Italy Trip 2013 (Part 1 of 4): Avventure e Famiglia

We just returned from nine days in Italy...where we had many adventures and saw lots of family!!  It had been 3.5 years since our last visit...when Sammy was just 9 months old!

September 2009

Tony's grandfather will be 95 this year and we really wanted him to see how much Sammy has grown and to meet Brie, especially since she's named after his wife Gabriella who passed away in 2004.  There are also dozens of other relatives of Tony's in Italy that we wanted to reconnect with...it was time!

Even though Tony and I lost a bit of sleep as we planned the trip logistics and dreaded the long-distance travel with the kids, Sammy and Brie were VERY excited about the trip...especially all the modes of transportation we took: the bus (shuttle from long-term parking), train (airport tram) and both planes that got us to Italy!  All in all, the kids did extremely well on our way overseas...and it didn't hurt that Alitalia served "macaroni and cheese" for dinner!

Getting buckled in on the plane. (This shot was followed by a very sad Brie who learned she had to sit in a car seat, even though big brother Sammy did not.)

After landing at the Rome Airport, we met up with Tony's parents and rented a minivan to drive down the coast to Tony's grandfather's town of Formia. The best part is that it was a beautiful day and the scenery on the drive down makes the two hours very worthwhile. I took this shot from inside the car!

The beautiful Mediterranean coastline...

Our first stop was Tony's grandfather's apartment, so he could meet the kids (and we could all eat lunch)!  You never know how your 4- and 2.5-year-old children will react to meeting their 94-year-old great-grandfather who doesn't speak any English, but we were delighted to discover that Sammy and Brie liked him immediately.  Here's Sammy chatting away with Bisnonno ("Great Grandpa")...wonder what they're talking about!

"I'm so happy to see you in person after all that Skyping, Bisnonno!"

During the week, we visited Bisnonno countless times. He and Tony have a pretty solid rivalry going in Scopa and Briscola (two Neapolitan card games); despite being 94 years old and having some minor vision problems, it took three days before Tony beat Bisnonno!

Bisnonno with his poker face.

Goofing off and having fun with Bisnonno.

Two handsome guys.

Brie next to a picture of her namesake Nonna Gabriella.

We stayed at a sweet, little villa for the week. It was across the street from the beach: here's our view from the living room and walk-out terrace!

We had sunshine for 8.5 out of the 9 days we were in Italy, so we took advantage of the perfect weather!

Down the street was a seaside playground that the kids enjoyed every day.

View from the playground/boardwalk

Another big draw? The playground had a "Formula Uno" racetrack that Sammy became obsessed with. These little go-karts brought out a side of our son we had never seen before. In an instant, he became "Take No Prisoners" Sammy! Check out the video below where he laps Nonno and Brie!

 Brie piloting a helicopter.

The kids did not miss a single opportunity to enjoy gelato and, by the end of the week, were eagerly anticipating their daily ice cream fix when 4 p.m. rolled around.

Sammy's signature face during the trip.

Gelato in Gaeta (the town over from Formia)...where Nonna used to live!

We also went out for coffee (and more ice cream) on many occasions. Here we are at a cafe with Bisnonno and Tony's aunt (Ciro's sister) Carmela.  

 Did I mention we ate EXTREMELY well in Italy??  Here are the kids digging into some tasty pizza...

 followed by ice cream sundaes!

One afternoon, we drove to the base of Monte Cassino for lunch with old family friends from D.C. who moved back to Italy two years ago.

Nonna, Tony, Brie, Sammy, Francesca and Paolo Janni and me

Our Saturday lunch was extra special. Maria and Ciro hosted Bisnonno, Zia Carmela and nearly all of the extended family in Rome for an outdoor lunch.  It was tons of fun and DELICIOUS.

Arianna played violin for us! She's a member of a youth symphony in Rome.

Cousins Luigi, Tony, Andrea, Cinzia and Arianna

Sisters Maria and Carmela, Maria and Bisnonno

Our "last supper" was on May 19, our 11th wedding anniversary. We went to small family-owned vineyard with Maria's brother Enzo (Tony's uncle) and his wife Rosita for lunch.  One of the owners is a coworker of Enzo and Rosita's, which is why we were so lucky to be included at this little-known gem in Formia.

We ate fresh pizza, pasta, seafood and even cake (in honor of our anniversary, Tony's birthday and Enzo's birthday)!

Tony, Bisnonno and Enzo

Here are the four of us in the "backyard" of the restaurant. There was a playground! You can tell that we're at the base of the Formia mountains; the views were fabulous.

A lot has changed in 3.5 years. Here are the four generations in 2009:

Four generations: Nonna, Sammy, Bisnonno and Tony

And here are the four generations in 2013:

Four generations: Tony, Bisnonno, Brie, Nonna and Sammy

Some things never change, though, including how important family is...and how special this trip was for all of us, especially Sammy, Brie and Bisnonno--who was incredibly touched that we made the effort to visit. What an amazing trip for all of us...with so many happy memories!