Christian (Chicco) turns 16!

Christian and Grant shared their "Sweet 16" together at a birthday party we held at our home. We had a fun night together with lots of activities and food.

We had about 50 teenagers over to help celebrate. They played pool, wii, volleyball, roasted marshmellows over the fire, played cards, fuhsball and ate.

You go Grant!

The younger kids played with the race cars in the garage.

Julian got to play the Kareoke Wii game.

DDR is always a favorite!

He's a rock star.......

Triton and Christian played a few songs for their friends.

This is Whitney Petersen. She and Christian were buddies from age 1-6 when Eileen (Whitney's mom) used to watch Christian. Whitney used to call Christian, "kritchen". She is growing up to be a beautiful young woman.

Yes, there were some boys at the party too. I don't know why I took most of the photos of the girls! But really there were guys here too!

The chaperones. We had fun too!

My Birthday Present

I was so excited about this birthday gift! Andrea bought this Audrey Hepburn black and white print on canvas from IKEA and added his own touch to it with color.

We hung it over the fireplace in our bedroom.

Annual Fish Fry

A fun evening at the Chandlers for our Annual Fish Fry! Gaby, Jeremy and Christian prepping for the party. Jeremy is the "taco guy". He does a great job!

We call it Gaby and Michele's fish fry, but actually John does all the fish frying!

Jacob and Julian got to hang out all night upstairs while the adults were having fun downstairs.
After this I forgot to take photos of the evening. We had about 30 guests and lots of food. Looking forward to next year!

Look Out World--Christian's Driving!

Christian took his first driver's training a couple weeks ago! He went at night from 8 pm - 10 pm. I was worried the whole time he was gone, but thank goodness he made it home safely! He is already a good driver because of the experience he has driving tractors, trucks, atv's and go-carts at his grandpa's house.

I'm enjoying our time together in the car now that he has his permit. He likes to go grab something to eat and run errands together now because it gives him a chance to drive. I like it just because I get to spend time with him.

On Sunday the men and boys in our ward all stood up in front and sang "As Elders in Israel". I looked at Christian and felt a great sense of gratitude for the joy he brings to my life.

Labor Day Weekend in Monterey

Christian went camping with his cousins in Arizona so Andrea and I decided to take Julian and his friend Ethan Verdoorn to Monterey to visit the acquarium and to enjoy the ocean.

Ethan loves climbing rocks! Every time we saw rocks he went straight for them!

At the Acquarium--This is in the seahorse exhibit.

The hotel room view on the terrace.

We also took a short boat ride and saw lots of seals.

I like these potted and sculpted bushes.

Bouganviglia grows so well near the beach.....

Beach Bodies and SOOO much more!

Venere Azzurra Beach, close to Lerici. Davide and Carlo Mannucci and Andrea showing off their buff beach bodies!

Nonno Carlo's birthday. Tanti Auguri! Looking good at 78. Daniele, Alice, Christian and Julian Carli. Missing: Johnathan!

Guido, Andrea and Nonno Carlo. More birthday photos.

Sitting around and "shootin' the bull" on the terrace in Follo. Tommaso Cardullo, Andrea, Dario, Carlo Mannucci, Carlo Carli and Guido.

The girls were in the kitchen making chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies. It's a tradition to make American cookies when we visit. Alessandra Mannucci, me, Ann and Katie Cardullo. (love that little girl!)

We all posed with our "Ciao Johnathan" sign to let Johnathan know that we are thinking of him! Andrea Mannucci did the art work and the other kids colored it in.

Pizza and Farinata at the famous Pia Pizzeria in La Spezia with the Carli, Mannucci and Cardullo kids.

The adult table. Andrea, Alessandra, Benjamin, Tommaso, Ann and Carlo.

This is a shot of Manarola from Via dell'Amore. We walked from Manarola to Corniglia in the Cinque Terre area.

Via dell'Amore, Cinque Terre.

Hillside farming in Corniglia

A shot of the beach area in Corniglia, Cinque Terre area. If you don't mind laying out on big bolders, this is a picturesque beach with clean water.

Guido on the drums playing for Irene (daughter of Zucchero). They opened for Simply Red in Sarzana.

Simply Red Concert in Sarzana. This was a fun evening--the weather was great and the acoustic music was so beautiful to hear. Simply Red CD music is more electronic sounding. The live show was a lot better.

Christian getting ready to get his canoe.

View of the Fiescharino Beach. This is a lovely place near Lerici. This is the beach Andrea frequented when he was in high school. The kids also remember coming here when they were younger. The scenery is lovely and the water is usually clean. There are rocks to climb on and explore and canoes to rent.

Evening spent strolling the passagiata at Viareggio with the Mannucci Family.

This is a pastry shop in Sarzana. I wonder why we don't have pastries that look and taste like this here in the U.S.?

We had a family dinner and invited aunts and uncles and cousins from both sides of the family. After the dinner, the Carli family "broke out" their instruments for a concert on the terrace.

Another evening in Viareggio. This is our favorite Fritto Misto (fried mixed fished) at the end of the passagiata. They catch the fish fresh everyday and then fry it up and sell it right from the boat. If you're ever in Viareggio--you HAVE to try it!

The Pineta in Viareggio is famous for their Bomboloni. It's a deep fried pastry that comes with vanilla or chocolate pudding inside or Nutella. I like the vanilla pudding and the boys prefer the Nutella--YUM!

At church with friends. Andrea, Davide Mannucci. Mauro, Carlo, Mannucci, Daniele and Julian in front.

Nonno Carlo is advertising in Italy for Simas Floor Company. Notice the pocket my mother-in-law sewed in for him.

This is a beach on La Palmaria, an island off the golf of La Spezia. We had to walk over boulders and cliffs to get here. A boat stops by every now and then to sell water, ice cream and other snacks.

View of the beach at La Palmaria.

Our last night together we ate at a restaurant in Follo. Alice and Julian.

Alessandra Mannucci, Cristina Carli and me.

Last night on the terrace. The kids didn't want to go to bed because they knew it was time to say goodbye.

This was a special trip for our family that helped us strengthen our relationships with family and friends in Italy. Andrea appreciated the time he spent with his brothers and hopes to be with them more often in the future. As we grow older we understand even more how precious and important relationships within our families are. Christian and Julian were able to spend time with their cousins Daniele and Alice and strengthen their relationships with them. Although they are far away, they are close by in our hearts.

Haunted Castles and High Adventure in Fosdinovo

This is a haunted room in the Fosdinovo Castle. The wicked King died in this room on this bed. The tour guide said that if you put your hands on the bed you can feel him move! I wondered if the movement might be from the other hands on the bed?!
This is the torture room full of all kinds of creepy things. The boys decided that they are glad they didn't live in the dark ages!
High Adventure Park near the castle. There are courses of all different levels built in the trees.
Christian and Guido working their way through the Black (most difficult) course.
The Black course is about 50 feet above the ground in the trees.
Although it's scary to be up off the ground so high, in reality, it's very safe. The body harnesses have ropes and latches and as long as you follow the directions and stay latched with at least one rope and latch at all times, you're safe.
Guido encouraged Christian throughout the course.
This is Julian on the green course. It's about 15 feet off the ground. He got frustrated a couple times, but in the end he didn't want to leave. He's dreaming of Spy Kids!