Saturday, April 25, 2009

WHat's that noise....







I was at home about noon and suddenly heard a bunch of goats!!!!!! I couldnt imagine what it was...looked out the window and there was a sheep herder taking his flock up the road! Only in Europe......the Old COuntry ( and I dont mean Busch Gardens)

FLORENCE/PISA




Santa Croce in Florence-MediciChapel, tombs of Michelanglo and Galileo
Our hotel in Florence Villa de'SUll Arno!


Tuscan Hillside


PISA

Pizza and Tuscany's finest..

Luke at Michelangelo's tomb




Thursday, April 2, 2009

GERRI

Our cat, Gerri passed away on Tuesday. We actually had to put her dwon. SHe had heart problems and she had stopped eating. We were taking her in for cortisone shots and to have fluid pulled out every few weeks. It was time. We think she was 16--Chris had her before we ever met and she has been with us all these years--moving and flying all over the world. When the kids were young she hid a lot and she always had her own space, but when it was quiet-she loved to come out and cuddle. In Bahrain, she would spend hours laying with Luke as he read. In Germany she seemed to really enjoy the house and spent much more time with all of us. When she got sick, Layne started including her in all her drawings. The past 2 days Layne has made about 25 drawings of her and Gerri- at the park, swimming in the pool, sleeping, swinging--so cute. Her teacher brought them to me today to show me. Im going to keep them for her. Here are a few:

The top picture is of Layne swimming with her swim goggles and carrying Gerri in a basket ( check out the fish!)THis picture is of Gerri sleeping in her doll bed; then Layne and Gerri on a picnic. The last frame shows someone in a wheel chair ( she has a thing for people in wheelchairs.) Its amazing how kids process things. Im so glad she can express so well. SHe has drawn many of an Angel kitty with a halo and wings. SHe told her teacher that Gerri is in her heart in spirit. Love it.

Layne is 6!

Layne blowing out the candles on her birthday cake-she made it herself! Super Moist Vegan Chocolate...she did a great job!
Layne grew "cress" at school- here she is having some on bread
Layne and her best friend Iliiana ( who lives in Frankfurt but has been her best friend since Bahrain!)