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| We got back from our adventure with the Italians and Bruno immediately went back into begging action. |
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| We were very sad to see them all go. The two weeks just flew by and none of us wanted them to go. 3 more months and we will see them all again in Italy! |
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| Yes, it is hard to find room in our bed but I honestly sleep much better when I have them there. How I miss them when we travel. |
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| A day at Menlyn Maine with Alaska. |
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| Long line at Woolie's calls for a quick nap. |
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| Our Shorey cousins came to visit all the way from Washington, DC & Boston. Funny how we only manage to finally see the tourist sites when we have guests. First stop, Voortrekker Monument. Love the sign at the entrance! |
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| My two girls! |
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| Ready to tour. From left: Cousin Everett & Amy, their daughter Margot, boyfriend Avery (who Maria actively tried to steal the entire visit). Gio was not with us as he had been invited to a birthday party in Sun City (lucky boy!). |
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| Alaska and I had fun trying to count all of the dogs in the giant frieze. |
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| A scene made entirely of cake icing. Maria was frustrated by the glass barrier. I was glad it was there when I saw how long ago this was made! |
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| These two are never far apart. Moments of calm and cuddling.... |
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| ....mixed with madness! |
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| Calm after a day of play. |
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| Visit to Pretoria Botanical Gardens with the cousins. |
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| And just like that it was time to say goodbye...they were off to safari and then to Cape Town. Lucky them! |
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| Our Pretoria training class. |
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| Back at Menlyn Maine for some more training. |
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| Hanging out at Bounce while Maria and Gio have class. |
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| At the eye doctor with me. Strange sleeping position, no?? |
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| Sunday afternoon at Monte Casino in Johannesburg for lunch and a show (Sound of Music!) |
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| Mexican feast before the show. |
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| The Italian decorations at Monte Casino are a lot of fun! |
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| And then we were off to USA! Paolo flew ahead of us to get to the World Bank Spring Meetings. The kids and I took a longer (and cheaper!) route so had quite a few hours to kill in Germany. |
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| The "shorter" flight (only 8 hours) from Germany to DC. |
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| Finally got them both asleep! |
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| First morning in DC. A slight case of jet lag. |
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| Visiting one of our favorite DC residents- Bocce! |
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| We love the bakery Baked & Wired and had fun at their 17th birthday party with this balloon artist. |
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| Feasting on a "Uniporn Rainho" cupcake. No typos there! |
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| My scooter kids. They traveled this way all over DC! |
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| More time with Bocce. |
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| A long scooter ride from Georgetown got us to the zoo. Fun with the sea lions. |
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| My photo skills are clearly lacking but the pandas did not disappoint. |
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| The carousel was a bit hit. First year she could ride without me! While we have been in the USA our three dogs have been staying with my dear friend Bronwyn (a fellow Puppy Raiser). They are clearly having the time of their lives.... |
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| Gio with his "oldest" friend Caden. His mother Michelle and I taught together at Potomac and the boys officially met when they were less than a year old. The friendship endures and each year when they see each other the hysterical giggles begin immediately. |
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| Can you tell who missed her nap today?? |
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| Dentist checkup. No cavities for either of them! |
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| A highlight of our trip to the USA- dinner with Gio's godfathers Tim & Jay. How we love these two! Maria had never actually met them but the bond was instant. |
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| Not at all shy with Jay! |
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| Tackling a banana split. |
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| Showing off new duds given by Tim & Jay. |
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| And the big news???? Bellis are moving to Nairobi, Kenya! January 2019! |
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| Bored at the doctor's office so trying on big brother's shoes... |
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| Moving to Kenya means Yellow Fever and Typhoid vaccinations... |
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| These two have scootered miles ("shootered" in Maria-speak) all over DC these last 10 days. It is such fun to be so mobile though I am exhausted from trying to keep up with them! |
xoxo. Clara
