1. none of this is actually our living quarters while we are in italy. that would just be silly. this is our friends’ home (and where the locanda is; i’ve mentioned it before!). if we managed a three month trip abroad and this was our digs would you stop reading? i wouldn’t blame you. i would stop reading and it’s my blog.
2. more to the point is that these friends have taken pity on us pathetic americans who roam the streets of orvieto every day, and invited us into their home, and pool (more than once now) because they are kind and gracious people.
2. we’ve all now eaten fresh figs from their tree (as seen above) and they’re delicious despite parker looking really angry while eating them. hopefully we’ve left enough figs for sylvia and lodovico to eat too.
3. steve is quickly becoming really accustomed to his afternoon wine by the pool overlooking the umbrian countryside and he may never return back to work again. work trip? huh?
4. meanwhile, i’m taking up wine making and art on the side.
5. only some of the above is true.
6. for some truth-telling? italy is so, so beautiful but has also presented its share of challenges.
7. without naming any names sibling. fighting. is. reeeeeal. (and so is parenting!!!!)
8. so is having a just beginning to crawl all the time baby in only semi child-proofed places. insert that emoji with the big teethy “oh shit” smile.
9. none of this is really a surprise to us, or, if it is, shouldn’t have been. if so, jokes on us!
10. is this one of my more random posts? i’m really, really, really tired (been a rough few days, more on that later!). suffice it to say, we love it here, but traveling is also a true undertaking and my hat is sooo off to those who make a life of it!
2. more to the point is that these friends have taken pity on us pathetic americans who roam the streets of orvieto every day, and invited us into their home, and pool (more than once now) because they are kind and gracious people.
2. we’ve all now eaten fresh figs from their tree (as seen above) and they’re delicious despite parker looking really angry while eating them. hopefully we’ve left enough figs for sylvia and lodovico to eat too.
3. steve is quickly becoming really accustomed to his afternoon wine by the pool overlooking the umbrian countryside and he may never return back to work again. work trip? huh?
4. meanwhile, i’m taking up wine making and art on the side.
5. only some of the above is true.
6. for some truth-telling? italy is so, so beautiful but has also presented its share of challenges.
7. without naming any names sibling. fighting. is. reeeeeal. (and so is parenting!!!!)
8. so is having a just beginning to crawl all the time baby in only semi child-proofed places. insert that emoji with the big teethy “oh shit” smile.
9. none of this is really a surprise to us, or, if it is, shouldn’t have been. if so, jokes on us!
10. is this one of my more random posts? i’m really, really, really tired (been a rough few days, more on that later!). suffice it to say, we love it here, but traveling is also a true undertaking and my hat is sooo off to those who make a life of it!
that’s all for now.
Hang in there, exhausted mama! Hard things are generally the things most worth doing in life! The pictures are flawless and we are all jealous 🙂
Woah – Lindsey is seriously changing looks! I was wondering who the pretty random girl was at the top!
she has changed SO MUCH recently. i see her every day and i even notice it.
I wouldn't stop reading, but I would invite myself over. 😉
how did you luck out with those friends?? 😉
we actually connected through instagram believe it or not. we've become great friends in the last many weeks. it's been really great and we will miss them so much when we return home!
Can I say I was thinking its been 5 days since her last post I hope she doesn't keep us hanging too long 🙂 Everything seems so beautiful over there alas Im sure it has it's difficult spots as you mentioned. Your a rock star, I cant imagine doing this with my 3 kiddos but its so awesome your embracing it and going for it! No matter the ups and downs….what an experience!
It's a good thing I don't have to stop reading your blog!
You and your family's time in Italy has looked magical, but of course, real life continues. I wonder if perhaps the new and foreigners kept it at bay for a little while at e beginning? Being abroad can be easier in some ways, but so, so much harder in others. I do miss it though 🙂 soak it up while you can!
With every new picture your kids get more beautiful and/or cuter than ever, didn't know that was possible, though. Regarding the wine making, I especially love the tasting in this process..
I've missed you and I hope you're all doing fine, sending lots of love.
thank you licia!
Beautiful pics!!! Tell us all the real stuff so we at home can momentarily feel content with our lives… Before going back to putting a trip like this on the bucket list 🙂
ha! not sure you'd want to hear ALL of it but i will do my best to keep it real 🙂
Love your blog and following along your trip in Italy! (BTW, there are actually 11 things, you have 2 on there twice :))
DUMB!
Thanks for being so honest! Traveling is not all glamour and fun! I don't think I can do it full time.
Can I just say that Anders is by the cutest baby boy I have ever laid my eyes on, I'm not even just saying that! He is just beautiful and I just want to squeeze him! Don't tell all the other baby boys I said that!
We found Italy the same for a lot of the same reasons!
Mind you, we only have little ones, but I think in general these old countries capture you aesthetically in like 4 milliseconds, but the challenges of living there are real.
Our airbnb was full of antiques and I was paranoid with my kids running around, that we'd break some special family heirloom. And I guess traditional cultures in general pose challenges for people living in the more liberal and free spirited (and bigger, cleaner, West). We're Canadian but I think Americans find the same. I loved it in so many ways but I was also super glad to be back in the land of windows with screens, ha!
Your family is a breath of fresh air. And so is your blog!