tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27783342626762803622024-02-07T19:23:24.416-08:00Adventures in PinkdomAmberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-87692004354653709522010-04-18T14:28:00.000-07:002010-05-18T15:06:44.109-07:00Sunday in the Park<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ5opFzzYeZj0bxDGVGdzgs3TbFDm3rb0VyOlB9Nzv3YbITiRZJKU6a-iBRshRLDOOvr3_vPMeiAPj8McNRn2p4NB1lUvuf088lHPBq-cZZbiinCbYccqohvjDoFVviJ5TUH__8Y0cdaT/s1600/DSC_1631.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ5opFzzYeZj0bxDGVGdzgs3TbFDm3rb0VyOlB9Nzv3YbITiRZJKU6a-iBRshRLDOOvr3_vPMeiAPj8McNRn2p4NB1lUvuf088lHPBq-cZZbiinCbYccqohvjDoFVviJ5TUH__8Y0cdaT/s400/DSC_1631.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472731445676331778" border="0" /></a>If there has ever been a perfect spring day . . . today was it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNTAdS4QuxKJB0IcGFVjEYG4UVf9oI_aB60aUHaBiqvQk-GfrwceTQRd04sz4zLlzKrzr2vQrjpukEJnjK03mwmpZRi8-7tPwVPDhzdINtq52tQIWmQZY6PTH7jpl7zpR92_mekQ-5n66/s1600/DSC_1630.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNTAdS4QuxKJB0IcGFVjEYG4UVf9oI_aB60aUHaBiqvQk-GfrwceTQRd04sz4zLlzKrzr2vQrjpukEJnjK03mwmpZRi8-7tPwVPDhzdINtq52tQIWmQZY6PTH7jpl7zpR92_mekQ-5n66/s400/DSC_1630.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472731041380459746" border="0" /></a>So after church, we skipped over to the park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71MATJ1eqFIiXgKecZVnclxGye7NSnHB_ojKs54_eK6cNbAzGs3rIKfM6kC41_iweUSpph3iCz3pJYY_OWTxh5tyY2X_pxii7RZ0Rme37_7MX1tqIoXJ6PCrByJhi33GDLmFZd-TQZ3DQ/s1600/DSC_1645.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71MATJ1eqFIiXgKecZVnclxGye7NSnHB_ojKs54_eK6cNbAzGs3rIKfM6kC41_iweUSpph3iCz3pJYY_OWTxh5tyY2X_pxii7RZ0Rme37_7MX1tqIoXJ6PCrByJhi33GDLmFZd-TQZ3DQ/s400/DSC_1645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472728992225017906" border="0" /></a>Charlotte explores.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjN04_OyzbbOx4Wyvdkazi5-gc-5yAakZAcvKG6QkOEiZZn8KZ0fhyhbDXwZDSBKU59YJiPmTsvRgY0cxU7lz890OMzNVWjCHwRL9wlrOB1lUH82XzJo2AMUzjXlb6FDzniORNDHO4FUJ/s1600/DSC_1698.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjN04_OyzbbOx4Wyvdkazi5-gc-5yAakZAcvKG6QkOEiZZn8KZ0fhyhbDXwZDSBKU59YJiPmTsvRgY0cxU7lz890OMzNVWjCHwRL9wlrOB1lUH82XzJo2AMUzjXlb6FDzniORNDHO4FUJ/s400/DSC_1698.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472729572177109330" border="0" /></a>Audrey inspects.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmtWE0N-jIw-D4q4OywtUQ80_OdpEX-h8tpAbFBDc5Vf7tIuKR2g6ZYS5E7TLAqzdgdsVzG3CvVTsdL5fLQLrI0j7ps2V425pP63H-yoRqF6ZIx20yBIQ3xb2AyO9F3asXCV7rjQoPT0Z/s1600/DSC_1675.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmtWE0N-jIw-D4q4OywtUQ80_OdpEX-h8tpAbFBDc5Vf7tIuKR2g6ZYS5E7TLAqzdgdsVzG3CvVTsdL5fLQLrI0j7ps2V425pP63H-yoRqF6ZIx20yBIQ3xb2AyO9F3asXCV7rjQoPT0Z/s400/DSC_1675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472730290106238914" border="0" /></a>Ava builds sand castles.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2EVjbEk7hlO6PQxresK9WGL3j_6nFX4B9aBmiJdCQ3AoCc6ydednGBrB1u5oi-zdSQOEC114c0bTG4kehfOkDTwz6mwsTO-qY95ho_AJBGwkqZg6pMxMT2D5ioqB_kwM3VMu934NQMlG/s1600/DSC_1702.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2EVjbEk7hlO6PQxresK9WGL3j_6nFX4B9aBmiJdCQ3AoCc6ydednGBrB1u5oi-zdSQOEC114c0bTG4kehfOkDTwz6mwsTO-qY95ho_AJBGwkqZg6pMxMT2D5ioqB_kwM3VMu934NQMlG/s400/DSC_1702.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472732386177523682" border="0" /></a>Miss dickens<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeYyL8PSwKurj6YVYoKPPYN4SFbOLFl6DuevE44ztd2NfSg5io0GjZ6aOMRDsH39kFJjVdT2ELHkKgNLWaqE8epu1dguSTNrsAXSwKsSnpnmCr2Uxs5MTpPoD017LZM3nFTWqP8tNaNQV/s1600/DSC_1689.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfeYyL8PSwKurj6YVYoKPPYN4SFbOLFl6DuevE44ztd2NfSg5io0GjZ6aOMRDsH39kFJjVdT2ELHkKgNLWaqE8epu1dguSTNrsAXSwKsSnpnmCr2Uxs5MTpPoD017LZM3nFTWqP8tNaNQV/s400/DSC_1689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472732078155956194" border="0" /></a>Miss mischief<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj7Z1o8eK3HlRDPE_eq9WWXh9B86-JhMZPRVy7QiIkxmpW-8ROYVecx_NddRGVFZ7V-B3PcVcKKignCeggcJpBmRHveG58q1wlx7qnV0KpuIEXV-Nn4yDmHmP2PIBzRL7XmjkoyD6kB80/s1600/DSC_1658.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikj7Z1o8eK3HlRDPE_eq9WWXh9B86-JhMZPRVy7QiIkxmpW-8ROYVecx_NddRGVFZ7V-B3PcVcKKignCeggcJpBmRHveG58q1wlx7qnV0KpuIEXV-Nn4yDmHmP2PIBzRL7XmjkoyD6kB80/s400/DSC_1658.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472731457738550514" border="0" /></a>Playing together.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Pj6mB3unm4EeS-FjEo8WejqZS4vZt_Dyn1myu5H2vprh01R2XbROAubxHFMnXLRKIykvFxYS41Bewj2HoC6jdj6ySACHxzCJpw02ZBOCbMNMZ_O-ZlJ4H1EOAI-qrt9WHfxHDcnC85Pg/s1600/DSC_1708.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Pj6mB3unm4EeS-FjEo8WejqZS4vZt_Dyn1myu5H2vprh01R2XbROAubxHFMnXLRKIykvFxYS41Bewj2HoC6jdj6ySACHxzCJpw02ZBOCbMNMZ_O-ZlJ4H1EOAI-qrt9WHfxHDcnC85Pg/s400/DSC_1708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472729898049973634" border="0" /></a>That spring sunshine will do you in.<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-13788212896958899772010-04-11T14:26:00.000-07:002010-05-18T14:38:13.808-07:00Milano<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlEDzLYSN_mBFMVJ_B3aKRGbcCzWFXaXLVAotUTz6tcdqVLepYPBIhcYyAXEGGiJtXmZjCZjatIoh7PjBGwDYNx9dwfrgY5StznmbeChz-d5lqi2PMvIB_dfoSd-PkkDO0Powir8emnIy/s1600/DSC_1487.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlEDzLYSN_mBFMVJ_B3aKRGbcCzWFXaXLVAotUTz6tcdqVLepYPBIhcYyAXEGGiJtXmZjCZjatIoh7PjBGwDYNx9dwfrgY5StznmbeChz-d5lqi2PMvIB_dfoSd-PkkDO0Powir8emnIy/s400/DSC_1487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472719650822897042" border="0" /></a>The magnificent Duomo in Milan. Our last stop in Italy.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZY2C111lU_QaBRgK62qJFyAXvM5cNn6MyIkjP0Kp4iR4zy1KqGb6D4qGKVbdfEegb9zQD-o6jf50oe0GchzNrLtQewd4O-zQ72AUZ7ihF_Q2s-Gmgyr0etQXE1OVjNchlTjli8XBzZ3z/s1600/DSC_1491.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZY2C111lU_QaBRgK62qJFyAXvM5cNn6MyIkjP0Kp4iR4zy1KqGb6D4qGKVbdfEegb9zQD-o6jf50oe0GchzNrLtQewd4O-zQ72AUZ7ihF_Q2s-Gmgyr0etQXE1OVjNchlTjli8XBzZ3z/s400/DSC_1491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472719371437185826" border="0" /></a>We managed to find a ward in Milan, so we went to sacrament meeting, and then to the Duomo. (I really enjoyed singing Easter hymns in Italian). We got lost trying to find the church with The Last Supper, and ended up eating lunch at another church that was having a fundraiser . . . it was fun 'crashing' this Italian parish, eating homemade lasagna and risotto with the locals.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dB6DoDfOj_ngDbecRzlgE2bC0fRYfisynE8tRtk7sIaz4nSiTjIdzWGRmQhwx8Hpy-Tf7CCgq9wWsvHEsHOHeag_fpiRG3AGnGZAtakFqYpSszdgDhs2EPEZje_jbC5iYvXwKoAiha6F/s1600/DSC_1469.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dB6DoDfOj_ngDbecRzlgE2bC0fRYfisynE8tRtk7sIaz4nSiTjIdzWGRmQhwx8Hpy-Tf7CCgq9wWsvHEsHOHeag_fpiRG3AGnGZAtakFqYpSszdgDhs2EPEZje_jbC5iYvXwKoAiha6F/s400/DSC_1469.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472718951337089170" border="0" /></a>Audrey tests the bed at the Westin in Milano . . . what a beautiful, classy hotel (and the only hotel we had in Italy that provided washcloths--not even the Hilton in Venice had them). Schatzi has mastered the art of researching online to find out the exact hotel hotwire will give you in its 4/5 star category . . . he's scored some ridiculously cheap accommodation this trip. <br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKlEHntPvJQYxLsoJ1n_UZlQjNUK2AzYpPyCFOpgmF2I4OB_O3lSvkQjbWodpKkF8iWufpTmUplwuCPL7FtgY6-HmuHnFLK82lOaRx5xF3dq321b0FUfemnSZ-oq1lbGC8g_SHcSCabhE/s1600/DSC_1472.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKlEHntPvJQYxLsoJ1n_UZlQjNUK2AzYpPyCFOpgmF2I4OB_O3lSvkQjbWodpKkF8iWufpTmUplwuCPL7FtgY6-HmuHnFLK82lOaRx5xF3dq321b0FUfemnSZ-oq1lbGC8g_SHcSCabhE/s400/DSC_1472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472721153395179746" border="0" /></a>The girls love hotels . . . all the free pens and stationary, multiple phones, t.v.s . . . it's the perfect play place and they waste no time setting up their offices. Daddy brought us some fabulous take out including pasta fagiole that was "just like Nana Doc's". Charlotte loved it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3npPCruNqEirM2fYFvR3EwJjmRiF4vsyAQF2WFtxIIhgmm0olH0P3dPXBlopWpwIkpaqplKUqqr4UXdFqyd4DgBziwcunaedDIQ-3QacRrorMaFM8htV5TaMXJyNKvsRZjmdbdYEnRJF/s1600/DSC_1526.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3npPCruNqEirM2fYFvR3EwJjmRiF4vsyAQF2WFtxIIhgmm0olH0P3dPXBlopWpwIkpaqplKUqqr4UXdFqyd4DgBziwcunaedDIQ-3QacRrorMaFM8htV5TaMXJyNKvsRZjmdbdYEnRJF/s400/DSC_1526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472720185986039154" border="0" /></a>One last gelato for the road. On the way to the airport, we had to stop at one of Schatzi's approved artigianale gelato shops. The nerve-wracking race to the airport afterward was totally worth it. Oh Italy, we're missing you already!<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-76428094664448943012010-04-10T14:25:00.000-07:002010-05-18T14:00:53.709-07:00Venezia - Venice<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVyicKJ3pGTvaYDTbsxsn3PBsFbdBo7q0bzng7A09wxczbZh1o2XRR5Xe-YRezlikxjFlpg255T9HFD7_IfA1Og2qLH_yM1rWFns00tLhxKlKBaC4AZ4Cba-v-tiXT32-WHDnMP19i5pb/s1600/DSC_1184.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVyicKJ3pGTvaYDTbsxsn3PBsFbdBo7q0bzng7A09wxczbZh1o2XRR5Xe-YRezlikxjFlpg255T9HFD7_IfA1Og2qLH_yM1rWFns00tLhxKlKBaC4AZ4Cba-v-tiXT32-WHDnMP19i5pb/s400/DSC_1184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472707637992969154" border="0" /></a>Venice! We really loved our two days exploring this amazing city on the water.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NNp87EJZMJ4_WpbsChHv2pSs3JoZuP7nd7l0dMoRoDA19qdK4oHZkWe8v4VT6w0yU86TkHX6-wezRcmv7JjnxtEXb0hZZEX0cN6OaK3KJ00Cwgj3W31c-J7hsZT-BpGTa0fo-OLSC70K/s1600/DSC_1092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NNp87EJZMJ4_WpbsChHv2pSs3JoZuP7nd7l0dMoRoDA19qdK4oHZkWe8v4VT6w0yU86TkHX6-wezRcmv7JjnxtEXb0hZZEX0cN6OaK3KJ00Cwgj3W31c-J7hsZT-BpGTa0fo-OLSC70K/s400/DSC_1092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472706659115778274" border="0" /></a>Venetian "streets", full of water taxis, water buses, gondolas, etc.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgws1SZx7ceQbPpyFpmyzGTn3kp-Gj83iMsvN3i3WPBausFAPK55muslq5qmQIoSFQqDadJ4ayE2_w0IgNinNwFnJILazC7LJHrS2XTVIaf5ggP8RBt76lcTdsI33vmgJod11bNf4hWgHMb/s1600/DSC_1132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgws1SZx7ceQbPpyFpmyzGTn3kp-Gj83iMsvN3i3WPBausFAPK55muslq5qmQIoSFQqDadJ4ayE2_w0IgNinNwFnJILazC7LJHrS2XTVIaf5ggP8RBt76lcTdsI33vmgJod11bNf4hWgHMb/s400/DSC_1132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472706004717002178" border="0" /></a>Being goofy.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu844NqAG1Zam54HSRFPPAecRvV7n-pIE_lZsYRm2gkbyWNqTXM8DpPhE4KHrNKYa1ZJC2UWW6hUJ-cAjL4FPAHBNPC3QD3YSY8Z-R7sAsjzMZXlcH5VmbD_F2FvlnOsw0bmylhsLiK8ex/s1600/DSC_1428.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu844NqAG1Zam54HSRFPPAecRvV7n-pIE_lZsYRm2gkbyWNqTXM8DpPhE4KHrNKYa1ZJC2UWW6hUJ-cAjL4FPAHBNPC3QD3YSY8Z-R7sAsjzMZXlcH5VmbD_F2FvlnOsw0bmylhsLiK8ex/s400/DSC_1428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472700586164287410" border="0" /></a>Daddy's romantic gondola ride.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNMeGkjXPAovuLro01dJnTs7zbHoZ5ldHgu8k-Pn8wS7YgIYWolglUUmINesxc28wDURT-z83lMo3jbanGHeyE5U57l8HsCbhXDdab2byHC1zaXfQ1QS1oNk-mPXMzsMZmXxy4WNsP8zp/s1600/DSC_1289.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNMeGkjXPAovuLro01dJnTs7zbHoZ5ldHgu8k-Pn8wS7YgIYWolglUUmINesxc28wDURT-z83lMo3jbanGHeyE5U57l8HsCbhXDdab2byHC1zaXfQ1QS1oNk-mPXMzsMZmXxy4WNsP8zp/s400/DSC_1289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472699223523647458" border="0" /></a>St. Mark's square<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD19s7X70KmkKQm_BRgLZxtD5S47eyC3Cw_0-Ab7Io09qr3al1iBYz0RWzF7M2Y2NMJdhL8ZCsR80eso_BRQWlHARToiABt9nZqwQfG92pKgULeWNMwXiMTPLbmE0l5bSys9AtpVjfSKE/s1600/DSC_1191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivD19s7X70KmkKQm_BRgLZxtD5S47eyC3Cw_0-Ab7Io09qr3al1iBYz0RWzF7M2Y2NMJdhL8ZCsR80eso_BRQWlHARToiABt9nZqwQfG92pKgULeWNMwXiMTPLbmE0l5bSys9AtpVjfSKE/s400/DSC_1191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472707965466307762" border="0" /></a>The view from the bell tower (campanile) at Piazza San Marco.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqsGyGWesmvkRt1i-qvQvEhMOpsoP2m6VAbPCwQ1Z4sgzrlF5y45mmQLd7IDcwUjNSwoGeomsDz71c0J85U067n4Y00dH5FsdS__Qssyh6b_tXMBa9mrEoIlH0tRDepBnDymjpD4ZbEmg/s1600/DSC_1158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRqsGyGWesmvkRt1i-qvQvEhMOpsoP2m6VAbPCwQ1Z4sgzrlF5y45mmQLd7IDcwUjNSwoGeomsDz71c0J85U067n4Y00dH5FsdS__Qssyh6b_tXMBa9mrEoIlH0tRDepBnDymjpD4ZbEmg/s400/DSC_1158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472698353303697490" border="0" /></a>It finally happened . . . a bad meal in Italy. We knew it was coming in Venice, which is notorious for tourist-trap food. Photo compliments of Ava.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27btOrU4lhsKAngaSTlW9Tiq-hXKJJXLfTq-7WWHTV1iEKXJz11JuQLkZRZOvB9SIHSsO7_PECfaYRGJgnYxfujuyBvVjbdbWoY3BO6kVRXabN2UnvsOYMP5bVpwZQnMgLtqb_k_NaSaY/s1600/DSC_1226.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27btOrU4lhsKAngaSTlW9Tiq-hXKJJXLfTq-7WWHTV1iEKXJz11JuQLkZRZOvB9SIHSsO7_PECfaYRGJgnYxfujuyBvVjbdbWoY3BO6kVRXabN2UnvsOYMP5bVpwZQnMgLtqb_k_NaSaY/s400/DSC_1226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472697785914910578" border="0" /></a>Charlotte watches intently as mommy adopts local custom and talks with her hands.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwddrb026l8oX5cEI055O11iDt1R8RG8ftFXJat9zUubkPHiPUbdOx6xkbURw2crEM8E2i7ad9AxRHZqk4vAEtr7N4ZqpeS0Xxhjd1Jx-S3LK8PEXOmP9rmY-5MVXFvu75c8uxVGP6idAj/s1600/DSC_1175.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwddrb026l8oX5cEI055O11iDt1R8RG8ftFXJat9zUubkPHiPUbdOx6xkbURw2crEM8E2i7ad9AxRHZqk4vAEtr7N4ZqpeS0Xxhjd1Jx-S3LK8PEXOmP9rmY-5MVXFvu75c8uxVGP6idAj/s400/DSC_1175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472717318904354658" border="0" /></a>Detail of the Doge's Palace.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYv0FYdSPIQ4auHRn836rw_ty4vGhlIqyZpfhfO-rlHi9buTcfnJ_tIaBLgLr5MGgKU5BX_BguffLxRa4-7vVDWS-ZCeLF0Aka2uA3naR_JQFJyCl7cY1l8uakPTXcxwvx01RGn6Ra9rW/s1600/DSC_1167.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYv0FYdSPIQ4auHRn836rw_ty4vGhlIqyZpfhfO-rlHi9buTcfnJ_tIaBLgLr5MGgKU5BX_BguffLxRa4-7vVDWS-ZCeLF0Aka2uA3naR_JQFJyCl7cY1l8uakPTXcxwvx01RGn6Ra9rW/s400/DSC_1167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472708966022822466" border="0" /></a>Audrey's reaction when asked to step away from the water. I was relieved to learn that the canals are quite shallow, so I was all set to jump in feet first should occasion arise.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOJIAeCJwIBJFpT-ha5R2tAsOwFlgvazDbaS5nkbDfPyic0hZRH0oih323_KFqlP5hwd5EtRBm79SytvVf_D1-BoPXDSdABz79kI3xwZrHQ1LdIlCKuUweeOhwLyzJvP-QkNh9y_NjiXZ/s1600/DSC_1461.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOJIAeCJwIBJFpT-ha5R2tAsOwFlgvazDbaS5nkbDfPyic0hZRH0oih323_KFqlP5hwd5EtRBm79SytvVf_D1-BoPXDSdABz79kI3xwZrHQ1LdIlCKuUweeOhwLyzJvP-QkNh9y_NjiXZ/s400/DSC_1461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472703476540311490" border="0" /></a>And Venetian masks for souvenirs (Audrey's is purple, mine is blue, and a little baby one for Charlotte, too).<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-8821061197159553032010-04-08T14:24:00.000-07:002010-05-18T12:34:06.274-07:00Soave and Padua<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Castello_di_Soave.jpg" class="image"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/3095573645_45c4acea64.jpg" alt="Castello di Soave - cinta muraria by Richie Gekko." title="" class="reflect" height="334" width="500" /></a><br /></div><br />After Lake Como, we headed east towards Padua and spotted Castello di Scaligero on a little hilltop and just had to stop. (Besides, it was time for a gelato break anyway.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDvq0wh0xJbed8en7bIPEeWiJlMrFbfRJ-DCj0boERUpqhUtg_rBvUvHNOmyIhQfi4U_eIs66LT5b9i5iHWKrmS-s-VCtQk3eafNCbYGIMbbXopezYT9RVc_OATYoIrAhYO4Iof7Rx-f7/s1600/DSC_1007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDvq0wh0xJbed8en7bIPEeWiJlMrFbfRJ-DCj0boERUpqhUtg_rBvUvHNOmyIhQfi4U_eIs66LT5b9i5iHWKrmS-s-VCtQk3eafNCbYGIMbbXopezYT9RVc_OATYoIrAhYO4Iof7Rx-f7/s400/DSC_1007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472687175179521554" border="0" /></a>After storming the castle, the muskateers had their gelato while mommy did a tv interview with the Armed Forces Network that was there in Soave doing a series on travel in the region (so random!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtF-FCpkJUhyphenhyphenW5Wsmk4kAVG8yx435rAabBcvzjTzJzwA9g96qHWgU2nlZ4pXAgA53JtdRNDuqyQqGAi5F6f8OvPkAfZ6Cphi4QIHfRbemmtXW4QpZD-p9it_QrY23A3sYVLwZWJj01lRK/s1600/DSC_1037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtF-FCpkJUhyphenhyphenW5Wsmk4kAVG8yx435rAabBcvzjTzJzwA9g96qHWgU2nlZ4pXAgA53JtdRNDuqyQqGAi5F6f8OvPkAfZ6Cphi4QIHfRbemmtXW4QpZD-p9it_QrY23A3sYVLwZWJj01lRK/s400/DSC_1037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472681577085986370" border="0" /></a>On the outskirts of Padua, we stopped for dinner at a restaurant housed in a former terracotta tile factory. Ava rejoices as she realizes "Every night is Friday pizza night in Italy!" (We usually have pizza Fridays in Bucharest.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt3qec3fX0Jbsv5gah95V_T_AkqJ9t3VCP4VbiONx8AAsXWVWVT6MQ_eAdFJYgchrbUTIyGrrTqN2eu-iAb4yz1kmj4GLZMHUMmIAGhC13ZcQ3WcksrWa3eF2gfkWJ-Ydf1VZpk7LeBzI/s1600/DSC_1042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt3qec3fX0Jbsv5gah95V_T_AkqJ9t3VCP4VbiONx8AAsXWVWVT6MQ_eAdFJYgchrbUTIyGrrTqN2eu-iAb4yz1kmj4GLZMHUMmIAGhC13ZcQ3WcksrWa3eF2gfkWJ-Ydf1VZpk7LeBzI/s400/DSC_1042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472685084639939874" border="0" /></a>Pure enjoyment.<br /><br /><img src="http://widoweb.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/94-scrovegni1.jpg?w=320&h=316" align="left" border="0" height="316" hspace="2" vspace="2" width="320" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Luckily, we didn't get kicked out of our hotel in Padua due to Audrey's over-tired screaming-before-crashing-to-sleep fit. When the manager called, I offered to leave, but he was very good about it, and spoke with Audrey on the phone at which point she realized the gravity of the situation, promised not to scream in the hotel, and went peacefully to sleep. The next morning, Audrey apologized to the manager in person and I think she's a changed woman--that little brush with the hotel "police" really impressed her. After checking out of the hotel, we checked out Padua and the famed Scrovegni Chapel with its colorful frescoes by the Italian master Giotto.<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Castello_di_Soave.jpg" class="image"><img src="http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/img/36-noli600.jpg" id="bigimage" alt="" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Touch me not"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUz-sqw8XDEl4v22UQxR0ZUMIme1cj8hoMTSYEe-vl3Cq30jwk_Rrq8oOT74DyAJTH_3lYtUHtCWQyOmB3s8f7o_oEMaoDuvYKjNb4LhapPAzHsAtB_9Q3EuAqBMTUyk1fVKbYPtZNhdb/s1600/DSC_1061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUz-sqw8XDEl4v22UQxR0ZUMIme1cj8hoMTSYEe-vl3Cq30jwk_Rrq8oOT74DyAJTH_3lYtUHtCWQyOmB3s8f7o_oEMaoDuvYKjNb4LhapPAzHsAtB_9Q3EuAqBMTUyk1fVKbYPtZNhdb/s400/DSC_1061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472681571375374754" border="0" /></a>Schatzi has quickly become a gelato connoiseur, seeking out gelaterias that are "artigianale" or artisanal/housemade. The one in Padua was superb!<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-48572996524249041042010-04-07T14:22:00.000-07:002010-04-30T05:03:29.858-07:00Lago Di ComoWe spent the past two days exploring around beautiful Lake Como. I've always wanted to visit the Italian lake district--at last! It had rained the night before we arrived, dusting the mountain caps with snow--picture perfect!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF40BT6Ro9WwOecauOyV_lNzNfRv1yC3byhaNxwEwK3XheRKEi2OjoYdp195AoFwpkfp_XsLCKL8SXRFA9GNJSkLML2fIReLTBuXADfvdhTcPjvbSrN0BDJ3Vv2bs_zzdsEStrr9RNgWOR/s1600/DSC_0619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF40BT6Ro9WwOecauOyV_lNzNfRv1yC3byhaNxwEwK3XheRKEi2OjoYdp195AoFwpkfp_XsLCKL8SXRFA9GNJSkLML2fIReLTBuXADfvdhTcPjvbSrN0BDJ3Vv2bs_zzdsEStrr9RNgWOR/s400/DSC_0619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465892182055253650" border="0" /></a>Flawless beauty.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCkw8Lkh3a8n4gRJqs_lP6S8r-CTriopeQNhY9PZhXfaZNSawxs0wDr9snNjkZJrzoX6w7d8bVSvyLjpkC2OwBAGP0-khGdXVcR0NGzTL3O4Bn4HuqkCqXXMv-m6wZpl68VwAEIrr65uC/s1600/DSC_0614.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCkw8Lkh3a8n4gRJqs_lP6S8r-CTriopeQNhY9PZhXfaZNSawxs0wDr9snNjkZJrzoX6w7d8bVSvyLjpkC2OwBAGP0-khGdXVcR0NGzTL3O4Bn4HuqkCqXXMv-m6wZpl68VwAEIrr65uC/s400/DSC_0614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465890913645984946" border="0" /></a>The town of Varenna.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK70tAsBHltsMBTMnJmgQUavBMPWa1Qbe0bjPuKAvMh_JPnWgBnM1eqfX08j0rjcahIGFRmG7Vf1BCTRJhtpIuP2cXRsJu5gdEFl1awwUTAV1h8GNDeJX4azdskbfH1L5MvjsYDSZ7OL1/s1600/DSC_0612.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK70tAsBHltsMBTMnJmgQUavBMPWa1Qbe0bjPuKAvMh_JPnWgBnM1eqfX08j0rjcahIGFRmG7Vf1BCTRJhtpIuP2cXRsJu5gdEFl1awwUTAV1h8GNDeJX4azdskbfH1L5MvjsYDSZ7OL1/s400/DSC_0612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465890907585157266" border="0" /></a>Staying at the Hotel Olivedo was like a trip back in time . . . not much has changed in this place.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL86q0WXud1occ5JJeAUHaRTb5iOv99OaawfIIwaxRKCLFz4IOZ9NaJtYLgyuZaQmxWxOy_KYygVOrJzJmeB5TtilSnQOgsESKJuXqsGgfEEKVHDyGqSdR-yAeSy-53RFLx6FcF52DhwnJ/s1600/DSC_0966.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL86q0WXud1occ5JJeAUHaRTb5iOv99OaawfIIwaxRKCLFz4IOZ9NaJtYLgyuZaQmxWxOy_KYygVOrJzJmeB5TtilSnQOgsESKJuXqsGgfEEKVHDyGqSdR-yAeSy-53RFLx6FcF52DhwnJ/s400/DSC_0966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465892184879191346" border="0" /></a>A room with a view.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5v0Js9UmGfhQBci5v_8fmk7NWtMoTScfSvH91Xt3IYj5wllDOaIHhzDIxCHVnFBtR-PfxYAnV9mSAUTOaViS77tyS3-bVVJlOqAEnbCDMhskD-zL79Wod7Aw0hBPyVWn6PvUe2pEHAHQ7/s1600/DSC_0965.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5v0Js9UmGfhQBci5v_8fmk7NWtMoTScfSvH91Xt3IYj5wllDOaIHhzDIxCHVnFBtR-PfxYAnV9mSAUTOaViS77tyS3-bVVJlOqAEnbCDMhskD-zL79Wod7Aw0hBPyVWn6PvUe2pEHAHQ7/s400/DSC_0965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465890900836144674" border="0" /></a>Red sauce heaven.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsC2MdRI7a7gBIYqx5kNH5wotRKXuoYSf01kKVPxQKOqmG1ugnhQzks1WW6oErZe133jfRsAFhmofVA9UyMVZ6qaE0tfXNTqesyyhfA-pB0GDAtLgWXwkjxwkSBS0priXRlVTkCJDUgm1/s1600/DSC_0921.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsC2MdRI7a7gBIYqx5kNH5wotRKXuoYSf01kKVPxQKOqmG1ugnhQzks1WW6oErZe133jfRsAFhmofVA9UyMVZ6qaE0tfXNTqesyyhfA-pB0GDAtLgWXwkjxwkSBS0priXRlVTkCJDUgm1/s400/DSC_0921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465890892196488354" border="0" /></a>Self-portrait in the gardens of Villa del Balbianello<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlun7d9UPCYmmgc7fvlAXmHH8A8oNH3cW4Y1hjgyswdQq49bo9zrtHgiyOJLQ9Qf0FhF_cSNmFWRWRdu4p-_i-y_r3RXPKzWgaQYMjiMCgX5GowzCkvadExHyydQBhPgWu6JgTHMTH4Ez/s1600/DSC_0885.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlun7d9UPCYmmgc7fvlAXmHH8A8oNH3cW4Y1hjgyswdQq49bo9zrtHgiyOJLQ9Qf0FhF_cSNmFWRWRdu4p-_i-y_r3RXPKzWgaQYMjiMCgX5GowzCkvadExHyydQBhPgWu6JgTHMTH4Ez/s400/DSC_0885.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465890884158629266" border="0" /></a>Playing on the shore.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip71mKq0OZ70h7GdPiNOsLMiFg6p9MjyB6L03hW8fPI8T0st_TWgiC6_fkFlHCIh5M2ohVsIEEsVvzXrr-cY5wtRsB2rHYd9ka0JfCiD8I6IDOOsV12PT9KRRCk5NcqRZFJEpo5rV9lMWf/s1600/DSC_0883.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip71mKq0OZ70h7GdPiNOsLMiFg6p9MjyB6L03hW8fPI8T0st_TWgiC6_fkFlHCIh5M2ohVsIEEsVvzXrr-cY5wtRsB2rHYd9ka0JfCiD8I6IDOOsV12PT9KRRCk5NcqRZFJEpo5rV9lMWf/s400/DSC_0883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465884661695966770" border="0" /></a>There's something really lovely with how an Italian villa ages . . . somehow there's beauty in that decay.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W41drgbD9vTKtlOcZlhAG6YZDoz-QKXH5vip_zEhAUXcAL9dHMBOgWuTsrG0vrzebXGLcqe1DRbtP4m_S3MKVmtoqws7BEDfZusJw6qYt6dd3Es81X5MOwXejjyg-DYsuQCjGgUfeQsG/s1600/DSC_0831.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W41drgbD9vTKtlOcZlhAG6YZDoz-QKXH5vip_zEhAUXcAL9dHMBOgWuTsrG0vrzebXGLcqe1DRbtP4m_S3MKVmtoqws7BEDfZusJw6qYt6dd3Es81X5MOwXejjyg-DYsuQCjGgUfeQsG/s400/DSC_0831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465884653443585970" border="0" /></a>Ava seriously studies the menu: will it be a panino or pasta with red sauce?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP0RMwgEfX1sdHY6oJ2rLd0iy-SiHpi33_ni3hAaBa5O-WERWzkRauQdlZatQS0G_wQQa8Ln2ypGt2_mSJnwhxujYWooqXzIjM0NzCO6cAu4b5GhAWE1X6wbRIrBssaoMjLYlql9NGCt2/s1600/DSC_0861.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP0RMwgEfX1sdHY6oJ2rLd0iy-SiHpi33_ni3hAaBa5O-WERWzkRauQdlZatQS0G_wQQa8Ln2ypGt2_mSJnwhxujYWooqXzIjM0NzCO6cAu4b5GhAWE1X6wbRIrBssaoMjLYlql9NGCt2/s400/DSC_0861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465884643847778802" border="0" /></a>Audrey discovered her favorite gelato combination: chocolate and pistachio. Ava prefers fior di latte and strawberry or coconut. I have a hard time resisting the lemon paired with strawberry or coconut. <br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB6bshWCROgF0m6WchsJ02fI8psN3vatrJouGmekPfsc2t8Iw-rNvJ59xzhvOqgqLzGv3QACjkHiZfFvpwintaD4xxO2DkKArsp9JPj6dm0zATZmhTRfS5L3sot0iWrOsVyOfeqzeJ80S/s1600/DSC_0790.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilB6bshWCROgF0m6WchsJ02fI8psN3vatrJouGmekPfsc2t8Iw-rNvJ59xzhvOqgqLzGv3QACjkHiZfFvpwintaD4xxO2DkKArsp9JPj6dm0zATZmhTRfS5L3sot0iWrOsVyOfeqzeJ80S/s400/DSC_0790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465884633329182706" border="0" /></a>In the gardens of the lovely hotel Villa D'este in the town of Cernobbio.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkC5LO9bU43aDw3iwN7Y_xLy7aiA40tiW9tetOTqxflA_P8HbPmhqfqHl-8h9DAGKTvUDloz-EO7NBwpi4MdVex9_v6aJ79Ee_-3AajdLZ61ZvuPmZRC-E98gHkFGlWxfnm4uYXHBqkEYe/s1600/DSC_0713.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkC5LO9bU43aDw3iwN7Y_xLy7aiA40tiW9tetOTqxflA_P8HbPmhqfqHl-8h9DAGKTvUDloz-EO7NBwpi4MdVex9_v6aJ79Ee_-3AajdLZ61ZvuPmZRC-E98gHkFGlWxfnm4uYXHBqkEYe/s400/DSC_0713.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465884631780484754" border="0" /></a>Daddy-daughter stroll along the promenade in the town of Bellagio.<br /><br /><br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-47351230975355537562010-04-05T13:29:00.000-07:002010-04-21T14:20:45.345-07:00Bergamo<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEL2F8xy7UbnOTR8EwYks1IV4HA3OwjP9U9UrajVQYQPrEUS1yIh-fVAY3h86Soz28GxxKbXqEDJw9NLC1abKzfGEHl52Py9j_MMg3qP1ReX81pqS3-6NXbEr0s_LXkyHlkeLwnSOfc9j/s1600/DSC_0517.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEL2F8xy7UbnOTR8EwYks1IV4HA3OwjP9U9UrajVQYQPrEUS1yIh-fVAY3h86Soz28GxxKbXqEDJw9NLC1abKzfGEHl52Py9j_MMg3qP1ReX81pqS3-6NXbEr0s_LXkyHlkeLwnSOfc9j/s400/DSC_0517.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462693263450419794" border="0" /></a>Our first stop in our Italian adventure: Bergamo. We spent Easter Monday exploring the citta alta, which was packed with like-minded Italians doing the same (today's a major holiday). The old city is perched atop a hill, and we rode the funicular train to get to the top.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEJpW4mvb0CohaRuxuYFN4Bmvmz2XNoAHPhhtG4zG6h37-jXJ05ninLpOygH3YSWXSE3Jet6dvpKw7az4BZlLMokZqtCHiRfMEjqk3grrSK0JXmKwWy3JOb-g1aqB2JKHk-OcrzCsj9xk/s1600/DSC_0533.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEJpW4mvb0CohaRuxuYFN4Bmvmz2XNoAHPhhtG4zG6h37-jXJ05ninLpOygH3YSWXSE3Jet6dvpKw7az4BZlLMokZqtCHiRfMEjqk3grrSK0JXmKwWy3JOb-g1aqB2JKHk-OcrzCsj9xk/s400/DSC_0533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462695362834413810" border="0" /></a>Italy is just so darn tasty . . . we're trying hard not to gorge ourselves, but it's difficult, even for the girls. Ava ate so much pizza last night, she complained that her tummy hurt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjgE5YQn1LStYcK27MAuGbXrKG8-Ijmfj0pAbP_9ZiJYhqS5EDN4rjEC18vNJfrVL7m6lVm55w4q6wnP-bTRmJ1xqLS9K488KtgXKcqOAfmClbVTlInEIY1Yf15hRe42UcaWxlNqatJc5/s1600/DSC_0541.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjgE5YQn1LStYcK27MAuGbXrKG8-Ijmfj0pAbP_9ZiJYhqS5EDN4rjEC18vNJfrVL7m6lVm55w4q6wnP-bTRmJ1xqLS9K488KtgXKcqOAfmClbVTlInEIY1Yf15hRe42UcaWxlNqatJc5/s400/DSC_0541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462693298973199218" border="0" /></a>I mean, look at what we're up against. The line was out the door for this place. We enjoyed our take-out in the main piazza.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL0QhxsYnQQIRFO8uqsJ3utUlF7Efsx18QhG-jpMi6OjdIE-J8RCN1zImWrDUSrMGtb6DMy85xz86BnPQVL1FC6BKJ61a_PNnRRpaYWcyaCOUdmhCjs-iHqMBkN5gRL0suOE3W_nQaBc5/s1600/DSC_0547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL0QhxsYnQQIRFO8uqsJ3utUlF7Efsx18QhG-jpMi6OjdIE-J8RCN1zImWrDUSrMGtb6DMy85xz86BnPQVL1FC6BKJ61a_PNnRRpaYWcyaCOUdmhCjs-iHqMBkN5gRL0suOE3W_nQaBc5/s400/DSC_0547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462693287165509778" border="0" /></a>And then of course, we had our gelato.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCev2hB9XuHyRipdmLaGX88TMNPOImhzr0Em4uU4KfEU2fDkrVAi0a7fbR1dxD-FapztuI91YFM8jODoVsoozD_FbkuLOoZbhNLjPam8UdE97slQiLg39wEUHBIsLzW-CKbTMS8FsJwhOD/s1600/DSC_0534.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCev2hB9XuHyRipdmLaGX88TMNPOImhzr0Em4uU4KfEU2fDkrVAi0a7fbR1dxD-FapztuI91YFM8jODoVsoozD_FbkuLOoZbhNLjPam8UdE97slQiLg39wEUHBIsLzW-CKbTMS8FsJwhOD/s400/DSC_0534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462693279870135858" border="0" /></a>Naturally, we'd need a snack later, so we bought a delicious polenta e osei (polenta and bird) cake--a Bergamo specialty. Not actually made from polenta, just made to look like it, with little molded marzipan birdies atop. The center of the cake is a creamy hazelnut concoction. We loved it! We'll have to track down a recipe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OWo58On12il4H0aFIHF0nUvVlLOPOi4W5nh6fVzwEWTiRdNUN3cdqwijSAxEkxQDvyq5fm_Sbb6WADdnanMMFxeB6ICPxgElhoAQvaARDGYeSm7BcBdpSnVdMZ5WFaA9OSo9NRijomkf/s1600/DSC_0510.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OWo58On12il4H0aFIHF0nUvVlLOPOi4W5nh6fVzwEWTiRdNUN3cdqwijSAxEkxQDvyq5fm_Sbb6WADdnanMMFxeB6ICPxgElhoAQvaARDGYeSm7BcBdpSnVdMZ5WFaA9OSo9NRijomkf/s400/DSC_0510.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462695348957286866" border="0" /></a>Bergamo rooftops<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4uZCm5WiklwoZxULXucXVJbm62kr8PDpV-iYffgcc17DDJFJvlzb26NFVlipny-94f_P1nWSIaUhDe2aS7SFYDSWmodVGcAmvhNA8q0K9SBw4DlByo0U-0vLqihjoTO-8NiFKWhTiyFF/s1600/DSC_0529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4uZCm5WiklwoZxULXucXVJbm62kr8PDpV-iYffgcc17DDJFJvlzb26NFVlipny-94f_P1nWSIaUhDe2aS7SFYDSWmodVGcAmvhNA8q0K9SBw4DlByo0U-0vLqihjoTO-8NiFKWhTiyFF/s400/DSC_0529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462695359418434962" border="0" /></a>Ava insisted on her photo with the lion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7264c98Iy3Y_JlZ9w1JHsSafgRhqVVptxfs74b4tzdO6WNhSY-UFmYV1JfUDNrAnJDA9G5S6joHQ8gVqprCNwRehMA4uCwRtu9Wz-Lfs96tlRVdSdovBqcDlwCK_WTVu1y3tZFrLSzFb1/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7264c98Iy3Y_JlZ9w1JHsSafgRhqVVptxfs74b4tzdO6WNhSY-UFmYV1JfUDNrAnJDA9G5S6joHQ8gVqprCNwRehMA4uCwRtu9Wz-Lfs96tlRVdSdovBqcDlwCK_WTVu1y3tZFrLSzFb1/s400/DSC_0502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462693269944307474" border="0" /></a>We took an elevator ride up the tower to gain this nice perspective.<br /><br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-66416136881205578372010-04-04T04:21:00.000-07:002010-04-21T13:28:24.625-07:00Happy Easter<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVRe-kCyqjN1pEplC8XF4agrSGaczCLc6dFf-dJE4tcWAgxlzKXeuxZHy8qt7333X0cKjpEFtY6YaRMgWLVC54lz2d7NlMzywU5uMa_dezNAW1aP0PpJ7_BJtskhLK6fATi7fxVZeYR1l/s1600/DSC_0394.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVRe-kCyqjN1pEplC8XF4agrSGaczCLc6dFf-dJE4tcWAgxlzKXeuxZHy8qt7333X0cKjpEFtY6YaRMgWLVC54lz2d7NlMzywU5uMa_dezNAW1aP0PpJ7_BJtskhLK6fATi7fxVZeYR1l/s400/DSC_0394.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462677062520710770" border="0" /></a>Our Easter started off in Bucharest and ended up in Italy! Here the girls enjoy their baskets at home in the morning. He is risen!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9D0rjwq4-XK3u6g7TNQE1O4KXR71uAVehYdkx9hVlUer8EIoNfoB7F9WxV-pItp9oEI9psKttJToY6R35g-4do8ni4_6HCjc-yWsNt2WV9kX7zcblXvhCBANEOISc2RWDLWRgmSnCtwZ/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9D0rjwq4-XK3u6g7TNQE1O4KXR71uAVehYdkx9hVlUer8EIoNfoB7F9WxV-pItp9oEI9psKttJToY6R35g-4do8ni4_6HCjc-yWsNt2WV9kX7zcblXvhCBANEOISc2RWDLWRgmSnCtwZ/s400/DSC_0398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462677076812846866" border="0" /></a>Later in the morning we went for a walk through Herastrau park (no church today because of General Conference).<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkujzssSO8sU_VG641Q2F8Ke4eMU2hya5j-Y13Qp1A4BMqqMk9HnldLZNxnuWFmItQjCdI6IQi5aoXdqMLVqqjWaAQ3fef8hdVc1ydK1Mop6TGascjtfY2FWOqB6M-o8SkkvsVvwP0xd2/s1600/DSC_0415.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkujzssSO8sU_VG641Q2F8Ke4eMU2hya5j-Y13Qp1A4BMqqMk9HnldLZNxnuWFmItQjCdI6IQi5aoXdqMLVqqjWaAQ3fef8hdVc1ydK1Mop6TGascjtfY2FWOqB6M-o8SkkvsVvwP0xd2/s400/DSC_0415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462677106532289442" border="0" /></a>We enjoyed the beautiful sunshine, spring flowers, and Easter decorations in the park. Ava enjoyed the slide.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmP9plg9sjz2nMSJGyE1I89cZ0R646QJ_0keIype5BphBkN9Auaf8UttbOuMMeugL8FJOE3mzeg5P_tZXSCjVdZjj5rN7f_sDINkNBqfS4gslmxyMlgOSnRNXVl9sHouAgva-E20hGt3s/s1600/DSC_0425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmP9plg9sjz2nMSJGyE1I89cZ0R646QJ_0keIype5BphBkN9Auaf8UttbOuMMeugL8FJOE3mzeg5P_tZXSCjVdZjj5rN7f_sDINkNBqfS4gslmxyMlgOSnRNXVl9sHouAgva-E20hGt3s/s400/DSC_0425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462677097192935730" border="0" /></a>Later that afternoon, we hopped on the plane to Italy. The fans took care of Rockstar during the entire flight. Give me a plane full of Romanians any day!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Bk_eu85dQ7k4t0oMJJ3QUxvnY0GuPHS7pfZ6VFgdMJ_N7iBpQhyxtuNhW0qFi5q02nZzzGr5x50la8G5N-2LZu3L_IciSsq8Fm4GqoglsDb9Q4h0wZ_gU-ERy6lIIrLXm40Y-Uh9AbrC/s1600/DSC_0427.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Bk_eu85dQ7k4t0oMJJ3QUxvnY0GuPHS7pfZ6VFgdMJ_N7iBpQhyxtuNhW0qFi5q02nZzzGr5x50la8G5N-2LZu3L_IciSsq8Fm4GqoglsDb9Q4h0wZ_gU-ERy6lIIrLXm40Y-Uh9AbrC/s400/DSC_0427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462677342102988866" border="0" /></a>She borrowed their sunglasses.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYt2lXFcZUYGa13Pl2728GBafoYCVWfX9nk9yr-wgIji88rdWP2NmJTHmPBl6M9zhsBXfG07WYr8QnGUKG9pqavWMjmYPTZUQvNwUxBZYvIRFsXBzI19ujnVYOHXSacz5cGp3lwPN43qy/s1600/DSC_1354.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYt2lXFcZUYGa13Pl2728GBafoYCVWfX9nk9yr-wgIji88rdWP2NmJTHmPBl6M9zhsBXfG07WYr8QnGUKG9pqavWMjmYPTZUQvNwUxBZYvIRFsXBzI19ujnVYOHXSacz5cGp3lwPN43qy/s400/DSC_1354.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462676163403670482" border="0" /></a>Easter dinner was a little different this year . . . We ate at Ristorante Da Franco in Bergamo, a darling ancient city on a hill, about 40 km from Milan. I chose the house-made ravioli alla Bergamasca, with its regional sauce involving butter, sage and bacon . . . delicious. No, we didn't have that chocolate cake for dessert; we opted for some heavenly gelato (so good, that I sent Schatz out to get a second round after we got the girls to bed in the hotel!) La vita e bella!<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-54068395600765451242010-04-03T04:22:00.000-07:002010-04-21T04:43:45.902-07:00Pelisor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVIuZkrOKYFYHaI-rV5i-3Ud7fE3y020GN0efS0okMO0uxIrDQrKF37zueqxvsVnCMM8bwrrCwIAykkPU1QanLZrpcnOuK9whvqwHZjD3rdOlFgFLU0cOwp9uD4x5OSgRi4W_Xtyk4oDA/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVIuZkrOKYFYHaI-rV5i-3Ud7fE3y020GN0efS0okMO0uxIrDQrKF37zueqxvsVnCMM8bwrrCwIAykkPU1QanLZrpcnOuK9whvqwHZjD3rdOlFgFLU0cOwp9uD4x5OSgRi4W_Xtyk4oDA/s400/DSC_0368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462551840656718642" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We headed up to Sinaia today hoping for some snow to take Ava skiing, but it had all melted on the lower hills and we didn't have time to drive further into Poiana Brasov. So instead, we visited the sweet little <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peli%C5%9For">Pelisor</a> castle. Charlotte was a dickens during the tour, running off everywhere, but capturing the hearts of the tour guides and guests with her impish grin.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCG6vMAkzRW4C6rtj7UQh2apbIEUn2lF_HOcqY9V6lWUcqEQuz6jGNmLb0jYI4PbNezsXwyQnvihko8RFshdTsV2zky2-htHA4MtlgApTUoaS7LFn_TgnLKHLous_NOmdGKczmijDcZS70/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCG6vMAkzRW4C6rtj7UQh2apbIEUn2lF_HOcqY9V6lWUcqEQuz6jGNmLb0jYI4PbNezsXwyQnvihko8RFshdTsV2zky2-htHA4MtlgApTUoaS7LFn_TgnLKHLous_NOmdGKczmijDcZS70/s400/DSC_0348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462551865847044946" border="0" /></a>Ava enjoys her schnitzel at Cabana Schiori for lunch.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyBzpkq0SzG5zk4nHaGxnuDAl5IYwBm2jZyqfBlrcBP-pdLyC6CpCbUwSdmojKzDZzU8tI9BgAIoq56gRRPTJL_IsfweCpJ48q3SrN7I5xSDeqFNdTNFoEWKBGvb32am58S8G2b4cEHnZ/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyBzpkq0SzG5zk4nHaGxnuDAl5IYwBm2jZyqfBlrcBP-pdLyC6CpCbUwSdmojKzDZzU8tI9BgAIoq56gRRPTJL_IsfweCpJ48q3SrN7I5xSDeqFNdTNFoEWKBGvb32am58S8G2b4cEHnZ/s400/DSC_0344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462551868283291042" border="0" /></a>Audrey couldn't wait for her chicken soup.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCaUu2AX3_NLzae9h2sL4O-sYojUP2UHNciF2g9XHyEclVJT-WyPoSHwbsyYwpnohfKSvUDZg4jtgehZYl_-g3cBt_7CXcAvlD2Gn3HdSfzPFr3ANlrgP2q9-vQ7WQJMDhfdRxpjb32rq/s1600/DSC_0385.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCaUu2AX3_NLzae9h2sL4O-sYojUP2UHNciF2g9XHyEclVJT-WyPoSHwbsyYwpnohfKSvUDZg4jtgehZYl_-g3cBt_7CXcAvlD2Gn3HdSfzPFr3ANlrgP2q9-vQ7WQJMDhfdRxpjb32rq/s400/DSC_0385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462551856910752482" border="0" /></a>Strawberries! A woman was selling them on the grounds of the castle in these cute little baskets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1GXUrhYkcxOm1QwTmP4KzmJXkPlt-W4rZx7N1ipB6xgCXWlxygPxZG8RYWLYHhMSBpwC4tCH0M2AVRAne2menpNR0mG_UlSiJquKDxZ_J4b3lAWEeNY2c5M7NcHvfIczR6mZUH1LD_cA/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1GXUrhYkcxOm1QwTmP4KzmJXkPlt-W4rZx7N1ipB6xgCXWlxygPxZG8RYWLYHhMSBpwC4tCH0M2AVRAne2menpNR0mG_UlSiJquKDxZ_J4b3lAWEeNY2c5M7NcHvfIczR6mZUH1LD_cA/s400/DSC_0365.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462551851320900802" border="0" /></a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-32206485473765006042010-03-31T11:52:00.000-07:002010-04-18T10:21:59.947-07:00London & Love Never Dies<div style="text-align: center;">That's right! I escaped to London for 24 hours! Schatzi was already in the UK on business and planned a nice day out for Mommy, including tickets to the musical, <span style="font-style: italic;">Love Never Dies</span>, the sequel to <span style="font-style: italic;">Phantom</span>. What about the girls? Oh, don't worry, the girls were well looked after in Bucharest by a friend from church.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxsAnnGsPZyoAFZ1jOFS_j3F0cHKhVm_YtZaMKj7IBS1LJnTQSvIFbJYkjO0mrvmPtsThV7xDIkb_PpSnV6RYXni2sVdkeRGyXSVf7DHvVYugfxv9l_nfa-ChWS-f45vH3ekasfWpOjpx/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxsAnnGsPZyoAFZ1jOFS_j3F0cHKhVm_YtZaMKj7IBS1LJnTQSvIFbJYkjO0mrvmPtsThV7xDIkb_PpSnV6RYXni2sVdkeRGyXSVf7DHvVYugfxv9l_nfa-ChWS-f45vH3ekasfWpOjpx/s400/DSC_0289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460822961287813890" border="0" /></a>While Schatzi was in the office, I hit Oxford Street for some civilized shopping.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeguaqMm0vx8wyVUixH6PTjFZ83FUSM5eVjSBaKGbx0HnQmdKfDXRla8uxRSscJGO1-b1sNGddgaYgOPB2ip1nom74Hld7O1Hl1pXhwCY7ilVlpzgrHIyBFj6T7OhobcJBTJiRXQSX8s7T/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeguaqMm0vx8wyVUixH6PTjFZ83FUSM5eVjSBaKGbx0HnQmdKfDXRla8uxRSscJGO1-b1sNGddgaYgOPB2ip1nom74Hld7O1Hl1pXhwCY7ilVlpzgrHIyBFj6T7OhobcJBTJiRXQSX8s7T/s400/DSC_0261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460821579076737122" border="0" /></a>Tasty cupcakes at Lola's in Selfridges department store (which used to be the largest department store in London; now the honor belongs to Harrods.)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoRSNs4Ebv5w_SDTcrpb0dpMGOBF68YBNKyIf7_g8Ew924xfGgD8XoxMpCtYXKJwbbd0xjuK5xReAhTvWJxUKtDXceetp0nCDB9m5Rg-ju71cFilEOOC4S9i0mw_f3nvhi2OQ_drh__-c/s1600/DSC_0274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoRSNs4Ebv5w_SDTcrpb0dpMGOBF68YBNKyIf7_g8Ew924xfGgD8XoxMpCtYXKJwbbd0xjuK5xReAhTvWJxUKtDXceetp0nCDB9m5Rg-ju71cFilEOOC4S9i0mw_f3nvhi2OQ_drh__-c/s400/DSC_0274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460811448130351170" border="0" /></a>Of course, I spent a significant amount of time daydreaming <a href="http://www.harrods.com/harrodsstore/experience">here</a>, primarily on the 4th floor among the heirloom quality children's wear. There was at least a 1/4 acre devoted to darling dresses!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydPr-yOQql7pEMrXjMIpJrP3gwQazibdmJfBxVfQDIwgjrpTJ_bBZNpo03Td04FCCujcRRJcU6tQp4edqrXy5c6_kGvY66BCRKxF1nWiLW-VZeeYlwQbfDfEmVLniS-lPAB3oP6rQVs1u/s1600/DSC_0264.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydPr-yOQql7pEMrXjMIpJrP3gwQazibdmJfBxVfQDIwgjrpTJ_bBZNpo03Td04FCCujcRRJcU6tQp4edqrXy5c6_kGvY66BCRKxF1nWiLW-VZeeYlwQbfDfEmVLniS-lPAB3oP6rQVs1u/s400/DSC_0264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460828396269478834" border="0" /></a>Hamley's is the London equivalent of FAO Schwartz . . . toys, toys, toys. I found a few little souvenirs for the girls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR7zk1qxe4BjCZq4Gek23CRQxBkbTPFkxQty9enJGAOr14CHX2bzASldpOkb9ZtV-q8iyF4QZJ7ZEwn-qbiLTWBrOa-StGJcFgp_HerJqNAtqW1KD-fCoHAJ6NOEJn9hS1AJ84G15jHoe/s1600/DSC_0282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR7zk1qxe4BjCZq4Gek23CRQxBkbTPFkxQty9enJGAOr14CHX2bzASldpOkb9ZtV-q8iyF4QZJ7ZEwn-qbiLTWBrOa-StGJcFgp_HerJqNAtqW1KD-fCoHAJ6NOEJn9hS1AJ84G15jHoe/s400/DSC_0282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460821589638875026" border="0" /></a>More lovely shops . . . this one close to the Ritz.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbt4MBep5TrLjadJ1Fnzm0m4QrQQAT8TA3pd5LQNzxb04Nb8OKKra026TEA4m8pmspyRv5Zi29yHG7ZhoP6mNBBgUIxIQeBWW8E4mFrkTNhqZ9EnRFN2XoFuND6hVdk8F0obt3gP5jDRg/s1600/DSC_0291.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbt4MBep5TrLjadJ1Fnzm0m4QrQQAT8TA3pd5LQNzxb04Nb8OKKra026TEA4m8pmspyRv5Zi29yHG7ZhoP6mNBBgUIxIQeBWW8E4mFrkTNhqZ9EnRFN2XoFuND6hVdk8F0obt3gP5jDRg/s400/DSC_0291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460811420745059042" border="0" /></a>Somehow, I even managed to squeeze in some house-hunting and found the perfect little place for us in the country . . . if only it were pink.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2Yan0mBqL2MDuPeQ0XrQurXpXYjBtoZj4UcQ5Il6C0rgjxCOdhNpSS8RLc5-rzIFditM466WMhq7yz6E_sYL2xYJQTqglT-N4pG79ng4B-D0QlINjc40ToIkMPjp-hCEzM7pYtS8Mjas/s1600/DSC_0336.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2Yan0mBqL2MDuPeQ0XrQurXpXYjBtoZj4UcQ5Il6C0rgjxCOdhNpSS8RLc5-rzIFditM466WMhq7yz6E_sYL2xYJQTqglT-N4pG79ng4B-D0QlINjc40ToIkMPjp-hCEzM7pYtS8Mjas/s400/DSC_0336.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460822936122027746" border="0" /></a>Cheery window boxes everywhere!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqQe5HoLhJjVOmEv-eLeYC8HVxvEUeVd7or48fku6Cv_EpeQ4yh4caqBstgB-6dDGRGKb23Ysd7rMgUZUCGTAH2isJ3XqgHPZox9V9QLOZ2bOYSYW2stfMoXSu3fvl3Nat9sc5f6DI291/s1600/DSC_0283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqQe5HoLhJjVOmEv-eLeYC8HVxvEUeVd7or48fku6Cv_EpeQ4yh4caqBstgB-6dDGRGKb23Ysd7rMgUZUCGTAH2isJ3XqgHPZox9V9QLOZ2bOYSYW2stfMoXSu3fvl3Nat9sc5f6DI291/s400/DSC_0283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460821596400884114" border="0" /></a>My stop on the tube.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7lN4XIc5X4gL-kHA7g3XjsT_Rrvtz5acqM9Z_XJaZ7bG1Xwf3DSgk-A13_toWU-UxYQ2MqR44sxfqGX3xkDKSPw3hr8XWn9fvRj0bNtSBVRmOBoQOTZO_i8pJdqciJVLfG-8CB3XZIq-/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7lN4XIc5X4gL-kHA7g3XjsT_Rrvtz5acqM9Z_XJaZ7bG1Xwf3DSgk-A13_toWU-UxYQ2MqR44sxfqGX3xkDKSPw3hr8XWn9fvRj0bNtSBVRmOBoQOTZO_i8pJdqciJVLfG-8CB3XZIq-/s400/DSC_0332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460828388076039058" border="0" /></a>Practicing "Look right".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGChnjPu3lrt4-5SyuTo0gEKv-ACvRbgbAv1_wUOIkD0vRvKkKAF5xLErvWOcfwQjMw7HKu4t3FNzJoxMxNRas-SRWYnJ277mhDfhG8QXZZesCpo8UaR1lyeAl_-62qqsfKxK6AQiW4eXU/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGChnjPu3lrt4-5SyuTo0gEKv-ACvRbgbAv1_wUOIkD0vRvKkKAF5xLErvWOcfwQjMw7HKu4t3FNzJoxMxNRas-SRWYnJ277mhDfhG8QXZZesCpo8UaR1lyeAl_-62qqsfKxK6AQiW4eXU/s400/DSC_0324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460821606282713298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Lover Never Dies</span> . . . I didn't even know that a sequel was in the works . . . pitiful considering it takes both of my hands to count the times I've seen <span style="font-style: italic;">Phantom</span>. But my ever-faithful Schatzi keeps his eye out for me and was anxious to take me to see the show (which doesn't open on Broadway until 2011).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU81169ay41ZoA6CLF3pw9cTugWGB7N6XFlvDHtxPWKiyoVTfmdO8r9GAL9AoBlG_pe4Is7Z6set0Bq6PQnSvg4lVQLIa0LeKKLg1ZMKq2iE1G0iEwfAXYLQr87-jeg0FAo0JMVpr6VnAb/s1600/DSC_0301.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU81169ay41ZoA6CLF3pw9cTugWGB7N6XFlvDHtxPWKiyoVTfmdO8r9GAL9AoBlG_pe4Is7Z6set0Bq6PQnSvg4lVQLIa0LeKKLg1ZMKq2iE1G0iEwfAXYLQr87-jeg0FAo0JMVpr6VnAb/s400/DSC_0301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460828403467078466" border="0" /></a>I kept eyeing the Haagen Daaz ice creams during intermission, but in an amazing act of restraint, I held out for dinner.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWjYpchUerTsXUUa9_XkonLKCJjKM1Djxs35G9dQwi-EiHuP7A-_5WxocGsGmjv7nvkkKudygEJHIyCDbnHmjbK1-AcW4K9Cg1pS00fXOJgLjwygvFolR2xvOvPIbhIQSB-ATrdo6bVfm/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWjYpchUerTsXUUa9_XkonLKCJjKM1Djxs35G9dQwi-EiHuP7A-_5WxocGsGmjv7nvkkKudygEJHIyCDbnHmjbK1-AcW4K9Cg1pS00fXOJgLjwygvFolR2xvOvPIbhIQSB-ATrdo6bVfm/s400/DSC_0309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460811433278944130" border="0" /></a>At the stage door after the show with Sierra Boggess, "Christine."<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYFfg55Iq-aHYV7GGjEslZWVQ1Ix1rzWayR0P469MnxHTF7GrLDKqP2B8ny-X_WmVH7kCfE9R68RaHbPn9zSH9PWv9qUSa1tFN53x_yRfQMcASqMVTtVWP0DbGwTMIELqqr2lettf8yJT/s1600/DSC_0311.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYFfg55Iq-aHYV7GGjEslZWVQ1Ix1rzWayR0P469MnxHTF7GrLDKqP2B8ny-X_WmVH7kCfE9R68RaHbPn9zSH9PWv9qUSa1tFN53x_yRfQMcASqMVTtVWP0DbGwTMIELqqr2lettf8yJT/s400/DSC_0311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460811426220759042" border="0" /></a>With Ramin Karimloo, "Phantom", who complimented me on Miss P (the dress, remember?). "Oh, thank you! It's vintage from Hong Kong and I just love the wiggle of the fringe" (at which point I swiveled to demonstrate). Without a beat, he replied "And I bet your friend likes the way it wiggles too", nodding at Schatz who was snapping our photo. As you see, I buttoned my sweater and recovered pretty well-- at least I wasn't blushing too badly for the photo.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoEd7BmbYJi0om8ZNYFoawPYitblCCVmvnb9Xlsw3HkbFcPVjb75a6U7hP8tKCeJcK0GTtXKfprbkxeFYnNHEzY-eLBuYVpKMYGGYlrXd5DlQhOjq-N8qxHCk3UWtlFq0CZuExsSEhwA3/s1600/DSC_0320.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoEd7BmbYJi0om8ZNYFoawPYitblCCVmvnb9Xlsw3HkbFcPVjb75a6U7hP8tKCeJcK0GTtXKfprbkxeFYnNHEzY-eLBuYVpKMYGGYlrXd5DlQhOjq-N8qxHCk3UWtlFq0CZuExsSEhwA3/s400/DSC_0320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460811441423560674" border="0" /></a>Post theatre dinner at Rules, the oldest restaurant in London.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic88A07EEVsBK1yTT34y1KREu7rLemgMraVp8TJE8xjX19xsQcPdGaKRoCoolJe6olieb49_aK-7m3R65IA7LoAc5FQ3vLxrSYleWhsptctEDjmg53QGA4N6Xvzde-LLy8C7tk8XdhgwBr/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic88A07EEVsBK1yTT34y1KREu7rLemgMraVp8TJE8xjX19xsQcPdGaKRoCoolJe6olieb49_aK-7m3R65IA7LoAc5FQ3vLxrSYleWhsptctEDjmg53QGA4N6Xvzde-LLy8C7tk8XdhgwBr/s400/DSC_0323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460822951168199794" border="0" /></a>I was delighted to find this gas burning "coal" fireplace at Rules--just like at home in the pink house (well naturally, where do you think ours came from?) (You can spy the infamous fringe on my dress . . . if only you could hear it swish . . . I'll have to post video.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZBwiXVKUs00FAEiajJj4t21WgNZFQ7XQqBZ4u40Obz0cuiMo8bBs3qCU78HLevs-_uFqjPxAfjX8Yxr66DS2uvc5ekKfbaK8J-LsBBhy_ssveGSR3qFjuQ8DEUB-CZp93mX6BP6k2Kyp/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZBwiXVKUs00FAEiajJj4t21WgNZFQ7XQqBZ4u40Obz0cuiMo8bBs3qCU78HLevs-_uFqjPxAfjX8Yxr66DS2uvc5ekKfbaK8J-LsBBhy_ssveGSR3qFjuQ8DEUB-CZp93mX6BP6k2Kyp/s400/DSC_0313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460822944881041634" border="0" /></a>The food was delicious--I can't wait to go back! A perfect meal for me: "Innes Farm Bosworth Goat's Cheese Fritters<em> with Damson Relish, Bacon, Little Gem & Avocado Salad</em>."<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKMDovUd-Mn5NIGCVCmmdH2pQJ1Ygu7vAjALzkntn9C9eW1B2tyRiFY0s36pTFqjxNT5OLSjARUC5-R8dC8Hy6DslbGtOHxNY2ydEehYp1IBSb9_HcDnNqc-vu9aH4dnsNsnIN6gphDtu/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKMDovUd-Mn5NIGCVCmmdH2pQJ1Ygu7vAjALzkntn9C9eW1B2tyRiFY0s36pTFqjxNT5OLSjARUC5-R8dC8Hy6DslbGtOHxNY2ydEehYp1IBSb9_HcDnNqc-vu9aH4dnsNsnIN6gphDtu/s400/DSC_0296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460822933794350114" border="0" /></a>A sight for sore, bloodshot eyes . . . do I really get to sleep in?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkwlAwkPP4MRnRov2743omxiIOpIfka9DOUMV6dDWIH0ovyW5RKbJnJJYPUdY-JD9sBSwM9LLz32P3zRtlG3xzepa2uYYScIYcdBHTdlnxoyIxDrRWbeG1OkZN5jnG5KKLwZlTAyP2MyK/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkwlAwkPP4MRnRov2743omxiIOpIfka9DOUMV6dDWIH0ovyW5RKbJnJJYPUdY-JD9sBSwM9LLz32P3zRtlG3xzepa2uYYScIYcdBHTdlnxoyIxDrRWbeG1OkZN5jnG5KKLwZlTAyP2MyK/s400/DSC_0259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460821574310007346" border="0" /></a>As wonderful and civilized as London was . . . the best part is arriving home with your sweetheart and picking up your daughters from gradinita!<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-397222729816285512010-03-27T11:16:00.000-07:002010-04-16T11:32:53.273-07:00Party 'Til We Drop<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFGwb5onxYkEIKLOkrCY6oZUGLpRT9grkLgLBN21A5a5qsj6drh-6sUj_moEHP48BCZ3BZ8oNWMsuD0H2QUygPqgrs-qYc2qVb8PvCKrn1ZiHgiaeeelycPX7e7hT7bovNUc1RYd8lj7L/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFGwb5onxYkEIKLOkrCY6oZUGLpRT9grkLgLBN21A5a5qsj6drh-6sUj_moEHP48BCZ3BZ8oNWMsuD0H2QUygPqgrs-qYc2qVb8PvCKrn1ZiHgiaeeelycPX7e7hT7bovNUc1RYd8lj7L/s400/DSC_0185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460803129712583522" border="0" /></a>It was nonstop partying today as we spent the entire day making appearances at birthday parties. Here's some of the fun that caused these rockstars to crash in between gigs:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQHqbqkVxoPTNbk35twFVxRHEN0QTAfce_cOxq0UEJhPb4bpHf2kCazrx3-ak3aWTgKm75NoNlE12VhOzLHv6-xv0wZlZvtxuOuMB3yHDjFH4HqiLdYKZxHu9KnC2503vwImn23YyHaRR/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQHqbqkVxoPTNbk35twFVxRHEN0QTAfce_cOxq0UEJhPb4bpHf2kCazrx3-ak3aWTgKm75NoNlE12VhOzLHv6-xv0wZlZvtxuOuMB3yHDjFH4HqiLdYKZxHu9KnC2503vwImn23YyHaRR/s400/DSC_0153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460803144968396306" border="0" /></a>Charlotte took advantage of the open bar at the first party.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXkmuQKtygTAhgLdwraY08GI-VpNLxCZDzBG8KupWgmGnRYEI447tt6zMnKqSU4LGNY3zXXqEzFWImqalVKOZbjFG81VH3hHKyRkzanxt8_QJu4JLqGjJaoo4Leafvm9vx5wEyn_YlnM9/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXkmuQKtygTAhgLdwraY08GI-VpNLxCZDzBG8KupWgmGnRYEI447tt6zMnKqSU4LGNY3zXXqEzFWImqalVKOZbjFG81VH3hHKyRkzanxt8_QJu4JLqGjJaoo4Leafvm9vx5wEyn_YlnM9/s400/DSC_0145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460803153096876194" border="0" /></a>Audrey rocked it in the bouncer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxPsSM5ZgSAbzfaVBFrKT84eF77IH8cJ6eAR_RQ3eOJvt82dpSI8Z1GIcN7faHRmNSEIPbw_KkWjax6Cl_psmlEJjLJseeXPZKICxOWLGkMyzbvkpwUM3yk-Zi8Gs2AEg3QQyeDzmt_Ka/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxPsSM5ZgSAbzfaVBFrKT84eF77IH8cJ6eAR_RQ3eOJvt82dpSI8Z1GIcN7faHRmNSEIPbw_KkWjax6Cl_psmlEJjLJseeXPZKICxOWLGkMyzbvkpwUM3yk-Zi8Gs2AEg3QQyeDzmt_Ka/s400/DSC_0175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460803144064997810" border="0" /></a>It just wouldn't be a Romanian party without pyrotechnics on the birthday cake.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVx1sEDaOEkpjuhCMuGmh7MevaOe-A-9hwkvS6OPKQjsNzvwjBr5NRHAR_afRSbsjuL3WDubAXjHCnqQi0MfDPm5VaLggAFz7kWFOL1Icy-1Oa0c_mOMIWfjwTsi-24_6S7KL_sdlddvO/s1600/DSC_0193.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVx1sEDaOEkpjuhCMuGmh7MevaOe-A-9hwkvS6OPKQjsNzvwjBr5NRHAR_afRSbsjuL3WDubAXjHCnqQi0MfDPm5VaLggAFz7kWFOL1Icy-1Oa0c_mOMIWfjwTsi-24_6S7KL_sdlddvO/s400/DSC_0193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460803162997532706" border="0" /></a>A relaxed group shot at the second party (Charlotte was still sleeping in the car).<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-53123947163566828892010-03-26T11:01:00.000-07:002010-04-16T11:15:18.431-07:00Ava's Photo Safari<div style="text-align: center;">All the girls like to play with the camera. This morning, before Mommy and Daddy stirred, Ava went on a photo safari. And now, may I present: Through Ava's Lens.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvlQ1oqcJ09FHL_M0IpjtwsrO7gWZYoWHMgnpKKVJOaTkEOd6_hxYPpPyVRdTnNnrLTBp9hllNS9cY_Mpv2OvwUnqE4DMADbeEZWsk2Yfd-VF2f676Ufyasz72Wea-NCQcDSjvKwbgZWM/s1600/DSC_0126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvlQ1oqcJ09FHL_M0IpjtwsrO7gWZYoWHMgnpKKVJOaTkEOd6_hxYPpPyVRdTnNnrLTBp9hllNS9cY_Mpv2OvwUnqE4DMADbeEZWsk2Yfd-VF2f676Ufyasz72Wea-NCQcDSjvKwbgZWM/s400/DSC_0126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460798488736350450" border="0" /></a>(apartment building across the street)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6v7Wijjv5ozIXZUMzzaOpvjBQqKVBG_dqhK2Af71g5lmM98saFCUB6jyQsgFr8XgXOWBa2N2ehcfxJ41XMK_m6lfA2y1GEXYtTwghFvwXKxM7mmBHi4n-hE4EyJ-Vv7ziBlpNAk1UusO/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6v7Wijjv5ozIXZUMzzaOpvjBQqKVBG_dqhK2Af71g5lmM98saFCUB6jyQsgFr8XgXOWBa2N2ehcfxJ41XMK_m6lfA2y1GEXYtTwghFvwXKxM7mmBHi4n-hE4EyJ-Vv7ziBlpNAk1UusO/s400/DSC_0135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460797955513926370" border="0" /></a>(Audrey climbing in or out of Charlotte's crib)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM1wvUgzePKzRwJcVVzdDD8D5bywFpfjvzk-Gj_GaPaF1S2HM1M2lG0hI2Bs0Tat8d-iauSur0v-1CrXsLilixFpG_9HtFLkumdUGcD5blQXzwAyRih4caw7N56X4wVJBa7xL-7Kae2al/s1600/DSC_0134.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM1wvUgzePKzRwJcVVzdDD8D5bywFpfjvzk-Gj_GaPaF1S2HM1M2lG0hI2Bs0Tat8d-iauSur0v-1CrXsLilixFpG_9HtFLkumdUGcD5blQXzwAyRih4caw7N56X4wVJBa7xL-7Kae2al/s400/DSC_0134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460797948144506658" border="0" /></a>(my favorite shot)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzTGB5GwdUH4OOZ2VN_3NB5rY8pi99woHutyZt4SqvLceLMGagQIzuevWi2lgYKVb4FDBdc9xWe1AR-lq9rcSNOJ9K8_RAK_MY0ZhA3KbaYbl5h3xonNy8TqoKw2g5-3sAYZtKK15lnTY/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzTGB5GwdUH4OOZ2VN_3NB5rY8pi99woHutyZt4SqvLceLMGagQIzuevWi2lgYKVb4FDBdc9xWe1AR-lq9rcSNOJ9K8_RAK_MY0ZhA3KbaYbl5h3xonNy8TqoKw2g5-3sAYZtKK15lnTY/s400/DSC_0131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460797941239037314" border="0" /></a>(Charlotte in her crib)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb3m04Uiu9GXOsHry4Q2eTHP-aJN37YCWDfkLwKjOobnEXRKHJorxv9P_G4I6IVW719ghGsZaOB8zf4UcmXgoh25F2ZLPL7P-6z-DMZ3xpe46sE0MPcMQVPIruvv9t3tsQbqa_L1y3d7k/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilb3m04Uiu9GXOsHry4Q2eTHP-aJN37YCWDfkLwKjOobnEXRKHJorxv9P_G4I6IVW719ghGsZaOB8zf4UcmXgoh25F2ZLPL7P-6z-DMZ3xpe46sE0MPcMQVPIruvv9t3tsQbqa_L1y3d7k/s400/DSC_0111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460797937187771762" border="0" /></a>(kitchen cupboard)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULQNir_VhsFO-PdaUfZRGYBO_yjDpZeHnfksSdKJ16OaHl7nNe23MRpKOwbb2cswpNgetu1QGcyBrK68NZ_jNndebDoZEgVeh2iVz6gQVtu9GUGez1YAdKPkdHTTCLI2wtuAxPDIg20zW/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULQNir_VhsFO-PdaUfZRGYBO_yjDpZeHnfksSdKJ16OaHl7nNe23MRpKOwbb2cswpNgetu1QGcyBrK68NZ_jNndebDoZEgVeh2iVz6gQVtu9GUGez1YAdKPkdHTTCLI2wtuAxPDIg20zW/s400/DSC_0106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460797927117048146" border="0" /></a>(whimsical Dutch clock we picked up at the flea market)<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-54407645705212264272010-03-25T10:52:00.000-07:002010-04-16T11:00:33.558-07:00Sister Love<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMWr3tepTVwOIrf-jOs7yMXYW6QnN348wHzvJum10_z79lb3BpfVs9xnF3QpJaZzPlp4qwjmK-TwWk1T-lDcxoUA-u2mOaPfBwZnrJJMALumOT92yBTdmEqsJbqrAYYhzwTJ3MvaJyKKO/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMWr3tepTVwOIrf-jOs7yMXYW6QnN348wHzvJum10_z79lb3BpfVs9xnF3QpJaZzPlp4qwjmK-TwWk1T-lDcxoUA-u2mOaPfBwZnrJJMALumOT92yBTdmEqsJbqrAYYhzwTJ3MvaJyKKO/s400/DSC_0094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460795399281486338" border="0" /></a>Charlotte loves her big sisters. She gets such a thrill when she holds hands with Ava. She'll take Ava's hand over mine. Tonight they looked so sweet walking home from tennis.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZKZLNNcbbRdoLppGgcXx2mtNPYttWlbK50eb97lXj2cvRUSY8cRrGuqgrdUjIJHgkDwnN6qqBJwIcMY_pC1u5hBlTWzQRNnDz-bbd5ZSuylgA2IhUY3GkGKCtGQuTuHL0Y4V0t2eiCZG/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZKZLNNcbbRdoLppGgcXx2mtNPYttWlbK50eb97lXj2cvRUSY8cRrGuqgrdUjIJHgkDwnN6qqBJwIcMY_pC1u5hBlTWzQRNnDz-bbd5ZSuylgA2IhUY3GkGKCtGQuTuHL0Y4V0t2eiCZG/s400/DSC_0098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460795388587830402" border="0" /></a>Catch and . . .<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoVaNhlqbJPcrpHfxawdPplw6LXn7NJTeXvrt1rzryx09pAxFVUNTL03NUDCjaBMwuxV75Xw9gdwF2aWBZP580PeVqLCcIdUvDFPzldDKRcwssyOo-G2OWboYWqEh5xviUzyprmUeBosZ/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoVaNhlqbJPcrpHfxawdPplw6LXn7NJTeXvrt1rzryx09pAxFVUNTL03NUDCjaBMwuxV75Xw9gdwF2aWBZP580PeVqLCcIdUvDFPzldDKRcwssyOo-G2OWboYWqEh5xviUzyprmUeBosZ/s400/DSC_0100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460795384188623346" border="0" /></a>Smooch!<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-37140547622802013522010-03-25T10:39:00.000-07:002010-04-16T10:52:53.277-07:00Chalk Art<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbxJmcLxhc9i0O7nVsgQ4Wgcg4Mi5nkZb5pQc-gf5sDFgz_IeoFxWEIadfLyYDmJLaPh3v1Ifn9DGzKWYPipL9RtCnq7digxUa1Zd9WJyJOj_tXQZv2F5RdmGqJJLOrgCxS7YjaJ9NkHj/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbxJmcLxhc9i0O7nVsgQ4Wgcg4Mi5nkZb5pQc-gf5sDFgz_IeoFxWEIadfLyYDmJLaPh3v1Ifn9DGzKWYPipL9RtCnq7digxUa1Zd9WJyJOj_tXQZv2F5RdmGqJJLOrgCxS7YjaJ9NkHj/s400/DSC_0080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460793525529473954" border="0" /></a>The girls enjoyed the spring sunshine on the terrace while creating some chalk art this afternoon. Ava recently learned to draw hearts. Notice how her characters are all thinking about love.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT_66rMKUFg2ONZ75Dya7J07T8bX3_p2LtwfGkYTc7dKzkNa8Lhu4OvWbfMCFC_wuwhzmk7wAhOe87ekvm4L09JteD0qCPRwgeBjpW0zawJSVTNzfGV03UWEWuyeZkmv7M7bctw7FW9pF/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT_66rMKUFg2ONZ75Dya7J07T8bX3_p2LtwfGkYTc7dKzkNa8Lhu4OvWbfMCFC_wuwhzmk7wAhOe87ekvm4L09JteD0qCPRwgeBjpW0zawJSVTNzfGV03UWEWuyeZkmv7M7bctw7FW9pF/s400/DSC_0075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460793513110270754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-A7bx80Rz_-DXixol8X-5Msdmin_gYlgFrF2UejI0R2lzGJ8Hoy8Gc-jp-c_WxtgKk32Kp3G1K-d9v9cbEGNleXohafcjhztOr3LWNLLWVRZTK9yFvoV_McOG1VTkHkJ1VgLB2aVXrrU/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-A7bx80Rz_-DXixol8X-5Msdmin_gYlgFrF2UejI0R2lzGJ8Hoy8Gc-jp-c_WxtgKk32Kp3G1K-d9v9cbEGNleXohafcjhztOr3LWNLLWVRZTK9yFvoV_McOG1VTkHkJ1VgLB2aVXrrU/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460793508939878114" border="0" /></a>Ava's self portrait. I see hints of cubism.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEcA6mwq6rly14YoZ0JnYChTiU2V6YxjvY0u2L5kqOSNfKtiH2zV7eCW-CzWYqGitzMijfCDAHdYvrAkh0MqwxIinWMDBnizjP2dTh0bdyPDMyLxuw2Nq4gYv4JBHB-t0e82K2AhGlOWO/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEcA6mwq6rly14YoZ0JnYChTiU2V6YxjvY0u2L5kqOSNfKtiH2zV7eCW-CzWYqGitzMijfCDAHdYvrAkh0MqwxIinWMDBnizjP2dTh0bdyPDMyLxuw2Nq4gYv4JBHB-t0e82K2AhGlOWO/s400/DSC_0057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460793499315046386" border="0" /></a>Reminds me of someone else I know.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU9qoyNGby_epC-DtjGSlMefs9LnLb6ioEi-lzl95Zh1SHfjDSDiez7fPX0r-rSWDYlQwVh5TZQw1NJgRvyqpsgkAWQ3eMA6vP4TT29ZopwE4psVuMACF-OyDe4UgO-4khJ5nwtTR0Joe/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU9qoyNGby_epC-DtjGSlMefs9LnLb6ioEi-lzl95Zh1SHfjDSDiez7fPX0r-rSWDYlQwVh5TZQw1NJgRvyqpsgkAWQ3eMA6vP4TT29ZopwE4psVuMACF-OyDe4UgO-4khJ5nwtTR0Joe/s400/DSC_0086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460793532130959634" border="0" /></a>My expressive Boo.<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-27822167104363811942010-03-22T12:29:00.000-07:002010-03-22T12:48:19.427-07:00Dinner al fresco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJtWMTnIjtAd8wWr-ZkNciYX9ntvKCDCI9_paV4q6qQnlzoXEnWfr7bpK_1pVIpKMZaUG6PZc7ah1YjboCzGPAxtlCjHFwjA2HZmBvTjirgwHne0huH-LS8Q0pNmDmUBfN6gsYqHUAcp-/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJtWMTnIjtAd8wWr-ZkNciYX9ntvKCDCI9_paV4q6qQnlzoXEnWfr7bpK_1pVIpKMZaUG6PZc7ah1YjboCzGPAxtlCjHFwjA2HZmBvTjirgwHne0huH-LS8Q0pNmDmUBfN6gsYqHUAcp-/s400/DSC_0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451546402532878370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt5CzJ-hg34ENX3ShIfw_d9u2z47adfN_o6M4K0weF3Wq3hArpoL23IQPkpGR1tuRmsPiOJi-uEbtj9xYX64fSRTDtpBSDJ333DrTt9CvN43iqcutOdsqFNX5bGsL8BPxS2nIEm0Mjsfe/s1600-h/DSC_0019.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt5CzJ-hg34ENX3ShIfw_d9u2z47adfN_o6M4K0weF3Wq3hArpoL23IQPkpGR1tuRmsPiOJi-uEbtj9xYX64fSRTDtpBSDJ333DrTt9CvN43iqcutOdsqFNX5bGsL8BPxS2nIEm0Mjsfe/s400/DSC_0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451546390537089026" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I can hardly believe that just 10 days ago it was snowing, snowing, snowing. And now, where's winter? Gone, gone, gone. Today was so lovely, even warm--no jacket required. Everyone has moved outdoors, ourselves included. We ate dinner on the front patio, leftovers of Daddy's Sunday red sauce. Pofta buna! (bon appetit!)<br /><br /><br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-10595393400869880122010-03-20T15:15:00.000-07:002010-03-21T15:32:30.300-07:00Sinaia Snow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDucgKVXJVjnNdA8aQd64kZRh5ORKnRJz8nw_-ZPDRmf15ATPHxY5bJPhdlXWtdN4wow6Oddo2ujzRMo9nwxyTUORNEjspQ7uvr-ELU-Dzxrd_7-2gsRQ9vNloc0s7Dc34ZA0zjxz1dvQ-/s1600-h/DSC_9952.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDucgKVXJVjnNdA8aQd64kZRh5ORKnRJz8nw_-ZPDRmf15ATPHxY5bJPhdlXWtdN4wow6Oddo2ujzRMo9nwxyTUORNEjspQ7uvr-ELU-Dzxrd_7-2gsRQ9vNloc0s7Dc34ZA0zjxz1dvQ-/s400/DSC_9952.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451216309041115954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3KmRlL7qR8GkF1Wphyphenhyphen30C7WVQnUJzyGX6vU0PH5G8z34X6kYpVI8VQolZURUymjH-vTbbLRJ2ad1N7yuo6vm10Mqwe4bMolqMF9Mu6OrgSGMr8qZ6jFWaFkbJuhKx9opWhDedixg56qL/s1600-h/DSC_9948.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3KmRlL7qR8GkF1Wphyphenhyphen30C7WVQnUJzyGX6vU0PH5G8z34X6kYpVI8VQolZURUymjH-vTbbLRJ2ad1N7yuo6vm10Mqwe4bMolqMF9Mu6OrgSGMr8qZ6jFWaFkbJuhKx9opWhDedixg56qL/s400/DSC_9948.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451216298425755474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1wM8bXIOh1Qp7j7GLH8I1i2wJKZXspcnXTUYI3U3it015hiTGllBJkQ7fe0sfubO-6u8w7xTKLp9aydmgu1iauYFXFjwSGtxVYfHzA2kTSn7gbJ9CL91QDSVzks44AyBfZfyLmWlqnWb/s1600-h/DSC_9946.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1wM8bXIOh1Qp7j7GLH8I1i2wJKZXspcnXTUYI3U3it015hiTGllBJkQ7fe0sfubO-6u8w7xTKLp9aydmgu1iauYFXFjwSGtxVYfHzA2kTSn7gbJ9CL91QDSVzks44AyBfZfyLmWlqnWb/s400/DSC_9946.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451216292561230818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki9fSLPhqokDxUE6Ze6ikEtnxEqn-3NJbOeCl7NkWWyAsAUrRVjc-HdiDavkl7Val7tNvlwnW8oJMMmB8WqbYtexidsB__4lduG20CR8Q8JXOBUFF7q0nxlHB3fQtX3WF_QcNd_VNu_lM/s1600-h/DSC_9918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki9fSLPhqokDxUE6Ze6ikEtnxEqn-3NJbOeCl7NkWWyAsAUrRVjc-HdiDavkl7Val7tNvlwnW8oJMMmB8WqbYtexidsB__4lduG20CR8Q8JXOBUFF7q0nxlHB3fQtX3WF_QcNd_VNu_lM/s400/DSC_9918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451216278570388066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDylhTg335YfPsaNpeqQKYa137MG8YPxwMZof5MWFVJ_yGskKcXAL6ahhF_PhNXjLFGiKDCbL5G4yxGKxnplHYQ25A8rao-mm7tZ96v42B9ZnJjTxomXRirh0qmI4ZWlSK6ZewewL4D0FI/s1600-h/DSC_9901.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDylhTg335YfPsaNpeqQKYa137MG8YPxwMZof5MWFVJ_yGskKcXAL6ahhF_PhNXjLFGiKDCbL5G4yxGKxnplHYQ25A8rao-mm7tZ96v42B9ZnJjTxomXRirh0qmI4ZWlSK6ZewewL4D0FI/s400/DSC_9901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451216272316655010" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As if we hadn't seen enough white powder in the past three months, we decided to drive an hour and a half up to Sinaia where there is still plenty of snow. The day was gorgeous . . . so "warm" we ate lunch on the terrace of Cabana Stana Regala in the bright sunshine. Even though we've been surrounded by snow this winter, it has been too cold to want to play in it . . . until today. It was simply the perfect fun in the sun and snow day.<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-79967731465882535802010-03-19T14:36:00.000-07:002010-03-21T15:13:47.173-07:00Primavara<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnjkyFA31wLEh3GBiItVJldIANEVTLc6KOMDVtSgf1QlnD1neI4j8XHtL_uDCp2HJ23PNHhJRQw5SpLyVQHNGDQteEdn2zDoTwFhxAR9ziVn77zZ5PM2AEDKC4Jc8YKHGvz89Jemx9wfH/s1600-h/DSC_9857.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnjkyFA31wLEh3GBiItVJldIANEVTLc6KOMDVtSgf1QlnD1neI4j8XHtL_uDCp2HJ23PNHhJRQw5SpLyVQHNGDQteEdn2zDoTwFhxAR9ziVn77zZ5PM2AEDKC4Jc8YKHGvz89Jemx9wfH/s400/DSC_9857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451207355806413378" border="0" /></a>I think it's safe to say: Spring is here! This week's sun has melted last week's snow and the whole world seems to be out celebrating. We're back at the park in the afternoon, enjoying the change. The girls were disappointed that there was no ice cream at the snack shop . . . ok, so it's not that warm yet!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWihmv3hl_w6LUVW8N_b7PG4oAdCJF-RCqY3PP_BVCHS1kNZ-UzH5ox0eQWdL3XhyDxkR5gK82UXH8GGv4juccyxORq-bR2rydlOCt4lXfYVlysIgSYrWsTJabhQU30ZgUySeDipzpfyp5/s1600-h/DSC_9862.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWihmv3hl_w6LUVW8N_b7PG4oAdCJF-RCqY3PP_BVCHS1kNZ-UzH5ox0eQWdL3XhyDxkR5gK82UXH8GGv4juccyxORq-bR2rydlOCt4lXfYVlysIgSYrWsTJabhQU30ZgUySeDipzpfyp5/s400/DSC_9862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451207329554673122" border="0" /></a>"She loves the free, fresh wind in her hair, life without care . . ."<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqllU_BomRF73DmwXXYsRYP2JNAK1pwHTRpSVOwaQwNtxECBPz4vkoyMHA6TKdZV-aokIWO6EOo6cDqxN4sO7b881xAe5kOFsHKeKugC0fV6m7NJJep9Gqi5PgTW-tIVh88XW3_zr5s3P/s1600-h/DSC_9845.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKqllU_BomRF73DmwXXYsRYP2JNAK1pwHTRpSVOwaQwNtxECBPz4vkoyMHA6TKdZV-aokIWO6EOo6cDqxN4sO7b881xAe5kOFsHKeKugC0fV6m7NJJep9Gqi5PgTW-tIVh88XW3_zr5s3P/s400/DSC_9845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451207346630266594" border="0" /></a>Inspired by the latest Barbie movie (Barbie & the Three Muskateers), the girls enjoy fencing with each other and the posts along the sidewalk. Toti pentru unul si unul pentru toti! (All for one and one for all!)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaHlhXWZXwTa8FynamUpU1EM-ZaMkrGs0yGUy_OejxWkEhBUIVJg2s-fmooMYgH9QXwvKW-1e1EzAKe9an1Uv9naYEABTlit22fiQK5e2GJIj41z4bGYd7Pj_YrVTlxH214qCGojz9gFE/s1600-h/DSC_9837.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaHlhXWZXwTa8FynamUpU1EM-ZaMkrGs0yGUy_OejxWkEhBUIVJg2s-fmooMYgH9QXwvKW-1e1EzAKe9an1Uv9naYEABTlit22fiQK5e2GJIj41z4bGYd7Pj_YrVTlxH214qCGojz9gFE/s400/DSC_9837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451207323997782738" border="0" /></a>Audrey strikes the BEST fencing poses! She cracks me up.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5Zo5CkKkyTP2bntmRIvKWz81sYDALg-tTFBu8Q6HMxNXZroeT1x5z0yWtl8jo3sm299L1rggIXEvKhyphenhyphenm9P7QQrvY2Fw9GZzOOP8l9DgERzu8n59aplMKjbMWxBrrnwbcWnADAMiekYac/s1600-h/DSC_9875.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5Zo5CkKkyTP2bntmRIvKWz81sYDALg-tTFBu8Q6HMxNXZroeT1x5z0yWtl8jo3sm299L1rggIXEvKhyphenhyphenm9P7QQrvY2Fw9GZzOOP8l9DgERzu8n59aplMKjbMWxBrrnwbcWnADAMiekYac/s400/DSC_9875.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451207339955985698" border="0" /></a>Well, the park may not have had ice cream, but rest assured, our freezer is rarely without. Ava enjoys her reward while Audrey continues to work on her broccoli. . . only the lure of an ice cream cone (complete with whipped cream and sprinkles) can get these girls to eat their broccoli!<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-61744637940292423712010-03-12T10:49:00.000-08:002010-03-18T14:23:48.273-07:00Home Sick<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG4AgPFRGbAasMB0yjzg76py8O_NZBcafd_SDKgVZXoua9sk7EtONc_4TkjAF69PYQJThitmH7iN8_Ki45dg2VtotlFJ6qyOsCQDGoG2rH2EohK8Ksv-Jt1IMsYkpantrmQt5QyK-ANLk/s1600-h/DSC_9780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG4AgPFRGbAasMB0yjzg76py8O_NZBcafd_SDKgVZXoua9sk7EtONc_4TkjAF69PYQJThitmH7iN8_Ki45dg2VtotlFJ6qyOsCQDGoG2rH2EohK8Ksv-Jt1IMsYkpantrmQt5QyK-ANLk/s400/DSC_9780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069954222167906" border="0" /></a>Charlotte uses the popcorn bowl as a hat<br /></div><br />We have all been battling these nasty colds the whole winter it seems, so finally, I let the girls stay home for a few days to "rest" (we were sort of ordered to stay home by the kindergarten teacher because of Ava's dramatic cough). So we watched movies as the snow (it's back!) fell down. After three days of being home sick, the girls were ready to get back to gradinita today.<br /><br />Speaking of being home sick, we had been homesick for a good cake. So when Schatzi returned from his trip to San Francisco, he brought us back a delicious lemon flavored cake by Just Desserts (a Bay area baking company).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12UHSFHBmt3DvWmixZmworLp2lEXb0CWk9MO7JhLB3kdWySBKFPm0KV7BzLljxkh5QHs6I4GY_5b4qFTUh9IWpB7Rkxpx77T0lnMazk1KGaBR-ztQrXCcJiu3K5tWvgv4H-iJcoqZ4n8i/s1600-h/DSC_9533.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12UHSFHBmt3DvWmixZmworLp2lEXb0CWk9MO7JhLB3kdWySBKFPm0KV7BzLljxkh5QHs6I4GY_5b4qFTUh9IWpB7Rkxpx77T0lnMazk1KGaBR-ztQrXCcJiu3K5tWvgv4H-iJcoqZ4n8i/s400/DSC_9533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069983611030834" border="0" /></a>The girls swoop in on Daddy to savor the last piece of cake.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl4OL3-0ZGCL19x6q_V7BDCICypk7voHjdBfNNpr58c5HNZRRKQzfP91Oq3_J6e8-lc4wm5F7dT4JxhVx7qN9sS1EXsQYHI6FJmj2JDPf-UfVMFT97Pj5GlHC1ZWf5jaC6nZK4l5i355S/s1600-h/DSC_9536.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl4OL3-0ZGCL19x6q_V7BDCICypk7voHjdBfNNpr58c5HNZRRKQzfP91Oq3_J6e8-lc4wm5F7dT4JxhVx7qN9sS1EXsQYHI6FJmj2JDPf-UfVMFT97Pj5GlHC1ZWf5jaC6nZK4l5i355S/s400/DSC_9536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069969065472466" border="0" /></a>Ava tries to steal another bite.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhaqCYeE5icVNVGBsiNg4tiYTF_aUHDkz1Jq3TrzecTPrpyeFvVzhkBi6DDYDpm3ssfxAfo_h4aLsmDS7KcxHxImcTDtLS3cN-Z7fkxzU_niuxsJTBnasLPbo_PU-h1JiyNMP7-R5-o5Y/s1600-h/DSC_9532.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhaqCYeE5icVNVGBsiNg4tiYTF_aUHDkz1Jq3TrzecTPrpyeFvVzhkBi6DDYDpm3ssfxAfo_h4aLsmDS7KcxHxImcTDtLS3cN-Z7fkxzU_niuxsJTBnasLPbo_PU-h1JiyNMP7-R5-o5Y/s400/DSC_9532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069961865555346" border="0" /></a>Rats! Charlotte's just a little too short to grab it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kLQIAaixlWVMhi18ldyRlONcqc9uSSKDMqYI7gWqW7rpWA8sL8OgQbxXXsCdlx7I3firAYXAn9DSPGgGFVJ1AtWe3pjEEXim9kPwcYuXKq8piG69ga73jxngfl0T9OI1G-cfxlmzSP03/s1600-h/DSC_9537.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kLQIAaixlWVMhi18ldyRlONcqc9uSSKDMqYI7gWqW7rpWA8sL8OgQbxXXsCdlx7I3firAYXAn9DSPGgGFVJ1AtWe3pjEEXim9kPwcYuXKq8piG69ga73jxngfl0T9OI1G-cfxlmzSP03/s400/DSC_9537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450069976392019810" border="0" /></a>I'll wager this was the first time a Just Desserts cake was flown in to Bucharest. Well done, Daddy!<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-16059176908571549442010-03-08T10:45:00.000-08:002010-03-15T07:53:02.913-07:00Romanian Mother's Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf5bkjH_EKeEb73QvoJMmR9Er9H1oMzsxz9prpKytZ_QRVoteSp41pxtYp40g4xiOhQlvvYR_k9sufbygTZIiG73ulkqxwMpwEj2EmXSItjq51r-M14K4kjQC6mk-EBBuHp09qclPnpaW/s1600-h/DSC_9523.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf5bkjH_EKeEb73QvoJMmR9Er9H1oMzsxz9prpKytZ_QRVoteSp41pxtYp40g4xiOhQlvvYR_k9sufbygTZIiG73ulkqxwMpwEj2EmXSItjq51r-M14K4kjQC6mk-EBBuHp09qclPnpaW/s400/DSC_9523.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448869067342746610" border="0" /></a>After church today we had a little "ladies only" refreshment in honor of Mother's Day, which is officially tomorrow. Nothing focuses the girls quite like a plate of sweets.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbZnTmkM06NhdpPIiSOhzd01NpW-6LFiMeLvz2ewp7x0Qxn2tkOtPbZk_Nl8L06QdgHpMS4pMBL96hHRz1UiiccTaiir7bMGzMKxJnoGs9T7liGv2zUEF-AmI0x5dkhyphenhyphenBEzctICFh2VrB/s1600-h/DSC_9509.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbZnTmkM06NhdpPIiSOhzd01NpW-6LFiMeLvz2ewp7x0Qxn2tkOtPbZk_Nl8L06QdgHpMS4pMBL96hHRz1UiiccTaiir7bMGzMKxJnoGs9T7liGv2zUEF-AmI0x5dkhyphenhyphenBEzctICFh2VrB/s400/DSC_9509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448869064178693474" border="0" /></a>Charlotte receives assistance from her special friend Jetta. After church Jetta showed us photos from the fire that destroyed her home when she was just 12 years old back in 1980. Her baby sister who was four at the time died in the accident. Jetta loves the girls as they remind her of her little sister Jordana. Jetta is always thanking us that she can be with the girls, but we're the ones who are thankful for all her help!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeMmDrBrsT-YvtZzo6ywgxxzKYRVx9PRDdA1oWdLtPQCp6nSIy5t_kZcekp_Dsxu9orOOuPrWks_4FlVttIoub5HOBPNzrStzmTDsjFpYL9GHK2swGgQQIaLSdToXdGtoet7b6eZnlQ6v/s1600-h/DSC_9512.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGeMmDrBrsT-YvtZzo6ywgxxzKYRVx9PRDdA1oWdLtPQCp6nSIy5t_kZcekp_Dsxu9orOOuPrWks_4FlVttIoub5HOBPNzrStzmTDsjFpYL9GHK2swGgQQIaLSdToXdGtoet7b6eZnlQ6v/s400/DSC_9512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448869054742627986" border="0" /></a>Ava was thrilled with the strawberry covered sponge cake that the other American family brought. (Her dress is darling--thanks Nana!)<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-13305059348700477132010-03-06T10:44:00.000-08:002010-03-15T07:27:25.848-07:00Lu's First Movie & Haircut<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW2c2c3hq2ohrFWUEg-AUfqIHhYadSYp1doD7giBKdS-DRZk3iCP_hp_8npqJWiBb4pyZTzGYWNpZTew-2u5dIlxROuuvkNRLCtEt4aztFZOM2bijHoDAOOVIC9_ZnLSGemFxCdoDKQh6/s1600-h/DSC_9718.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLW2c2c3hq2ohrFWUEg-AUfqIHhYadSYp1doD7giBKdS-DRZk3iCP_hp_8npqJWiBb4pyZTzGYWNpZTew-2u5dIlxROuuvkNRLCtEt4aztFZOM2bijHoDAOOVIC9_ZnLSGemFxCdoDKQh6/s400/DSC_9718.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448593652240901506" border="0" /></a>Yet another fun filled Saturday. First we took in the latest Chipmunk movie. Kids get in free (now you're speaking Daddy's language). It was Lu's first trip to the movies where she actually watched some. When we first came to Bucharest, the big girls randomly started calling Charlotte "Baby Lu". Then we found out the Romanian word for baby girl is "bebe<span style="font-style: italic;">lu</span>sa", so the nickname has stuck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNCoHf2J0g4L7USglxSD0Kcmjxvuqqj_xirA3cJQV9TDwNND1JJcu8Na6hC8WWKnGw0X1a4MAAH9EMNpdXVXOlTSVXPMN49CZNU5gwDYAyy0ImCII1jNPF_iEtNE-JVMY7h8u8g0FsskJ/s1600-h/DSC_9741.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNCoHf2J0g4L7USglxSD0Kcmjxvuqqj_xirA3cJQV9TDwNND1JJcu8Na6hC8WWKnGw0X1a4MAAH9EMNpdXVXOlTSVXPMN49CZNU5gwDYAyy0ImCII1jNPF_iEtNE-JVMY7h8u8g0FsskJ/s400/DSC_9741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448593641289035154" border="0" /></a>After the movie, it was on to Kidi Coaf Club, for Charlotte's coiffure as Daddy was tired of the hair in her eyes.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrgNV38jJsXM1RP0rraze5NK4R07X05EbFnHM1KhyphenhyphenbmMPBJR-rg_uJzcvyPyg5Zarfs3y4CeW0WxMWsNi8cbEVaBvt8A-3q2JL8eO4GS6q3BstYU84JworB6ENsb6GFWnkjnUeuvAwNWc/s1600-h/DSC_9753.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrgNV38jJsXM1RP0rraze5NK4R07X05EbFnHM1KhyphenhyphenbmMPBJR-rg_uJzcvyPyg5Zarfs3y4CeW0WxMWsNi8cbEVaBvt8A-3q2JL8eO4GS6q3BstYU84JworB6ENsb6GFWnkjnUeuvAwNWc/s400/DSC_9753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448593633632497714" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK-TyPu8sJJRt_pBfE7SfekDwwOIlOiEg_pPv6BhAUaDm2R7mKVKy666ZTuNr9uuHwyzXSK3u14Ez-G_ACHWgglQZo7ts4JYQLl2QQP8JYjSq2XscJhY6rlA4dk3Eaacv1998kNnVJPux/s1600-h/DSC_9739.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK-TyPu8sJJRt_pBfE7SfekDwwOIlOiEg_pPv6BhAUaDm2R7mKVKy666ZTuNr9uuHwyzXSK3u14Ez-G_ACHWgglQZo7ts4JYQLl2QQP8JYjSq2XscJhY6rlA4dk3Eaacv1998kNnVJPux/s400/DSC_9739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448593624531250594" border="0" /></a>Lifestyles of the spoiled rotten.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRXnPvAdM_Ht5l2qR-ZEyPq3ULB999JMBppMUqNakSa5O6l0AiZ98sG9qjupquLR3iiK_VgKPbO6h1edyj5FdjiQD5XIKRmHrvg4SEUREBCPukPFbjpWfLBdf6JL6FOzkulmX8odkG7AY/s1600-h/DSC_9777.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRXnPvAdM_Ht5l2qR-ZEyPq3ULB999JMBppMUqNakSa5O6l0AiZ98sG9qjupquLR3iiK_VgKPbO6h1edyj5FdjiQD5XIKRmHrvg4SEUREBCPukPFbjpWfLBdf6JL6FOzkulmX8odkG7AY/s400/DSC_9777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448593646044624626" border="0" /></a>In the evening, we headed over to church for the mother's day activity. (Mother's day is celebrated March 8 here). Nothing like sugar cookies at 6pm to make a good dinner. With Daddy's assistance, Ava recited a little poem about mothers. I can't get the video to post, so you'll just have to imagine her Romanian accented English.<br /><br /><br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-22282366061841870712010-03-04T10:41:00.000-08:002010-03-13T13:11:34.332-08:00Miss PSchatzi and I went out to dinner tonight in belated celebration of Valentine's and his birthday (which happened while he was back in the US). We checked out Thai Moods, which is allegedly the best Thai food in the region, but that's not saying much. Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad; we're just spoiled San Franciscan food snobs!<br /><br />Well, if dinner disappointed a little, my dress certainly did not: Meet "Miss P" <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkj6shm98f2A_7vGF9lMaQ7lMKdw9bBrbMw3lZwGZeKv4fwXO-BoV2J1m9_z6q4n7Kk_KG9SCdRpAWEEttQ4pQzAZmmlC5ITvUC90DNYWiERQzLtbczkfqRC0h298CcPJcad2oxyCoCA2/s1600-h/DSC_9683.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkj6shm98f2A_7vGF9lMaQ7lMKdw9bBrbMw3lZwGZeKv4fwXO-BoV2J1m9_z6q4n7Kk_KG9SCdRpAWEEttQ4pQzAZmmlC5ITvUC90DNYWiERQzLtbczkfqRC0h298CcPJcad2oxyCoCA2/s400/DSC_9683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448211247552707874" border="0" /></a>"What, this old thing? Why I only wear this when I don't care how I look!"<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GNWt5jeqFa_LxeQvWSaXHSNDZgNmKD2dH_SAOcxgFjCvLrz5zKl0zhDi8dIfLZxyVztC9Gb2EL62hyaAu4SFxJnpbvOmiTXcbILjgRr3_ENylmeooWkUZN6VvbjKHLFKJNQKYizUggvf/s1600-h/DSC_9691.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GNWt5jeqFa_LxeQvWSaXHSNDZgNmKD2dH_SAOcxgFjCvLrz5zKl0zhDi8dIfLZxyVztC9Gb2EL62hyaAu4SFxJnpbvOmiTXcbILjgRr3_ENylmeooWkUZN6VvbjKHLFKJNQKYizUggvf/s400/DSC_9691.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448211240353691954" border="0" /></a>Allow me to drool a bit more over this dress. You get a better idea of the SPARKLE from this photo, which still does not do it justice. Miss P is a vintage 1950s wool knit gown, entirely covered with sequins and beads all sewn by hand. I came across her on ebay, just randomly, and fell in love. Just before Schatz left for the US, I sighed about how I was obsessed with this dress on ebay and he brilliantly mentioned that he wanted to get me something for Valentine's . . . now why hadn't I thought of that?<br /><br />I was so giddy when I put it on . . . and you should hear how the beaded fringe swishes when I walk! It's really delightful for me to be able to wear a dress (my time in dresses has been cut short in recent years due to pregnancies/nursing--worthy causes, though). A beautiful vintage dress is my "thing", and I feel honored to add this one to my collection. Dankeschoen Schatz!<br /><br />We hoped to go dancing after dinner and headed over to Hard Rock Cafe because they had advertised a party "La Vie En Rose": an evening of French food, songs and dancing. Regretably they covered the dance floor with additional tables and chairs. So much for the dancing. I consoled myself with a brownie sundae, and we did enjoy the live chanteuse accompanied by the accordion.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-34984668289972318492010-03-01T10:39:00.000-08:002010-03-14T13:38:09.094-07:00Martie (March)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQRjogbCMrG5MevRbReJqlmPLTfw9zAqhix-9QaAZPRFa7e5PtoIW5cBqbf87pi6dA-ksLWvsRf0ENpc1RiBkQvgpVZCFrJiQWARtX2CO_I6SvYH9m1ElWE-NtO5dtIqsMgqBOYkvex4C/s1600-h/DSC_9679.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQRjogbCMrG5MevRbReJqlmPLTfw9zAqhix-9QaAZPRFa7e5PtoIW5cBqbf87pi6dA-ksLWvsRf0ENpc1RiBkQvgpVZCFrJiQWARtX2CO_I6SvYH9m1ElWE-NtO5dtIqsMgqBOYkvex4C/s400/DSC_9679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448579543784167938" border="0" /></a>"Spring is here, there's no mistaking, robins building nests from coast to coast"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The snow continues to melt as the sun works its magic. Right on cue, the snowdrops appeared on March 1, announcing the Romanian holiday of martisor, basically an homage to females and the anticipated arrival of spring. As the tradition goes, the boys give the girls little charms which are worn like a brooch during the first week of March. Read all about it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%83r%C5%A3i%C5%9For">here</a>.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlBPaRrrnGYaXeET-Rn_RBoqQHLMzUwwdxnk9Bc28xGKVh4z3Zb5fa8GVtag7pwsGLVxvJMAA9UphCu6-9Gq-0XHG7TwZj3mON3TGIegWny9ifjN33ar4chnb6eV_V5DikgSxGXcNwYTL/s1600-h/DSC_9610.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlBPaRrrnGYaXeET-Rn_RBoqQHLMzUwwdxnk9Bc28xGKVh4z3Zb5fa8GVtag7pwsGLVxvJMAA9UphCu6-9Gq-0XHG7TwZj3mON3TGIegWny9ifjN33ar4chnb6eV_V5DikgSxGXcNwYTL/s400/DSC_9610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448579536784389890" border="0" /></a>The girls were very excited to show me all the little martisor that they received from the boys at gradinita. "Mommy, do you have an empty jewelry box that I can put mine in?"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GR1cLqnxMzQdvAEO7uwX-NC7C5ImMY4LLHDvqUNSHJ4I1Y6Z5Pw1n7y47KQzWaAfTp-8Aaowfzefmsv4TyrqhC2kLPHb8Uk8x95OiFxkiJctioYKryqmdAY7T7w1GyWDbXQ_6nUm_N41/s1600-h/DSC_9701.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GR1cLqnxMzQdvAEO7uwX-NC7C5ImMY4LLHDvqUNSHJ4I1Y6Z5Pw1n7y47KQzWaAfTp-8Aaowfzefmsv4TyrqhC2kLPHb8Uk8x95OiFxkiJctioYKryqmdAY7T7w1GyWDbXQ_6nUm_N41/s400/DSC_9701.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448579549584259282" border="0" /></a>Schatzi's colleagues told him he had better get his wife flowers for martisor. Nice work. Stargazers, oh I love a good lily, and these were huge and gorgeous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVqM4w4Ar3C6dtqqwL7k4Y3VVAnaWSQ9p7C1nPJw2w1kkRHP-q4ML4pbH6KpJ92_QOEU53k6JZEkmeGhHbctkalE3D8priDsiLHYc311UzTYCvJd72nsGBqTtfR-BUIrhRvOp8-z2vRGo/s1600-h/DSC_9613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVqM4w4Ar3C6dtqqwL7k4Y3VVAnaWSQ9p7C1nPJw2w1kkRHP-q4ML4pbH6KpJ92_QOEU53k6JZEkmeGhHbctkalE3D8priDsiLHYc311UzTYCvJd72nsGBqTtfR-BUIrhRvOp8-z2vRGo/s400/DSC_9613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448579561772742466" border="0" /></a>I couldn't resist these little flower fairies: one for each of the girls. I picked them up over the weekend at a festival at the country museum. There are little festivals and street vendors everywhere selling the martisor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLf8R5GQSVZ_3RWSTpwn8pDliLpi0yP5FVET9iXDksamfhHhMuKUOWOlnTW2h7xAdQBwIKlwAYOZHDVRHq-aK5L5CPw0MI0P_ZBoCRlQw6fWWw8uYIU-8f9JqneDypSexgw11O6AzIPPL/s1600-h/DSC_9548.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLf8R5GQSVZ_3RWSTpwn8pDliLpi0yP5FVET9iXDksamfhHhMuKUOWOlnTW2h7xAdQBwIKlwAYOZHDVRHq-aK5L5CPw0MI0P_ZBoCRlQw6fWWw8uYIU-8f9JqneDypSexgw11O6AzIPPL/s400/DSC_9548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448582921916005266" border="0" /></a>We also celebrated with some charming traditional gingerbread type cookies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4dNM0y1wzzaYVIHx_P9BKWT-55Cqe7jknrSfKd0s-GRmi_CDasG7weMbqQ94GAZCqlpQlX2jJQCrnGvuHElYCckKFI0M2RYBQiW0NbZ-wDEmH8nKwe2Qt9GgDOGpZtQ1R-59msFKF29k/s1600-h/DSC_9680.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4dNM0y1wzzaYVIHx_P9BKWT-55Cqe7jknrSfKd0s-GRmi_CDasG7weMbqQ94GAZCqlpQlX2jJQCrnGvuHElYCckKFI0M2RYBQiW0NbZ-wDEmH8nKwe2Qt9GgDOGpZtQ1R-59msFKF29k/s400/DSC_9680.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448579559287507042" border="0" /></a>After a winter here, spring takes on new meaning. Our neighbor exultantly airs out their basement dwelling with beautiful tulips. New life is in the air.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5TAqNcUzBOcujU3ojl-xvSMeY4dFlq3gUXVBN1z4c2l5wM52kYk1kXgRRJprO2PZQ4-2ZQH9hhsGp7qg0FDqkqdYRoBi6TcKyHde5Tm4oDIPPIqZlmuGz6Z3eo9DZMnMmOYgK_ekaeMK/s1600-h/DSC_9551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5TAqNcUzBOcujU3ojl-xvSMeY4dFlq3gUXVBN1z4c2l5wM52kYk1kXgRRJprO2PZQ4-2ZQH9hhsGp7qg0FDqkqdYRoBi6TcKyHde5Tm4oDIPPIqZlmuGz6Z3eo9DZMnMmOYgK_ekaeMK/s400/DSC_9551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448583484054498642" border="0" /></a>Happy spring! O primavera fericita!<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-53475025649363760862010-02-27T10:28:00.000-08:002010-03-13T13:31:53.843-08:00Restaurant Satya<a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/imagini_de_l-1713/big/casa_satya_21.jpg"> <img id="fancy_img" src="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/imagini_de_l-1713/big/casa_satya_21.jpg?rand=594486235" /></a><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/big/lq_falafel_corectat.jpg"> </a><br /><br /><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/big/lq_falafel_corectat.jpg"><img src="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/thumbs/lq_falafel_corectat.jpg" title="" width="90" /></a><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/big/avocadoumplut_mic_c.jpg"> <img src="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/thumbs/avocadoumplut_mic_c.jpg" title="" width="90" /></a><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/big/lq_chappati_corectat.jpg"> <img src="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/thumbs/lq_chappati_corectat.jpg" title="" width="90" /></a><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/big/lq_kedgeree_corectat.jpg"> <img src="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/thumbs/lq_kedgeree_corectat.jpg" title="" width="90" /></a><br /><br />With Schatzi back, we'll continue on our culinary tour of Bucharest. Today we took the girls to Satya, a vegetarian restuarant located in a lovely restored villa. The food was tasty (lots of avocado), very filling (all those whole grains, you know), and it felt good to eat, too (no guilty conscience).<br /><br />Upstairs the villa has a reading room, where you can meditate, or as the girls did, run around and jump in the pillows and bean bags. So our time in the reading room was short.<br /><br />The girls also enjoyed taking the little quotes from the bowl out by the elephant statute and incense sticks in the foyer. Audrey brought me this wise saying from Buddha: Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the <em>truth</em>. When I asked her where she got it, she replied: "From the elephant, mommy."<br /><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/big/lq_kedgeree_corectat.jpg"> </a><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/big/lq_chappati_corectat.jpg"> </a><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/big/avocadoumplut_mic_c.jpg"> </a><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/poze_m__nc__-4764/big/lq_falafel_corectat.jpg"> </a><a class="photo-link" rel="one-big-group" href="http://www.satya.ro/images/morfeoshow/imagini_de_l-1713/big/casa_satya_21.jpg"> </a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-55044551483790186942010-02-26T10:25:00.000-08:002010-03-13T14:10:21.291-08:00Piano Lessons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgD-jlZpBGkCdLoc8aekjzll2AV2TOKz6dVL_7BnsdMznPKSGFHFo81C2a4Xo_1aao1Yw48lDRlITMTxCsWgQePmRV8kElVOdS8LOQR05Z0v0ZVmDfwLR8vHLOrVBPxig6dPjv5lMo_Pb2/s1600-h/DSC_9807.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgD-jlZpBGkCdLoc8aekjzll2AV2TOKz6dVL_7BnsdMznPKSGFHFo81C2a4Xo_1aao1Yw48lDRlITMTxCsWgQePmRV8kElVOdS8LOQR05Z0v0ZVmDfwLR8vHLOrVBPxig6dPjv5lMo_Pb2/s400/DSC_9807.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448241098730926386" border="0" /></a>Ava had her first piano lesson today at gradinita. I can't but help she'll love it, but, no pressure. Unlike her other classes, her piano instruction is in Romanian, which she is picking up very well. She puts together little sentences now, such as the other day when we were leaving gradinita, she said to a classmate, "Uite, pot deschide usa." (Look, I can open the door). It's so fun to watch the girls learning and growing.<br /><br />In summary, Ava's extra-curriculars are: tennis, karate, modern dance, singing with guitar accompaniment, French, German and now, piano. Phew! And we'll be adding swim lessons soon, too.<br /><br />Sometimes it just hits me, and this is one of those times: Isn't it random that we wound up in Bucharest, Romania?Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-44957593235189326742010-02-25T10:27:00.000-08:002010-03-13T11:56:18.138-08:00Welcome Home<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NhSuNwvBSJO_2DnkQjyeJ3b6YQDgOLnLE9zTmIjMrPpIfCwcITacaOwbFn-kB7S1jvRWtI7EYSR-NuU0cHFnenTFCyJXkYjsbOQWFrm60i_0bFGjAmCkK1D67OwbJe7b8dkq_FIn9J0L/s1600-h/DSC_9491.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NhSuNwvBSJO_2DnkQjyeJ3b6YQDgOLnLE9zTmIjMrPpIfCwcITacaOwbFn-kB7S1jvRWtI7EYSR-NuU0cHFnenTFCyJXkYjsbOQWFrm60i_0bFGjAmCkK1D67OwbJe7b8dkq_FIn9J0L/s400/DSC_9491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448205279268297154" border="0" /></a>Yeah! Daddy's home! The girls were at gradinita late today for a smashing birthday party (the second one this week), when lo and behold, guess who showed up at the end.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm2czA0cQ-Rfha5zy_ivx0bYgIHUVf7E5GnZWpjZfsLshx6rnSweC4sXqFGfVV2-rYv2v6miDXMIJqzAgOzy6e_lNSvX5UzQtmYf_B22IfBkNZHWrW_3cepmy0Ohc5aYnD8ktHvSpBwyM/s1600-h/DSC_9448.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm2czA0cQ-Rfha5zy_ivx0bYgIHUVf7E5GnZWpjZfsLshx6rnSweC4sXqFGfVV2-rYv2v6miDXMIJqzAgOzy6e_lNSvX5UzQtmYf_B22IfBkNZHWrW_3cepmy0Ohc5aYnD8ktHvSpBwyM/s400/DSC_9448.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448205263695245458" border="0" /></a>The puppet show at the birthday party was all about eating fruits and vegetables. Immediately following, they brought out the cake, cookies and juice.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTidBIdskHJ9dw1mKHdh9O-w8Lz7PjGy36Y6Kxhh5plP1wyyZklCeUGev54XsKiKfqNb38IiXTZ_96qYPphZMf3pDck4j-x6-vCa7Elcs1MlyihiG18o62eDkL7_XKtRU8tnNzK6cvv8r/s1600-h/DSC_9462.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTidBIdskHJ9dw1mKHdh9O-w8Lz7PjGy36Y6Kxhh5plP1wyyZklCeUGev54XsKiKfqNb38IiXTZ_96qYPphZMf3pDck4j-x6-vCa7Elcs1MlyihiG18o62eDkL7_XKtRU8tnNzK6cvv8r/s400/DSC_9462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448205267242020450" border="0" /></a>Charlotte didn't notice the incongruency.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrWCoHkXlob9HDY4ImzK_AY4nW_3I0vO9VwGToLWdyxM9e4mJ5n1a4LsqQnoo4gFbI6rd5DpI4piyn6WMoycDR04EAegkEa_T3ZrWJr8SuWgrruSgReLCOtFbaNzn7Wtx-SgGZP0TSWd_/s1600-h/DSC_9492.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrWCoHkXlob9HDY4ImzK_AY4nW_3I0vO9VwGToLWdyxM9e4mJ5n1a4LsqQnoo4gFbI6rd5DpI4piyn6WMoycDR04EAegkEa_T3ZrWJr8SuWgrruSgReLCOtFbaNzn7Wtx-SgGZP0TSWd_/s400/DSC_9492.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448207895512086098" border="0" /></a>Reunited.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr6d6TiB_J9meR1tItFB5UmbPULzBkEm9OuPFksrNt-BICNPwtRKT6m72_Dv3XrIz-VXk6nJyj_M-THhWUkbDlI4kn0TXaI72IxyiYW-ULXbm4aHh6qJyPBS4WTDO2nlfeIJN-dh5oE41/s1600-h/DSC_9355.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr6d6TiB_J9meR1tItFB5UmbPULzBkEm9OuPFksrNt-BICNPwtRKT6m72_Dv3XrIz-VXk6nJyj_M-THhWUkbDlI4kn0TXaI72IxyiYW-ULXbm4aHh6qJyPBS4WTDO2nlfeIJN-dh5oE41/s400/DSC_9355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448205256024536178" border="0" /></a>Daddy, I was a good girl while you were gone.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5945MMHVxY_FvCYCmbG6x9Iq3qA8MMYiVuE69IKIvCcPjmhRu9fKQvj6HZbwZiiuT2FxtQ8Jm93dPCrM8chjZc-pNKoONOhTK-c5YKabE8Pyo25Y046s2j3qYf5MYMGihL1pRVBc7Ada/s1600-h/DSC_9346.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5945MMHVxY_FvCYCmbG6x9Iq3qA8MMYiVuE69IKIvCcPjmhRu9fKQvj6HZbwZiiuT2FxtQ8Jm93dPCrM8chjZc-pNKoONOhTK-c5YKabE8Pyo25Y046s2j3qYf5MYMGihL1pRVBc7Ada/s400/DSC_9346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448205245706874818" border="0" /></a>We've been so good Daddy, what did you bring us?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP7vwldGDEwPnORQs77IpZUPhughIERWvQvuVwIEoPK4Gvp1CK6kUHvZ-zxzRofCRtJBD8H821j2zTZwAcPNRWp-jVVlezh1DmDaBSZByJWWEOzXspdWYJg3LDCLK6dPp9HdQSNjuITWU/s1600-h/DSC_9494.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizP7vwldGDEwPnORQs77IpZUPhughIERWvQvuVwIEoPK4Gvp1CK6kUHvZ-zxzRofCRtJBD8H821j2zTZwAcPNRWp-jVVlezh1DmDaBSZByJWWEOzXspdWYJg3LDCLK6dPp9HdQSNjuITWU/s400/DSC_9494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448207902614590834" border="0" /></a>Surveying the loot. The girls were so excited with their Christmas presents and goodies that Daddy brought back. Multumim! (Thanks!)<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2778334262676280362.post-41258042199492425592010-02-20T22:27:00.000-08:002010-03-11T14:12:05.294-08:00Meltdown of the Century<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIcElUNzG3SId18ObP8lcMHYV1x3CnZwlIH58XJ6AN8eRvNRqOkvERh1xdTGhxTtUMLG2YCiQ5epDt5ueF0I3413pRVXVBRFBgfIf-txeCFpqLFbIi_0LDEKcq9HyiWbjMlUzaA0hQJqJ/s1600-h/DSC_9323.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIcElUNzG3SId18ObP8lcMHYV1x3CnZwlIH58XJ6AN8eRvNRqOkvERh1xdTGhxTtUMLG2YCiQ5epDt5ueF0I3413pRVXVBRFBgfIf-txeCFpqLFbIi_0LDEKcq9HyiWbjMlUzaA0hQJqJ/s400/DSC_9323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447492040390892274" border="0" /></a>I had a very nice Saturday afternoon planned for the girls: lunch at McDonald's to be followed by playtime at the park (finally, sunshine!) and then the new show at the circus. Well, en route to McDonald's, Audrey decided she had different plans. As I parked the car, Audrey announced "I don't want to go to McDonald's. I'm tired. I just want to stay in the car and sleep." Yeah, right. I tried coaxing her out of the notion but she would have none of it, all the while Ava is whining about how HUNGRY she is, and can't we just go inside. Finally, I just had to wrestle Audrey out of the car and carry her, screaming, into McDonald's.<br /><br />I try to get in line to order, but Audrey is trying to run out the door and as I grab her, she flails her body to get loose, manages to kick off her rain boots and prostrate herself right smack in front of the door, blocking the patrons who are ready to leave. Meanwhile, Charlotte is having the time of her life as she heads over to climb the staircase (how many McDonald's have staircases?), and Ava continues her cries for food.<br /><br />Luckily, there are always lots of helpful folks who come to tend my children when I obviously cannot. "De ce plungi?" (Why are you crying?) Although the question is addressed to Audrey, the questioner is usually looking at me. (If I knew and could fix it, would she be crying?)<br /><br />I know that it is just a matter of time and this storm will blow over. So I let the Romanians try and figure her out while I grab Charlotte and place the order. A group of 20-somethings interrupted their lunch to snap photos of Audrey on the floor. Two of the young men even came over to our table once we were seated to check on Audrey.<br /><br />But the crowning moment was when the food was ready and the helpful employee carrying our tray also decided that she needed to hold Charlotte's hand (no one can resist Rockstar) and . . . you guessed it . . . dumped the tray with the drinks spilling all over the floor. Ava went into hysterics, fearing that she wouldn't get another apple juice (because when she spills at home she often doesn't). Somehow, I got them all seated in the back corner booth, where Audrey continued to cry, but with less force, and I consoled Ava that she would get a replacement juice.<br /><br />After Ava, Charlotte and I finished eating, Audrey decided she really did want a happy meal after all. See, storm over. We almost had a relapse though when we tried to order dessert and there was no chocolate soft serve. Out came Audrey's bottom lip and she started to stamp off, but I pointed out the chocolate muffins and she graciously decided that was a suitable alternative. <br /><br />Daddy, you missed a good one.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNCusMbTSnInf3IVruuJoNp9KSs9oDCMtJrVLTgafSjkkNo6CZ1ifcWc3voFlsOST42vJZzUsV9f0-TDaifmx0V0XLrT4eiirPhdXx0IwjH8IedTJIvYc2BhgfLDL8vzDk_p1YWV07A1U/s1600-h/DSC_9326.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNCusMbTSnInf3IVruuJoNp9KSs9oDCMtJrVLTgafSjkkNo6CZ1ifcWc3voFlsOST42vJZzUsV9f0-TDaifmx0V0XLrT4eiirPhdXx0IwjH8IedTJIvYc2BhgfLDL8vzDk_p1YWV07A1U/s400/DSC_9326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447492056486862146" border="0" /></a>Charlotte enjoying her lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2T2MWR2YCBf_cAW4vVmhTC4XnLJ65Kjn0LRv4BQ5-FbG8RamREYBqXPGIq-4KC6wAKlvB8lPz5AZdB7tVOi0u2v53qRllZ7e-o2lfZsc3g5oX5wHpB9YxybKSoEcdsenSgJRn90DjL_n/s1600-h/DSC_9332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2T2MWR2YCBf_cAW4vVmhTC4XnLJ65Kjn0LRv4BQ5-FbG8RamREYBqXPGIq-4KC6wAKlvB8lPz5AZdB7tVOi0u2v53qRllZ7e-o2lfZsc3g5oX5wHpB9YxybKSoEcdsenSgJRn90DjL_n/s400/DSC_9332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447492049810409682" border="0" /></a>At the park after McDonald's. The girls made a friend. I pulled them away from playing to walk over to the circus only to be informed by the box office attendants that the show wasn't starting for another month! (That would have been a really useful piece of information on the posters, huh?)<br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03841066493912950229noreply@blogger.com1