Day three

Valletta, Malta -

Valletta is the chief town, port and capital city, on the northeastern coast of the island of Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea. It occupies a rocky tongue of land on either side of which are harbors. Valletta is also the chief administrative, commercial, and cultural center of Malta. The city's historical sites and temperate climate attract many tourists. Until 1979 British and North Atlantic Treaty Organization naval bases were located in Valletta's harbors. Now these ports have been converted for commercial service. The principal architectural features are the residence of the governor, formerly the palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, and the cathedral containing tombs of Knights.

We opted to spend this day relaxing on one of Malta's luxgoroius beaches.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Mediterranean Mosaic Day one and two

Cruise Day one and two.

We flew out of St. Louis airport, a direct flight to Rome. We left St. Louis at 5 pm and landed in Rome 10 hours later. It was a VERY long day since a) we really didn't go to bed the night before given the fact that we had not made any attempts to pack in advance and b) we drove to KC Tuesday morning to catch a flight to St. Louis to save us from driving.

Yada, Yada, we land in Rome, wait for our luggage (it took 2 hours) and bus over to the port to board the boat. The cruise line was Holland America and it was AMAZING. Highly recommend. It was probably around 4 by the time we finally board. That first night we just perused the boat, scouting out the pools and bars. We left port around 7pm and docked the next morning bright (and I mean bright...the sky's were the bluest of blues and always cloudless) and early at Naxos, Sicily.

History on Naxos: It was the first Greek colony in Sicily. It has been inhabited without interruption from 7735BC to present. In ancient times Naxos was the largest and most fertile island in Cyclades, known for its wine and the worship of Dionysos. Naxos is also home Europe's largest active volcano Mt. Etna's, which we could see from our boat. The Majestic Mt. Etna at 11,000 ft. is covered in cones, craters and the remnants of steams of lava. At 6,200 ft, you can see the 1983 lava flow. We shuttled from Naxos to Taormina. Taormina is situated high on Mount Tauro, overlooking the calm lonian sea, with delightful medieval character. This town dates back to 39AC. Taormina is a charming and popular resort town. We walked down the bustling main street of Corso Umberto, which is lined with former mansions with enchanting architecture and balconies that brim with flowers. We toured a Greek-Roman Theatre that is the towns most visited historical site, it dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC and still hosts performances today.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy 60th and 38th

My parents and my grandparents share the same anniversary date. Josh and I would have shared it too had it not fallen on a Wed. that year. Something about a Wed. wedding didn't appeal to him. Anyway, what a momumental day for my grandparents! Happy 60 years grandma and grandpa - how cute are they?!?! And happy 38th mom and dad.

we're back...

after nine days of travel, 4 countries, 10 lbs gained and over a 1000K pictures. I'll upload a slide show once I finish the 5 loads of laundry, grocery store run, unpacking, jetlag recovery and all the rest of my heaping chores.

WE LOVE LORI!!!

I can honestly say, we have the BEST parent as teacher educator around. Saylor asks every week if this is the week that Mrs. Lori is coming. Then, when the time FINALLY comes, she waits by the window in anticipation. Sophia is just as taken with her and all of the little surprises she carries in her bag. I'm hoping this program goes until my girls graduate from High School...

Even Robbie, my nine year old nephew got in on the action.

Sweet Robert

I had such a nice time with my nephew last week. He's going to be in Kansas for a month but will be shipped around between us, my parents and my bro in KC. Robbie was SUCH a helper. He was sweet as could be with my girls, Sophia had to have given him at least 200 kisses in a weeks time. I can't wait to have him back. He even helped me lour Saylor Lillie into a new trim by having his hair cut as well. Here's a Before:
During:
After:
Here's one of Saylor under the knife...

a week of firsts

sitting back and reflecting on last week, I noticed something was different...it must have been the constant sugar high for Sophia with the Oreos, Popsicle and sucker (although, I dropped my point and shoot while trying to take a picture of the first sucker) Whoops.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day...our girls are so blessed to have you for their father.

In need of a good laugh

I didn't know what to post following the pictures of the tornado. So, I thought I would refresh everyone of my favorite You Tube beauty salon clip.

No one slept in Manhattan last night...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

new backside

so, for an investment of $50 bucks I receive a new pair of shoes and the potential of having these legs...I'm really stoked about my new fit flops.

my first dilly bar

It's true, I've never devoured a dilly bar - just not much of a chocolate coated ice cream fan. I always went for the cherry Mr. Misty's instead...until, Monday night, our family dug into the dilly bar box and now we've all tried this tasty treat.

Hospital HillSSSSS

Our family had a splendid time this past weekend in KC for the Hospital Hill run. The only problem, besides the heat and wind, it was not Hospital HILL it was Hospital HILLSSSS. Oh well, it made for a great experience and memories that I will never forget. Here's a few photo's of the weekend:

Keely and I after picking up our race packets.
The kids preparing for a sugar high.
sweet girls
fountain fun
Xan Man

girls with medals

family pic

accomplishments

I can't believe the family I used to babysit are now empty nesters. The youngest boys graduated from high school the last weekend of May. I started babysitting Kristen and Aaron when they were the ages 4 and 3. The twins came along a few years later. Kristen is now working in Texas, Aaron is finishing college in Emporia and Kyle and Kurtis are off to college at K-State and Arkansas. Amazing...

Good Luck Boys.

Last day of school

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know the last day of children's day out (AKA preschool) was almost a month ago but I just rec'd the picture this afternoon. I guess that's what happens when you're not the one behind the camera, you must wait for the taker to send you the picture. I'm still waiting on the gal who took a few pics when I chopped 9 inches off my hair. She's holding out on me. I digress...how cute are those kiddos and how did they achieve all those smiles?

15 monther

I can't believe my baby girl is 15 months today - just days away from being a toddler. INSANE.

in a matter of seconds

Today was officially the hardest day in Josh's 6 year history of being a State Farm agent. I realize it could be a lot worse...I can't imagine what ALL the employees were feeling when the softball size hail hit the Tech Park. Here's just a sample of a few cars that were remaining tonight.


Really, these are the nightmares that Josh has at night and today it became a reality. Thankfully, the girls, my niece and nephew were safe at Panera eating bagels, sipping on a coffee and playing "where's the lip gloss" to pass the time. It's extremely unfortunate for the hundreds who were at the Tech Park and at other locations around town working when this hail storm hit with such fiery.