July 2025

We had so many new adventures in July! We went on a road trip to Graeagle for the 4th of July to see Andy's grandparents. Emilia did amazing in the car and had so much fun meeting great-grandparents, aunts, and uncles. They do a fun show for the 4th and she slept through the fireworks!

Tante avventure nuove a luglio! Siamo andati in macchina a Graeagle per il 4 di luglio a trovare i nonni di Andy. L'Emilia era bravissima in macchina e ha conosciuto tutti i bis-nonni, zii, e cugini. Quando era tempo per i fuochi d'artificio, ha dormito!

Emilia spent lots of time at the zoo, getting free 7-11 Slurpee's on July 11, lots of pool time, going to her first Padres game, and watching the Symphony rehearsal at the Rady Shell. She's such a joy to be around and is more and more interactive. 

Emilia ha passato molto tempo a lo zoo, prendendo uno Slurpee, in piscina, e andata a la sua prima partita di beisbol, e il suo primo concerto. 

Emilia, San Diego, Summer, Zoo

July 2024 - Graeagle

Once returned from Europe, we hit the ground running with work. I went and set up my classroom and started learning new parts about my job.

Quando siamo tornati, eravamo sempre di corsa. Io sono andata a scuola per mettere tutto in ordine e ho cominciato il lavoro nuovo. 

We headed up to Graeagle for a weekend for Andy's grandfather's 95th birthday! We hadn't been up in a few years and it was so nice to see family and spend time there. We hope we can go back again soon! 

Siamo andati a Graeagle per un weekend per celebrare il 95 compleanno del nonno di Andy. Erano un paio d'anni che non andavamo su e ci siamo divertiti molto. Speriamo di tornare presto! 

Mill Pond swimming

We had time to spare as we headed back to the airport so we stopped by a creek and cooled off in the water. It was so relaxing. 

Avevamo tempo prima di tornare in aeroporto. Ci siamo fermati per strada per andare a nuotare nel fiume. 

Summer

July 2024 - Prague

After Vienna, we jumped on the train and headed to Prague. We stayed at the Dancing House Hotel and had one of the suites. It was cool, but weird to have so many people taking pictures of your hotel. 

Dopo Vienna, siamo andati a Praga. Siamo stati in un albergo che e' famoso per come' fatto. Era strano essendo in un posto dove tutti vengono per fare le foto. 

Prague's weather, albeit cloudy, was a welcome reprieve from the heat we had experienced in Venice and Vienna. We spent our days wandering around with no real agenda. It was lovely. We did make it up to the castle and toured that one morning. 

Il tempo a Praga era molto piu' fresco che non Vienna o Venezia. Abbiamo passato le giornate camminando ovunque. Una mattina, siamo andati al castello. 

We also went to the Petrin Observation tower which had beautiful 360 degree views of the city. Later that afternoon, we did a Beer Spa. It was such a fun and unique experience and I truly do recommend it if you are in Prague!

Siamo anche andati a la Petrin Observation tower che aveva una vista di tutta la citta'. Nel pomeriggio, siamo andati a la Beer Spa. Era un'esperienza unica e siamo stati molto contenti di esserci andati. 

Europe, Summer, Travel

June 2024 - Vienna

From Venice, we took the train to Vienna. The train ride was a welcome break in our travels to just sit and relax. The weather was great so we were able to see darling little villages along the way. 

Da Venezia, siamo andati in treno a Vienna. Abbiamo goduto il giro in treno perche' ci siamo riposati. C'era bello e siamo riusciti a vedere tanti paesi. 

We stayed at the Hotel Wandl which was right around the corner from St. Stephen's. The hotel and location were truly perfect and central to everything. We toured the Albertina museum which was lovely. We also ate lots of schnitzel!

Siamo stati a l'Hotel Wandl che era proprio in centro. L'albergo era perfetto e vicino a tutto. Siamo andati a l'Albertina per vedere un paio di mostre. E abbiamo mangiato tanto schnitzel!

We also toured Schonbrunn Palace which I loved. The grounds are so expansive and beautiful, we had a lovely time wandering around.

Siamo andati a Schonbrunn che era bellissimo! I giardini sono cosi' enormi ci siamo persi a camminare e vedere tutto. 

No trip to Vienna would be complete without Sacher torte, apple strudel, and more schnitzel! We went to Cafe Central for the sacher and strudel and it was delicious! On the recommendation of Andy's family, Figlmuller for schnitzel which was exceptional! 

Non si puo andare a Vienna e non mangiare la sacher o lo strudel. Siamo andati al Cafe Central per i dolci e poi Figlmuller per schnitzel. 

Summer, Vienna

June 2024 - Bratislava

While in Vienna, we saw that you can take a quick day trip to Bratislava, so we checked off another country! Bratislava was such a cute little town, but SO hot the day we went! We did a short walking tour and then had the majority of the day to explore on our own. We had lunch at Slovak Pub, which was delicious, but so filling.

In tanto che eravamo a Vienna, abbiamo visto che si puo andare a Bratislava in giornata. Era molto carina, pero' c'era MOLTO caldo! Abbiamo fatto un giro guidato a piedi e poi siamo andati in giro da soli. Abbiamo mangiato al Slovak Pub che era buono, pero' molto pesante!

We headed up the hill to Bratislava Castle and then stopped for some lemonade at a darling pub on the way back. We took a boat along the Danube back to Vienna.

Siamo andati a visitare il castello di Bratislava e poi ci siamo fermati per una limonata per strada perche' c'era troppo caldo! Siamo tornati a Vienna sul Danubbio (che non era blu).

Europe, Summer

June 2024 - Venice

After Parma, we headed to Venice. We stayed right around the corner from the train station at Hotel Abbazia and it was absolutely perfect. It was SO HOT, but we managed to find ways to stay cool. When we arrived, we dropped our bags and headed to Murano and Burano. 

Dopo Parma, siamo andati a Venezia. Siamo stati proprio difianco a la stazione, pero' era perfetto. C'era molto caldo, ma abbiamo trovato cose da fare per stare al fresco. Appena arrivati, siamo andati a Murano e Burano.

One night we stumbled upon a restaurant where we had one of our favorite meals of the entire trip. We stayed so long that the chef even came out to chat with us after dinner. Such amazing food!

Una sera siamo capitati in un ristorante dove abbiamo mangiato uno de le cena piu' buone del viaggio. Siamo stati cosi bene che eravamo l'ultimi ad andare via ed e venuto fuori lo chef per fare due chiacchere. 

Italy, Summer, Venice

June 2024 - Parma

The end of the school year was a blur. I made the decision to go to a new school for next year to seek out a new position as a Special Education teacher. I'll be working with students who have academic challenges on specific goals. While working, I'll be taking classes to get my special education credential. This meant that the end of the school year, I was packing up my old classroom and space and had to move it to a new school. Before I knew it, it was time to begin my European summer vacation! 

L'ultime settimana di scuola erano pesanti. Ho cambiato scuola e lavoro. Sono sempre ne lo stesso ditretto, pero' in una scuola diversa. Adesso lavorero' con bambini che hanno bisogno di piu' aiuto. Nel frattempo, prendo un'altra licenza per insegnare bambini con special needs. Allora a la fine de la scuola, ho impacchettato tutto e spostato tutto ne la scuola nuova. E poi, era tempo per partire per le mie vacanze Europea! 

First stop was Parma for a week before Andy arrived. I spent time with the family eating amazing pizza and gelato and going to the pool.

Prima tappa era Parma per una settimana prima che arrivasse Andy. Ho passato tempo con la familia mangiando pizza e gelato e andando in piscina. 

When Andy arrived, we went to tour a Lambrusco vineyard that has SUCH delicious wines! We also headed to Monterosso, but it was pouring rain, so we didn't manage to stay very long. 

Quando e' arrivato Andy, siamo andati a vistare Rinaldini, che e' una cantina dove fanno Lambrusco. Siamo anche andati a Monterosso, pero' diluviava, allora non ci siamo fermati tanto.

Beach, Europe, Food, Italy, Parma, Summer, Travel

June 2022 - Italy!

 Italy! It had been over 2 years since I had been able to go and I was so beyond grateful that my work schedule gives me time off in the summer. Despite the heat and humidity, it is always one of my highlights. This year being extra special because we got to start planning the wedding and celebrating.

Italia! Era piu' di 2 anni che non andavo in Italia. Sono cosi' fortunata che il calendario del lavoro mi da le ferie in estate per andare in Italia. Anche se c'era molto caldo e umidita', e' sempre un viaggio troppo corto. Quest'anno ancora piu' speciale perche' abbiamo cominciato a preparare e celebrare il matrimonio!

Rooftops of Fidenza

Two days after I arrived, I went to the beach for a weekend with my cousin Novella and her two littles Giorgio and Cecilia. Last time we went to the beach, they were pretty timid and shy in the water, now they are fish and couldn't get enough! I was so proud of them! 

Due giorni dopo il mio arrivo, sono andata al mare con la Novella, Giorgio, e la Cecilia. L'ultima volta che siamo andati al mare, erano abbastanza timorosi nell'acqua. Adesso, sono praticamente pesci! 

From the hotel balcony

Piadina!

My aunt and uncle took me to explore the darling mountain town of Corchia. It was such relief from the hot weather in Parma, you almost needed a sweater! The little town itself is the most darling place I've seen. On the narrow road to Corchia, there is a small trattoria that is known for its mushroom dishes. It did not disappoint and I have never had mushroom in so many different ways. 

Una domenica, sono andata a visitare il paese di Corchia. C'era molto piu' fresco che non a Parma! Non c'ero mai stata, pero' adesso c'andrei ancora perche' e' troppo carino come posto. Ci siamo fermati per mangiare I funghi e non ho mai mangiato cosi' tanti funghi preparati in maniere diversi. Merita davvero!

Classic Parma Pictures...

Foto classiche di Parma...

We took the kids to my favorite pool near Parma, Il Molinazzo. They have so many pools and space, it's truly very relaxing. 

Abbiamo portato I bimbi in piscina al Molinazzo. Hanno tante piscine e un'area molto grande - c'e' qualcosa per tutti!

View isn't bad either

Sunflower fields by Novella's house

Dinner with Elena and Paola

Alessandro turned 6!

I made my way through multiple theme parks in Italy this year. This time, we went to a water park with some crazy fast slides. I hadn't been on a true water slide in a while, and this one was pretty awesome. 

Sono andata in tanti parchi quest'anno! Questa volta in un acqua park con dei scivoli spaventosi dove mi sono divertita tanto.

I also went to Gardaland (like Disneyland, but smaller) with Elena, Emanuele, Ale, and Leo. This was pretty fun and we went on some neat rides. 

Sono anche andata a Gardaland con l'Elena, Emanuele, Ale, e Leo. Ci siamo divertiti molto e c'erano de le giostre molto belle. 

You can even see Lake Garda from one of the rides!

My final night in Italy, we went to eat one of my favorite meals, torta fritta. The spot was darling and it was the perfect ending to such a wonderful vacation.

L'ultima sera, siamo andati a mangiare la torta fritta. Il posto era molto carino ed era la cena perfetta per completare la mia vacanza.

And now, I get to show everyone around San Diego in March when they come for the wedding - I can't wait!

Adesso, tutti verrano qua a Marzo per il matrimonio. Non vedo l'ora di portarli in giro a San Diego! 

Beach, Europe, Italy, Parma, Summer, Vacation