Photo update...

Sorry for the delay with adding pictures - we don't have internet readily accessible at the moment, so I'll add photos as soon as I have more time on-line! Check back soon!

A day out in Noto

This past Saturday we joined our friends, the Sapersteins, on a day trip to the beautiful and historic city of Noto - on the southeast coast of the island. The original city of Noto was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1693 and then completely rebuilt in the baroque style of architecture in the years that followed. The "new" city was built 15 km away from the sight of the original city with great attention to detail and some very impressive civil engineering. Now in 2010, we were also able to enjoy the fruits of the massive renovations that have taken place over the last 10 years to restore much of the original splendor to the city's cathedrals, gov't buildings, and other attractions.

Noto is also home to two very famous gelato shops (Lonely Planet calls them the two best ice cream shops in the world!), so we made sure to stop in and have a treat during our walk around the town. Our family went for one traditional flavor (strawberry) and one more unusual flavor (chocolate with cinnamon and orange peel). To quote Josh on the taste of the second choice "How can we come to the best gelato shop in the world and choose a flavor this terrible." (Gelato is not quite as straight forward as ice cream when it comes to choosing flavors - when faced with the choices of basil, various cheeses, and other herbs in your icy cold treat it seems like some more information/education is required...so more on that later!) Oh well, that left more for me to eat!

After some more roaming around in Noto we decided to head for the beach - since it was the last true weekend of summer. We went to Avola - a quaint little town on the Ionian Sea - and enjoyed the late afternoon sun while the kids played in the sand and splashed in the water (though the breeze made us all surprisingly chilly). This was followed by a delicious pizza dinner at a trattoria in town and then the hour long drive back home. It was a wonderful day for our first big outing on the island of Sicilia.

Destination: Sicily

So, we've been talking about this adventure and planning and packing and preparing for months and at last the moment has arrived. It's bittersweet for sure, but ready or not...it's finally time to go.

We departed Philly and set out for Detroit, followed by Rome, and eventually Catania. (the second largest city in Sicily and the nearest one to the Sigonella Naval Air Station where we'll be spending the next several years) We were in the air for a total of 13 hours and the entire trip took about 20 hours from start to finish. The kids slept for almost the entire leg from Detroit to Rome (an overnight flight), so that was huge blessing. I ended up being able to snatch up two seats next to each other in the aisle beside Josh and the kids (which I gladly received as my prize for moving oversees at 33 weeks pregnant.)

All in all the flight was uncomplicated and we were very glad to meet up with our wonderful sponsors, Adam and Lucia, upon our arrival to the airport in Catania. They've been helping us prepare for the move for months (suggestions, advice, answers to our endless lists of questions, etc..) and they were most gracious to have many details already taken care of when we landed. (most kindly a hotel room stocked with milk, treats, food, etc.. for our tired and hungry crowd!) Now...on with the adventures!!

Summer in the Keystone State: And Other Neighboring States As Well

So we packed up our Norfolk home the first week in July and said farewell to the lovely Commonwealth of Virginia. I think goodbyes are my very least favorite part of military life and we were so sad to leave the wonderful friends and neighbors that we'd made during our time in Norfolk.

It seemed like a good idea to get our household goods on their way to Italy and for us to spend some time with family and friends in PA/DE before our big departure at the end of August. Additionally, Josh was scheduled to be in DC for a one month tropical medicine course and then in Ghana for two weeks following that (and he'd already been to Kenya for most of June), so I was in need of some t.l.c., company, and help with the kids!

What a treat it was to spend time with our parents and almost all of our siblings (we missed you Em!!) during our time at home. It was wonderful to see the kids growing in their relationships with our family and a joy for us to see everyone enjoying the kids so much. A few highlights included: weekend overnights at Grandma and Grandpa Arthur's house, a visit from Ben and Libby who live in Colorado, several ventures to the Delaware Children's Museum and Philadelphia Please Touch Museum, time for Elise to feed and care for chickens and horses with Lydia, a week in lovely Vermont with the extended Woodworth crew, a pool party and several play dates with my college girl friends, visits with Elise and Caleb and my 91 year old grandmother, and a lot of time spent just enjoying life with family and friends that we don't get to see nearly enough. We're so thankful for that special time and continue to treasure the memories of our summer with all of you! (Now hurry up and come to Italy!!!!!)

Our sweet little duo!

Caleb - 15 months old - our handsome little man and soon to be big brother!!


Can't believe our first baby is almost three!!!

Outer Banks, North Carolina - Memorial Day Weekend

There's nothing quite as nice as a four day weekend to unwind, relax, and enjoy some quality family time. That being said, we've quickly learned that "vacationing" with small children is rarely relaxing, but we still have to try - and of course we loved being together nonetheless!

It's just two hours from Norfolk to the Outer Banks and we're quite sorry that we didn't pick up on that earlier. The beaches are beautiful and there is a lot to see and do. We rented a little cottage in Manteo - on Roanoke Island - which was a perfect jumping off point for short day trips as well as a quaint little coastal town on its own.
On Saturday we traveled down through the National Seashore to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. We enjoyed a picnic on the beach and the kids played in the sand and splashed in their buckets (still a little unsure of the ocean at this point) to their hearts' content. The kids weren't quite big enough to climb the lighthouse (nor were they all that interested in it), so we just walked around the park and enjoyed the view. The occasional lizard or snake sighting added to their interest for sure!

Sunday we went to a little church in town and then came home for lunch and naps. In the evening we went to the Elizabethan Gardens (strangely disappointing when you're spoiled by wonderful botanical gardens at home) and then out to family friendly diner for dinner.

Monday was one of our favorite beach days of all time. We got all packed and loaded in the car and then headed back to the Cape Hatteras seashore to a huge sprawling stretch of beach with very calm water. After we convinced the kids that the dolphins and pelicans playing in the water were NOT going to attack us, we had a really fun time collecting shells, playing in the sand and actually splashing in the ocean. We stayed just long enough for Elise and Caleb to get perfectly tuckered out so we could all enjoy a quiet ride back home to Norfolk!

A new "toy" for mom

Housecleaning has become a bit of a nightmare for me lately as the crumbs, spills, and general clutter seem to always have the upper hand. I've finally come to terms with the fact that is it unreasonable to replace our sofa once a year, so we've decided to purchase a steam cleaner. We had come fairly close to reaching a point where neither I nor Josh wanted to sit upon the milk spots, juice stains, dirty foot prints, and other questionable marks of discoloration on our couch - let alone wanting to offer it as a place for guests to have a seat. Now, after a serious wash/steam session - the sofa has returned to it's previous pre-children-in-the-house glory. Next up...carpets, car upholstery, and I'm pretty sure Josh would like to steam clean the kids instead of giving them a bath (if there was a setting for that!)

We actually did also purchase a dustbuster to attend to the crumb issue, so now all I need to purchase is a house de-clutterer and I will be set!!! Let me know if you have an idea where I can find one!