Ciao!

We had sort of a surreal weekend last weekend.  Angela and her family came to visit all the way from Italy.  It was so wonderful to have them all here.  It was truly a joyous occasion.  It was one of those moments when you just feel completely happy.  We haven't seen Angela in 10 years.  Not since we went to Italy and stayed with her family.  We only had a 9 month old Olivia at the time and Angela was engaged to Nico.  Now, we each have 3 beautiful little girls.
I first met Angela when she was serving a mission in Temple Square.  I was a BYU student and Joey and I were dating.  Her took me up to Temple Square once to meet her.  It really was then that I recognized what a wonderful person Joey was.  I saw how he had kept up meaningful relationships from his mission and I could really see how his mission influenced his life.  He loves Italy so much.  It is just a part of who he is.  I am so blessed that I was able to go back with him to Italy and meet so many wonderful people.
Angela and her family stayed with us in our house.  Then Joey's parents came down to see her family too.  Then Nico's sister, Camilla,  called her mission companion in San Jose and her companion came down with her husband to see Camilla. 
The kids were a bit frustrated that they couldn't understand each other.  I think by Sunday they were a little more patient with it.  Poor Ilaria (almost 8) was so frustrated every time she would try to ask me something.  When I didn't know what she was saying she would sigh and then try to find Joey.  I can understand some things, but I didn't prepare myself for this weekend at all because we weren't sure if it was going to happen until just a few days before it did.
It was busy and joyful and my house and my body are still recovering.  But it was so very worth it.  We hope that next time we meet it will be sooner than 10 years and that it will be in Italy :)

Lots of pictures, but too many cameras.  No one knew where to look in some of these.