Cheese in Parma

The goal of our trip to Italy was to see nothing of tourist interest and to eat like Kings. We did. First few nights we stayed at a Parmesean Cheese Farm (the farm has cows, they use the milk to make the cheese in the barn next door). It was really interesting to see how they made it and to taste the unbelievable product. I wish that I could cook like our wonderful hostess Simona. Amazing home made pastries in the morning.

To our delight... there was only one business in our village... the gelato store. We were in the town for two nights and we went there three times. We considered delaying our departure time so that we could hit the store one more time...

Home sweet home

We are back from our trip to Italy! John & I spent 10 days eating and eating and eating and then we went to an amazing wedding in Lake Como. Our lovely friend Lindsay married Mr. Chatwin in the most beautiful spot in the world (according to me).

Maggie did not miss us nearly as much as we missed her. It was a bit sad really. We were missing her more and more as the week went on. I knew that she was in good hands with Baba & Uncle Johnny, but I still wanted to hug and kiss her!

We are in the midst of a really busy time here... Art Auction this weekend then off to California next week. Once we arrive in California, we are going to relax with a girls beach week with Erin & Amelia and then the festivities of Concours with Gianna Marie. Want to join us?

The Wedding!!! Villa Balbianello

The whole reason that we went to Italy was to share in the wedding party for our dear friend Ms. Buck. The wedding was held at Lake Como in the Villa Balbianello. As we boarded the boats in Bellagio, we had no idea where we were headed. As we approached the Villa, it looked so familiar. John started to rattle off the movies it had been in... his faavorite: where Natalie Portman lived in Star Wars. He was happy to be on her planet.

The view pulling up to the villa: Amazing.

The landing dock:One very happy couple:

Jenni & Brian at the wedding: Bubba & Mrs. Bubba:

The ceremony location: One of the highlights was to spend time with one of our favorite couples Alex & Heidi. They are a stunning couple.

The Alter. Can you imagine a more beautiful place to say your vows? It took our breath away. The beautiful bride, her lovely dad, and Hudson, the Best Dog.

Disappointment

I was up before Maggie this morning making her some french toast and feeling like a pretty good mom. When I heard her rustling in her bed, I ran upstairs and into her room.

Me: "Good morning honey! I have a surprise for you downstairs (meaning the french toast, her favorite breakfast food)!"

Maggie (at the top of her lungs): "SANTA!!!!???!!!!"

I felt so bad about presenting her with pieces of bread.

Maggie can Read!!

Well, kind of...

While I was cleaning her room last night, Maggie put all of her dolls and teddy bears in her rocking chair. She went to the bookcase, picked out the new obesession in her life, "Everyone Poops" and then climbed up into the chair. She settled in, looked to her left and right, asked, "Ready? Ready? Ok" She opened the book and said, "Poop, poop, poop" turned the page "Poop, poop, poop, poop" turned the page "Poop, poop, poop"

She made it through every page! It was so funny, because basically that is all the book says.

Made me laugh...

Best Friends!!

Maggie & Elizabeth are so cute together. Here they are enjoying ice cream bars:

They thought they were so cute. Then I turned my back for a few seconds to clean up the dishes after lunch. I hear the discussion about how they should climb onto the Mommy chair. This is where I found them:

Happy 4th of July!!

Picking Berries

Berries tonight for dessert! We met up with some friends out at a local farm to pick raspberries and blackberries. The weather was actually perfect... a bit windy, but not too hot.

Maggie looking for the perfect berry: At the end of the pick: Evidence on Lily's face that not all of the berries made it into the basket.Farmer Mary showing the girls what to look for.Julia with her basket of berries. Check out Maggie and Hayden in the background swapping berries.

Tattoo! Military style

Bill, John & I had the pleasure of attending the Military Tattoo last night. It was really fun, great music, great planes, good company. Here are some of the highlights:

John & Bill in their Saber kitty gear.

Here are the only pictures of the jets that I have. The others were too fast!

This one was taken for our friend Patrick who at one time flew the C-5. Don't think he misses it!

The Cousins!

The Smith family is big... lots and lots of Cousins. Here are a sampling of 'almost' all of the first cousins. I still consider myself to be 'new' to the family (just met one cousin for the first time last weekend!), but I am going to try my hand at naming them all:
Back L-R: Abby, Steve, Susan, Jill, Nathan (really big smile), Jim, Matt, John, and Dave.
Front L-R: Sarah, Courtney, Tracy, Kate, and Joe.

Breakfast with Lamby

Lamby now has to have breakfast with Maggie. One bite for Maggie, one bite for Lamby. It is really cute.

Major Maggie

Grandma Trudie

Earlier this week, our dear Grandma Trudie passed away peacefully after 87 wonderful years. She was the lady in charge of the entire Smith family and all of the grandkids. We loved her dearly and she will be missed.

Here she is as a baby:

And a few years ago at Cousin Nathan & Ange's wedding: Busy at work:

Gertrude Smith (April 20, 1922 - June 17, 2009) Gertrude (nee: Shurts) Smith, 87, of Lebanon, OH died Wednesday June 17, 2009. Born on April 20, 1922 in Warren County, OH to Algernon and Grace (nee: Toney) Shurts, she was a lifetime resident of Columbia Road, retired Secretary to the Lebanon City Manager after 22 years, and member of the Kings Mills Baptist Church. Preceded in death by her parents, husband, Glenn Smith, and son, Alan Smith, survivors include sons, Jim Smith (Cindy) of Hillsboro, OH, Bill Smith (Stephanie) of Lebanon, OH, and Tom Smith (Kay) of Aurora, OH, daughters, Nancy Toole of Burlington, KY and Marjorie Mizer (Garry) of Lebanon, OH, brother-in-law, Gil Smith Jr. (Sally) of Marianna, FL, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Visitation is Saturday June 20, 2009 from 10am-12pm with service immediately following, all at the Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home, Lebanon, OH. Pastor Manuel Guzman is officiating. Interment is in Fellowship Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heritage Hill Foundation. You can find the donate now button on the right side of the blog. The Foundation website is http://heritagehill.org

Heritage Hill Foundation

3759 Jackson Pike

Grove City, OH 43123

Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home

329 East Mulberry Street

Lebanon, Ohio 45036

Phone: (513) 932-7070

Welcome New Babies!

We woke up this morning to two great announcements!

Blitz & Pinky had darling baby boy Abel on Friday weighing in at 6 pounds, 2 ounces. They are heading cross country with him in a few weeks and we are hoping for a stop in Ohio!

Dori & Tim had beautiful baby girl Charlotte at the same hospital where Maggie was born. We were thrilled to hear of her arrival, but are keeping her in our thoughts as she spends some days in the NICU.

http://www.spauldings.blogspot.com/

Butterfly Show... maybe next year

I thought that the butterfly show would be really beautiful. And it was. But, the location was hot, humid, and very crowded...And Maggie was a little freaked out by the butterflies landing on her. Her expression tells it all.

What did she like? Well, she loved the Butterfly chair...

And most of all... she loved the big picture of the butterfly out in front of the building. Really. She danced and danced and ran around pointing at the butterfly and reaching for it. At the end of the day we could have just stayed outside.

"Quick Dada... Hold Lamby! I'm getting in that jet!"

Punishment at our house:

Jail. Maggie looks thrilled to be locked up. Elizabeth is already looking for a way out.

Plane spotting, toddler style

A perfect place to watch the planes take off.

Because every squadron needs a drum set...