25th Anniversary - Monterosso

I’m pretty sure I could have slept a lot longer than 6:15, but we had to leave the hotel early for an 8 am train to Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre, Italy. Chris and I enjoyed an early breakfast at the hotel. They got my "egg white only" omelet correct without any problem or miscommunication. I made my own muesli from granola, seeds, and yogurt. 

We walked back to the Milan train station with our bags in tow and hopped on the train on track 17, carriage 4 for our three-hour trip. 

We got off the train at Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre (five villages). This destination has been on my bucket list for a number of years. We exited the train station with our bags in tow and walked right out to the waterfront area of the "newer" section of town of Monterosso. I couldn’t help but take pictures as we walked along. 

 

To get to the old town section of Monterosso, we walked through a tunnel with the throngs of other people arriving in Cinque Terre for the weekend. It was a less than ten minute walk from the station to the Airbnb at #48. 

When we were making arrangements for our trip, Chris and I found an Airbnb in Monterosso. Our host, Francesca, said that she would meet us there early so that we could drop off our luggage and then go exploring.

I watched an older gentleman deliver flour and groceries as Chris and I waited to connect with Francesca. The man simply tucked the paper bag of groceries into the wrought iron of people’s front doors. 

Turns out, Francesca lived in the apartment directly below our Airbnb, which also happened to be right off the main road and in the heart of the small town. We looked out the window to the South to Via Vittorio Emanuele street and to the north onto Via Roma street. 

While the location was ideal for many reasons, the only drawback was the noise level, as we would come to discover at night and in the morning when trying to sleep.

The Airbnb itself was charming with a living area, one bedroom, a kitchen and a newly refreshed bathroom. Perfect for the two of us. We also were given beach towels and an umbrella to use. 

We stopped at Tosca Bistrot for lunch. Chris had pesto pasta. Pesto was invented in the Cinque Terre area. I had sea bass pasta.

From there, we wandered around the town to explore, checked out the beach, and decided to grab the beach towels and umbrella for a little beach time. It wasn’t a sandy beach, but the tiny rocks were just easier to clean off.

There weren't many public beaches in the area. The sections of beach with colorful umbrellas and beach chairs were privately owned and you had to rent a beach chair if you wanted to enjoy that part of the beach. There was a small section of public beach not too far from our Airbnb that we were happy to enjoy.

We took a little dip in the Mediterranean Sea and spent a lovely afternoon enjoying the warm weather. Chris had been watching the weather prior to leaving for Italy and everything he found indicated rain and cooler temperatures. Not so. It was about 80° and sunshine. Apparently it rained earlier in the day, but was perfect for the rest of the day.

For dinner, we found Ristorante Belvedere. You had to make reservations in advance to be able to sit right next to the beach, but we still had a good view. The bugs were a bit of a nuisance. Chris enjoyed spaghetti bolognese and I had sea bass again, the catch of the day. We shared.

After dinner we walked (hiked) up to a statue of St. Francis of Assisi. The sun was mostly set.

25th Anniversary - Milan

I dozed a bit after the dinner service and then slept more deeply until the flight attendants woke us up for the morning breakfast service. The food was so so—yogurt, fruit, poached eggs with mushrooms, and a roll. I ate all of it except for the roll. 

After the breakfast service, we only had an hour until we landed in Milan. I remembered to charge my watch and my phone so that it would last me through the day in Milan.

We landed around 1 pm Milan (8 hours ahead of Denver time). We texted the girls, but knew they wouldn’t be up for awhile yet. It didn’t take long to get through immigration and then with nothing to declare at customs, we found the train station and boarded the train for Milan.

Milan is 45 minutes by train away from the airport. We stayed at the Hilton Milano (we stayed there maybe 5 years ago when I joined Chris for a work trip to London, Italy and Spain). Chris had told the hotel that we were staying for our 25th anniversary.

They left us this cool folded towel arrangement of swans. 

After dropping off our bags, we set out to explore and took the train to first stop. I had made reservations for us to view The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci. If you go, be sure to book your tickets in advance. They sell out otherwise. 

We needed to arrive 30 minutes early for our tour, so after checking in and picking up our tickets, we went in search of an ATM for a little cash. 

Cool double decker bike.

We joined up with our guided tour of The Last Supper. To maintain a bit of quiet and reverence, our guide used a mike that broadcast the tour as he spoke to each of us through headphones. 

The room housing the painting was temperature controlled. We were allowed 15 minutes on this tour to view the painting which had been painted on one wall in the dining hall of the monastery at Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. 

Years ago, the monks created a doorway in the same wall that partially removed some of the painting. The wall was later closed back in but the bottom of the painting now has an arched doorway in it. 

Da Vinci created the painting with the intent that the first window on the left in the room would act as a light source. The window is now kept covered to keep the painting from deteriorating in the sunshine. The church was bombed in World War II, but the monks created a sandbag wall that miraculously protected the painting when many of the surrounding walls were destroyed.

I waited patiently for all of the other people on our tour to move, but I had to be quick in taking pictures as the next tour group was preparing to come in.

During our tour, Chris and I also visited two small gardens and the chapel of the monastery. I always love to see the the ceilings and marvel at the ability to create such beauty without the modern tools and construction methods of today. 

After leaving the chapel with the end of our tour, we continued walking around until we came to Sforza Castle. It was built as a fortress during the 14th century and is among the famous landmarks of Milan.

The castle currently is home to one of the best museums in the city. What was once a mote around the fortress was now a grassed in area. We walked into the castle which was being prepared for a concert. We heard music as the workers were doing sound checks. 

It wasn’t too far from the castle to reach the Duomo of Milan. I’m not a big fan of the gothic style of the cathedral, but being able to see it in person is pretty amazing. 

The piazza surrounding the duomo was packed with tourists and pigeons. Lots of people were posing with the pigeons. The pigeons were happy to flock around anyone willing to feed them. 

We listened to part of a Rick Steves Audio Tour, but it was too late in the day for us to actually take the tour inside the cathedral.

We walked down a double arcade next to the Duomo. The Galleria, a covered area which was used as a shopping area when it was built, is Italy's oldest active shopping gallery still in use today. It houses high end shops such as Rolex, Chanel, Prada, etc.

Walking through the length of the gallery, we exited on the opposite end into a small courtyard home to a big statue of Leonardo Da Vinci. Across the street from the statue was the famous opera house Teatro alla Scala or Scala Theatre. 

Chris and I were pretty hungry at this point and finally found a so so restaurant for dinner. Upon returning to the hotel, we found that the staff had left us dessert and Prosecco. We enjoyed the dessert.

25th Anniversary - Flight to Milan

Chris and I set off on our 25th anniversary adventure with a flight to Milan. 

Our flight didn’t leave until 4:00 pm on Monday afternoon, so we had the morning to finish up packing, do laundry, and work. 

We said goodbye to Kristen as she set off for school. Updates on our phone announced thunder storms in Chicago, so we were hoping that we weren’t delayed for our flight to Milan. 

The lounge at DIA was packed when we arrive. Chris was lucky to find two chairs for us together. Since the other lounge at the airport is under construction, it really causes a lot of congestion in the one that is open. 

 Chris received an upgrade for the flight from Denver to Chicago and was served a meal during that flight, so when we arrived in Chicago with a little extra time, we stopped at the lounge so I could find something to eat. They had some delicious meatballs and salad. 

We were excited to find that we received an upgrade from economy to premium economy for our flight from Chicago to Milan. The seats were a little wider—instead of three in a row, premium economy had two seats in a row. Before we boarded, the captain made an announcement. I think this is the first time I’ve seen this happen with the captain making an announcement from the gate. 

Captain Beau Ellis said that with the storm in the area, there would be turbulence for the first 45 minutes to one hour of the flight. That's it.

With our upgrades, Chris had a middle seat and I lucked out with a window seat across the aisle. I was so tired that I mostly slept through the dinner service. I woke up a bit with the commotion of it, but since I had eaten in Chicago, I wasn’t hungry at all.

On to Milan, Italy.

A Day at the Beach

We invited friends over for an afternoon at the beach. I wasn't able to join them right away as I was waiting for the dishwasher install (and there was no way I wanted to miss that!).

Adamsons had fun being pulled on the jet ski, playing with the neighbor kids, and having a picnic lunch.

It was a nice way to relax for the afternoon.

And since we didn't think we would be using the jet ski again this season, Chris had David help him pull the jet ski out of the water when we were finished.

New Dishwasher Day

So, our dishwasher died about three weeks ago. We had a problem with it about six months ago where Chris was able to successfully change out a circuit board.

Since then, it wasn't drying or draining quiet as well.

We had a big power surge a couple of weeks ago when Chris and I were in Utah. We think that fried whatever juice was left in our functioning dishwasher.

So, we had to buy a new dishwasher. We finally found one and it was delivered and installed today.

Yay for new dishwasher day. I was getting tired of washing dishes by hand. And yes, we are so spoiled to even have a dishwasher and clean running water.

Leak in Misha's Apartment

So, at the beginning of last year, Misha and her roommate had a leak in their apartment from the apartment above.

Misha arrived home this evening to find another leak coming from the apartment above them. Different apartment and building.

Her words, "I am tired of my apartment raining on me."

She was able to contact the handyman who came and fixed the leak.  

At least the leak was someone else's problem and someone else's cost.

Crazy People at VASA

Work has been crazy for Amy this past week. They had to call an ambulance for a guy who was bench pressing a lot of weight and dropped the bar on his chest.

They called the cops on a lady who was trespassing and harassing the patrons at the health club.

She had to call the cops again at the end of the week. At least it makes her days go by faster!

Linda Passing Thru & Laying Larry to Rest

Chris' Mom had a trip planned back to the Pacific North West. She got Covid a few days before she was supposed to leave and had to postpone her trip.

She was able to finally be on her way. We didn't see the results of the negative Covid test, but were hoping we would all avoid germs. Misha hasn't tested positive for Covid yet, and even though Chris, Kristen and I have, we have learned that there are no guarantees when it comes to staying healthy.

Since Chris and I were off on an anniversary trip at the end of the month and Kristen was starting back to school, our fingers were crossed.

The main goal of Linda's trip was to take Larry's ashes to be buried on Anderson Island. Linda purchased two plots there and has been waiting to complete the burial. She had a headstone made and delivered.

Her friends on the island were so supportive of her coming and helped in so many ways. They even had a BBQ on Friday August 26th in honor of Larry. It was his birthday and he LOVED cheeseburgers.

Being back with so many friends is making Linda rethink living in Texas now. We'll see what that brings.

Kristen Loves Her Dad

Chris and I went through the drive thru at Chick fil A while Kristen was working. We noticed that she was working at the window and handing out people's orders as they came to the window.

We both ordered food. I suggested that for the "Name on the Order" Chris should have something like, "Kristen loves her dad." The employee who took our order was happy to add it on for us. We waited through the line until it was our turn to receive our order.

Kristen got a laugh out of it (as well as her coworkers). But... it was her pleasure.

A Great Smile

Kristen had discoloring on her front tooth that appeared when her adult teeth came in. Our dentist said it probably happened while I was pregnant with her.

Before - You will have to click on the picture and maybe zoom in to see.

After

We waited until after braces to have it fixed, along with a chip on her tooth that somehow happened in the past year or two.

Kristen is pretty happy with the new look.

Project Manager for Facilities

Misha just got promoted at work to Project Manager for Facilities. It doesn't come with a pay raise because she is already making more than her peers, but she says she shouldn't have to be the one cleaning so many toilets every day!

She will spend some of her day managing and some of her day cleaning and doing custodial work still.

Kristen ID for School

So apparently it was a thing for the seniors to wear all kinds of crazy stuff for their senior pics. Some were wearing wigs and crazy clothes. Kristen opted for her favorite Grandma sweatshirt. Seriously, she wears it all of the time.

Anyway, she is now immortalized in it.

Apparently after the photographer finished taking pics of Kristen's group of students, they wouldn't let the seniors do any more crazy pics.

Gas War

A new gas station opened recently by the freeway exit. It is one of four gas stations there now and its presence has been a blessing. It started offering gas at lower than average prices and the other three stations there felt obligated to join in to benefit as well. 

The drawback? Traffic backs up! There's a lot of people trying to take advantage of the low gas prices and even drive from some distance in order t fill their tanks.

They stations lower their prices and then decide to raise them back up again. Here's hoping the gas war continues on for awhile!

Mission Friends

When we were in Utah earlier this month, we tried to touch base with one of Chris' old mission buddies, Corby Baldwin, and his wife Caroline.

They were out of town that weekend.

However, we did get to see them a couple of weeks later as they were in Denver to cheer on their college-age daughter in a soccer game. Corby and Caroline came for Sunday dinner. We didn't have a lot of time to spend together as Chris had a meeting at 5 pm, but it was nice to be reacquainted with Corby and to meet his wife for the first time after so many years.

Chris actually helped Corby get a job at LM and that has been a great way for them to reconnect as well.

Hike with Checketts

Chris and Misha went on a hike with our bishop and three of his kids. Since none of them had been to Lake Haiyaha and it happens to be one of our favorite hikes, Chris took them there.

Because of recent rock slides, the color of the lake which is usually a brilliant turquoise blue, was now a milky looking turquoise. Still beautiful.

Misha has been working out lately and liked the fact that she was able to handle the hike quite well and enjoyed some time with her dad.

Senior Year for Kristen

Kristen has had a few pre-start of school activities as she is one of the students who helps introduce Freshman to the school and get them acclimated to being in high school. That involved a number of days of training before school started.

On the first day of school, all of the seniors gathered for Senior Sunrise. It was early. Especially early for Kristen since she has been sleeping in most days for the past couple of months. But she was up and off to the school around 5:45 for the sunrise and a pancake breakfast with friends.

I caught a quick pictures of her a little later in the morning as she went back to the school for her first class. 

You know she was back home and in bed for a couple more hours of sleep when the breakfast was done.

At the end of the school year, they will have a Senior Sunset to close out the year.

Happy 25th to Us

Chris and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. Seriously, I can't believe time has zoomed by so quickly for us. It just seems like yesterday...

We have a lot more gray hair now, but life is so good together.

Since we are off to Italy and Switzerland at the end of the month, we didn't too much to celebrate.

Kristen was thoughtful and brought us both flowers.

Cucumbers

My cucumbers have been going crazy this summer. They grow to a pretty good size every other day. When we were gone last weekend and I wasn't able to pick them, the stalks were full and some of the cucumbers were rather large.

I tried putting some of the small cucumbers in pickle juice. They need a week or so before they are good to eat (and taste like a pickle).

I have been giving them away to neighbors and eating a lot of them. Good thing they are low in calories. Unfortunately, no one in my family "loves" them all that much.

Hmmmm, do you think Chris would have noticed?