What We Did

I can't believe we fly out tomorrow morning! Where did the time go? This month definitely went by way too fast. It's going to be tough to leave. I'm grateful we have some things to look forward to when we get back...or I think it'd be impossible to get on the airplane.

Here are a few things we did while we were here...that may not have been blogged about.

1. Ate! Ya, I know I've mentioned this, but I figured it's worth mentioning again. Everything from pizza to pasta to steaks (grilled at home) to gnocchi to ribs to gelato to Tiramisu - is your mouth watering yet? We're definitely going to miss the food, but it's probably better for my figure that we're leaving. On that note, HD even managed to gain some weight, which we're thrilled about!

2. Played! HD played hard core. She had so much fun around the house, in the yard, on the streets of various cities, with Nonna, with Nonno, with new friends, etc. We all played hard, but she played the hardest. I don't know if it was the good weather (in the 50s for most of our stay) or spending so much time outside, but HD was not sick the entire time we were here. Seriously, I didn't have to wipe her little nose once. This is saying a lot since before coming, she was sick off and on since October. I'm thinking we need to move to a Mediterranean climate - now I just have to convince my snow-loving husband!

Playing in the yard - with a dried tomato.

3. Visited the Dam of Vaiont and Lago di Barcis - both in the mountains behind Matt's home. It was a gorgeous drive and we really enjoyed walking on the highway, through the tunnels to get a better view of the dam.

BarcisAttempted Family Picture

4. Matt and I went back to the place we met - the LDS chapel in Mestre. Although we don't agree on exactly where we were standing when we met, it was fun to go back and relive the memories. It's crazy that it's been nearly 15 years since that day...and amazing what can happen in 15 years.

This has become our signature pose. Expect to see it again...and again...and again.

5. Spoke Italian! I practiced my Italian while here and was complimented a number of times on my accent...thanks Matt! Although Matt and I still spoke a lot of English to each other, and I spoke English to HD, I spoke only Italian to Matt's parents, friends, branch members, and strangers on the street. HD even learned to say "nonna" but it kind of sounds like "mama" so we'll keep working on that. We got her a few books to help her (and me) learn some Italian words. Here's to a second language!

6. Played NERTZ! We taught Matt's parents this game when they were in the US last Christmas and we really enjoyed playing with them...a number of times. After dinner and after HD was in bed, we would stay in the veranda, with the fire going and play Nertz until late (sometimes after midnight) at night. His parents, by the way, are hilarious to play with!

7. Got spoiled! Matt's Mom loves to cook and serve and do stuff for people. She has literally waited on us hand and foot while we've been here. It took some adjusting (we're pretty used to doing stuff on our own) but it was so fun to be spoiled. And today, she went out of her way to do anything and everything she possibly could to spoil us further...just check out the gelato she (and Matt) brought back for everyone today...

No less than 10 flavors in that glorious piece of plastic!

8. Had a wonderful time! This was such a great trip for a lot of reasons. Of course seeing more of this beautiful country and continent was wonderful, but it was also wonderful to spend so much time together as a family and to get to know Matt's family better. HD is definitely going to miss the non-stop, constant attention (and so will we). All in all, we are SO glad we did this. It was crazy, it was busy, it was amazing, it was unforgettable. We don't know when it will happen again so we definitely enjoyed ourselves to the max.

So, until we're back in the USA, arrivederci and thanks for enjoying our journey with us!