October 9, 2010
This last week Porter has been talking a lot. They have both discovered their hands, and as long as they can stick them in their mouth, they are alright.
We have been trying to travel overnight at least once a month since the boys were born. We decided Cortina would be nice for October. Cortina is north of Sacile and is a ski resort town. It reminded us of Breckenridge with all of the shopping and restaurants/bars. We drove up Saturday morning and arrived just in time for reposo! But we enjoyed the walk down the main center of town and found a pizzeria for lunch.
It was really chilly weather but not quite cold enough for snow. Most of the buildings, apartments, homes, and hotels had beautiful and full window-boxes of flowers--cyclomen and pansies.
One of the main buildings in town.
Evan and the boys. This picture just doesn't capture the vibrant colors of the trees in the background--bright orange, lime green, and a deep red.
After lunch the sun split the clouds and gave us a beautiful afternoon. Looking down the main center to the Dolomites.
The church with abundant fall trees in all their colors.
More window-boxes. The town has a very German feel to it, at least to me. Everyone was very nice and friendly. Evan and I took the boys out of the stroller and sat on some steps to people watch. A couple walked over to us and, after realizing we were not Italian, started speaking English. Their daughter married an American fighter pilot and lives in the states now. They were so sweet with Porter and Eli. They have been coming to Cortina now for over 50 years and they stay in their villa. Oh, you have a villa? As we had not reserved a room anywhere yet to stay, Evan and I both thought about asking them if we could stay the night with them!
The mountains--looks like they are just around the corner.
Porter woke up.
Eli is thinking about waking up with his one-eye glare.
We bought some apples to help a local charity for multiple sclerosis. We took home the only red bag left and they were some YUMMY apples.
Porter helped me make my decision.
We could not have asked for better weather.
The assault in Cortina is what Evan coined our trip. We really should have found a place to stay before we left. You think we would know better! We did not "wing it" before children, why did we think this would be a great idea now!?! After several failed attempts looking for a place, we were on our way back home, when one final attempt landed us a hotel with dinner and breakfast included. GREAT, because once we get there, we're in for the night with our two additional buddies. The place was nice and had a large room that fit our pack and play.
However, Porter and Eli had it out for us. It took a while to get them to sleep. Eli was conked out after a while from sheer exhaustion. Porter hung on for a lot longer though--just an hour or two of whimpering and eyes half-open to get them both to sleep. But it was a lot harder not having all our familiar surroundings. So the next morning, as we were leaving, the Assault in Cortina, is how this trip would be remembered.
It was dark when we arrived the night before so we had not seen the surroundings of the hotel. By dark I mean the hotel lights were far up a hill, and Evan was sure we might never return once we got there because it was in the middle of nowhere.
But in the morning light, we were so amazed at the views. The hills just rolled and rolled and the cows were out in the yard and it was beautiful and so peaceful.
All the cows had bells around their necks. As we went out to the car, some cows came trotting over the hill in front of the hotel, their bells just swinging and ringing.
Cows getting their breakfast on the road in front of the hotel.
Driving back down to the main town.
On our way home, we decided to stop and walk a little ways around this lake.
It was way too cold to make the hike around the entire lake today. It was pristine and quiet and perfect for a quick stop.
It was lunchtime and Evan and I were really hungry. Not wanting to wait until we got home, we decided to stop for lunch. Porter was napping so peacefully too.
Eli woke up a little early and I helped entertain him until we found a place to eat.
After lunch we stopped a few more times on the side of the road to snap some photos of the mountains. In between a lot of the towns, along the main road, there were sidewalks connecting the little villages. People with strollers, on their bikes, walking their dogs, out with friends--it looked so welcoming and friendly.
Oh how badly I wanted to stop here. This little town is one of those tourist traps--ride the bus and this is where all the tour buses stop for people to get their magnets, postcards, overpriced sweatshirts, Italian food and snacks, etc. I just love all that kitschy stuff--Evan, not so much. Maybe next time!
Walking back to our car after lunch, we got some pictures off of this bridge looking down the valley towards the stream.
Evan with a sleeping Eli.
Man! After traveling, you know how all you want to do when you get home is take a nap? Well, Porter and Eli took some good naps in the car and were ready to play when we got home. Evan and I were slightly, okay,
really tired, and tried to convince them otherwise. Obviously, Evan is out and Porter is trying to figure out how he can wake Daddy up!
The Assault in Cortina will be remembered with laughs now that it is over and we can look back and give ourselves a hard time about it. But it was also a fun trip, with beautiful weather and friendly people, that we were able to experience with Porter and Eli.
On this occasion, we had just finished up with an insane couple of months in the office and we decided to take some time to unwind. We also took the time to "re-enlist" one of our senior paralegals, TSgt Brian Mans. 
We followed the trail up past the "Chrome Dome"--a beautiful Church above Aviano that has a sliver colored dome. The trail ended at this waterfall--ice cold water from up on the mountain. 
Our first encounter with a medieval torture. The young bloke doesn't know what he volunteered for!
Ah yes, lie down on this stretching table and I will proceed to take off your shoe.
And then I will hold said shoe to your nose for you to smell. Ahhhahahahaha! As the crowd roars with eeewwwws and laughter!
My most favorite part--eating. A mouth full of pumpkin bread with Porter.
These are the same guys from last year drumming and playing their bagpipes. This is always the crowded part because they are so good!
The church in town.
On guard! Some knights are lining up for a demonstration.
Family picture before it gets dark and really cold. We had a great time--eating, drinking, and watching all the festivities.
Jennifer and her monkey, Luke at the party.
Me and a much happier Eli. The Halloween fare included cupcakes, Rice Krispie treats, oreo cake balls, fruit, veggies, and I brought little smokies rolled up with cheese in crescent rolls. 
Allison came along to help me since all the other moms would have their own little one to run after. It was nice to have some help so one of the boys wouldn't have to stay in the stroller the entire time. Notice Porter's lion feet.
My monkeys. Or something like it.
The stroller became a barricade for all the little ones running out into the yard.
Monica and her ladybug, Abbie.
Shannon H. with her fish Nemo, Max.
Buzz Lightyear, Michael, wanted in the picture too.
Becky with her princess Madison.
Shannon D., the hostess, with her Cinderella, Makayla.
One of the main buildings in town.
Evan and the boys. This picture just doesn't capture the vibrant colors of the trees in the background--bright orange, lime green, and a deep red.
After lunch the sun split the clouds and gave us a beautiful afternoon. Looking down the main center to the Dolomites.
The church with abundant fall trees in all their colors.
More window-boxes. The town has a very German feel to it, at least to me. Everyone was very nice and friendly. Evan and I took the boys out of the stroller and sat on some steps to people watch. A couple walked over to us and, after realizing we were not Italian, started speaking English. Their daughter married an American fighter pilot and lives in the states now. They were so sweet with Porter and Eli. They have been coming to Cortina now for over 50 years and they stay in their villa. Oh, you have a villa? As we had not reserved a room anywhere yet to stay, Evan and I both thought about asking them if we could stay the night with them!
The mountains--looks like they are just around the corner.
Porter woke up.
Eli is thinking about waking up with his one-eye glare.
We bought some apples to help a local charity for multiple sclerosis. We took home the only red bag left and they were some YUMMY apples.
Porter helped me make my decision.
We could not have asked for better weather.
The assault in Cortina is what Evan coined our trip. We really should have found a place to stay before we left. You think we would know better! We did not "wing it" before children, why did we think this would be a great idea now!?! After several failed attempts looking for a place, we were on our way back home, when one final attempt landed us a hotel with dinner and breakfast included. GREAT, because once we get there, we're in for the night with our two additional buddies. The place was nice and had a large room that fit our pack and play.
All the cows had bells around their necks. As we went out to the car, some cows came trotting over the hill in front of the hotel, their bells just swinging and ringing.
Cows getting their breakfast on the road in front of the hotel.
Driving back down to the main town.
On our way home, we decided to stop and walk a little ways around this lake.
It was way too cold to make the hike around the entire lake today. It was pristine and quiet and perfect for a quick stop.
It was lunchtime and Evan and I were really hungry. Not wanting to wait until we got home, we decided to stop for lunch. Porter was napping so peacefully too.
Eli woke up a little early and I helped entertain him until we found a place to eat.
After lunch we stopped a few more times on the side of the road to snap some photos of the mountains. In between a lot of the towns, along the main road, there were sidewalks connecting the little villages. People with strollers, on their bikes, walking their dogs, out with friends--it looked so welcoming and friendly.
Oh how badly I wanted to stop here. This little town is one of those tourist traps--ride the bus and this is where all the tour buses stop for people to get their magnets, postcards, overpriced sweatshirts, Italian food and snacks, etc. I just love all that kitschy stuff--Evan, not so much. Maybe next time!
Walking back to our car after lunch, we got some pictures off of this bridge looking down the valley towards the stream.
Evan with a sleeping Eli.
Man! After traveling, you know how all you want to do when you get home is take a nap? Well, Porter and Eli took some good naps in the car and were ready to play when we got home. Evan and I were slightly, okay, really tired, and tried to convince them otherwise. Obviously, Evan is out and Porter is trying to figure out how he can wake Daddy up!
The Assault in Cortina will be remembered with laughs now that it is over and we can look back and give ourselves a hard time about it. But it was also a fun trip, with beautiful weather and friendly people, that we were able to experience with Porter and Eli.
