Italy - Part 3

Things have been a little crazy here since we have gotten back from Italy.  We got back Friday night and Monday morning we found out that we the kids and I will be moving back to the United States on April 2.  With only 2 weeks notice, we have been frantically trying to get things in order.  Now, instead of getting things ready while the kids nap, I am updating our blog.  Below are some pictures from the second part of our week long trip to Italy.  We are so thankful we were able to take that trip, especially now that we are headed home to Texas.  Italy is heaven on earth.  Ryan had never been before and now he can't stop talking about the food, people, beautiful countryside.  We will definitely be back!  Enjoy our photos!

Beautiful girl waiting for the train to Viareggio - we gave it another try and the train station was empty.  We had a car all to ourselves!

The train's over there momma!

Momma and her boy

Linc loved the train

Lili studying Italian for our trip

Italian transportation.  The Vespa is made in Italy.

Just taking a nap in the middle of the street

This is how we did laundry on our trip.  No dryer.

Punta del Diablo.  So breathtaking.

View from the bridge (Punta)

Steps to a beautiful church in Barga.  Linc climbed all of them by himself!

The Perrys at the top of the steps

Linc and Daddy

Lili and Momma

Linc playing in the church

Lunch at Cafe GiGi after our trip to Barga.  This was the best pasta I had on my entire trip!

We had the best dinner at Buca di San Antonio in Lucca

Beans

Delicious dinner

Restaurant

View from a tower that both Ryan and I climbed with trees growing on top of it.

This is the tower.  You can see the trees way up at the top.

Cutest twins in Italy!

Lili and Momma

Linc chasing the birds

More carousel  rides

Daddy and Linc

Lunch at Trattoria Leo

Leaning tower of Pisa with a little added lean from the camera!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day from our family to yours!  Below are some pics from our St. Patty's day here in Holland.  They don't celebrate here, but we made it a big deal at our house!  Green cocktails, green beer and Shepherd's Pie!  A little Leprechaun even stopped by for a visit!  Enjoy our photos from the day!

Lili and Linc's first Leprechaun sighting!

Green cocktail

Ryan's new toy

First time grilling on the tiniest grill in Tex...er...Den Haag

What will later becomed Shepherd's Pie baby!

Italy - Due

Days two and three in Italy have been better than the first.  The weather is getting even better, with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60's during the days.  We couldn't ask for anything more after living in constant overcast and cold for 2 plus months!  We have been wandering around the town of Lucca and today we planned on going to the beach, a 20 minute train ride away.  We bought our tickets for 6 euros and waited for the train.  I have never seen so many teenage Italians in my life as I saw at the train station this morning.  I felt like I was on a blown up version of MTV's the Jersey Shore.  I fit in even though I am a 34 year old, as I was wearing my skinny jeans, tennis shoes, and giant sun glasses.  When the train arrived, we quickly decided against getting on as there was standing room only, and definitely no room for a stroller for twins.  There were Italian teenagers hanging out the sides and looking very excited about the adventures that were upon them.  We decided that it was worth the 6 euros for the kids to see the trains and the teenagers and we turned around and went back into Lucca and planned a taxi ride to the beach for tommorrow.  No more trains from Lucca for this Perry family of 4, at least until the twins aren't in a stroller.  Please enjoy the photos of the past few days in Lucca!

The twins are loving their bicycles

A great playground we found where the kids had to really work to get to the slide!

Momma and Lili

Lili just a "hangin'"

Linc just a "squatin'"

Daddy and his boo

One of the many delicious restaurant where we have dined

How sweet is this?

Momma's booboo!

Thank goodness she likes pasta!

Thank goodness he likes pasta!

Thank goodness HE likes pasta!

Look at that sweet face!

Taken after our bust at the train station

Found while searching for snacks

 

Linc found a friend while we had lunch

Linc relaxed while we had lunch

Pizza and Ryan's giant calzone!

Delicious pasta for the bambinos!

Italy

We are finally in Italy!  We arrived late last night after an evening flight that didn't even take off until after the twins' bed time.  We took a train from Den Haag to the Amsterdam airport and then a plane to Pisa where a car took us to our apartment that we are renting for a week in the heart of a lovely town in Tuscany called Lucca.  The trip here was, of course, stressful with two 2 year olds, but the fits were minimal and the kids are getting somewhat better about listening for the most part.  We are so happy to be here and we could not be more excited about the delicious food that we are eating!  Things like momma getting shat on by a bird and crashing her bike and falling on her head (thank goodness Linc had a helmet on) are overshadowed by the great pleasure that the food and culture that this grand country is bringing to us every waking moment!  More to come over the next week!

Watching the airplanes

Breakfast locale

Ryan had 5 of these plus two coffees at breakfast

The walls that surround the town of Lucca, Italy

Natalie's Lunch = Gnocchi = Delish

Ryan's lunch = Lasagne = Perfection

Lili riding the carousel in one of Lucca's many squares

We rented bicycles for the week

Lili is ready to ride

The kids did not want to take their helmets off when we go home.  This was after they had a bath, so they put them BACK on!

While we were waiting for Daddy to bring home dinner we heard a commotion outside.  There was some sort of march or protest going on and a lady was chanting something over and over again on a megaphone and people were carrying candles and wearing signs.  There were hundreds of people walking down our street in a single file line.  It was pretty neat to watch from the apartment.

Lately in the Hague

The past week has been pretty uneventful other than Ryan's arrival home from India.  He did take some photos and I am waiting for him to tell me about them.  After I get the details, I will post them on our blog.  We planned a trip to Italy which we leave for this Friday and we can't wait to share our photos and experiences from this trip!  We will be staying in a small town called Lucca in Tuscany.  We plan on eating lots of great food and enjoying some nice family time.  Enjoy some photos below of the past week of the kids here in The Hague.

Linc thinks that these very attractive plants are "HOT"

On one of our daily walks down our street, Lili decided to stop at every tree and give it a treatment with her new stick.

Both Linc and Lili have had to learn not to go into people's gardens.  They have decided if they can't go in, then they will simply shut each gate that they see.

Lili and her friend Noa at a play date at the park

Lili watching some men work on a house while she eats a muffin.  Oh the things that can thrill a 2 year old!

Taking a stroll down our street

Playing at the park

Linc loving the slide

Lili loving the slide

Linc and Lili toasting to their meal

Real men wear pink!

A very popular breakfast treat here in Holland: sprinkles!

Breakfast