Smiths and Watkins Travels through Italy, Slovenia and Croatia

It was absolutely AWESOME and WONDERFUL to have the Watkins come visit. They've been gone for 3 days now and my kids still tell me how much they miss them. While they were here they took a side trip down to Rome for 3 days. We took them over to Slovenia to visit some amazing caves that look like "Lord of the Rings" inside. Since we were so close to Croatia, we literally drove across the border took a picture, drove a couple of miles in and then returned. Now they can check that one off :) We went skiing in the Italian Alps. It was my kid's first time ever to ski!!! We went to a famous place for knives called Maniago, etc. We ate fabulously as well!! Above all, we just had a ball being together. Being away from family and friends is probably the hardest part of being over here SOOOO we're sooooo happy when people come and visit!!!

Christmas Day + Sam's Birthday

Did I ever say that I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas?!? Well, if I haven't, I absolutely love Christmas!!! We had a wonderful Christmas day with the Watkins. On the afternoon of Christmas Day we drove up to a mountain town called Poffabro that displays 100's of different kinds of nativities. We walked around this town and then went home to have Sam's birthday dinner. Yes, it was my nephew's birthday on Christmas Day. We did a big Christmas turkey dinner with the works. It was a wonderful day and even snowed that night!

Christmas Eve with the Watkins

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas time and especially Christmas Eve. This year, we went to Venice with my sister Christy, her hubby Marty and their two kids Sam and Jake. It was wonderful! Above are a lot of pictures from there. We also have a family tradition of eating scones on Christmas Eve (NOT English scones, though). My grandpa Cook's birthday was on Christmas Eve and scones were his favorite food so this tradition has no been passed down to his great-grandkids :) We also perform the Nativity every year on Christmas Eve. We love that there were 2 more people to add to the cast this year :)

December Birthdays - Sydney and Carrie

December is big month for our family. Carrie and Sydney both have birthdays, not to mention our anniversary as well as Christmas, New Years, etc. Carrie swore she'd never have a child in December, but there are some things you can't control :) Here are some pictures of our December birthdays!