Life Lately: July Edition

In between our travels we have continued having fun around Bella Napoli.

We've spent many afternoons by the pool.  Herky prefers to have his own cushioned lounge chair (in the shade) next to mine. :) 

Emma had a blast at Lena's birthday celebration!

We had an impromptu beach morning with Gabriella and Francesca 

Emma lead fun and games in the blow-up pool with Francesca, Gabriella, James, and Virginia at the Camilleri-Leigh's house 

After Emma and I got our haircut (the first time since December!!!), we stopped by the Camilleri-Leigh's for coffee. When Gabriella saw Emma, she got herself and Francesca changed into matching outfits! 

Love these girls!

Silliness in the backseat driving to dinner

Sunday Funday with Boats and Renee

Tuesday night dinner and pool time with Sherri, Ron, and Renee

Emma giving Gabriella and Virginia swim lessons :)

Blogger has a new look and I think I can finally post video clips!

Emma, Camden, Jake, Charlie, John Wilson, and James practiced this 20 times before they got it! :)

Ron and Chris golfing

Gelato stop after dinner at Dom's 

Yes, Herky is still living his best life! 

Ladies' Weekend in Ischia

We decided a little girls' getaway was needed this summer and Maddalena's birthday weekend seemed like the perfect occasion!  We hopped in a water taxi Friday morning and cruised over to Ischia.

Our island home for the weekend was absolutely perfect!

Delicious seafood lunch on Friday afternoon

Pool time!

The birthday girl

 Cheers to these fabulous friends!

We spent Saturday afternoon at Negombo Thermal Spa

Saturday's dinner

We had the best time hanging out by the pool all day Sunday

Ready for our last dinner out

Summer Tuscan Trip

Oh Tuscany, how we have missed you!!!  Chris is the only family member who has visited in the summer and this weekend was the perfect opportunity for us all to check it out.

Pool with a view of Montepulciano in the distance

Evening wine tour of our home for the weekend: Manvi

We are so happy we got to bring Renee on her first ever Montepulciano trip!

L-O-V-E this guy!

Renee captured a perfect picture of our evening...

Ready to head out for some fun on Friday morning

Wine tasting at Avignonesi

Photo ops in the vineyards

Lunch in Cortona 

Afternoon wine tasting at Gabriele Mazzeschi

Saturday morning started with a climb to the top of the tower in Montepulciano 

Well, they climbed...

I stayed down below and took a picture of them when they got to the top

Back down the winding stairs

Photo stops as we walked around town

Wine tasting at De Ricci 

9 years ago today, the kids and I arrived in Italy!  

Thank you for always taking such great care of us at De Ricci!

Finding a field of sunflowers to take pictures in was a MUST for this trip!

Dinner at Baracchi in Cortona

Enjoying an after dinner stroll around town