Sicilian Adventure Draws to a Close

I guess I could rename the blog to Adventures in Virginia, but it just doesn't sound quite as exotic. This month was the official end of our tour in Sicily. Carmen and the kids spent the summer visiting family and I was able to spend some time in Utah before going back to Italy to close things out. We had a great time living in Europe and there is no way to put a price on the things we were able to do and see. We will miss the people of Sicily and all of the friends we made there. Included in these pictures of my last week on the island is the sun setting over the beach at Cefalu.

Words of Wisdom from Ella

Like all parents, we have always told Ella that she needs to eat her broccoli if she wants to grow up to be big and strong. So the other day, after much thought, Ella went to Carmen and declared that she did not want to grow up or be a big girl, so therefore she no longer had to eat her broccoli! Who can argue with that kind of logic??!!

At family prayer time, it is always a challenge to get the kids, and especially Ella, kneeling and reverent. The other day Ella was finally in the circle when she suddenly leaned to the side and lifted her bottom, tooted, and declared "That was for you Abby!" When everyone broke down in laughter, she graced Caleb and Sierra with one too. Gifts all around!

Most of you have probably heard this other prayer time Ella story, but it is worth writing down. Again, she was all riled up and running around, refusing to kneel down. Everyone else was kneeling waiting for her. Before sitting down, Ella turned around, dropped her drawers, mooned everyone and asked, "Did that blow your mind out?" Needless to say, the prayer did not take place for a few minutes!

Sunbathing

Well today it was hot, and that means it is only going to get hotter and more miserable. Yeah!! The kids "helped" wash the cars in their bathing suits and then decided to work on their tans. Caleb, as you can see, is very secure in his manhood!

Playing for Pizza, but Eating Hot Dogs

Yesterday we went to the Catania Elephants game. They are an American football team a la the Parma Panthers, if you have read the book. The rules require the team to be made up of Italians and they are allowed 2-3 Americans/Europeans. It was quite funny to watch. Catania is really bad and any decent high school team could probably beat them. In their defense, they made it to the semi-finals last year. We fired up the grill and cooked some dogs and had a good time. Some Americans have put together a cheer-leading squad and an Italian rock band covered songs during half time. Check out the Italian chick doing Axel Rose in the video. All in all, a good time.

The Many Faces of Ella

Abby the Italian Girl

Pinewood Derby

Caleb had a great day at the Pinewood Derby. He came in 2nd overall and 1st in the Webelos Den! He built a coffin car with a skeleton inside. We called it "The Corpse Ride" He also got the award for the best design. We also had the cake auction today. Caleb and I made the Webelos Activity Badge ribbons.

Easter

It stopped raining this weekend long enough to hide and then search for Easter eggs. I have to say I am still able to hide them well enough that kids don't find them all without a little help. Good times!!!

Paris

We went on a whirlwind trip to Paris where we met with Josh and Katie and did a week's worth of touring in two days. It was a great trip and on our list of places to return to.

Scuba Diving

I know I've posted scuba pictures before so I am going to post a video too!

Catania Game

Drew and Lacey's Visit

We had a great time with Drew and Lacey. The opera in Palermo was canceled, so we didn't get to see Andrea Boccelli sing, but we did run into him in the foyer of our hotel and he was very nice. He was very upset about the cancellation as well (we heard he is suing the opera house) and offered to hook us up for one of his shows in the states. But, all is well because we were able to see Catania beat Lazio 1-0 in a very exciting game. MLS has nothing on Serie A!!

Scout Hike

Yesterday the cub scouts did a hike from a little above sea level to Taormina and then up to the castle above the city. For those of you who have visited, you will understand that is a very steep climb! The boys lost count after I think 300 stairs and that was nowhere near the end. But you can't beat having gelato halfway through a hike!

Carmen's Birthday

Another fun day. Carmen is a beautiful 23!

Abby's Birthday

Abby had a great birthday. She was very excited to get her own camera, play new games, and have friends spend the night.

Sierra Graduated from Speech!!!!

Sierra got a big surprise this week when she went to speech class. Her teacher informed her that she had graduated and no longer had to be in the program!!

Abby Lost Her First Tooth!!!

It took long enough. She didn't want anyone to yank it out, so she just slowly but surely worked on it until it was ready.

Honor Roll

Caleb made the Principal's Honor Roll this semester and this is from the awards ceremony. it is Scout week so that is why he is in uniform.

Presepe

Here, as requested, are pictures of the large wood carved presepe we got in Germany, the windmill from Austria, and the ceramic one from Caltagirone, Sicily.

Unicorn Homicide

Tonight, the rambunctious three year old kept yelling down to us, after she was put to bed, that she loved us. This usually means she is guilty of something, so after a few times, I went upstairs to check out what she was up to. When I arrived upstairs and looked into the bathroom, I realized that I was staring at a crime scene. The shiny, glittering, ivory color pool and the small footprints leading away from it could only be from one thing, a unicorn that bled out on the floor. What other creature bleeds shimmering ivory colored blood I ask you? That's right, only the unicorn. What a tragedy! What a shame! The poor unicorn bled out and then faded away into nothingness. Hopefully it's family doesn't seek revenge.

But being the dutiful law enforcer that I am, I couldn't come to any conclusions without processing the scene. Maybe the little one had only tried to help and that is why she was in the room. The prints could have been from a killer elf no? So I photographed and measured the prints and examined the bottom of her unicorn blood stained feet. But wait, a clue!! The window was open and the box of bath toys had been moved under the window (the window gate is locked shut so no one can fall out) but maybe the elf was able to morph or squeeze through. I looked down and there on the ledge was an empty bottle of.....that's right...nail polish.

What a relief! There's no need to watch our backs for avenging unicorn ninjas. It was just a toddler pedicure gone horribly wrong!