Finally getting to our holiday in Italy.... So, without further ado...
Ready to depart hot Jo'burg to head back to winter....
We left Jagger with Barbara and Guenter and a fun gang of puppies. We do not think he missed us!
Super strong Maria pulling Gio around Frankfurt Main.
Where did we head as soon as we arrived in Italy?? Our beloved gelato shop, of course.
Things we had to get used to right away: winter clothes and sun only being up between 8AM and 4PM!
Maria Luisa and Zia Luisa reunited. (Maria is named for both my grandmother Mary Louise and for Paolo's beloved Aunt Luisa.)
It was such for us to see all of our Italian family once again.
Maria & Marina adore each other.
Zio Guido (Paolo's brother) and Marina brought us this beautiful candy creche. It did not last long!
Just before destruction.
Yup, Jagger STILL not missing us (much)!
Gio had some fun tennis lessons with his cousin Pippo.
Paolo and his gang of friends!
One day we headed on the train up to Milan to work on my application for Italian citizenship.
Jagger check-in again (helping with chores).
Is it bad when in Milan to go to an American restaurant? Who knows, but the kids sure loved the pancakes!
While Jagger was with Barbara & Guenter, our other three furry friends were at Menlyn Kennels. (Yes, there is something weird going on with Pepper's eyes. We are still trying to figure out what it is.)
Dance class with Maria....
Dinner at home.
Since Paolo is constantly stealing my reading glasses, I decided to fill his stocking with these.
Playtime with Lorenzo, the adorable son of Paolo's best friend Angelo.
Relaxing on a warm day beneath La Pietra in Castelnovo.
Just after New Year's we headed near the Austrian border for some skiing. The traffic was so bad on the way up that we took a break at Burger King (yes we were desperate).
Yep, STILL having a blast!
Enjoying a giant plate of pasta (her favorite food)!
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First day on skis.
First time down the hill!
Nope, no natural snow but there was plenty of man-made stuff!
After a morning of skiing, hot cocoa and chocolate is a must.
On our final day it was very cold. We visited a frozen lake...
played in the snow...
and met a giant bear/dog.
Since it was so cold Maria and I stayed inside while the boys hit the slopes one last time.
And then it was time to drive home. Gio was so sad we immediately made plans to take him to Lesotho in June for some more skiing. Should be interesting to ski in Southern Africa!
One last walk around our Italian neighborhood (with Gio's buddy Andrea).
How can we ever pack lightly when leaving Italy?? This time we brought along 20kgs of cheese and a few salamis!
Will Jagger even want to come home with us??
A 6 hour layover in Frankfurt is a lot easier when Paolo is allowed to bring us into his fancy Senator Lounge!
Peppa Pig + tangerines = Maria's heaven
Back home in Pretoria. Maria was thrilled to be reunited with her beloved Nomsa.
We were happy that Jagger was willing to come home with us!
