Monday, April 30, 2012

A walk through Bologna

When we started singing the first few hymns at church on Sunday I started crying. The tears just kept coming and Tyson leaned over to ask if I was ok. I told him this was the first time that it has really hit me hard that we are leaving in just 4 1/2 weeks. And I was sad. I couldn't help but think of everything  and everyone that I am going to truly miss in Bologna. We've made this adventure ours and we have filled it with so many great memories. I made this video awhile back as a way to remember the sites we saw daily in Bologna. Every time I watch it, I get very emotional. It's hard to believe that our time is coming to an end here so quickly. I'm excited for what is coming in our future and I know Bologna will always have a little part of my heart.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Taryn & Tyson's daddy daughter date






She was so excited to be on a date with her Daddy. I love that these two get to spend extra good quality time together during the week. She is a Daddy's girl.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Verona, Italy

























 Verona was absolutely beautiful. We took a day trip to there- just the moms and the babes -on Thursday and I couldn't stop looking up at all the beautiful balconies and the ivy gently hanging down, the planters filled with yellow and red flowers and the unique window shutters all along the way.

Julie was a great tour guide and showed us some of her old stomping grounds from 12 years ago when she served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Being able to go with someone who knows the area and has many memories tied with it is always so much fun! You get to hear interesting stories that bring back floods of memories for another person. I think it's the best way to see a new place! (Thanks Julie!)

We walked the cobblestone roads, toured around the Arena which took me back to my memories of Rome, saw the famous Juliet balcony & courtyard, saw breathtaking views of the city hill sides, and saw & heard the rushing waters of the Po River. It was a lovely day out with the girls.

Traveling with three kids under two and an awesome 6 year old was really fun. It's great to have lots of helpful mothers by your side. Our kids are fun, adventurous, curious, and full or personality. I love that Taryn knows these two ladies so well and is happy to be around them and their kids too.

Being able to eat pizza and ice cream with your girl friends is always a favorite past time of mine. 



Side story-
While one mom was in the bathroom and the other was breastfeeding, I was playing with three of the kids, trying to keep them close, having some fun along the way, and getting all of our wiggles out.  On one of my turns of "I'm gonna get you" as the three kids scatter away laughing, I fell. Hard. My feet slipped right out from under me and I landed on my right side. My hip felt like it had shattered and my arm was dead. I was so embarrassed as I sat on the marble, laughing but wanting to cry at the same time. Aaron walked up to me, saw my leg scratched and said "Ouch!" That's just how I felt. Julie was so nice and kept asking if I was ok, knowing that I had really hurt myself. But I had to jump up and catch one of the kids who had kept running down the long covered walk way. Every step killed. I got home with a bruised hand, hip/thigh, knee, and my entire arm brusied and sore -it felt like I'd had 5 shots put in my arm- completely dead and sore to the touch. I had my first "I am getting old" moment as I lay awake at night trying to go to sleep but just couldn't because my body felt thrashed. I have always been afraid of turning 25 because that has always been the magic "old" number to me. After this fall, I realized that I need to be careful and that what happens to me now, could really affect me later in life if I am not more careful. Ibuprofen has been a good friend.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Taryn at the SAIS Bologna Center Campus part 3

From Tyson's left- Ben, Ashley, Judit, Nancy, Francesco
Here's Taryn, hoping that whatever Francesco pulls out of his backpack is a computer!

I came out of class the other week to find Taryn loving different SAIS students and their stuff as a little circle had formed around her. A bag that makes cool noises when you shake it, a backpack that just might contain a water bottle or better yet, a computer, and lots of hands to "Batti cinque." Some days she can find a student friend who will blow bubbles with her and other days she runs around in the lobby, finding people as she turns corners. 
She's a fun one!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Time together












Playing with bubbles at the park
A library date with Daddy
Coming home to these two watching a movie in a blanket fort

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Basilica di San Marco and pigeons video

Basilica di San Marco and pigeons

*See video above

In Vencie, Taryn wanted to dance and chase the pigeons when we took a little break in front of the Basilica di San Marco. She would run, and then stop to shake her little booty for a minute. She cracks me up.

I freaked out when the pigeons got to close to me when I was filming (it's when I say "Tyson! Tyson!") 3 years ago I was hit in the face by a flying pigeon in San Marco's square. Ever since then, pigeons have had it out for me knowing that I am terrified of them :)

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Precious moments

During our Spring Break we were riding the train home to Bologna and Taryn curled up in my arms and closed her eyes. I wanted to hold her forever and cherish that moment because it had been so long since she has fallen asleep in my arms but sadly, our stop came up just a few moments later and she woke up. She is always on the go and I feel like those little moments where she sits in my lap or lets me cuddle with her before bed time are so precious. One day this past week, we laid back on the bed, Taryn wrapped in my arm, and read a book until we both fell asleep.


 Little TarBear has got a lot of personality. She is a fun one who loves to be happy, jump on the bed, and give tons of hugs and kisses. She likes to scream which isn't always fun, and we always know when she is tired or mad because she plays with her hair on the top of her head. She likes to blow spit bubbles and dance with her bum sticking out.



New words she can say
Cracker
Duck
thanks
please (psss)
soft
outside
eyes

Sounds she makes
Duck- quack
elephant- raises her hand up like an elephant trunk and makes the sound
giraffe- moves her tongue (not really a sound but can you tell me what a giraffe sounds like?)
Kitty- meow
Dog- rruff

Actions
"Buona"
 It's was the italians do when something tastes really really good. They put their index finger to their check and twist their finger back and forth, mainly for sweets but it can be for anything that tastes good. She did this in the Majani Chocolate shop when the store clerk handed her a jelly candy.
"Ciao"
to everyone! The old & the young. Maybe she senses when people need a little cheering up :) I love to watch the big smiles that come from people who are so surprised at Taryn waving "Ciao." It even makes my day!

Friday, April 20, 2012

A Tour of Italy- Day 7 & 8



Ken and Janette spent their 7th day in Milan seeing the Last Supper, Galleria di Vittorio Emmanuel II, Castello Sforzesco, and eating panzerotti while Tyson headed back to class and I attended my Italian language course. We ate our last meal together before they headed to the Bologna airport bright and early on day 8. Taryn played her hugging game with Ken and Janette after dinner was done and we walked back to our apartment. We know it took a lot of planning to be able to leave 5 kids at home in AZ! We were so happy to have them here with us and to be able to show them a glimspe into our lives here in Italy! We love you Janette & Ken! Thank you so much for coming to visit!

A Tour of Italy- Day 6 Venice


 
At this point, I was trying to catch my breath, I was so excited about this beautiful city! 


Riding down the Grand Canal (Me, Tys, and Ken)


 

 Basilica di San Marco had amazing mosaics and I couldn't get over my love for the floor (pictured above) It was gorgeous! Taryn loved running after the pigeons and dancing to the music from the band in Piazza.
 



Ponte dei Sospiri- where prisoners took their last look outside before they were executed.





So many vendors to see!




The twists and turns of the small walk ways. I was NOT in charge of the map this day. That would have been bad :)




Yes, she can feed herself gelato. We have taught her well








Ponte Rialto 





Murano glass sculpture


 Venice took my breath away again. It's the water, the boats, the shining sun, and the huge smile that was on Tyson's face as we rode done the Grand Canal.


What we saw:
Basilica di San Marco
The Island of Murano home of the famous glass works
"Ponte dei Sospiri" or "Bridge of Sighs"
Grand Canal

We ate gelato at Mille Voglie which Fordor's listed as a great place to get gelato in Venice. The portion size was HUGE and the price was great. 

We loved our vaporetto rides through Venice (the 24 hour pass was awesome!). We got on one to get to San Marco and then jumped on other to make it to Mille Voglie for lunch, and back on another vaporetto to the Murano Island. You get to see so much of Venice and still get to walk the streets as you go to and from your destinations. It's been so long since we have been near a large body of water- Tyson and I were so happy!

I would go back to Venice in a heart beat and spend another day or two there. I loved that unique city!