Lincoln Park Zoo

Prior to heading to Germany, I got to spend a great day with my kids and mom in the city!  We walked around Lincoln Park and shopped, had lunch and went to the Lincoln Park Zoo.  It was a beautiful day and the kids had a great time!  The best part is that it's FREE...and you certainly can't say that about many things in Chicago!!

The kids did a ton of great things while staying with G'ma & G'pa while we were gone - they were basically on vacation too!  They went to the beach, splash park, Wagoner Farms, out for ice cream multiple times and Mia even rode a pony!!  Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures as my mom had lost her camera charger and it was dead!  Bummer!!

Italy Vacay: Part 2 - Lake Como

So here's part 2 of our trip, Lake Como!  Nate and I visited there 4 years ago before we moved back from Germany.  We absolutely fell in love with the beauty and charm of this place.  Lake Como is surrounded by the Swiss and Italian Alps, which makes for absolutely breath-taking views.  The only way to get around (without a car) is by ferry, so we spent a lot of time on the water going from town to town.  We stayed at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo again, which is far and away the best hotel we've ever stayed in.  It is top-notch beautiful, with amazing gardens, pools and views!   

On the ferry to our hotel in Tremezzo

You might recognize this from the Ocean's movies

We made it!

Views from our balcony

Backyard pool, complete with an outdoor pizza parlor

The amazing gardens

Wine, wine & more wine

Not a bad view for breakfast & who's the hottie with the beard?!!

Even beautiful in the rain - Como that is!

Villa Carlotta - right next to our hotel 

The "real" Bellagio!

Ready for dinner - I think we'll have pasta!

George Clooney's place on the far left, on the water - unfortunately, no spottings :(

A random pretty church in Como

Enjoying the view from the spa

Italy Vacay: Part 1 - The Cinque Terre

Nate & I had a FABULOUS trip to Italy this past week!  We did a whole lot of nothing and it was fantastic!  Italy is a great spot to soak up the sun, relax and enjoy great food and wine.  We did no sight-seeing, just laid on the beach, enjoyed the locals & ate too much local cuisine!  This area is the home of pesto & focaccia bread and because we're on the coast, seafood galore!  Yum-o!

These first photos are from the Cinque Terre area - specifically the small towns of Vernazza & Monterosso, where we spent 2 nights each.  We absolutely fell in love with Vernazza, a friendly & sleepy little town of 500 that is just absolutely breathtaking.  It has a small natural harbor with great huge rocks for sunbathing.  The water was as clear and blue as the Caribbean!  The highlights of our time in Cinque Terre were renting a motor boat and cruising the CT and going to a local Italian party, where we met so many awesome people and had a super authentic experience (which we love!).  What great memories!!   

View from our room

Our daily cappucinos

The town church sits right on the beach - we could hear the choir singing on Sunday!

Love this lady - in the small chapel outside of a wine shop

Not a bad lunch!  Wine & focaccia

Our rocks

Heading out on the boat - so fun!

We anchored and swam around in the crystal clear water

Local rooftop party that the wine shopkeeper invited us to - it was crazy!!

Only in Italy

Lemons & garlic - 2 of my fave's!

Bigger beach in Monterosso

Doing a little sea kayaking

Monterosso church made completely out of carrera marble - love the black & white!

Getting ready to head up the 100+ steps to our room

In Italy, even the farrow cats eat well

Castle at night

Random fountain on a side-street - seriously!!

"Real" pizza!

Nate taking one of his many "public" naps on this trip!

The pesto is to-die-for

Pizza for the cats tonight!

Another view of the Monterosso coastline