Hi again! When you read this, we’ll be on a plane to Virginia with our kids. I’m looking forward to some time at “home” in Virginia as well as a trip to Charlottesville to see some friends from our college days. Friends, if you’re in C’ville, let me know! We’d love to see you!
And now, for those who are interested, here are a few more updates since we moved from Sicily to the States. After Rhode Island, we flew down to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to spent a few days with Elliott’s family. His mom found a wonderful house on the water that fit all of us, and we had a great time doing basically nothing. Which suited us all perfectly.
That gigantic intertube made the best place for floating and reading during the kids’ nap time!
On the left: one morning Elliott’s brother Jonathan set up a “coffee cupping,” or coffee tasting. We did our best to tell the difference between the four kinds of coffee, but I was pretty hopeless. I’ve never been very good at picking out the distinct flavors and aromas of wine either, so I guess that was par for the course!
After the Eastern Shore, we flew (again! so much flying with little kids! ack!) to Vail, Colorado, to spent about six days with my family. We all attended the annual conference for the organization my dad works for, and that was so much fun because a lot of the attendees and speakers were some of our dear family friends. In between and after the conference, we explored Vail, which is simply gorgeous in the summertime.
The faux Swiss chalet look is the architectural theme in Vail, and it can be a little disconcerting. But then the F L O W E R S make up for everything!
On the right, my first Starbucks since we got back to the States! Java chip frappuccino… and a brotherly photo bomber.
Colorado’s columbines on the left, and a crazy daddy doing tricks in trees on the right.
Yesterday we all went on a bike ride as a family, with Gil and Lena in a little trailer attached to Elliott’s bike. We had so much fun on the way, stopped to admire gorgeous houses and playgrounds, and finished with gigantic ice creams in downtown Vail. The lovely lady next to Eric is his girlfriend, Charlotte.
A friendly stranger took this photo for us right before it started raining and hailing! We found shelter until the stormed seemed to pass, and then we all headed home as fast as we could go. We had six miles to go, though, and it started raining, thundering, and lightning as we were speeding home. We all were drenched and freezing — but totally exhilarated, of course — when we finally stumbled through the door and into hot showers!
Then, since we clearly couldn’t get enough of dangerous biking, my siblings, Charlotte, Elliott, and I rented mountain bikes today:
It was awesome! We took the ski lift up to the top of the mountain (2,000 feet up) and then rode the bikes down narrow trails through the woods and across ski runs. I’ve never mountain biked before, but this was an amazing introduction. I felt like an athlete, which is a nice feeling, and something I should probably work on more regularly… #runningstartsinCA #hereshopinganyway
And that’s it, folks! Thanks for hanging with me this far. What have you all been up to this summer? Is the summertime winding down or just getting started?
That sure is a lot of flying! But, your kids are used to it by now and so are you, so it wasn’t too bad, was it? Looks like a lovely time in all the places you’ve been since coming back to the states. All of those places you’ve been are all places I’d love to go so. And, congrats on your goal for running in Cali! I’m going to tell you, one of my fondest memories of running with Lew was on Coronado. We were newlyweds and I’d fly down from WA to meet the ship while they were in port during their work ups. Anyway, I loved running there! I bet you will, too. You and Elliott will have to get the double BOB! Glad to see you’re doing well, Becca. Thanks for sharing these sweet pictures and adventures.
I’m so excited to run there! I think it will be the prettiest place… and flat with lots of gorgeous homes and shops to admire. ;) We’re already getting nervous about the amount of money we’re going to spend when we move in, especially buying things like a new car (minivan??), a bike for Elliott to use to get to work, and a bike trailer for the kids. I don’t know if a double BOB will make the cut for awhile! But HOPEFULLY I will start waking up earlier to run before the kids are up or while Elliott’s still at home. Let’s see if that happens!
Yes, flat is key! Good for you. We got our double on Craigslist. MUCH cheaper and still in great condition. Also, we also bought a minivan. It’s the Toyota Sienna. We love it! It is so easy to get kids in and out and with the third on the way, I’m sure it’s going to be the best decision we’ve made in terms of vehicles. It was another Cragslist find. Can’t wait to chat sometime when you’re on West coast time.
Becca,
What an adventurous summer for you! Love reading about it all and hearing your point of view. Next week we travel (with my almost 3 year old son) to Brussels Belgium for my husband’s work assignment (for 8 weeks). I am very excited, but also very apprehensive! Our first trip to Europe….what will I do all day? Any suggestions on a very short international journey with a little one, let me know. Especially jet lag…..should we prepare or just deal with it? It is going to be a step out of the comfort zone, for sure, but we’re ready I think! Enjoy your time in Virginia !
So much fun, Abby! I am so glad that you can go! I would say just deal with jet lag by immediately assuming the schedule of the new time zone. The faster we all accept it, the easier it is. My kids have been surprisingly ok with the time zone changes (Italy to Virginia to Colorado to back to Virginia to San Diego next week!), and it isn’t as scary as it’s built up to be.
Bring some fun things for the plane, like new stickers and books. My kids love that! Also make sure you have a pair of kid-sized headphones, because the international flights all have individual TV screens and it is SO great when your kid(s) can get lost in that for awhile. Huge treat for them and a relief for us. :)
Looks like such a wonderful time!! I’m glad you’re having this time to re-cupe and prepare for your next adventure!
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