Genova, Italy (Day 2)

After a long night of soccer, we got up early and headed out to explore the city of Genova.

 Genova (Genoa) is home to the largest aquarium in Europe, so it was an obvious choice to take a visit and check it out.

 Asher with the penguins, his favorite!

 Olivia and Asher were set on touching the sting rays.  After about half an hour of chasing them around the tank, they were able to touch one.

 We finally got Micah to touch one.  He's not big on germs so wasn't too excited to touch the fish.

 The jellies.

 Lunch.

 It was a gorgeous day, so we joined all the people sitting on the pier and ate.

This was probably the best foccacia  bread I've ever tasted.  So yummy!

 The was an awesome pirate ship docked there.  

Asher says it's Jack Sparrow's.

Micah in front of Christopher Colombus' house.  Not too impressive really.  Anyways it's cool to be able to say we went to his house.

 Outside the old city gates.

Can we say Cannoli?

 I love the buildings in Italy. 

 Overlooking the city (the stadium is the big thing in the middle).

And the pictures below are what I think of when I think of Genova. 

Stairs. 

The city is build up a mountain/hill, so the whole thing is stairs.  I'd would seriously have buns of steel if I lived there.
 Every set of stairs just led to more sets of stairs.

The day after we got home I was talking to my mom and she said, "Oh, Genova, that's where some of our relatives still live."  Um, things I should probably find out BEFORE I go.  Guess I'll have to go back!

Next up... Milan!

USA! USA! (Genoa, Italy-Day 1)

 One day at the end of January, Dudi and were watching a USA soccer game.  After the game was over, the announcer said the next US friendly game would be held in Genoa, Italy.  I casually said, "I wonder it it is gonna be held in the US or Italy.  We should go if it's in Italy."  Dudi immediately got on the internet and a month later we found ourselves driving through Switzerland on our way to Italy to watch the USA/Italy game.  Our first European family vacation...for a soccer game. :)  And yes, it was awesome!!!!! (WARNING-if you are not a soccer/football fan, this will be a very long, boring post full of meaningless pics)


 It was a late game, so thankfully the kids slept in the car on the drive.

 Our seats could not have been any better.  We were in the USA section, row 5! 

 I don't think the person taking the pic realized Olivia was ours too!

 Dempsey-our favorite!

 Tim Howard was awesome! He saved the game.(He's another fav.)

 GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!

 The boys decked out in their USA gear.

Finaly score was USA 1, Italy 0.  First time USA has beat Italy! Sweet.  It was such a fun way to start our trip. 

 

Olivia does ballet

Olivia has been asking to do ballet for what seems like forever!  Finally we got her into classes and she loves it. 

Since classes are no-parents-allowed we are really looking forward to her recital in May where she has informed me she will wear a blue costume (Cinderella).  It's so fun to see her excited about her class.  She's been a trooper with the boys and all their soccer and events, now she finally has something of her own!

One more day!

OOOOhhH! I have been so excited to see "The Hunger Games" on the big screen, and here I am in Germany where the movie won't be here for a few more weeks/months? I am really wanting a girls night out to go see it.  I love the books (with exception of book three. I pretend that she hasn't written it yet and we are still waiting for the release.  Yes, that's how much I didn't love it!).  Maybe I'll have to reread them (1 & 2, because the 3rd one's not out yet, remember?) I'd love to hear feedback from anyone who does go see it.  Can't wait.

(Isn't this the cutest?  Image from The crafted Sparrow blog)