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)

Future soccer star

The other day we got the cutest baby gift.  We had to post some pictures.

 He looks so adorable in his Germany soccer (fussball) jersey!

Now he fits in with the other boys!  Thanks so much Mark and Elizabeth!

5 months of Jude

This little guy came into the world quiet (cord around neck) but made up for it the next 4 months of his life!  Hands down the fussiest baby I've had and very particular.  Hasn"t EVER been a good napper, but was sleeping through the night, so at least I had that!
 Then we moved. 
He no longer sleeps through the night.
He definitely had the hardest time  adjusting to the time zone change.  But he's a baby, what do you do?  You can't force them to stay up!  He has actually started calming down in the last month.  He still doesn't sleep much during the day, 30 min. here and there unless we are out running errands and then he sleeps for a couple hours, but he is much calmer in his temperament.  He is a smiley little guy and adores his siblings--almost as much as they adore him!  He is rolling over, has 3 teeth, big blue eyes, and the chubbiest little thighs ever!  We love our little Jude and wouldn't trade him for anything.  Asher constantly tells me, "i love Jude.  He is the best baby ever."






Some fun little facts about Jude. 
-4 1/2 months he weighed a little over 17 pounds. 
-He sweats ALL the time.  Seriously.  It's not hot, he just has overactive sweat glands or something.  Everytime you pick him up, there is a sweat ring where he has been.  Crossing my fingers he will outgrow that one!
-Also, he has the strangest shaped belly.  It get really wide and a big ridge down the middle.  I asked the pediatrician at his last well baby and she said that his ribs and spine never connected and that the ridge is his stomach.  Turns out when he eats his stomach expands and since the spine and ribs are connected they move out (that's why his stomach gets wide).  And that ridge, it's his stomach.  So we may have answered why he was so fussy and spits up a lot.  When anything touches his stomach, it is actually pushing ON his stomach because the ribs aren't protecting it.  Does that even make sense?
The doctor said it usually will grow together by 1 year, but if not they would have to go in and fix it.  UGHHH!  Poor guy.
-Loves to watch the boys play PS3
-Loves to suck on the bottom of cold cans.  Now when he sees a Fanta can he starts going crazy.  I'll post video of that soon.
-Lightest sleeper EVER. 
-Looks JUST like Asher did as a baby.
-Cutest laugh
-Loves the sound of running water (shower, faucet, bath)

He adds so much love to our family!  Love those cheeks!

Halloween 2011

Yes, it's February, but my life is just beginning to settle down!

The boys were easy this year.  They were their favorite soccer players.  Asher was Lionel Messi and Micah was Cristiano Ronaldo.  Two rival teams, go figure.

 Before our ward trunk or treat.  Dudi was also a soccer player and Jude was a ref, complete with a whistle pacifier.  Olivia, of course, was a princess.  Belle.

                                                                 Costume Change. 
Asher decided for trick or treat he wanted to be Jack Sparrow.  Everyone else was the same thing that they were for trunk or treat and I figured I got off easy only making a Belle dress and Jack Sparrow costume.  I thought he looked so cute!  And no, he hasn't seen pirates of the Caribbean.  He only know about it from the lego video game and legos!

we had a great time trick or treating with some friends and the kids, naturally, got way to much candy!