Nass and Co visit!

 We had such a wonderful visit with Nass, Erf, Leo, lua and Ava.  I can't believe it took so long for me to meet Ava in person, but am grateful it could happen before the big move they will make to Canada next year.  They came at the end of July and stayed 11 days, and boy were they hot ones!  It reminded me of the last time they visited when Nass and I were both pregnant - her with Lua and me with Liam.  This time we had 5 little people to keep us busy, but with our expanded house it really was quite manageable as everyone had some space.  It was great that they could fly in and out of Lugano airport as it just makes for easier travel.

The tinies meeting for the first time!

A bit blurry, but this was so cute - Christy read some books to Leo, Lua and Liam (her trip overlapped by a couple of nights!) 

Taking the steep walk back up from the Arasio playground - Leo and Liam holding hands (it's quite a walk for an adult, never mind little people!)

Parallel play - Ava and Eowyn enjoying some tummy time

 They were here a couple of days and then we took a road trip down to Tuscany where we stayed at our favorite B&B (Le Due Volpi), for 3 nights.  Thankfully the place has a pool and this was the first time we were there in the summer time and could actually use it.  The kids had a wild time swimming and Liam became quite brave with his two older cousins so close to swimming on their own.  He would jump in to James without holding his hands and let himself go under for a second even!  The first night we had a lovely dinner at the B&B and managed to do so with the kids mostly in  bed and asleep.  It was quite luxurious to have an hour or so of adult time!  Otherwise our attempts at excursions tended to be a bit tiring with the car travel, but we tried to even it out with pool time, and a visit to see some animals.

Dinner at the B&B - Ava did join us at the beginning while we had some appetizers and watched the beautiful sunset

Nass, Erf and Ava almost looking restful! (dinner at the B&B) 

Erf and James were in meat heaven trying to find a way to polish off 4kg of florentine steak!

An ambitious trip into Florence - perhaps not the wisest choice, but Erfan had never been to Italy 

Taking a quick walk through the major walking street with the replica of David in the background

Eowyn and me in the crowds of sweaty tourists

Leo and Liam

Lua wasn't part of this picture because she was scared of the two Lion statues guarding the outdoor sculptures

The family with a view of ponte Vecchio - almost at the end of everyone's rope!

Finally at the pool - the babies hanging out in the hamock.  I think Ava may have been trying to chew on Eowyn's hand!

Nass and sweet Ava at the pool

Eowyn with Sophie at the pool

A true Tuscan view - taking a short drive to an agriturismo place  

Leo and Lua at a local farm (agriturismo place) hoping to spot some animals

Finally chickens!  Liam had been hoping to see some chickens since we arrived!

Watching the farm vehicles drive by 

amusing face by the pool

More playing around in the pool

Naked bottom

Back in Lugano the temperatures were just as hot as Tuscany so we made sure to head to UBS pool to cool off in the water.  Lua was such a little fish always wanting to swim, and Eowyn certainly didn't mind the dips we took.   We were luckily able to borrow a friend's car so that they could get back and forth to places, which made life a bit easier.  We didn't do anything dramatic, but it was nice to go into town once, to get to the pool quickly, and to have dinner out at bellavista one night.  Oh and Eowyn began eating solids right after we got back.  Funny how I assumed she'd have a bite or two here or there, but within a day or two she was eating half a small jar!  She seems to be a really eager and keen eater!  (I'll try post a video later)

At UBS pool - Eowyn with her shades (which I seem to have lost!)

Erf and funny face Lua chowing down on pizza at Bellavista

So it was a lovely time, and I felt so sad to see them all go.  I loved having us all in the same place for once, and felt so sad to think that won't be happening too much in the near future.

Nass and Eowyn