Holidays in Italy

We are just finishing up 3 lovely weeks in Italy.  We had lots of time to relax, eat and enjoy family including Nonno and Nonna Zurn from Washington and Zia Molly (my sister) and her husband Zio Tuckerino from Reno, Nevada.  While the weather has not really been winter-like, we have still enjoyed cooler temps and Maria has loved getting a chance to wear her favorite hats (yes, she is one of those unusual toddlers that likes to put on boots, coats and hats!).  We head back to full summer in Pretoria this weekend.  I am looking forward to returning to the routine of school and most especially to our beasts.  We sure do miss our furry friends.  Here are some images from our holidays....

Just off our 11 hour flight from Joburg.  

Gelato in hand.  Let the vacation in Italy begin!

Fun having a big (& strong!) brother.

Papa dressed himself....

...yes, he IS from Milan.  Really!

Maria began her life of crime, vandalizing our car (luckily only with chalk...this time!)

Cookie Decorating!

Visiting a local street festival complete
with giant vats of boiling pig fat.  YUM!

Face painting, a Belli kid favorite.

Next day she decided to paint her own face.

Here is a clip of Maria's emerging chatty nature.  Nope, still does not make any sense, but we think this girl is going to be a chatterbox!

The kids had the idea of covering the fridge with stickers.  It took them a few days but they did it.  

And then Nonno and Nonna arrived from Washington.  Let the puzzle making and fun begin!

We took them to our favorite pizzeria their first night. Maria loved the giant Christmas tree at the entrance. 

Maria adores getting her hair cut.  She spent a week pointing eagerly at the local barber shop window every time we drove by.  Finally we got the chance to take her. 

She stared at herself in the mirror the entire time, completely captivated.  Giovanni the barber knows just how to cut her hair. 

And THEN Zia Molly and Zio Tuckerino arrived from Reno.  More cookies needed!

Maria fell instantly in love with Tucker.  

She could not get enough of him.

Christmas Morning!

Dr. Tucker and his assistants giving Maria's doll some first aid.

Hello Kitty Marshmallow and new shades.  Santa did well!

Tucker gave Gio a book full of photos of animal skulls.
Perfect for our curious (& morbid!) boy.

Christmas Day visit to La Pietra

Zia Molly and her goddaughter in matching hats!

More present opening.  Seems that these two love UNO!

Yup.  Still wearing it.

Gio wrote a thank you note to Santa.

My gift to Paolo this year from a set of nesting dolls of our family.  I had them made in Kyiv in June.  It was hard for me to keep them a secret this long!

The day after Christmas we had to say goodbye to Molly & Tucker.  Gio was very sad but a tennis lesson with his cousin Pippo helped.

And Maria drowned her sorrow by flirting with an older man.

This new dress (an instant favorite!) was hand-knit by Nonna!

I think we will have some trouble with this one in a few years.

We hope all of your have a fun-filled beginning to your 2016.  See you next back in the Southern Hemisphere!  We are on our way back to you, dear Enzo, Pepperoni & Bruno!  

xoxo.  Clara