The boys did their own shopping this year. We took the Little's out but Max and Aidan went by themselves. They had so much fun and it was really fun opening what they picked out.



Aidan as a Christmas light





here it is. The Wii (the clouds should have parted and ray of sun shown down upon you as you read that. You may have also heard the singing of angels but that depends on how good YOU are). If you cannot tell. They are playing baseball. Aidan is at bat and G is the pitcher. Since this photo we have had to rearrange the living room. Those tall bookcases are now far from any wii playing.

not sure why I added this photo's. I guess I thought they looked so handsome. Actually, I do not think that I have ever seen a better photo of them.

Christmas Eve

David and Fabiane were visiting from Arizona. They were stuck in Portland an extra day due to a storm and spent the day making us this very cool garland.


Papa loved his gift. I was still add the fringe as he walked in. Sometimes I think I am crazy... I know one stitch and decide to knit a blanket.

Karin and Michael were both very sleepy. or we were really boring.

Henry sure is glad Michael is back... this is all he wants someone to hug

Aidan looking a bit cartoonish

this morning I was alone in the house for the first time in weeks. An odd but nice feeling. we had a really nice vacation. I know that my being so lenient with the wii playing helped. a lot!

project runway was pretty great last night. Loved hearing Spartacus aka Kevin say he wanted to knock Christian out (of the show.. those were not his exact words). that boy annoys me to no end. someone gave him an extra dose of self confidence and not enough empathy. I loved what Rami did and was pleasantly surprised with Chris's dress.

Got an e-mail from Emmy! She starts classes on Monday. Her apt sounds great, over looks a courtyard and is 10 min away from school. She said it's chilly but not cold and she has plenty of room for visitors! Florence anyone?

oh... on new years Deb, Lisa and I got together (did I post this already?) before the family party. was so much fun. expect,Lisa's house was so peaceful and mine was alike a 3 ring circus.

Happy New Years

I suppose i should write a bit about our Christmas. (I will eventually post some images too)

we had a nice, peaceful day. Chris and I woke before the boys (okay.. really Chris did and was kind enough to wake me and make us tea) so we were ready for the race to the living room. While Santa did not bring many presents the boys declared that this was the best Christmas ever (I know.. they say this every year). The biggest surprise was the that Santa was able to supply them with the object of their desire.. a Wii!! Not sure if it was a fluke or miracle but it's here and my boys are in heaven (I am leaning towards the material miracle).

Now we are waiting for Deb, Courtney, Clyde and Mickey so we can ring in the new year with our oldest, dearest friends. As a special bonus for me, I am going to get together with Deb and Lisa!!

Happy New Year!! I hope 2008 is the best year yet!

Noi amiamo Emitalia!!

Emmy and Eddie leave for Italy tomorrow.

Good luck! have fun! we love you!

Merry Christmas!!!

My favorite time of the Holiday season is around 4pm Christmas Eve. All the shopping has been done... food has been made (or ordered)... Chris is home... all we have left to do is enjoy the holiday.

Today Michael, Karin, Dad and Judy were here. was so much fun! now the boys are getting ready for bed (by watching the Chargers game) and I am tired with wine and blissful after being with family.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!

2007

I know it's not over but I have been thinking about the last year. We've has some big changes, some surprises (which I still cannot write about) and some sadness (Cancer sucks).

For the most part I think it was a pretty good year. Max started high school (loves the school though strongly dislikes his peers.. ), Aidan loves middle school, Ari and G are happy as can be. I took a bit of a different route career wise and did more gallery/museum work than commercial (is that what you'd call it?) while Chris stayed on his same path.

Not sure where I am getting at with this... just rambling I suppose. Thinking back....dreaming of the future? maybe. what would i want? I really would love to go back to Italy. Emmy and Eddie will be there for some time (so exciting!!!). Venice seems to have made a big impression on me. i really hated it at first, now I find it is always on my mind. The other day we watch the YA movie, The Thief Lord which takes place in Venice and that didn't help. How can a place I've only visited once now seem so familiar. oh cripes.. I am pining away for a city. Deb is having similar reaction to Namibia... I think she will get back there before I return to Italy.

I would be greatly relieved if this high school drama was cleared up. There are few options but which is right for him? He has friends at both places who are putting a lot of pressure on him to join them. Actually, I went to a school event the other night and was told by one of his freinds that he was changing schools this january and going to join him at his school. that was sort of funny, sort of not. Is it even the right choice to remove him from where he is? All these questions!!

I'd like to learn Italian tehn get a job that takes me there often. with my family of course. notice that I didn't mention what kind of job. I really dont' care. maybe that's what I want for Christmas, a good italian program.

Karin, Dad and Judy are coming on Monday!

I really do not like to post photo's of me but here are a few.

Yesterday went well. The show really looked great and it was highly attended.

Saturday night Karin had a surprise for Emmy... Me! We went to a holiday party @ Jane's fabulous Union Square condo and stayed out until 2am. Haven't' done that in a while. I have to say, after a bit of limoncello I felt quite at ease. Didn't do much to squash my desire to move though.

Yesterday, the boys, Janice and I met Deb and Mickey before the show. Her Africa photo's are amazing. AMAZING. truly unbelievable Amazing.

After I posted my whining session I felt so much better! really...whining is good. try it!

Can't wait to see the show on Sunday!

Holiday Whine part 1

- I do not like winter. why do i live here
- It is too cold. I Hate it.
- Someone parked in my spot last night. I wanted to call them a bad name.
- oil is so expensive and my house is drafty. my fingers are cold
- some people overact at the thought of not getting their fleece when they wanted it. They're stupid
- gloves are easy to lose.



okay... I think that's it for now. thanks for listening.

If you have some cash in your pocket

and would like to add some art into your life. A few opportunities are on the horizon.

On 12/8 is the annual Photo a Go-Go . Why did I submit this image from 1998 you ask? Because it was already framed and I since I missed the official deadline I didn't have time to prepare anything else. This image is also up at S. Maasch but it sold (which is good...I'm not complaining) so now I have none. sort of odd.

Then on 12/9 is the party at Fuller Craft Museum . The exhibit runs from now until March so if you miss it...don't worry... there is plenty of time.

Ethan sure does have a funny little brain. Got some good laughs out of these:

- when thinking about where he will go when he is 10, "I think I'll go to Italy... or maybe I'll watch a long movie"

- My mom, looking for something for him to wear on the car ride home, said, "hmmm this is dirty, but....." before she could finish he said, "did you just call me dirty butt?"

- Watching Henry and Tommy do their fighting-play-thing that they do he said, "... ooohhh... their going to kiss out"

- His description of a vampire, "things you plug in the wall and suck out all your electricity"

Nothing to do with Ethan.... this is my favorite sculpture

yippee.. we made it through Hannaford's. horray... Karin and Kari are coming, Yay Yay... school conferences went extremely well.

I will be working day and night soon (if you'd like you can sing dolly partons 9-5 song when you think of me. just change it 10-2 then 7-1) . may not update blog a lot, not like I have been.

all is well up here in Maine.

oh.... Deb's new picture book is out. Dedicated to me and Aidan.

ooohhhh.... Project runway. I was so excited. didn't' like any of the outfits last night but there are some characters I am looking forward to love/hate! fun fun fun

Happy Day

My house is clean!
Deb is back from Africa with AMAZING photo's!
i like today. the boys are outside playing and I am still feeling the joy that being outside brings ( Yesterday we took a hike with some of our better Portland friends).

I will most likely never blog about Italy... I'll just post random photo's


loved this sculpture in Florence. my second fav. first of course it he Rape of the Sabine Woman. I have a few photo's but I keep working on those...will post at some point.

the rules of Piazza San Marco

Our apt in Venice is the 3rd door on the left

loved seeing this Colosseum in Verona. I knew it was there but was completely blown away when I turned the corner. It was amazing. they ahve opera's there now. all i can say is wow wow wow

Today Karin and I went by the gallery to look at the photographs again and check out the portfolio's. I am really blown away by how amazing it looks. I feel really happy to be involved with such talented artists.

It's been a busy week (is there any other kind?). we did the book fair at Longfellow so I got to hang out with Ms Fabulous Meg which I always look forward to. Plus, I got to catch up with superstar Jen a bit too which always makes me happy... Tomorrow we are going to see her show at Edith and Edna. the only that would have made it better was if Moira was there and we had a nice bottle of wine in front of us.

Karin has been here since Tuesday which I love. Today we were able to spend some time together at the New England Museum conference ( i volunteered so I could go for free), it always amazes me how many wonderful and creative people and programs there are in the world.

I was to work the book fair in the am but was so wiped from bean last night I just needed to sleep. that is sad. My other sad story is that we missed Aidan's event at school. We found out about it on Tuesday and were already booked. I hate missing school stuff.

The boy are doing well. Will be doing better since Chris brought down there winter coats. hmmm... winter coats is sad.

this was pretty cool...
this was Donatello's sculpture that Michelangelo used as an inspiration for his David





To think that he was standing right here

I didn't like the pigeons so much. this one was sort of cute though

My Dad, Emmy and Eddy came up last night. Was so great seeing them. The turn out at the opening was huge... very overwhelming. Dad had to leave but Emmy and Eddy stayed for a while. Made me home/Boston sick... I miss my peeps!

Happy Birthday Aaron!!

I know I have been really quiet about the trip. It had such a huge impact on me that I am having a hard time processing it. well... I am processing it, just not into blog words. Bottom line, it was great. We had a blast.

One major event was we met a relative

and learned a bit more about our Italian ancestors. I have mentioned to many of you that my great grandmother was a countessa and she married a commoner and that's why they came to the US. Well, we have just scratched the surface on the research but turns out that the family was a bigger deal that we anticipated. matter of fact our ancesters our buried here

right next to Dante's tomb.



It was really shocking. The woman who was giving us the tour was so excited...she had a friend of hers who is a local historian do some research and was calling with updates as we were walking around. lot's of stuff...

aahhhh...

I asked Aaron how Portland looked to him after being in Italy. He said, "like home".