oh BOY!!!!

The other day I walked into my room to grab my book while the kids watched a movie and was greeted by Brody
Brody: What are you doing with that sexy ass?
Me: What!?
Brody: What are you doin with that sexy ass?
Me: uh, um, just gettin my book bud.
And then I proceeded into the other room to inform Ryan that he needs to be more careful about the things he says in front of the kids!


One more. Today at church, we were sitting in the very back during sacrament meeting and Brody just lets out a belch. Completely innocent until he sees mom who cannot "swallow it" (like Ryan kept telling me to do about my laughter) and he realizes that he was funny. But it wasn't just me, at least everyone within four rows of us turned to look and thought it was funny.
I couldn't resist taking these pictures of him this morning right after he woke up.




And Abbey was looking pretty edible to with her tired snugly look.

Natale in Italia

My excuse to Grandma's for the delay in pictures is that Ryan is on break and is always using the computer for painting, so I haven't had the chance to post yet.

Surprisingly, the kids went to bed easily on Christmas eve and we didn't get woken up until 8:30! We have awesome shutters that block out all light and we made sure to close those tight. Brody and Cloe hung out with us in our room while we waited for Abbey to wake up, I'd say she is starting to feel better and the rest was much needed. The kids were happy to find out that Santa does in deed come to Italy. They got some good presents and had fun. One thing I enjoy about Christmas is how well they play together. They are so excited about all their new stuff that they don't get bored and enjoy playing all day together.
We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then we just hung out. Growing up, we never lived by family so our Christmas was always just hanging out, taking it slow and relaxing. Ryan's Christmas has always consisted of visiting family all day. So, this Christmas was ideal for me and for him it didn't quite feel like Christmas.
Our wonderful neighbors came over about noon, we were still in our pj's, and had the kids come over to open presents. They are such a blessing to our family and the most amazing people I have ever met. That evening we had 6 missionaries and our friends, the Anderson's, over for dinner. All in all, it was a good Christmas but I can't wait to be home for next years! I'm sad we missed the big dump this year and couldn't have a white Christmas.


yeah! Santa made it up to the 4th floor apartments!

wait, wait, let Dad set up the camera. (in their Christmas jammies)


the suspense is killing them but we need pictures

The hug means she approves. She hugged all of her presents

I found him in the corner behind the tree weeks ago peeking into a present. He's been waiting weeks to know exactly what this one was. I don't think he was disappointed.

Littlest Pet Shop game, I finally beat her today. No, I don't let my kids win, I have to plant the competitive seed while they are young.

Cloe on her bed with all her loot

Bro with his loot


Abbs the Fabs with her loot

may the humility of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the joy of the angels and the peace of the Christ-child be God's gift to you in your celebration of His birth.
Buon Natale Tutti!
Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Eve

One of our family traditions, as I'm sure yours is as well, is to act out the nativity with the kids. We get together with Ryan's family on Christmas eve and all the cousins act it out. This year was going to be a challenge considering we only have 3 kids. There would have been a lot of costume changes, the runway models would have had nothing on us. BUT, while at the American church one day, I found out they were having a Christmas Pageant on Christmas eve with a service. Which included a live nativity with the kids. And it just so happened they had some parts for our kids. Brody was originally suppose to be Joseph but he didn't want to say his lines and got demoted to a humble shepherd. Ryan was bummed because he wanted to change his lines
Joseph: Can we stay here
Inn keeper: No, we don't have any room
Joseph: But we're tired (addition) We've been walking forever and my wife won't get off her ass.
Good thing he's stage fright. Cloe was the Inn keeper and Abbey was an angel, of course, what else could you possibly think of her as?



The bus schedule was changed because of Christmas eve and it wasn't too cold so we rode bikes there and sang Christmas songs along the way. It was also nice to sing Christmas songs in English while at the church.
We got home, had some chilli, bathed the kids and then they opened their Christmas pajamas. Ryan downloaded "Rudolph the red nose reindeer" so they watched that and then off to bed.
We finished wrapping, I made cinnamon rolls and then we watched a few episodes of "battle star galactica"

2 more

The kids came home from school with these and I had to post Cloe's (the colored one) for 2 reasons. 1) because I'm on a nativity posting kick and 2) she colored that herself! I think we have a perfectionist on our hands. Hopefully by the time we leave I will be able to translate the poem on the back.


And the stick sort of one is from Brody's class. Definitely a keeper. Not sure how much his little hands helped, but he did say he got to put baby Jesus in his bed.

Christmas in the Catholic Mecca

I've seen some of the coolest nativities, most at my neighbors and friends house but the kids school has the most amazing one. Christmas is more Christ centered here so I guess that's why it doesn't really feel like Christmas ;)

At the kids school. I think i was the only parent that was amazed and had to photograph.

I'd say they reached a big enough population to call this the "Bethlehem city scene" rather than just the nativity

And while at my neighbors I thought her set up was so unique and had to snap a shot. I believe from their reaction, they also thought I was a little weird.

I know that feeling.

Brody has been sick but not too sick for school yet. When I picked him up, it was freezing and I had to go to the post office to pay for their school lunches. Very weird I know. And then we went to 2 other shops. All he could talk about the whole time is "when we get home can I take a bath and have hot chocolate, my legs are cold." So when we finally got home, he got just that. I went in to tell him to turn the water off and this is what I found

then at 6:45 I found him dozing again in my bed. I finally let him go to bed an hour before bed time. I had get some food in his stomach first. Hopefully all this sleeping will help him to wake up healthy tomorrow.

after seeing my cousins, I couldn't resist and had to make one for myself
check it out


http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1465932414

Christmas Performance

Yes, on a Saturday at 9:30, the kids had their school performance. It was about a 30 minute bike ride and since it's Saturday, my legs are jello and want to pedal no more. The teachers did not forget any detail with the costumes and it was great. The whole concept was kids around the world coming to see the birth of baby Jesus. This is definitely one of the perks about private school, we can have school performances that portray the real meaning of Christmas. This would be the only "politically correct" thing done in the show. Holly, you would've loved it.

I haven't quite figured out Italian standard time. It was suppose to start at 9:30, it started at 10:20, after each dance the curtain closed for about 5 minutes while the next "country" set up. And it ended at 13:00!!!

Cloe's class sang a song and did a little dance at the beginning, here she is waiting
and it begins, Brody was an African. Yes, I was told to paint his face black, that hat is suppose to be his afro and he was given the brown shirt and yes, brown tights as his "skin". hilarious!!!

The Asian kids were also funny because they were all wearing flip flops and the boys had drawn on mustaches. But the best is when the Native Americans (is that what we still call them?) were sitting around the fire, passing around a peace pipe!! I was dieing. so classic
Then Cloe came on again and they did an Italian dance


Mary cross-stiching


The angel visits her

More angels come

Abbey getting restless and I don't blame her.

Baby Gesu' is born. I always thought he was put in a manger but no, it was a car seat.


The shepherds came to see

And then all the kids around the world finally made it. I guess flights were delayed because it sure did take a long time!

And to show how long it took, Brody was crying. Maybe he was so touched by the thought of being there to see the baby Jesus. No, he just saw Jesus with Mary and it made him want his own Mom.

Buon Natale tutti! was the end.

another reason why I HATE wal-mart

I don't really need anymore reasons but thought I'd share. This was in the English newspaper here in Florence


Gates of Paradise
(issue no. 68/2007 / November 29, 2007)
Wal-mart finds tax refuge in Florence

With an office near the Duomo, American department store Wal- Mart is saving millions of dollars in taxes. Located on via dello Studio in Florence, the head office of Wmgs Services, a subsidiary of Wal Mart Property, controls millions of dollars of Wal-Mart property and stores in America.


According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, because Wmgs Services operates in another country, it is exempt from corporate tax in Illinois. According to Illinois state legislation, as long as 80 percent of a corporation’s business is conducted outside of the US, the company does not have to pay corporate taxes.


However, state officials from Illinois are contesting Wmgs’ tax liability. Alleging a tax-dodging ploy, the state demanded that a total of 26.4 million dollars in unpaid taxes and interest be paid to the state.

Wal-Mart officials did not put up much of a fight and paid in full, but not without first taking Illinois to court for a full refund. They would not, however, explain why they chose to open an office in Florence.

as the saying goes

"it's like riding a bike, you never forget", Ryan's mom has proven the bike riding part to be true. How many decades has it been since she rode a bike? And look at her, she even has a kid on the back! I took her on the busy streets of Florence and they didn't seem to phase her. My kids have a pretty cool grandma :)

it feels like christmas

Up until this last weekend, it hasn't really felt like Christmas. We had no decorations and after living in Utah, now a little snowfall during December helps the feeling of Christmas. Well, Ryan's mom just came to visit for the week and brought presents galore from family, bought us a tree, made plenty of decorations with Cloe (Cloe was in heaven) and I'll just have to settle with a wet rainy Christmas rather than white. My mom sent advent calenders and a Christmas CD. According to Brody's calender, Christmas was 5 days ago. The tree we got is real so the house smells good and in church today we sang Christmas songs. Last night we took the kids into the center to see all the Christmas lights.

Temple Square has nothing on Florence. Just kiddin. Of course i can't forget about the nativity set I found at the 99 cent store! The wise man looks like he's suffering from vertigo.

And our schedule is starting to fill up with parties, and performances. A busy month? Must be Christmas time. Time to start baking :) And I'm loving it!