Happy Halloween

What a fun night as a wizard! We started at my old work visiting Gma & Papa. Then off to a "trunk or treat". I think we scored with good friends, lots of candy, and fun games. Then, we headed off to go door to door with cousins.




You can click on this last picture to see Trenton bolting into some strangers house to see their Thomas the Tank engine toys. We had to haul him away kicking and screaming. His poor princess cousins didn't know what happened to him. They were just happy they got chocolate.

Look at what I made!!!

I made a banner and I'm super proud of it. It took a little while, but I can't wait to have it hanging the entire month of November!

Fun in the leaves

We had to play in the leaves when we got home from the pumpkin patch. Isn't it fun to see those smiles and inquisitive looks as they discover how cool leaves are?

Fir Point Farms

Trenton loves his best little friend Avery. So, we ran off to play together in the pumpkins this morning. I LOVE pumpkins, and I LOVE sunny October days. I'm so glad we got out this afternoon and enjoyed it.

Ghosts, haunted houses and friends

We couldn't take the greatest pictures, but we had a fun night out with friends at Fantasy Trail in Oregon City. It was a new place for us, and fortunately not too scary for Trenton.

Look at this cool bouncy bridge

Finally....

Home.
To the best... sweetest... most loveable little boy. Words can't express how much I missed him, and how grateful I am for the trip.
But... there is no other place I'd rather be than with him.

Last stop...

Venice.
This again, managed to blow me away. This is a much larger city than I thought. Much more beautiful than I could have imagined. Everyone said it was a smelly city... but maybe we hit it right.... it was wonderful.

Fourth stop...

Tuscany.
I can't even decide which pictures show this area the best. This is the most amazing beautiful place on earth. I'm almost certain. The grapes were changing colors, and the hills were stunning. We loved Florence, Siena, the Mediteranian, Piza, and most of all... the hill-side towns. We stayed in a small village called Radicondolli. It was so small and quaint, it gave us the real experience.
I hope you enjoy the Mento's picture of Emile in front of the police officer in Orvieto, and our gelato shot which was a MUST in most cities.

Third stop...

Rome!
I couldn't wait to see the famous and historical sites of Rome. They were grander and larger than I imagined. From the Forum, coliseum, spanish steps, vatican city, pantheon, and even Trevie fountain, we had a riot wandering and enjoying. We literally were on our feet for 10 hours one of these days, and my feet knew it.
Although, I forgot all about my feet when I would laugh at the picture I captured of Emile breaking our bed.
We had more little miracles in Rome as people were randomly helpful, directing us, and warning us of dangerous places and people to avoid. We had a near run in with some pit-pocketers until someone quietly came to us with a word of caution.

Second stop...

Palermo & Trapani, Sicily, Italy.
Wow, this was the most beautiful place in the world. And, our family was from this part of Sicily too. I feel pretty honored to have gone and visited. We came from Tunisia on a boat, and saw the beautiful islands greet us in the morning as we came into the port. We saw soccer games, old villages on giant mountains, the amazing cities, great shops, and ate some of the sweetest food you can imagine. Thank goodness for cannolies!!!! I will definitely visit again.

First stop...

Tunisia, North Africa.
I'm back!!! This will be the first post of many. My family was generous enough to take us on a vacation back to Italy and North Africa. My father-in-law was born in Tunisia to an Italian family. So, we started there.... here are a few pictures to give you a taste. As I add to the blog, you'll see all the fun we had in Italy.

Here's just the start.. and first... let me thank my family for truly the trip of a lifetime.







Hammam Lif is where my Father-in-law was born, and we stayed near this small town. I was nervous about our time there, but I am humbled at the kindness and generosity we found there. While visiting, we were put in a few sticky situations, and because of some amazing kindness and maybe a little good will from their Ramadan, I feel ashamed that I was so afraid of them. These faithful people should be admired for their devotion and commitment, and I am happy to say they were extremely kind and some of the most misinterpreted people. I hope to pay it forward someday with the kindness they showed us.