Italy and bookshelves and Bieber

Hannah reminds me of my mom. My mom who took hatchet to our little pantry in Louisiana because the kitchen was just too small with it there. My mom who tore the mantle off the fireplace in Massachusetts because she wanted it gone. Hannah decided they needed bookshelves in her house and so she built some. Don't they look awesome? Just in time for her cousin, Sarah, to move in. Yes, Sarah and Hannah are now roommates! Very cool.

before

after

detail

Our nephew Jacob and his wife Susan went to Italy and visited the town Glen's grandfather Otto came from, Silvano d'Orba. They were able to meet one of my father-in-law's cousins (Rudolfo is John's 1st cousin and Simone is Rudolfo's great-nephew). They also ate at a pizza place owned by Perassos (the original spelling of Perazzo). Too much fun!

Rudolfo, Jacob, and Simone in front of Grandpa Otto's first home before Otto moved to America

My half-birthday was on Tuesday. We did not celebrate with cake and ice cream, but Hannah and Rusty made me a chocolate croissant, Rusty made me bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers (delicious!), and they gave me a Justin Bieber singing toothbrush. Wow. I'm so lucky. :)

Wednesday was my father-in-law's and my brother Kyle's birthdays. Happy birthday! Sorry you didn't get a Bieber toothbrush.

Pioneer Trek was Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for Alex. He came home tired and a bit sore, but says he had a great time. One of the things they did was square dance. Thanks to his grandparents, he was ahead of the game there and had an easy time picking up the steps.

Camp Fleischmann was Glen's project on Friday and Saturday. He was there to help open it up for the summer camping season.

I can't believe how fast last week went. On Thursday I told Glen it seriously felt like the day before it had just been Sunday. I hope the rest of summer doesn't whiz by like that. I spent the week scrap booking and working on stuff for seminary. It was a good week.