It’s been almost two weeks since we saw this final glimpse of Sicily from our plane window! One last view of Mt Etna. I kept her in sight for a long time until the clouds finally hid her from view.
We’ve been wonderfully busy these last two weeks with three family reunions, and I can’t imagine a sweeter way to come back to the States. It’s also been refreshing to take a bit of a break from blogging as I think about how this space will change, grow, and improve (at least I hope so!) without its Sicilian/expat identity. I already miss that side of it, but I hope the blog will be even more accessible and fun in this new phase.
Anyway, back to some photos from here, there, and everywhere. We spent the first few days in Rhode Island with my mom’s side of the family (aunts and uncles and cousins and grandparents galore), the second few days on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with Elliott’s family, and right now we’re in Vail with my parents, siblings, and my brother’s girlfriend Charlotte.
The first morning we were in Rhode Island, the kids were up at 5:20 AM, and Elliott and I were up with them. We wandered out into the garden and explored the shore near my uncle and aunt’s gorgeous home.
While we were there, Lena became best friends with my little cousin Ashley; the two were inseparable the entire time we were there.
View from our balcony in Rhode Island. Can you believe that?! Newport and the U.S. Naval War College were right across the water.
We spent a lovely afternoon in Newport, one of my favorite American towns. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Gil was falling in love with Ashley. She’s pretty cute; I can’t blame him!
On the left, my sister Emily and I in Newport. I remember eating sushi right by these shops when Elliott and I were in Boston. We came down for a day trip and wandered around hand-in-hand. So many sweet falling-in-love memories!
I read Dear Mr. Knightley while we were in RI, but unfortunately I can’t recommend it. It felt unrealistic and forced. Just read Daddy-Long-Legs, which inspired the former and is so much better crafted.
Pretty corners in Newport. So much sweet New England charm!
Gil rested his head on Elliott’s knee to get a good look at my cousins. And on the right… Gil reads his favorite book with his Auntie Em. Aren’t they the cutest?
My grandmother got a professional photographer to come out and take photos of our family, but Gil was a total disaster. Such a disappointment! We did get this awesome jumping photo of all the cousins, though. We’ve been family reunion-ing together almost every summer our entire lives, and I love this gang!
Despite Gil’s antics during the photography session, everyone was completely in love with him. Especially Ashley. Guess that kiss did the trick!
I’m realizing updating with ALL THE PHOTOS from the past two weeks is a lot, so I’ll be back with more from Maryland and Colorado tomorrow.
In the meantime, what have you been reading lately? I finished this one last night, which gave me a lot of food for thought. I’d love to share more sometime soon. I started this one, which is hard going! Anything light and lovely I should read after this?
Hope you all are having wonderful summers! xoxo
So glad to read this update from you, and so happy to hear that you’re enjoying time with family. PWOC this morning; wish you were here! :) :)
I miss PWOC! Hope you ladies are having a lovely last month of summer. I’m hoping there will be a Bible study like it when we get to CA. :)
So fun to read what you have been up to! We had a quick getaway to Vail this summer, too, and just loved it! Aren’t all the fountains the best for kids? =) Enjoy!!
YES, they were amazing! I would love to see it in the winter, too. I’m sure it’s the prettiest place!
Would love to see which books you’re reading but the link is not working..as for a book suggestion, I loved the Ragamuffin Gospel. Just finished The Book Thief..but I assume you’ve read it :) Love the update on your family travels..isn’t it great to be back with family after a long time away?
Ugh, sorry about that, Heather! I’ll fix the links now.
I did read “The Book Thief” and didn’t love it, but I think I’m about the only person who didn’t. Haven’t read the Ragamuffin Gospel yet, so thank you for the suggestion!
Besides being a good read, don’t you think “Notes from a Blue Bike” has a beautiful cover? Hope you enjoyed it! So glad your travels have been safe thus far and that you’re having a good re-entry into the U.S.! I’ve been enjoying following along… My (Army National Guard) husband turned down an opportunity for a hardship tour in Italy a few years ago. If we all could have gone, I like to imagine that our lives there would have looked much like your family’s. What a precious gift, Becca. I think you all made the very most of your time in another country, another culture, and hopefully, found yourselves bound tighter together as a result. I do envy you somewhat in having the support of association with a base community. Even when you’re not living on it, you are close to it and affiliated with it. The situation is different for most National Guard families. We (the family) do have the stability of longevity in one place, but the detachment from other military families comes at a price. Sometimes I feel like a random wildflower, blowing in the wind, especially when another overseas deployment looms and means such stark separation within our family.
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