Finally a moment where my energy has outpaced the family and I can write. The gang is having a siesta now. We have found this to be most important in Italy since most restaurants don't open till 8pm for dinner.

Where did we leave off? Ahhhh way back in France on our exodus from Spain. After a night in Perpignion we made it to Josh's friend in the south of France in Toulan. We had a wonderful chance to hang out with friends and make others. This is where the kids discovered the Mediterranean. What a treat, accessible, safe, warm sea water. A couple weeks latter and we still can't get over it.

From Toulan we drove a rainy day to Vernaza (the town where Josh and I married) in Italy. It was a treat to show the children the church where we got married, hike to neighboring towns, boat, dinner with Il Priete and just be in a very magical place. On first arrival Angelo couldn't believe how the kids of the town could play around town with ought their parents. By the end they were feeling the liberty's of Italy and racing around town independently.

After Vernazza we decided to head to Vasto (a city on the adriatic coast where my Grandmother's family is from). We made a couple day stop at a farm outside of Montepulciano and enjoyed the Tuscan countryside, wine, and hot springs. A short day drive and we made it to Vasto. We figured we needed to sit still for a while, organize ourselves and take a vacation from traveling. This may seem like a funny idea but being a homeless vagabond with three young children carries with it an intensity. Our high moments are so high and our low are so low. One minute where getting carjacked and the next watching a beautiful fireworks display. We have experienced so much I think we all needed a break. Thus Vasto for three weeks.

I think we are all getting introspective at this point about what this trip means. Apollonia mentioned that her friends must be wondering who she will be when she goes home. I asked her what she meant and she thought for a while before answering, "Like now I am kinda French". "French?!" "Yeah, I'm the type of kid that wears bikini bottoms with ought the top." For me I know that European kids start school the middle of September and I would like to figure out where we will stay. Josh has just started the Job hunt but all of Europe it seems is on Vacation for the month of August. We'll see what happens but employment aside if we all had our druthers a year in Italy sounds pretty good.

The eight O'Clock church bell has rung and the kids are up from siesta so it is time to sign of for now. More sooner than latter... I promise. Four stops in three brief paragraphs is silliness. Thinking of you all at home.