Lecce, Italy - Conference location

After leaving Sweden (way back in June), they headed to Lecce, Italy where Rob attended a conference for work. Knowing Rob, I'm sure he did do work, however, it looks like they found some time for fun luckily!

Welcome to Lecce via the Arche de Napoli! They arrived there on June 20th.


















They found a Roman Coliseum. Rob enjoyed the chairs that were added in the 20th century for comfort.




















Gallipoli castle - clearly very safe behind the wooden gate and the maze to get into the castle. Thankfully Rob and Eustacia braved it and had a nice visit!



COLBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh how we miss you! Rob's quote for this photo is "Give me the camera Mom and no one will get hurt!"













EUREKA!!!!!!!!!!! Castles, churches, coliseums and....................a park with a playground!! Ah, the joys of traveling through Europe with two little ones. Sign me up, I'd love to be there!!














They finally found a swing just for Colby and oh what a sweet smile we all are rewarded with for their find!!

According to Rob: "Alanna likes taming this wild bucking "bronco" or really kangaroo? But would love to have her friends to ride with....."

Alanna, if only you knew how much we wish we were there to play with you!!


Otranto beach, not one of the many nude beaches - although both of the children ran away from Rob and Eustacia nude. In the red is Grammy keeping an eye on trouble aka Colby. The water was bearable for everyone, except Eustacia.














Castello Di Maro - To share this experience with you, I must simply quote Rob as I cannot do it justice! "Lets re-create the scene leading up to this picture...I was having a nice enjoyable drive back to the apartment ---which means I was ignoring the kids and Eustacia when Eustacia "states" look there is a sign that says castle - follow it!!! I had a choice...well, not really, followed the signed and did option 1) and Alanna and Eustacia really enjoyed exploring the castle while I told Colby that in the future his job was not to let Mommy look out the window..... Option 2) and found a plane parked on the road. Figured the plane must belong to a castle so we stopped and took this picture."

Jumping back to Germany - Koln

While they couldn’t celebrate our country’s birth on the 4^th of July in a traditional sense, they did celebrate. According to Eustacia: No 4th of July celebration but they did have the gay and lesbian parade that day (while in Koln). Alanna thought a lot of the outfits were fabulous, especially the pink fishnet stocking that were on one lady's arms and legs. Here are a bunch of photos from their trip to Koln (or Cologne as you may also recognize.)

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More Sweden Photos

Maybe I'll get this blog done before they get back to the states....well, maybe! These first two photos are typical Swedish beach photos, on their way to enjoy one of them.






There was a beach two blocks from Mia and Chips house. They visited the beach the second day of their trip (yep that was back in the middle of June. Told you I might not get this done before they return!)


I wish I was there to have some fun splash time with you Colby!


Alanna and Finnley hamming it up! Looks like they had a great time!!


A Swedish castle that Rob estimated to date to the 1600's.

A nice family photo opportunity, except Colby was sleeping in the car with Chip watching him...or maybe taking a nap too.


This sign cracks me up because all I know about it is how to pronounce it: All-s Stan-a. So, I looked it up and this is where the Swedish version of Stone Henge is. Here's a nice link about it if you'd like to learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ale%27s_Stones



Some of the 59 large boulders.


Alanna and Finnley believed they could move the stones. If it's possible, Alanna would be the one who would be able to move it.


Mia, Chip and Finnley smiling for the camera.


So far, this is my favorite photo as I can see all four of their personalities so well in it. Rob notes how the kids both have their own idea of what a photo should show. I see Alanna having so much fun and living life to the fullest, Rob holding both kids, Colby getting annoyed by his hat, (saw that pose close to a million times by him this last winter) and Eustacia with her happy smile. I can hear her laugh....and if asked, sharing how cold she is =)


Looks like they are all tuckered out...well, almost everyone. Takes a lot more then that to tucker out Alanna!!!

Sweden Photos

Sweden was their first stop on the trip, just got photos this week from Rob. They sure were
worth the wait! There will be more to come, just want to post as I can get to them!

It was late spring in Sweden when they got there which meant they got to experience two springs. Lewisburg and Sweden....hmmmm, wonder how they compare =)

Below are some beautiful lupines, some of Eustacia's favorite flowers. If only the ones she gave us in our backyard could look this nice.















This is the view of the beach from their friends' house (see below) where they stayed. I could definitely handle a view like that!















Colby having lots of fun....getting kisses from Mia's parents dog and riding on the toy. Luckily, Cassidy (our dog) has broken Colby in well=)






















Alanna and Mia getting ready to blast off on this rocket ship at an ice cream store. I'm getting hungry hearing of all the ice cream! Looks like they are enjoying this treat again on a nice summer day =)

Kids playing under an umbrella, having fun pulling it down under them. Shows that you don't really need toys after all!






Q: Alanna and Finnley, raise your hand if you like ice cream.
Alanna's answer - pretty obvious.
Finnley's answer - "Are you kidding, stop eating this stuff and raise my hand? Forget it!"

More Venice Photos

I'm getting more emails, including a great big photo overview - YEAH Rob! So, here are some from Venice.

Here Colby is enjoying some gelato. Apparently the kids both love it (although, can you really blame them for the enjoying something so good??) Colby is very good about sharing some with the back of Rob's shirt every time he eats it!

This is Venice on the last day hanging out at a playground waiting for the train. Looking at Alanna's face makes me wonder if they had the 104 temps we got in Lewisburg last week??









"Thank goodness for Grammie" is what Alanna's face seems to say to me....or maybe that is just me knowing Eustacia's thoughts even across an ocean.







The following two are neat sights around Venice, making me fabulously jealous. The first is Murano island, home of glass blowing artists. The last one shows off the canals which made Eustacia wish she could stay longer. Note the bridges to get over those canals? Apparently lugging the stroller and two kids who usually wanted to be carried over the bridges made Rob thankful for the experience but ready to move on.