June 11, 2009 - I can't express how much I love it when my kids hug like this!

Lake Garda, Switzerland - natural waterpark.

The view from the ferry crossing Lake Garda (and sam).

One of the lovely little towns on the coast of Lake Garda.

Just showing how we spent some time at Lake Garda.

Gardaland! Disney's equivalent in Italy.

You know, traveling in Europe is fun, culturally enlightening, and all that but if there wasn't pizza I don't think we could have gone.

This night was so cool. We just stumbled into a restaurant on Lake Garda and were eating, minding our own business. Soon we noticed a large crowd of kids and parents descend onto the restaurant - quite a hubub. We watched them quietly for a while until all the kids starting playing around in the sand (right next to us). Addie and Sam couldn't resist joining in their games. Of course, they did not speak English all that well and of course, we did not speak Italian all that well but despite the barriers the kids still played. What was infinitely helpful for communication was the happy coincidence (coinky-dink, addie's new favorite word) that the kids' english teacher was also at the restaurant. So, verbal exchanges were made and translated and we all had a good time.