The Neighborhood Playground-----Phase 1

Our neighborhood decided that we needed a playground, which I totally agreed. They came up with a budget I think that was around $80,000!!! I had NO idea a playground cost so much. Anyway they haven't raised much for it but have started with Phase 1 which is what you will see in my pictures. Below is a picture of what it should look like finished. We are having a lot of fun so far with it. It is within a short enough distance from our house that we can walk. ( we have a huge neighborhood) The finished product

The scenery at the playground ( not much to look at now but when the leaves are changing, it is beautiful!!)

Part of the play area

another part facing the water

Evan going down the slide

Evan "trying" to get through the tunnel

Evan playing ( all the equipment gives him static in his hair!!! : ) )

"See, I told you I could do it!!!!"

Evan climbing

Evan running

climbing

sweet smile

back home again ready for some lunch

BUONGIORNO!!! LA VITA BELLA!!

As most of you know Eric and I were able to take a short trip to Italy a few days ago. Pardon these pictures as they are really not in any order BUT I know you have all been waiting to see them. We were mostly in Venice but stayed in a small town about 20 minutes away, Magliono Veneto, and were able to visit another small town called Treviso. We flew out of Columbia to Philadelphia. Flew across the ocean to Frankfurt, Germany and then caught a flight to Venice. Our plane in Philadelphia. It was a pretty big plane but not as big as some I have flown overseas on. It was real nice though and had on board movie entertainment , which was nice being able to watch movies for 7 hours as the trip gets real long after a while!!!! The served supper which was either Beef or Pasta. It was pretty good ( the carrot cake was the best. : ) )

The view flying into Venice was absolutely breathtaking!!! Flying over the Alps was definitely a highlight for me.

Venice from the air

Venice

The hotel we stayed at. We thought it was pretty nice and was within walking distance to the train station

This is a towel warmer : )


And the skinny beds

the rest of the room....we were able to get CNN in English

Eric riding on one of the trains. We figured that we rode on trains, planes and automobiles and also water buses, Gondola's, and trams.....

Tina at the train station in the town we stayed at

When we first got to Venice we rode on the water bus on the Grand Canal all around Venice

A little garden

This is for Debbie.....see the water IS right at their door!!!!





A church

A tower on another island

The famous pigeons in St Marco square. A side note....we were there for Italy's Carneval. After this day there were so many people there we didn't see the pigeons like this again. : )



St Marco

Tina on a bridge over a canal



Eric on a skinny street ( most of the streets are real narrow)


interesting trees


Canal at night

This picture is for Shelley.....this is their only dept store called COIN

some people dressed up

Where they park the Gondola's at night


A church near the train station in Venice


Tina feeding her face with the most wonderful snack!!!! Crepes with nutella!!!! YUMMMM!!!!

some more people dressed up for carneval

Tina on a skinny street

Eric being.....well.....Eric

leaning tower

another square near the water front


Street of the Dead


Eric walking on the street of the dead




We really did enjoy ourselves!!!! Our trip back was uneventful even though it was snowing like crazy in Frankfurt!!! We were so thankful that we had a safe trip and were SO excited to see Evan!!!! Thank you Papa and Grammy for taking such good care of him!!!!