica and over to the mountain ranges of the Karavanke and the Julian Alps.

It has been over a thousand years since on 10 April 1004 the German king Henry II conferred the estate of Bled located in the province called in Carniola on Bishop Albuin of Brixen and his church. In 1011 Henry II awarded Albuin's successor, Adalberon, the castle on the cliff (castellum Veldes) in a charter in which the castle was first explicitly mentioned. The Bled Castle was the administrative seat of the Brixen estate in the Gorenjsko region. Medieval documents refer to Bled with its German name Veldes. In terms of written documents, Bled Castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia. Castle buildings are arranged around the lower and upper courtyards.

The fame of Bled and its beauties was spread around the world by world travellers, including Janez Vajkard Valvasor and his Glory of the Duchy of Carniola of 1689.

Owing to its strategic geographic location, Bled has always been an important venue of high–level political and other official meetings. Its castle has been visited by a number of high-ranking statesmen who enjoyed the breathtakingly beautiful views of the surrounding nature.

Gulliverlandia

2010-07-07T22:25:00.000+02:00

Brinlee pouting

This was what the log ride looked like

Chloe

We took the kids to an amusement park called Gulliverlandia, about 45 minutes from us. It is very close to the beach and a water park. It was a cute little park, mostly greared towards little kids, which was great for us! Our first ride, which we don't have a picture of since we were all on it, was a type of log ride that went down a few big hills and we got splashed with water (an Italian verson of splash mountain)! Aiden and I were in the front and I loved it and he hated it! I have recently discovered that he is MUCH more timid than his sisters! Jeff took him on a ride that took you up high and then dropped you down and I guess he laughed (because he was SO freaked out) and Aiden told me that was his least favorite ride of the day!

We had a great time watching the kids laugh, smile, and race to the next ride. There was also a small aquarium where we could view many different types of fish and turtles. We were able to eat an insanely overpriced lunch there and finished up with some ice cream and wine for me (Jeff had his beer with his lunch), ha ha

Fun in the Sun

2010-05-06T18:49:00.000+02:00

Brinlee riding Aiden's scooter

Chloe on car, Brinlee on scooter

Playing in their new sprinkler with their friend

The pretty girls posing after getting soaked

Playing in the mud

More mud...

Slugger April 2010

2010-05-06T18:04:00.000+02:00

Ghetto Kites

2010-05-03T21:15:00.000+02:00

Well, you all know how talented Jeff is with making things (i.e paper dresses and costumes). Today he got the great idea to make kites for the kids since it was a tiny bit windy. They were made out of poster board, a clothes hanger, duct tape, string, and a bit of a ripped t-shirt for a tail. I have to say, I was quite impressed that they did actually catch air and fly! He never ceases to amaze me or the kids!!!

p.s.-Brinlee is in the brown shirt and Chloe in the turquoise.

Cards with the tards (ok really our friends, I just thought that sounded funnier)

2010-05-03T21:05:00.000+02:00

Mmmm....wine....(Westside!! ha ha)

Mr. Serious

Mr. NOT So Serious...

Good times one night with our friends playing card and board games after a quick dinner of BBQ hamburgers and hotdogs with the fixins...

Kids had a blast playing outside together and then off to bed for them and game time for us!

Dirty Faces

2010-05-03T20:49:00.000+02:00

Chloe enjoying her gelato

Aiden enjoyed his gelato a little too much!

Soldier Girl

2010-05-03T20:45:00.000+02:00

Chloe wanted to be like her daddy and dressed up in his boots and uniform shirt. Please ignore her nakedness-it was just too cute to pass up!

My marathon runners!!!

2010-04-17T19:11:00.000+02:00

Getting their numbers at the expo

Posing by a picture of last year's crowd

Posing outside the expo

I have never watched a marathon before. My friends decided to run in the Paris Marathon and asked if I wanted to go, and I thought why not? One of my friends is a vetran runner and for the other, this was her first one. I thought to myself, "Why not go and support them?". Little did I know how moved I would be by watching them run 26.2 miles. And with a smile on their faces I might add. I along with my other fellow "pit crewers", watched the start, metroed to the halfway point to give them supplies, and then metroed to the finish in time to meet them. It was an unbelievable experience and am so thankful I was able to be a part of their victory!!! p.s. there was approximately 40,000 runners!!!

Random Paris Pictures

2010-04-17T18:52:00.000+02:00

My "girls".

This bathroom was CRAZY! We couldn't figure out how to get into it, and it resembled a space ship. It required us to swipe a ticket and push buttons and it just didn't open up. It was in the metro and was very scary! Only one of our group managed to get it with help of a random person.

A beautiful view of the Sienne River

The Louvre

2010-04-17T18:35:00.000+02:00

The Infamous Pyramid

An elaborate ceiling in the Italian wing

Another Ceiling

Enormous and beautiful paintings in the Italian wing

I just really liked this painting

The Mona Lisa from a distance. It is actually very small.

Statue of Venus

Horses atop a pillar

My first mummy sighting! I loved it! He was very short.

This is how I feel sometimes...

I was so excited to be able to briefly visit The Louvre Museum! I felt a little bit like I was in the Da Vinci Code movie! ha ha We did not have time to wander through the whole museum (I think you could spend days there), but we did get to see The Mona Lisa, part of the Italian paintings, The Greek Wing, and my favorite, the Egyptian Wing. It was breathtaking for sure.

Palace of Versailles

2010-04-17T15:27:00.000+02:00

The Gardens and The Fountains of Versailles

During the expansion and embellishment of the castle, Louis XIV entrusted the creation of the gardens to Le Nôtre. It took 20 years for him to achieve this absolute masterpiece where all is once again perfection, symmetry and harmony. The gardens were designed for walking, while the flower beds were designed to highlight the castle. More than 300 statues, vases and busts decorate the paths. Water was also omnipresent with 1,400 fountains and waterfalls (only 607 of them remain today) as an integral part of the production. The sun theme is honored in the gardens as it is inside the castle. Every path offered the stroller its own allegorical figure; every clump of trees hid its own mythological legend. All was elegant, majestic and a symbol of the almighty king. This all took 6.2 million liters of water per hour to run. The king did not want to waste this valuable liquid, as water was so rare at the time, so he ordered that only the fountains he passed on his daily strolls be activated.

Pictures from Marie Antionette's private cottage

The Notre Dame Cathedral

2010-04-14T20:45:00.000+02:00

Pigalle--Paris' Red Light District

2010-04-14T20:38:00.000+02:00

According to About.com:

"Get naughty during your next visit to Paris by visiting the notorious Pigalle Place, an epicenter of sex shops, peep shows, strip clubs, cabarets and general adults-only, X-rated adventures.

This neighborhood in Montmartre has long been notorious as a popular hotspot for the more risque crowd. It is home to some of Paris' most famous cabarets ("Moulin Rouge," for instance, was immortalized by artist Toulouse Lautrec as well as Hollywood), or other topless and nude shows."

We went and briefly (our feet hurt ok and it was way past our bedtime) visited Pigalle long enough to snap a few pictures, particularly of Moulin Rouge. It was an interesting street, lined with shops and clubs not for the faint of heart!

Le Sacre-Coer de Montmartre-- aka Montmartre Basilica of Sacred Heart

2010-04-14T20:25:00.000+02:00

This basilica (church) was so beautiful! We were able to walk around the inside and I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming feeling of peace. I cannot even describe how it felt to be able to see this monument from both inside and out. There are many stairs in front of it, and people were sitting in the twilight drinking wine, eating bread and cheese, singing and playing instruments, et cetera. It was a truly unique experience that I will never forget.

Eiffel Tower

2010-04-14T20:14:00.000+02:00

Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person was breathtaking! Its size is unbelievable. We made a quick metro stop to see it before we left Paris. We were able to see it from other places in the city, but nothing compared to seeing it at its site.

Aquileia

2010-03-09T10:17:00.000+01:00

Monumental tomb dating back to the I century A.D.

Brrr....

Remains of a once magnificent piazza.

Remains of a column top

Remains of the ancient port, once surrounded by a large river.

Bell tower at the Basilica

WWI Cemetary

Statue in Cemetary of an Angel holding a fallen soldier-it was breathtaking

Sample of mosaic floor in the archeological excavation

Paintings on wall in the crypt

We recently visited the ancient Roman Port city of Aquileia with Aunt Marsha and Uncle Bernie. It is only about 1 hour away from us. It was a very chilly and windy day but we managed to walk through some old ruins, the Basilica (church), and see one of the only preserved WWI cemeteries dedicated to the fallen Italian soldiers. It was breathtaking. The Basilica is famous for having one of the most intricate mosaic floors in the world. Also in the Basilica we visited a crypt with relics of Saints, as well as an archeological dig of ancient parts of the church. Afterwards we had a delicious pizza lunch, then back home. I hope to visit there again when it is a bit warmer so we can stop and read the informational signs instead of hiding in our hoods and walking as fast as possible.

Paper Crusaders

2010-03-09T08:58:00.000+01:00

Ok, Jeff will kill me for telling this, but he made these outfits for the kids out of paper and duct tape. He has some amazing skills with making clothes out of paper! Anytime we have extra paper like this, he makes the girls dresses, etc. The kids had a blast fighting each other with their swords. The girls accessorized with jewels and crowns. A was well protected with his "helmet".

Making Cookies with Aunt Marsha

2010-03-09T08:53:00.000+01:00

Aunt Marsha, A, B, and C

Stirring

The finished product (A, C, B)

Congratulations!!!

2010-03-09T08:46:00.000+01:00

Getting his new stripe

We got to punch him in the arm where the new stripe goes

J recently got to put on his new rank and we are very proud of him and excited! A and I got to go to the official ceremony. (the girls were home taking a nap with our friend). Part of the tradition is punching the promotees in the arm. A and I were all too willing to do that! ha ha Afterwards we had cake at J's work. We will be having a party the end of this month to celebrate with our friends.

Gymnastics

2010-03-09T08:33:00.000+01:00

The girls are on the left end, stretching.

The girls started gymnastics a few months ago. They go once a week and LOVE it! I think it is for sure more up their alley than ballet was! They get to jump, tumble, stretch, and learn new moves. We don't get to go inside to watch them (they will be very distracted) so the pictures are from far away but wanted to share.

Predjama Castle In Slovenia

2010-03-09T08:17:00.000+01:00

Castle built into the mountain side

Kids posing with cannon balls

View of town from castle window

Crossing the drawbridge

Castle entrance below, by the cave system

We visited the Predjama Castle in Slovenia in February. It is literally built into the mountain side, with cave systems running under and throughout it. The first castle on these grounds is thought to have been built in the 12th century. It was built primarily as a fortress. We were able to walk through some of it and see the living quarters, torture chamber, and various relics. In the summertime people can visit the caves below the castle where secret entrances once were. The kids LOVED it although C was very afraid of the torutre chamber and was convinced there were monsters in the castle.

Day trip to Villach and Kleigenfurt, Austria

2009-12-29T18:36:00.000+01:00

Christmas In Italy

2009-12-29T18:29:00.000+01:00

B clinging onto a present in her new sweater Santa brought

Presents everywhere

A showing off his new 3-D puzzle from Santa

Salzburg Christmas Market

2009-12-08T09:51:00.000+01:00

Gardens

Apparently this was in the Sound of Music

Sorry ladies, had to post it-my friends eating chocolate covered bananas and strawberries.

Market area

In November I went to the Christmas market in Salzburg, Austria. I had been there 2 years ago but went again this year with a group of friends. Every year there are Christmas markets all over Europe. You go and shop for Christmas decorations and gifts. There is yummy food to eat and hot wine and cider (spiked or nonspiked) to drink while you shop. I have to admit I think the hot wine is my favorite part! ha ha We had a great time shopping, talking, eating, drinking, and being merry! Then we got on the bus and headed back home. It is about 4-5 hours one way.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-12-08T09:23:00.000+01:00

We had a small but very nice Thanksgiving day. Jeff grilled the turkey (and it is TO DIE for) and I made the sides as well as did our friends that came over for dinner. The kids played outside and then we had a delicious dinner. Afterwards the kids played and the adults played a fun card game. It was nice to be able to share it with good friends.

Bag Ladies

2009-12-08T09:10:00.000+01:00

Jeff made these "dresses" for the girls out of packing paper. He also got creative and made shoelace belts. He is quite the designer! He wanted me to tell people that we were out of clean clothes since they were potty training.

Crabby

2009-12-08T09:06:00.000+01:00

I couldn't resist putting this one on. The girls (with their friend) were playing dress up and I had A pose with the beautiful girls and apparently he wasn't so happy about that...

Ballerina Drop Outs

2009-12-08T09:00:00.000+01:00

Some of you know we had this brilliant idea to put the girls in Tiny Tots ballet. I was convinced they would LOVE it-I mean what little girls don't? Well, apparently mine...They almost made it through the first class. However the second one we didn't really last at all. So while all the other little girls were happily dancing and all the moms were watching with smiles, I had to wrangle my girls into their coats and leave early since they refused to stay in the room and participate. So it was decided that we are not ready for activities like that yet. Maybe next time...ha ha ha

The Birthday Boy

2009-12-08T08:46:00.000+01:00

We did a bowling party for A's birthday. The kids got to bowl and have lunch and eat lots of cake! Everyone had a blast!!! Happy 6th birthday!

Happy Birthday Girls!!!

2009-12-08T08:40:00.000+01:00

B going down the slide

Some of the party goes running off their cake

Present time

The birthday girls! 3 YEARS OLD!!!!

Trunk or Treat

2009-12-08T08:31:00.000+01:00

Aiden as Indiana Jones "fighting" his buddy (you can see our little "princesses" running in the background)

The kids with their friend

The line we stand in for this thing!

Every year the base puts on what is called Trunk or Treat, at Halloween. You go and different agencies have trunks of cars all decorated and give out candy. The really fun part is that it starts at like 6pm and in order to get through the line somewhat quickly (in less than 2 hours) you have to go get in line at like 4:30! So all the kids run around and play while the adults hold the spots in line and make a dinner run to the near by food court. It is total insanity, but we do it every year!

Dress Up

2009-12-08T08:18:00.000+01:00

Jeff is going to kill me for posting this!!!He is such a good sport though!

Sesame Street Live USO Tour

2009-10-07T13:13:00.000+02:00

Took the girls to Sesame Street Live this morning! They were SO excited! We were in the front row and the girls were like little groupies-they kept going up to the stage and getting hugs from all the characters! Chloe managed to touch all of them-Brinlee wasn't as outgoing about it. It was so much fun watching their little eyes light up with excitement!! Aiden got to watch it too at the same time, but he was with his class. I didn't even get to catch a glimpse of him. I am sure he loved it too though.....

Firenze (or Florence as us Americans call it)

2009-09-21T21:18:00.000+02:00

I finally made it to Florence when my Aunt Deb and Uncle Phil came to visit us. We spent 2 nights there, with one full day of sightseeing. We visited the Uffizi Gallery (famous for paintings and sculptures), Michaelangelo's David and the Accademia museam, the Duomo (Cathedral), and other churches and beautiful things. We had fabulous food (my favorite so far) and quenching Chianti wine. The Tuscany region is famous for that kind of wine. I look forward to going again, in the off season this time. I am a little tired of being a tourist!!

Soccer Star

2009-09-21T14:11:00.000+02:00

Aiden had his first soccer game earlier this month. He had his fan club all there! Chloe is in the blue, Brinlee is under the bleachers. They love watching him play! Aiden seems to like soccer although he really had no idea (and neither do we) how to play.

Soccer

2009-09-12T16:06:00.002+02:00

Practice-notice his basketball T-shirt? His coach made a joke about him wearing his basketball shirt to soccer. We are learning slowly about this sport...

More Practice...

Chloe thinks she is a soccer star...

Brinlee down for the count...

Aiden's new soccer clothes to practice in from a local italian store. I decided it would be better for him to look the part even if we have no idea how to play!

Sisters

2009-09-12T15:59:00.002+02:00

Definition of sister: Someone you can trust with your secrets; who will stand by you no matter what; who always loves and accepts you.

2009-09-12T15:40:00.002+02:00

Homework on the first day!

His luxurious school bus

Lignano Beach

2009-09-12T15:32:00.001+02:00

On the way home....

Lignano Beach

2009-09-12T15:20:00.003+02:00

We went to Lignano Beach, which is just about 45 minutes from us, depending on the traffic. The kids had a blast! We couldn't get the girls out of the water-they are total water babies. Aiden got to bring a friend a long and the boys had fun shell hunting and trying to let the waves knock them down!

At the Races...

2009-08-11T08:34:00.003+02:00

Aiden went to the races with the guys when we were in Idaho. He got an autographed t-shirt and posters and had a blast!

Oregon Coast-Bandon

2009-08-11T08:12:00.004+02:00

We took the kids to the coast in Bandon for a day. It was insanely windy and chilly but still fun! We had to hold on to the kids, especially the girls, so they wouldn't blow over-seriously! Aiden was a trooper and tried to scrounge for sea shells. He really wanted to find a star fish (aka sea star according to him), and we did find live ones but he was upset that we didn't find a shell. So we ended up cheating and buying one at the store. He was just as happy.

After blowing around on the beach, we went and had a nice lunch with the kids, did a little shopping, and then drove back to grandma's house. All in all, it was a nice day and a special treat for us to do something as a family.

Gone Fishin

2009-08-11T08:05:00.003+02:00

While in Oregon Aiden got to go fishing with Jeff, Aunt Marsha, and Uncle Randy. He had a GREAT time and brought home lots of fish to fry.

Over the River and Through the Woods (and across the ocean) to Grandmother's House We Go...

2009-08-11T07:21:00.003+02:00

Aiden and Chloe playing "holey board"

Cousin Emilee playing ring around the rosie

Aiden giving his cousin Tyler instructions

Chloe and her cousin Scarlett

Checking out the cows

We started off our summer vacation in Oregon at Grandma Rice's house. The kids had a blast running around, riding tractors and lawnmowers and four wheelers, harassing the cows, dog, and cats, and playing with everyone! Oh and don't forget the delicious food we got to eat!

We stayed there for almost 2 weeks and were very sad to say goodbye!

Chloe and Brinlee

2009-04-29T20:21:00.001+02:00

Chloe picking flowers

Brinlee picking flowers

Brinlee on her bike

2009-04-29T20:11:00.002+02:00

Chloe (standing) looking pretty serious about bike riding

Chloe crashing (she was ok-I checked)

Biker babes (Chloe in the front, Brinlee in the back)

Chloe

Brinlee

Baseball Buddies

2009-04-29T20:08:00.001+02:00

Aiden (left), Ethan (middle), and Aiden's teammate on break between games. They were watching SpongeBob on Ethan's mom's IPod. :)

Take me out to the ball game...

2009-04-29T19:58:00.002+02:00

Aiden coming into home

Hey batter batter.....

Aiden playing first, and his buddy Ethan just made a hit and got on first. It took them both a minute to realize they were both there. :)

Aiden waiting for a grounder

Warming up

Princess with an "Owchie"

2009-04-29T19:52:00.001+02:00

Main Entry:
1prin·cess
Pronunciation:
\ˈprin(t)-səs, ˈprin-ˌses, (usual British) prin-ˈses\
Function:
noun
Date:
14th century
1archaic : a woman having sovereign power2: a female member of a royal family ; especially : a daughter or granddaughter of a sovereign3: the consort of a prince4: one likened to a princess ; especially : a woman of high rank or of high standing in her class or profession

Poor Uncle B

2009-04-29T19:43:00.002+02:00

Uncle Bernie (aka Uncle B) getting attacked by his fan club! Chloe in the pink and Brinlee on the left. Don't ask me why Chloe has a stocking cap on. She is crazy. They love their Unlce B and would never let him out of their sight!

Twisted Up

2009-04-29T19:34:00.002+02:00

Aunt Marsha and Aiden playing Twister

Aunt Marsha and Uncle Bernie came to visit us again, but only for a short time. Aiden LOVES it when they come! Aunt Marsha gives Aiden extra special attention and he has a blast when she is around!

FUN

2009-04-29T19:28:00.001+02:00

1fun
Pronunciation:
\ˈfən\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
English dialect fun to hoax, perhaps alteration of Middle English fonnen, from fonne dupe
Date:
1727
1: what provides amusement or enjoyment ; specifically : playful often boisterous action or speech 2: a mood for finding or making amusement 3 a: amusement, enjoyment b: derisive jest : sport, ridicule 4: violent or excited activity or argument

Chef Aiden Making Brownies

2009-04-29T19:15:00.002+02:00

Over Spring Break Aiden wanted to make brownies. He has his own little apron that I got him in Verona (it has a bunch of different scooters all over it) and he LOVES to help me out in the kitchen. Reminds me of when my grandma taught me how to cook and bake. And by the way, the brownies were delicious!! Good Job Aiden!!!

Splish Splash I was takin a bath...

2009-04-29T19:11:00.002+02:00

Chloe (left) and Brinlee (right) with new "shampoo dos" compliments of Jeff (aka daddy).

Crazy Aiden

2009-04-29T18:57:00.001+02:00

Aiden showing off his 3-D glasses

Easter Egg Hunt April 4, 2009

2009-04-04T22:07:00.004+02:00

Aiden reluctantly posing with the Easter Bunny and his buddy Kyla (he has come a long way since Chuck E Cheese, right Uncle Randy and Aunt Julie?!)

Aiden still searching for the "special" egg

We took the kids to a base sponsored egg hunt. It was SO much fun! It was a beautiful day (about 70 degrees) with lots of sunshine! We joined our friend Cassie and her daughter Kyla and the kids had a blast! This was the first time for Brinlee and Chloe and they had no problems catching on. In fact, they got WAY more eggs than Aiden. He was too busy trying to find the "special" eggs that were advertised. I have no idea what was in the special eggs, as we never did find one. However, they all got lots of candy and fun little toys.
The Easter Bunny was there, as well as Barney (not sure why), a Tiger (not sure about that one either), a kitty cat, and another bunny. Aiden wasn't too excited about posing with the Easter Bunny, but I made him. He has issues with characters. He freaked out when we were at Chuck E Cheese in Boise one time and Chuck E put his hands on Aiden's shoulders, and has never recovered.
We are looking forward to the real Easter Day, and plan to spend it with Cassie, James, Kyla, and new baby Nolan.

Easter Egg Hunt April 4, 2009

2009-04-04T21:56:00.002+02:00

The egg field before being attacked by the "walkers to 2 year old" age group

Chloe scoring an egg from a cute little boy

Chloe checking out her stash

Brinlee on the hunt

Aiden looking for the "special eggs"

2009-04-01T21:51:00.002+02:00

Aiden's first T-ball Practice

March 30, 2009

Bowling

2009-04-01T09:23:00.003+02:00

After thinking loooooong and hard about it, we decided to take the kids bowling. My main concerns were, "Will the girls run down the lanes after the balls? Will they throw the bowling balls at each other? Will they be able to take turns or will they bite each other and Aiden in order to bowl?" But after much consideration and a huge desire to get out of the house, we went. All went well and no one ran down lanes, threw bowling balls, or bit. We had a great time and even managed to eat lunch there! I think we might even try it again! Aiden came out with a 95! All by himself ( and the bumpers!). He was SO excited!

p.s. (Sorry the pictures aren't that great-I used our old camera and most of them came out blurry. )

Basketball 2009

2009-04-01T09:06:00.002+02:00

Aiden participated in the Youth Program basketball on the base this year. It was our first try at sports and he did pretty well. He decided he didn't really like it because, "Mom, it is hard to dribble and run." Also according to Aiden, "The other team has bigger players and they think it is football, not basketball. They knock us down". The most exciting part of the whole season for him was getting a gold medal after his last game. He wore it for 3 days straight.

Kyla's Adventure at the Hamilton Household

2009-04-01T08:30:00.003+02:00

Kyla and Brinlee fighting over the princess pillow

Ky and her buddy Aiden

Our friend Cassie, new baby Nolan, and big sister Kyla

We got to take care of our friend's little girl Kyla when they had their baby late March. Aiden and Ky are good buddies and when our three girls are together, it is like WWF! It is hilarious and fun. They all love each other, but the girls all have strong personalities and are very "opinionated" and protective over their belongings!

Baby Nolan is beautiful and healthy and we are so happy for them!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

2009-02-27T20:16:00.002+01:00

Unfortunately, our camera is missing in action. We sent it off for repairs about 6 months ago and no one can locate it now. So therefore, we have no current pictures for me to blog about. We hope to have a relacement soon. I apologize to anyone who actually checks my blog. :)
Christy

Merry Christmas Hamilton Kid Style

2009-01-02T18:33:00.002+01:00

Me showing off my new scarf from my mom and Rich and in my oh so cute scrubby clothes!

The usual failed attempt at a group photo. Chloe is on the left wearing her pretty new shoes from the McDermotts, her new doll, Aiden showing off the girls' pretty new fairy wings, and Brinlee trying to put on her new gloves, also wearing her pretty new shoes from the McDermotts.

CRAZY Brinlee!!!

Merry Christmas Hamilton Kid Style

2009-01-02T18:20:00.003+01:00

Showing off her pretty new shoes (and no, I don't know who it is, so there!)

Jeff videoing the big day

Brinlee wearing her new scarf Grandma and Grandpa gave her and opening her GIANT new coloring book!!

Chloe digging into her gifts!!!

Aiden showing off his new "Shrek The Halls" DVD

BIRTHDAY BASH: AIDEN 5 YEARS, BRINLEE AND CHLOE 2 YEARS

2008-11-10T19:53:00.005+01:00

Aiden opening up gifts with his friends

Brinlee (back to you) Chloe (facing camera)

Aiden with one of his many gifts :)

Aiden getting ready to blow out the candles

(I made the cakes and attempted to make them

look like a pig and a cow)

Chloe riding on the cow balloon (we also had a

dog and pig balloon that they all love "riding")

Aiden's Transportation Parade

2008-11-10T19:20:00.004+01:00

Here are 2 pictures from Aiden's transportation parade he had at school. The Kindergarten classes were studying transportation and they had to make some type of transportation out of a cardboard box. Aiden chose to make a bus and we let him have at it, with a little help from his crafty daddy! I went and watched the parade and it was so cute! They sang a song and paraded around to show off their vehicles. It was so fun!

In the picture with the other boys, 2 of them are our neighbors/little buddies, Chris and Kaleb.

Fun at the playground

2008-09-29T20:38:00.004+02:00

Chloe top-Brinlee bottom

Jeff helping out at the seesaw

Our usual failed attempt at getting a group photo

These pictures were taken at a playgroung right by where we parked to see the pond and stream.

Hidden Beauty

2008-09-29T19:46:00.006+02:00

The Stream

The Fish

The Pond-if you look really really hard, you can see the statue.

The Pond and Cave

We made a discovery one hot summer night after having dinner with our good friends Skye and Jason who were visiting from the states (thanks Aunt Marsha and Uncle B for watching the kids that night!!!). After eating a delicious dinner and drinking too much wine (ha ha), we were told by other restaurant patrons that we had to walk around the corner of our restaurant and "check out the spring". So we did and we proceeded to meander along the path of a small stream which was beautiful and then were stopped dead in our tracks when we came to a crystal clear, turquoise blue pond! It was absolutely amazing! At the bottom of the pond is a gleaming white state of Mary. We did not get the details of the statue but it is a breathtaking sight to say the least. Upon looking at the pond, we were pleasantly surprised to see approximately 18-20 inch trout, which periodically came to the surface in search of bread and other treats that people feed them. They were HUGE!! I do not think you are allowed to fish there, sorry fishermen, but they are worth visiting. Apparently there is an extensive underwater cave system (you can see the opening of the cave in the bottom picture) that people explore.

Around the area is a path you can take and walk up into the mountains or a bar you can go to and eat a light snack or meal and have a drink. It was so serene and almost magical. The pictures you see are actually from my second trip there, unfortunately we did not have a camera when we first discovered it. Jeff and I took the kids to feed the fish and get some fresh air. Aiden loved the fish and feeding them and there were also ducks and geese there hungrily snatching up the bread as well. The girls thought it was great too but we did not let them out of their stroller for fear of them doing cannonballs into the water. :) And I am not exaggerating!

Anyone coming to visit us, we will definitely take you there as it is one of our favorite places to go and it is only about 10 minutes from our house.

Under Construction

2008-09-21T18:32:00.002+02:00

I realize I have not been keeping up with my blogging. I have many many pictures and fun stories to add but have yet to have time to sit and do it. So here is a preview of one of my future entries. Skye and Jason, you should recognize the scene. :) I will be back soon with entires. Just wanted to let you all know we are good and I will get to work on this soon!

Bathing Beauties August 2008

2008-08-06T19:46:00.002+02:00

Chloe with Aiden's shoes on

Brinlee waiting to attack
Got him!!
Aiden enjoying an Italian popsicle (there is a difference I have learned)
Chloe Brinlee

Brinlee and Chloe get their first haircut

2008-08-06T19:37:00.002+02:00

Chloe woudn't sit by herself

Brin was a bit grumpy about the whole thing

The girls don't have much hair to cut but it was starting to resemble a wispy mullet and I was not going to cut it again myself bec they looked ridiculous when I did it, so we took them to get their first professional haircuts. Chloe screamed and Jeff had to hold her and Brinlee froze like a statue and had a horrible grumpy look on her face the entire time. Made for some great pictures!

Hamilton/Winter/McDermott Reunion May 2008

2008-08-06T19:05:00.002+02:00

Uncle Randy, Aunt Julie, Clayton

Grandpa

Uncle Jerry, Aunt Darb, Lisa, Lyndi, Brad

The family reunion (although not totally complete as my mom and her new husband are coming later in October for their "honeymoon"-we missed you by the way) kicked off on a warm sunny day at the Venice airport. Thankfully the crew (all 9 of them) were sleep deprived from the flight over and didn't mind bein crammed into our 2 cars along with their luggage. We did rent a roof luggage rack by the way, and for those of you who get this joke-we totally looked like the McDermotts on one of their MT trips! (aka Grizwalds).

So we drove them to our house about an hour away and got them settled. They were troopers and stayed awake most of the day and played with the kids. Then night came and it was time for sleeping assignments. I think we did pretty well and most everyone was comfy although I am not sure about Clayton and Brad on the bunk beds!

For the entire time it was cozy but still somehow comfy with everyone in the house (14 people in all). We had a blast cooking yummy Italian dinners together (thanks so much to my assistant chef Lyndi and our sampler person, aka "drunk Uncle randy"), playing outside with the kids, and traveling to Venice via train and Verona via cars. We also took in local sights and the winery down the road and even got soaked in the rain at the local weekly market. I have to mention it poured rain quite a few of the days but we had a great time anyway-must of been the wine that helped!

We had so many hysterical moments that it is hard to name them all, but I fondly will remember offering to pay people a Euro if they would do things for me, so that they could use the bathroom, driving around and around and around in Verona looking for a parking spot and pointing out all the "really old things" along the way, learning how to cook for 14 people, and playing I Spy with my trusty co-pilot Lisa.

Sadly the time for them all to leave came and it was off again to the Venice airport. I was going to see everyone again in a few months so I told myself it was no big deal to send them off, but boy was I wrong. I cried and cried and didn't want to let them go. When I got back into our car to drive home, Aiden told me to dry my tears. Think he has been told that a few too many times?

We had so much fun and thank you all for coming to see us! Can't wait for the next trip!

Verona (aka "Where the old things are...") part 1

2008-07-16T19:33:00.003+02:00

Uncle Randy braving the Verona streets pushing the girls and all the gear! I think our stroller is bigger than most Italian cars!

Me and Jeff at the Colosseum

Castello (castle) Vecchio

The drawbridge leading into Castello Vecchio

The moat around the castle

Verona (aka "Where the old things are...") part 2

2008-07-16T19:21:00.003+02:00

The Colosseum-they currently hold concerts and operas there still!

More of the Colosseum-most of the original stones are still intact!

Where the gladiators, lions, etc came into the area at.

My Grandpa

Performers by the Colosseum

Verona (aka "Where the old things are...") part 3

2008-06-21T18:55:00.004+02:00

Juliet's Balcony

Driving around and around trying to find a parking spot. Jeff, Uncle Randy, and my kids are in the car on the right, leading the pack.

A random, beautiful home

View of Verona from a castle we visited

Gladiator at the Colosseum

My family takes Venice!

2008-06-14T19:20:00.004+02:00

Front of St. Mark's Cathedral

The McDermott Clan (Uncle Jerry, Aunt Darb, Lisa, Lyndi, and Brad)

Masks that Venice is famous for

More of the front of St. Mark's Cathedral

Riding in the vaporetto (aka water bus) to Murano island

Fun In The Sun

2008-05-10T20:47:00.002+02:00

A and his good buddies aka Zoe and Haley

B with a nice bruise on her forehead

C and her cheesy grin

A showing off for the camera with a coffee filter on his head

CA' BRUZZO part uno (one)

2008-04-17T21:06:00.003+02:00

I had the amazing opportunity to go on an outing (without kids yahoo!!) with the club I belong to-ACES (Aviano Community Enlisted Spouses). It was to a quaint, beautiful vineyard about 2 hours away to the Vicenza area.

It is an organic vineyard, owned and operated by Aldo and his wife Sarah and their children. We were treated to a tour by Aldo and his canine companion (see picture below) through the muddy, green fields. It was very interesting and I learned a great deal about wine, which most of you know, I love!

After the quick tour we were shown the new wine cellar (beautiful) and then treated to wine tasting from some young wines in french oak barrels. I have never been on a wine tasting trip before so this was a special treat! Then we were sent inside their home for a delicious, authentic 7 course Italian meal, complete with wines paired with each course. Everything was DELICIOUS and I had the pleasure of sitting across the table from Aldo and had a wonderful time getting to know each other. He is quite the character and wine drinker! A man after my own heart! His dear wife cooked the meal mostly herself I believe and was working so hard on serving us with help from their friends visiting from Alaska and Aldo was sitting with us freely pouring his wines and singing us songs accompanied by his neighbor and playing his guitar. It was a true Italian experience! And I must add that Aldo is a true Italian, although he speaks fluent English with a French accent. He spent many years in France, Spain, Canada, and the states before buying his vineyard.

The meal ended with a sparkling champagne he also had made, which was named after his mother who had in total had 9 children that she escaped to France with during the war, and carried grenades in her apron to keep her children safe, and went across the borders to smuggle food back to feed the children. Sounds to me like she deserved her own champagne! Although Aldo mentioned she was very angry when he told her he named it after her. That's an Italian woman for ya!

After our fabulous meal we had the opportunity to purchase wines, which of course I did and I put it away and told J not to let me open it until my family comes to visit in May. We will see how I do!

Then we loaded back up onto our little bus (thank goodness for having a bus driver) and headed home.

I had an amazing time and loved getting to know Italy a little bit more. I hope to take an visitors we have there as they were such a welcoming and wonderful family.

CA' BRUZZO part due (two)

2008-04-17T20:48:00.002+02:00

Aldo showing off his beautiful vineyard

A row of vines

Now that's a wine cellar!!

Aldo and his wonderful wife Sarah

Their crazy looking but very sweet"adopted" dog-
part lion-part who knows what.

Aunt Marsha and Grandma Rice Visit Italy

2008-04-10T19:40:00.004+02:00

J, Aunt Marsha, and B playing the slide in our backyard.

Aunt Marsha holding C. Like the "poor me" look on her face? She is great at looking pathetic!

Aunt Marsha playing karate with A in the backyard. No, he didn't need the protection of his helmet from Aunt Marsha, he had just gotten done with a bike ride.

Grandma hanging out at the castle garden.

Grandma and Aunt Marsha enjoying their day in Venice.

Thanks for coming to see us Grandma and Aunt Marsha! We loved having you and miss you already!

More Trieste

2008-04-10T19:15:00.003+02:00

Trieste

2008-04-10T18:41:00.003+02:00

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Trieste. It is a city built on the coast of the Adriatic sea and is very close to the border of Slovenia. The city is built into the rocky cliffs and is breathtaking.

We took J's grandma and Aunt Marsha there while they were here visiting us. It is only about a 90 minute drive from us.

We ended up eating a delicious lunch when we got there and then toured a castle. The castle has been restored and is beautiful! It was built for an Austrian naval commander, as the city used to be part of Austria, and is decorated in a naval theme. The castle has a fascinating history, which includes being occupied by the Germans for about 12 years.

Our pictures are as follows...

1. A view of the city and the Adriatic Sea, from the walk to the castle.

2. The outside of the castle.

3. Aiden at the small courtyard garden and fountain.

4. Another view of the castle.

5.The staircase adorned with intricately carved wooden statues.

What's up doc?

2008-03-25T20:05:00.002+01:00

For anyone in my family that attended my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary in July of 2003-this may remind you of something... Possibly A's father? It involved similar teeth. Think really hard... You may need to break out you VHS tape of the party and watch it to remember...And now that you are done laughing, (sorry for those of you who are not aware of the joke), A has acquired a set of "Billy Bob" teeth of his own and wore them for about 3 days straight. He even got his little girl-friend (not girlfriend, girl-friend, get it?!?) involved. J had found his old set (anniversary party 2003) so A has 2 sets now. A mother's dream, let me tell ya.

Hamilton's on wheels!

2008-03-25T19:22:00.004+01:00

Brinlee got her cute little car for Easter and even though she looks pitiful, she loves it and can cruise all over the house.

And as you can see, Chloe has no problem getting around and has a blast like always, thinking she's funny leaving Brinlee in the dust.

Aiden has graduated to a big boy bike!! We gave him this bike (it has Transformers on it) for his birthday and now that the weather is a little nice, he is a riding maniac! He is barely using his training wheels as they are set really high and he can turn some crazy tight circles that make me hold my breath and look the other way!

The Spaghetti incident

2008-03-16T18:52:00.002+01:00

Yeah I have learned how to post pictures!

Here is typical dinner at the Hamilton household when spaghetti noodles are involved. The girls ALWAYS put noodles on their heads and then of course Aiden has to participate too. And don't ask me why his toes are on his nose or how he got them there. He is a boy of many talents! :)
(And by the way, Brinlee is in the green and Chloe is in the peach color)

Piancavallo and miscellaneous adventures

2008-03-10T21:56:00.000+01:00

I will start off this entry with our fun filled day excursion to Piancavallo ski area. I have been hounding my husband to drive us up there for a looooong time and I think he had been putting it off bec of tales he heard about how narrow, windy, and dangerous the road is. But I FINALLY got him to take us there. It was an overcast day so we should have waited to go until it was clear so we could sight see more, but off we went anyway. In our neck of the woods, it has been a little rainy and cloudy but some days quite warm. However at Piancavallo there is still TONS of snow and I couldn't wait to get there to let A. play in it. This past winter it only snowed for a few hours one evening and it melted right away and he really has been wanting to play in the freezing white stuff and make a snowman and throw snow balls. Boys will be boys after all.

The road up the mountains was quite narrow and windy and the fog was as thick as clam chowder but we made it after about a half an hour. The highlight of the trip up was a car in the oncoming traffic passing people and we didn't see him until a few moments before he swerved back into his lane. I shouldn't be surprised but I was a bit. Let's just say that this road is just a teensy bit bigger than our car.

We got up there and could not even see a ski lodge or any of the buildings bec of the clam chowder fog but we were able to find a perfect spot for out goal of playing in the snow. We pulled off into an empty parking lot, bundled the kids up, and tramped around in the middle of the lot that had the plowed up snow in it, which in some areas was up to my thighs. (I sunk many many times). Thankfully the kids were able to stay on top of the snow for the most part and had a blast. The girls have never seen snow so that was fun to see their reactions. C kept crawling backwards (not sure what that was all about). Both seemed to really enjoy it even though they were soaking wet and of course A was having the time of his life! He made snow angels, huge snowballs (which were mostly directed at me), and jumped and ran and laughed. It was so fun to watch his excitement.
We manged to stay for about 45 minutes I think and then everyone was wet and cold. After a quick clothes change in the car for the kids, we headed back down the mountain and called it a day. I can only imagine what the view must be like when it isn't foggy. I look forward to going back on a better day and taking some great pictures and video.

Other things in our life....
Well where oh where to begin. C now has a crib tent (yes they make such a thing and it is safe for anyone wondering) as she has mastered climbing out of her crib. A was never a climber and so this is all uncharted territory for us. We wondered how she was doing it bec she is so small but J caught her in the act and she just lifts her tiny little leg over the edge by the corner and slides down the side like a little fireman. J caught her walking around their room one day when she was supposed to be napping and she was having a great time getting little treasures for B.
Oh and she can also scale the dining room chair that has her feeding seat attached to it and sit herself in her seat. I was stressed at first but lately have realized what an asset it is bec now I just pull the chair out when it is time to eat and tell her to climb up. Saves some strain on me! :)

A. is doing well and driving us crazy with made up Italian words and phrases. He likes to say a bunch of crazy words that sound a bit Italian and then tell me to ask him what that means. And then when I do he says something crazy like "that means you have to turn the TV on mom". He is such a creative child.

We have been busy trying to get our house ready for company this spring and summer. I still have boxes we have yet to unpack but we are getting there. I pondered aloud to J one night about whether or not I would actually hang up all the pictures and mirrors that I have strewn about the house before we left here or not. I have them all where I want them, just not hung. We have concrete walls so it makes hanging things a challenge. And I should not be trusted with a screwdriver so it is up to J when they get hung I guess.

Well that is it for this entry I think. Nothing too exciting. I think every day is just crazy and hilarious for us but since it is always that way, I find myself forgetting about what happens and then I feel like I have nothing to say. Maybe I will start writing things done when they happen....

A lot of nothin

2008-02-25T13:12:00.000+01:00

I am sitting here thinking of fun, witty ways to blog about what we have been up to lately but I got nothin, so here I go.....

I recently compared the girls to "demons on crack" after about the ten-millionth time I pulled one off the top of the dining room table and the other from under the table with the answering machine in hand. It probably wasn't the nicest thing to calm them and I truly meant no harm in my words, but let me tell ya, spend 5 minutes with them and you may be saying the same thing.

They are a joy though even though they are very naughty. :) B recently has learned how fun it is to turn in circles and get very dizzy and then fall down. C is a jokester like her brother and father and she likes to give us "crusty" looks and then giggle and walk away but she particularly enjoys doing it at dinner time. They are getting so big and are starting to mimic more words. And they adore their big brother-the second he walks in the door from school they are shrieking and on top of him. He is for the most part very gentle and kind to them but he can get his fill and needs his space.

A is good. He has been a big help to me lately around the house and with the girls. He loves to tackle them (not too hard, he just grabs them) when they about to do something dangerous like climb the couch, run to the street, etc. He is getting so big too. His head comes up to my rib cage and he is only 4! All of a sudden all his pants are too short and shoes too small. I wish he would stop growing for a little bit-he is going to be taller than me when he starts 1st grade! :)

I was able to escape for a night and one day awhile back. I went and spent the night at my friend's house and then we got up and had a leisurely breakfast and then caught a train to Venice. We had bigger plans-like going away for the whole weekend but my hubby had to study for a big test so I was only able to sneak away for a day. Venice was fabulous and fun. It was the 2nd time I was there and I got to see more than the first time since I didn't have the children to worry about. We had a nice lunch and then walked, saw the sights, did a little shopping, then had dinner and made our way to the train station for the ride home. I must add, we had to ride a water taxi to the train station because we got a little off course and found ourselves quite far away. The taxi ride was fun though. It was a new experience for me. I was a bit nervous we may capsize as it was a rough ride at parts but we survived to tell the tale. I am so fortunate to be able to just go to Venice for the day. I can't even comprehend it!

Not much else is going on. I am going to attempt to attach some pictures to this. Hope it works. If not, I will keep trying. Everyone have a great day!

C