My Boys aren't artists in the traditional sense of the word (i.e. they don't really paint pictures or draw) but they are creative non the less. Here is a look into their creative genius.

This sculpture was made from their car collection the day we told them we were moving to Italy. You can see from the photo that they used red, white and green cars to make an Italian flag. And (this is my favorite) that cute little blob at the bottom is... a boot! I love these guys- they keep me laughing!

Robert and I just started our own "couples blog" and it is awesome! It's called Our Wonderful Life! I love it because while he is gone (which seems to be a lot lately) and can't call or e-mail easily, we can still keep in touch. We have one page accessible to both of us through our blogger dashboard- that way both of us can add to it no matter where in the world we (okay, mostly he) happens to be. It is great not only for keeping up with the day to day stuff but for recording and keeping track of our goals. It is also a fun place to keep wish lists. My favorite thing about it though is having a place to share feelings about our life and our relationship. We have always enjoyed writing letters to each other and now we have a place to do that where we know we will always be able to find and access what we have written! Anyway, I know there are a lot of great blog ideas floating around out there- here's another one to try!

This one is for you Mama!

Okay it is official- my hair looks terrible! Not one person (NOT ONE PERSON!!) at the bus stop even acknowledged I got it cut. Waaaah!

After 7 long months of struggling with my hair I FINALLY got it cut today. I am not sure how I feel about it yet but here are some of the responses I have gotten so far from my family and dearest friends.



Spencer and Ross: neither one said a word. So I ask them if they notice anything different about me. Spencer says, "Yeah, you got your hair cut." When I asked him if he liked it and he said, "Um, yeah sure."

My Neighbor: "Wow" she says to me "Do you like it?" (that is always a bad sign) "Well," she says searching for the right words, "It looks...really even."

My Friend's Husband: I could tell he noticed my hair was different but he said nothing!

An Elders serving in our Branch: "Hey, Sister Wadsworth, did you get your hair cut?" Yes I replied. He said, "Oh... nice."

One of the Young Women and her Dad: I gave her a few hair magazines and the number of the woman who cut my hair. She noticed my hair, of course (we talked about me getting it cut that day) but she didn't say anything about it! Then her Dad (and I do love him dearly) comes up and says, "Why are getting hair advice from her... she doesn't even have any hair."

Two of my Good Friends: (surely I could count on them for an opinion but nope!) Neither one of them said a thing!

Anyway, given those few responses I think it is safe to say, I am having a really, really bad hair day!

Tonight while Spencer and I were snuggling I asked him, "So Spence, what do you think?"
He said, "What do I think about what"




I said, "What do you think about winter?
He said, "I think winter is perfect for hot chocolate, and getting a stack of books for reading, and snuggling in bed"

I said, "What do you think about summer?"
He said, "Summer is great for playing outside, and eating popsicles, and playing outside some more."

(And here is my favorite one)
I said, "What to you think of grass?"
He said, "I think it is green, and not good for stuffing down shirts, and I think it is definitely better for wrestling on than concrete."

I don't know if you have ever heard Billy Gilman sing but if you haven't, you should! He sings two of his tenderest songs I have ever heard. Honestly, this little boy is amazing! Not only for the incredible musical talent he has been given (especially evident in the second song) but for his ability to invoke emotion. Treat your self to five minutes of tender music by clicking on the links below but don't listen until you have grabbed a box of tissues- you'll need it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPouj2SrM4w
http://www.youtube.com/v/W3BA8bDzI3k&hl=en

Yesterday at the market a man was selling 15 artichokes for 2 euro. I thought it was a great deal and since I love artichokes and had recently taken a class on how to prepare them the Italian way, I decided to buy some. I brought them home and washed them and since they looked so colorful and pretty I decided that I would not only make my own homemade marinated artichoke hearts the Italian way, I would photo blog the whole process too so you could see how fun and easy it is. I began the process with high hopes. I washed the artichokes and snapped my first picture. This is fun, I thought. I should do this more often. Then the trouble started. I picked up the first artichoke to pick off the outside layers and discovered that these were not your average artichokes (that is probably why the guy was selling so cheap). I struggled (maybe wrestled is a better word) to pick the leaved off the first artichoke for, I kid you not, 15 minutes. I looked at the 14 other artichokes in the colander and seriously considered eating the one and throwing the rest away. No, I thought it will get easier and faster as I go. So I pressed forward. While trying to de-leaf, peal, steam and quarter the second artichoke I broke not one but two figure nails. Ahhh, I just had them done! Hello? What is the problem here I ask myself, I just made marinated artichoke hearts in my cooking class a few weeks ago and it was easy and fun (then again, I was with friends and we mostly watched while the teacher did the work but never mind that). I decide that it may not get faster or easier but it will definitely be worth it in the end, so I press forward. One hour and thirty seven minutes later I have a small pan full of beautiful artichoke hearts. I quickly turn on the stove to let the water start to boil as I run to check on the boys who have been entertaining themselves downstairs. The boys were playing nicely but both started in immediately with stories about their stuffed animals and Lego cities and computer game adventures and questions about how long an elephant trunk is and how fast the earth is traveling around the sun and can I go outside and play and on and on and on. Needless to say, amid all the chatter I completely forgot about the artichokes. By the time I remembered and ran up stairs they were completely overcooked. Now if there is one thing I can not stand it is over cooked vegetables BUT I was determined to make this a good experience. So I drained the artichokes and set them aside to cool. I sauteed some onions and red peppers and some great Italian sausage then added the artichokes and Parmesan and put it all over pasta. I thought we were in for a real treat but... it wasn't even palatable, seriously! Not even with all the other good stuff. The artichokes were terrible- the flavor was bad and the texture was disgusting! None of us could eat it. In the end my silly 2 euro artichokes cost me dinner and the better part of my Saturday! So next time you think about trying to make marinated artichokes from scratch (because I know you think about it often) remember this story and DON"T TRY THIS AT HOME!

It was hard work getting him to let me take a picture for the blog (worse than pulling teeth) but I did it- take a look!

Happy Birthday Jen!
We love you!!
Jen is without question one of the best women I have ever known. I feel so blessed to be able to call her my sister and my friend. Here are some of my favorite things about Jen.

1. She is the most generous person I know. She would (and has on many occasions) give me the shirt off her back if I needed it. In addition, she is generous with her time and talents- endlessly giving to her family and her friends. She is an amazing example to me.
2. She knows how to have fun- I love that about her! Her laugh is willing and contagious. She looks for the good and humorous is everyone and in every situation. She is just plain fun to be around!
3. She is focused and determined- two more qualities I really admire. She knows what she want and she works hard to get it. When Jen says she is going to do something, she does it; not tomorrow or next month or in a year, she does it TODAY- I love that. Watching her conquer challenges with strength and good cheer gives me hope that I can overcome my trials too.
4. She is an incredible Mom (honestly, I wish I was her kid)! Not only does she plan the best outings and activities for her girls, she is seriously willing to do whatever it takes to help the reach their full potential. She gives love freely, yet disciplines with confidence and firmness. She expects a lot of her children and at the same time allows them to enjoy being kids. I love to watch Jen with her girls because she really is teaching them everything they need to know to be happy successful women, wives and mothers!

I could go on and on about my Sister because (as you can see) she is awesome! Suffice it to say that we love Jen and wish you the very best on your special day!

Is this a gorgeous picture or what? I love it and will never forget the boat ride back to Venice when we took it! On our last day in Venice we decided to explore the surrounding Islands, Murano, Burano, Lido, Etc. It was awesome. I love the surrounding islands because the are quaint and uncrowded. In any case, at about 6:30 pm we were still on Burano and realized if we didn't leave soon we would miss the last boat back to Venice. So, he hopped on the ferry and headed back. Dad and Spencer and I sat on the top of the boat, outside and this was our view! It really was breathtaking!

We recently visited the Uffizi Gallery in Florence- it was quite the experience! My Mom's post on the day is fantastic and I thought you might like to read what she has written. Click here to view her post.

One of my favorite activities on our recent trip was feeding the pigeons at St. Mark's Square. Our first day in Venice we arrived early (long before the crowds) and watched a young boy buy pigeon food from a vendor and feed the hundreds of hungry birds who were ready and waiting in the square. It was so funny to watch. The birds were absolutely fearless- eating right out of the hand of anyone with food. It was so much fun to see. It didn't take long for the boys (and me) to want to join in too. Here are a few pictures of the fun!

While Mom and Dad were here we spent a day in Chiavari; the town near Genova where Grandma and Grandpa are from. It was an incredible experience! As side from being a beautiful port town (much like Sausalito) it was a place where all of us, especially Dad felt a special connection. I really cannot describe the what I felt there but it is something I will never forget.Dad on the pier in Chiavari, Italy.