Back to Bled

Some places you just can't go once. We headed to Bled back in August to do a ropes course we had heard about. We never did get to do the ropes course, but our family had a great day.

The castle had one of the fanciest weddings going on that I've ever seen. I was too polite to take pictures of it, but here are some more of the views of and from the castle.

Near the end of the day we found the ropes course...but it was too late to do it, so we did tobogganing instead. They convert their ski slopes to this summer course. The ski lift was maybe a little bit more scary without the feet of snow as padding under us. You can't see, but that is one big mountain.

 The lake at night is incredible. We walked around the path, got coffee, and listened to the bands.

For our MAFB peeps, recognize these guys? We're so glad the DeGruchy's PCS'd over here!

Some girls trips

Thanks to some great friends I was able to go on a few day trips this summer.

Prosecco Road is about an hour and a half away. It's a long stretch of wineries that produce Prosecco. It's not one of my favorite wines, but it is a vital element in my Italian favorite Spritz Aperol. We hit a few wineries, saw some great sites and had a fun lunch.

http://www.turismovenezia.it/eng/dynalay.asp?PAGINA=799

This little place was on our way up a walk to a hidden overlook that we never would have found without Joni as our guide. It's got a table, chair, and filled fridge. It works off the honor system. Yes, really. You leave your money and take what you want to eat. What am I going to do when my only option for "fast food" is fast food? 

 

Of course we didn't leave Prosecco Road empty handed. Most of us brought home wine, Joni almost brought home a new dog.

We didn't leave empty handed in yet another trip to Nove either...How do I keep finding pieces to buy?

Here is the crew inside VBC's, on of the favorites.

The ride home in the summer rental was a little crowded, we didn't take a picture of us crowded in the front.

 

Here is one of the shops. We were able to watch for a bit while he hand-painted some pieces. Ah, yes, this is how I keep finding pieces to buy.

Not all my girl trips were just big girls. Of course wherever we went, gelato was found.

Trieste

Back in July Chris and I had a great date day in Trieste and at the Miramare Castle. The castle and grounds look like they could be out of either the Anderson or Disney version of the Little Mermaid. This might be a good time to tell you all that this blog also serves as the scrapbook I know I will never take the time to make. So I'm sorry, but you are about to be subjected to the modern version of the slide show after any random vacation. For those of you on FB, I'm doubly sorry, you've already seen these pics. Of course, you can just scroll really quickly past them all :-).

July and August

Summer always seems so long when it starts but by then end it's all over too quickly. 

Here we are at Raffa's with the Watsons. I don't think I will ever get tired of Raffa's food (or vino)! 

Here's the gaggle of children at Artugna's in Dardago for a going away.

 We had a Blue Fairy and Pleasure Isle Kid during the Missoula Children's Theatre week her in Aviano.

The kids were also in another great acting camp, I'll add the pics as soon as I get them.



The summer was also full of acting since Em (and Sophie) had their community theater debuts in the Aviano Community Theater production of The Musical Comedy of Murders of 1940. Em was a "radio girl", Sophie was ..well, Sophie.

The first day of school the weather went from summer to fall overnight. The kids both started attending the base school this year. With Emma it was planned since she is starting (gasp) High School. Liz was a last minute decision because of possible budget cuts that would have had her teacher in Montereale leaving. We miss everyone at Montereale, but it has really been nice having the kids in the same district. Liz started the 3rd grade this year.

And our last big (or small) announcement for summer was ....

 

Lilly. 

This little kitten was under the Greek food stand on base. She represents me being one step closer to being the crazy cat lady at some point, but I couldn't just leave her there. Now Liz and Emma both officially have their own kittens (I swear we found them because they begged for them in Italian), and I've promised not to find any more!

Where the blog plays catch up for June

Actually this is where the blog just barely scratches the surface..but it's a start.

So, in a nutshell...and to keep it brief.. In June-

My Dad came to visit:

The Ferrari store was one of the stops in Venice.

Gelato was had in Sacile:

All in all a busy but good trip, thank goodness Grandpa was such a good sport for all our our end of school year craziness!

We had end of year school parties:

Liz had a party with her class at a cabin near Barcis. 

They also had an end of year music fest at their school. Of course no music fest here is complete without some line dancing and "Sweet Home Alabama". I actually just found out from a friend that it's pretty much just our town that has the country music obsession. I'm not sure how we ended up here, but it seems pretty tailor made!

Emma will be attending the American High School on base next year, so this party was an end of school year and end of her Italian school experience. Here are some of the great kids in her class.

Our new kitten, Jack, continues to work his way into our family.

Chris continues to travel for work. I think in June he made three countries in two weeks. He's having a great time with his new job, even with all the travel. 

We made a few trips to the beach.

To finish the month off Liz and I were heading home in the rain one afternoon when we were t-boned at a curve by a car that hydroplaned. Our poor van was pretty torn up, but luckily no one was badly hurt. The end result is two months (or so) of a rental car since the car wasn't drive-able, replacement parts had to be ordered, and our mechanic (along with the rest of Italy) are vacationing for August (yes, not just "in August" but actually for the month). We're counting this as our inevitable Italian wreck, and hoping it will be the only.

Overall a fantastic end of school year and a great start to summer. Hopefully I'll get a chance to update July before August is over!