Pisa, Lucca, and Firenze (#3 - LAST ONE)

The last journey on our Mini Spring Break Trip #1 was Firenze, more globally known as Florence.  I had been here once on a work trip back in November and they had arranged for a night tour of the main touristy sections so I had a bit of knowledge about Florence.  I would highly recommend the night tour as everything looked even more magnificent lit up, not that it was disappointing during the day mind you.  

One thing that is different about living in Europe and traveling, in my opinion, is that you are able to explore differently than if you were on a scheduled tour.  We have our own vehicle and can do as we please, when we please.  However, we also have our own vehicle and must navigate directions and parking - two details that are not always fun!  We made it though to a parking garage in a seemingly safe area and then set about on our journey to the attractions.  The arch below was our landmark beacon to know when we were close to the parking area.  I have absolutely no idea if it has a name or is famous.  While I appreciate all that history can teach us, I am sadly not much of a history buff...I know, I know, you are thinking Europe is ruined on someone like me, but I promise I am appreciating it!  

 I tried to get a good picture of my traveling companions.  I honestly cannot tell you how in awe of them I am.  They walk and walk and walk, mostly without complaining;).  They are taking it all in, going with the flow, and enjoying what Europe has to offer. I am one proud mom.  Oh yes, that handsome man there, he is the sane to my crazy - enough said. 

Fortunately, Cadin and Cambria are so easy going still that they allow me to take their picture in front of a TWINS' Caffe!  Too cute...yes, corny I know, but look(!), our twins in front of the TWINS' Caffe.  OK, I shall stop now.

This Dali' sculpture was right outside the Accademia - which is where the real statue of David is kept inside.  So far, we have opted NOT to go into any of the museums and this could be one of the reasons that the kids have remained happy travelers thus far.  We still have more than 2 years so that could change, perhaps when we have visitors - hint, hint!

The first sight of Duomo Square, which is definitely more exquisite at night.  It was also very crowded with lots of tour groups.  

Perhaps my best picture of this trip, my gorgeous Cambria exploring her new love of photography.  

The cherubs in Duomo Square.

We continued to explore and guess what we happened upon??!!  Oh yes, a little market in a piazza that was focused on wine, cheese, lovely sauces, and olive oil.  The heavens opened and sang...:)  As you can see, some of us were more into this little detour than others.

However, her disposition had improved as she was belly up to the tasting table...and no, we did not let her taste the fermented grapes.  I did taste grappa for the first time though - ewwww!!!!  This man had a lovely brochure for his agriturismo that is a working B&B in addition to a winery.  I hope to get a visit there in our time here.  Love this kind of thing.

After prying me away from purchasing more pesto and wine (darned backpack only holds so much), we made our way to another shopping plaza, this one fairly famous for its bronze wild boar.  The Loggia del Mercato Nuovo is a little structure that has been around since 1551 and was designed to be a refined place for merchants to sell their goods.  This one is housed with lots of lovely leather products as well as the famous boar which is said to provide you with great likeliness of returning to Florence if you rub its snout!  

Ah, more nudity.  This whole open area in the next few pictures is the Piazza della Signoria and it is sort of a big open area with lots of incredible sculptures and structures.  This replica of David is outside the former ruling Medici's home and is the Palazzo Vecchio.  Just a few of our closest friends checking out the place too.  

I love capturing them when they are focused.  Grandma Stonebraker (Grandma Francie, also known by one of my cousins as Grandma Flyswatter...love family names!) was the kind provider of these cameras for Christmas and the kids have had a ball capturing their own memories of our travels.  I will have to do separate posts capturing their pictures.

Here the cherubs are along the Arno River and the next standing at the end of the Ponte Vecchio, a famous bridge that houses about 2 million pieces of jewelry in a very small amount of square footage.

Sullivan is apparently sending kisses your way and Cambria is modeling the new Firenze bag.  The ladies have started collecting bags of all shapes and sizes that document where we have traveled.  They are having a grand time seeking and selecting.  I am feeling bad for Cadin in not getting much, but he is holding out for something more grand I believe.

All of this trekking led to a hungry and tired crew, so we were on the lookout for an off-the-beaten-path restaurant.  We happened upon this incredibly cool place that was underground.  The architecture was awesome and the atmosphere just what we were looking for - not mobbed by tourists.  The food was good and the company even better.  

Two of the nicest people in the world, right there.  I am so lucky they are my family!  Look at the background, such a neat little place.

 Post-meal, we were ready to get back in the monster van and head back to Naples.  Until next time...when I will bring you our Mini Spring Break Trip #2 to Sicily!

Pisa, Lucca, and Firenze (#2)

Sorry for the delay, there have been birthdays to celebrate and more trips to take - all good stuff!  So, where was I?  Ah yes, Pisa, somewhere we absolutely had to go while living in Italy.  After our rain-soaked trip to Pisa, we journeyed to Lucca, a place that kept popping up on our radar screen as we were prepping to go on this trip.  

We should declare that this trip was so unplanned and so go-with-the-flow that we had to use our iphones to get GPS coordinates to places as we were driving to them.  I am proud of myself for being so unstructured.  If you know me, this is really not like me.  We arrived in Lucca to find a charming town, bigger than we expected in fact, that greeted us with blossoming trees and inviting little streets.  

Our first order of business was to find some food as we were all starving.  Being in Italy, rarely are we lacking in our ability to locate some delicious treats.  We are both red wine-loving folk and we have discovered that we generally prefer the house reds at most restaurants.  This restaurant did not disappoint with its house red and had a unique serving size approach.  We ordered essentially a half bottle to share and so they brought us the whole bottle with a line marked where we should stop pouring - a genius way to sell the whole bottle because it is easy to just keep pouring!

My favorite person in the whole world.  I am so blessed to be on this journey of life with him!

Here was one of the many piazzas in Lucca, all charming.  This one happened to have a little market going on and I picked up yet another scarf (I have an ever-growing collection).  

Here is Sullivan pointing to some more nude statues.  

This old church that we happened upon was very cool.

I look like something a wet dog dragged in, but he still wants to kiss on me - I'll take it;)!

Look at the trees growing on top of that tower, so lovely.

Another lovely church we happened upon while walking around Lucca.

Ah, the lovely parking situation...  Italian cars are small, as in very small.  This van was huge.  I was driving and managed to get us into this little spot, but there were a few challenges.  On the passenger side, right outside of the kids' van exit spot, was a lovely pile of dog poo - got 2 out of 3 of them.  After everyone had exited the vehicle, my park job was evaluated and it was recommended that I move it up a bit, so as I am climbing up into this beast (while desperately having to use the bagno myself!), I tripped up into the van, catching myself on the horn of the vehicle, scaring the pee almost out of myself (literally) - good times, good times.  Can you tell that I seem to be a frequent source of humor for my family?!

We ended our lovely first day by having American food and bowling at Camp Darby.  An excellent day of exploring Italy and having some good family fun.  Sorry there aren't very many cherub pictures, they were all busy taking pictures with their own cameras while I was taking these pictures.  I promise they were along and were great sports as we walked at least several miles that day!

Firenze is up on the agenda for the next post, stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Dirk!

Today we get to celebrate Dirk's birthday!  His mom just told us that he was 2 weeks late being born, a fact neither of us knew.  He definitely has his own timing, style, and unique qualities.  He is the best husband any woman could ever ask for and the best dad in the world.  He always makes the cherubs and I laugh, supports us, and can lighten the mood with just his presence.  It is a joy to watch him enjoying his new role as a Navy Chaplain, it was indeed his calling!  The following are some of my favorite pictures of Dirk over the last year - in absolutely no order and most with no narration. 

Happy Birthday D, you are well loved!!

Ordination

Dirk and our good friend Andy as he was commissioned again last summer.  Look at those hotties in their "outfits" (drives Dirk NUTS when I call them that;)!

I am a sucker for the professorial look as well!