These pictures just made me smile! The weekend of Katherine's birthday was also Family Weekend at Union. Emily and Mary drove over from Knoxville to spend it with Regan. I love ALL the smiles and am so glad that there are so many to step in for us when we are not there.
They got up early for the 5K run (Regan said she accidentally overslept) She woke up to knocking on her window. She jumped up, got dressed, and ran out the door!
Mamaw finishing strong!
An extra special treat! They video called and sand Happy Birthday to Katherine. Then we talked for a bit. The connection wasn't the best, but it was sure good to see those smiles and hear those voices!
After the run
A more accurate picture after the run...haha!
Chillin on the big swing on campus
It really is one of the best spots!
Milkshakes were well deserved
Regan wanted Mamaw and Emily to come cheer on the Jillz (Union's ultimate frisbee team)
What cute cookies and cupcakes!
Union went all out with carnival type rides and ending with a David Crowder concert!
Ferris Wheel at night
Finishing up with some fireworks
Regan walked them through some of the buildings and showed them where her first art project had been displayed! It's pretty amazing! This entire picture is made from tearing up pieces of paper and cluing them down to form an image. They were only allowed to used 5 shades of black/gray
A close-up where you can see the torn paper
Standing in front of Buster the bulldog
Mamaw and Emily brought homemade cookies for the girls!
After family weekend, Regan got started on her next project...sometimes I have to see things through Instagram ;)
Katherine walking around...it took me a minute to realize that she had Scout in there!
The kids heading in to youth group. They are enjoying the time with other teenagers, studying God's Word.
Jonathan and I had an unexpected trip up to Milan. I needed the restroom after we arrived. I'm glad I had some money on me! It was one euro just to get into the bathroom!
The Milan train station
We missed our connection because we were not familiar with this station and the time was too tight.
So we walked around for a bit while we were waiting for the next train.
We also got some lunch. We got the one on the top, but I wanted to make sure that I got the middle one in the picture...hot dogs and french fries in a sandwich?
Yes, I made him look like a tourist and took a selfie in front of the trains :)
The train station in Milan is often compared to Grand Central Station
Thomas Edison on the ceiling ;)
So I had to laugh with all of the hype and talk about Milan being the New York of Italy...we walked out of the train station to see the "big apple" and 1 tall building.
The outside of the train station
We got to see the Duomo of Milan (Cathedral of Milan) We didn't have time to go inside, but I am so glad that we got to see it from the outside.
It really was quite impressive
Well, I was trying to get a picture of the statue in the plaza, but this crazy guy wouldn't get off of it. He was making some TikTok video.
The area next to the cathedral
the view from the side
I tried to take as many "architectural photos" for my hubby...I'm sure they aren't exactly how he would want them, but tried to document it in some way :)
When we got home, I saw Lauren's technology homework. She had to measure out, design and color, then fold to make a box. I loved that her design made sense and wasn't just random patterns (the underneath was her dirt square)
Just made me laugh. He stole my study spot.
Lauren went home with some of the girls after school one day to study.
They are so cute!
Scout just cracked us up. He was so tired and kept falling asleep, but REFUSED to lay down.
Apparently, they are both in my lap today...It's really hard to study like this!
Awe! This is the life!
Zander asked if he could call Benjamin. He was excited to see that Benjamin was wearing Batman and he was wearing Spider-Man.
Katherine making her first candle from her birthday gift
It was a late lunch but McD's was PACKED! We finally 2 chairs and a little bench that we turned into a table for 6 ;)
The random gov office where we applied for residenza. It took 3 trips but they were very friendly and helpful
I bought some new bread because the store was sold out of EVERYTHING! There were 2 packages of a different bread that said it was American bread. When I got home to make my toast, I laughed so much at the difference in size between our normal bread (the last slice) and the new bread.
My friend from China sent me this picture that also made me laugh. I wonder how you are supposed to drive in the lane with a tree right in the middle of it. Too funny.
