It was a busy month full of lots of travel. The highlight was watching Maria embrace skiing which is certainly now on the top of her passion list.
Hiking to the "Big Red Bench" near our home in Italy.
Gio was, as always busy with friends, but we enjoyed the walk with Maria!
Right after the New Year we drove up to La Thuile for a week of skiing.
Maria started each morning with ski school.
She loved every minute of the ski week and improved so quickly that by the 3rd day we were taking her up the gondola to ski up top.
A private lesson....
All too soon it was time to leave the ski slopes (Maria made us promise for a return next year). Paolo and Gio headed back to Nairobi while Maria and I were on our way back to the USA. We will have passed through Frankfurt Airport 4 times this holiday and took a photo with Einstein each time (this was #3).
Pfizer jab #2.
We spent much of this week with my parents but also took some time to explore DC. The highlight for me was the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Quilt of Harriet Tubman
Breonna Taylor
Chuck Berry's Cadillac
Touring around Georgetown.
It was cold!
Another big chair.
An afternoon alone in a movie theatre (Maria loves her scooter helmet A LOT!).
We got passes to the zoo to see the baby panda. He did not disappoint...
As always a trip to DC means a visit to the cat cafe.
And in what seemed like a minute it was time to start the long journey (30+ hours) back to Nairobi.
So happy to be back with the gang...
Celebrating Maria's HALF (8.5) birthday at the water park. Since Maria is a summer baby she usually has a party and brings snacks to her class on her half birthday.
Gio and his gang came along to help celebrate. When 7 girls from their 7th grade class showed up the fun really began!
Back home for pizza and cake.
After nearly two years our school campus has finally opened up to families on weekends. We headed straight to the tennis courts.
Jagger was invited to school to visit a Middle School after school group that is learning about animals. I talked to the group about Jagger's work as a therapy dog in South Africa.
He was a star.
February will take Gio and Paolo to Diani to do a SCUBA course. More soon. Love, Clara
December was a busy one! Biggest event was the arrival of a teenager in our family....
Tacky tourist day at school.
Maria's Wednesday afternoon lesson.
I helped out with the PTO holiday market at school.
Had to laugh at Gio's letter to go with his advisor's holiday gift.
Rainy season puddle walk!
Swim meet (virtual with other teams competing from around Africa) for Gio.
Gio's 13th Birthday party (paintball and back to our house for lunch and swimming)
The Nutcracker! It was a fun performance for Gio and Maria as they knew many of the performers from their school.
Gio's actual birthday on Monday, Dec 6!
Despite the face Gio actually loves his 6:30AM rugby practices!
Waiting for the doggy day car van to pick him up.
Maria's favorite spot for a post-school nap.
Dec 11 Maria and I started the long journey to Washington, DC....
...for this! Yeah, science!
Post-vaccine scooter around Georgetown.
Touring holiday displays...
...and funny drink cups!
Always a must do when we visit DC- the cat cafe.
In between visits with my parents we spent a lot of time at local playgrounds...
...more holiday displays...
...and art displays.
In what would prove to be a problem for so many over the holidays our flight was delayed by 22 hours. We had to leave our AirBnB and move into this hotel for an extra night.
The delay meant our flight was very very empty. Not complaining about that!
Our wonderful dog kennel posted some photos in honor of Winston's first birthday on Dec 20th!
We made it to Italy to reunite with Gio and Paolo just in time for Christmas. Christmas Eve presents included this from Squid Game. Gio did not survive...
Christmas Morning!
Santa brought Maria what seemed to be every fidget toy ever invented!
Christmas lunch with Zio Guido (Paolo's brother).
Guido brought this amazing house which we demolished quickly!
Christmas Day photos from Yappaville...
New Year's Eve was spent with Paolo's best friend and his family. The children spent the evening snuggling with their new cat.
