WE HEART ITALY!

Well, it’s official. We’re moving. :)  We have loved loved loved Italy! I mean, I doubt many people come here and say they don’t, but I think it’s extra amongst our crew of 7! We’re in our 2^nd spot since arriving in Italy last Saturday, both totally different and totally amazing.

I didn’t mean for it to be so long before writing another post, but to say I have been completely relaxed and checked out from work is an understatement. If I get my laptop out, I feel like “I have to work”, and for the last 6 years or so, work has been BANANAS. To the point where I think if the kids said they could take one thing away from me, it would be my laptop. So I have REALLY enjoyed total relaxation on this trip. 

Last Saturday, we flew to Rome to spend 4 nights in Siena, an adorable and lively town about 2 hours north of Rome. Unfortunately, Jude was under the weather for a few days so I skipped the walking tour of the town, but Macy gave me the play-by-play, claiming it was THE most interesting tour yet.

Siena is divided up into 17 districts, which basically compete against each other, and ones you are also born into…which of course, immediately made me think of Hunger Games. Lol But alas, they don’t send their children to die on behalf of their district. (I mean, what a weird concept!)

Everything was picturesque Italy…cobblestone streets, side allies with adorable restaurants and shops, and laundry hanging to dry above them. And the food? To die for. As was the shopping. Shawn has always dressed more like the Europeans and scored so many cool new articles of clothing, which I was happy about, bc I do way too much shopping at home. 

We all loved the lively nature of Siena, and the amazing views, but more importantly – we celebrated LUKE’S 13^TH BDAY! I literally cannot believe he is a teenager. I think I’m in denial.

My kids make a whole “to-do” over each other’s bday. They want everyone to be happy from the second they wake until they pass out at night. And a tradition in our house is that when they open their bedroom door, streamers are hanging and always at least one present waiting for them to open ASAP. And despite waking up with the worst sore throat of my life, I set out to find some streamers and scored at what I can only describe as a baby IKEA, so the tradition continues…

We ended our time in Siena with a fun wine tasting with an Italian woman that reminded my mom SO much of her grandmother, that we nicknamed her Helen, and the next day, we checked out and set off for our hour-long drive to where I sit now – Borgo Pignana.

This place is fantastic. It’s exactly what we needed after an intense first 10-12 days (I don’t even know what day it is at this point – not even kidding). It’s a resort in what feels like the middle of nowhere Tuscany, and simply the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. If you’ve ever been to Keswick in Charlottesville, it’s like that, but on CRAZY steroids.

We’ve finished books, napped, enjoyed bottles of cold Rose at lunch, and this morning, we took a 3 hour long painting class as we overlooked the vineyards and hills of Tuscany. We are living a truly blessed life. And of course, we have eaten RIDICULOUS food.

I think my dad has ordered the same pasta three times so far, and I can’t stop ordering the same salad…it’s all so fresh and light and flavorful, and most of the ingredients are grown right here on the grounds. And OMG the gelato. I mean, I know we all hear about the gelato but y’all, this gelato…it’s other level. I am terrified to learn what the gelato bill is at the end of this stay. I am fairly certain the boys go to the gelato truck 4-5 times a day.

Thankfully for Luke (and us), there is a basketball court here (we have to travel with an over-the-door one as he literally plays for HOURS a day), Shawn and Macy have gone on morning runs, and my parents have even enjoyed hiking the hills (which are for real LEGIT big hills). Jude and I have had fun hanging out and exploring and, of course, meeting other guests and cooing over their babies. (Jude LOVES babies/kids and claims he wants 7, which I think he is actually laid back enough to do. He is currently asking where he can go hang out with babies and toddlers as a job that he doesn’t get paid to do! Lol)

Tonight Mom, Dad, Shawn, and I head to a wine tasting at the vineyard down the road, and I am pretty sure today is Thursday? And we leave Saturday for our final destination, Lake Como.

I have LOVED every second of getting to be with my parents (and Shawn and the kids of course), but I am just so so happy that we made this happen (and by we, I mean Shawn), bc it’s just been SO fun and SO memorable – I know none of us will forget this amazing time together and the laughter and storytelling and sights and experiences…if anything, it’s a great reminder of what life is all about.

Soak up your loved ones. Don’t wait for “tomorrow” or “later.”  Whether you camp in a tent or explore a nearby state, or travel to Europe – there are a million ways to soak up life and those you love, and I know I will cherish this trip for the rest of my days. And I won’t remember a single email or meeting I’m missing at work. But I will always remember this time together.