italy love.

It was dreamy and delectable and so inspiringly perfect.
We spent 16 days in Italy this summer. Our itinerary went something like this: 
Rome (3 days)→  Siena (2 days) → Florence (2 days) → Venice (1 day) → Verona (1 day) → Cinque Terre (3 days) → quick stop in Pisa to see the leaning tower → Siena (1 impromptu day because we'd fallen in love) → Amalfi (1 day) → Sorrento (1 day) → Back to Rome for our flight home.

It's over whelming to try and sum up 16 crazy days into one blog post... and I don't have the steam to devote much more time to it. So here are 16 of my most favorite pictures to hopefully give a little idea of what we did!

Climbing up to the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica. The camera is not rotated! It was so disorienting to climb in the slanted parts. It was hot and cramped and exhausting but the view from the top was incredible. We sat up there for a long time enjoying the most spectacular view of Rome.

A favorite of mine, one of the smaller dome's on St. Peter's Basilica.

In front of the 2,000 year old Colosseum. We spent a few hours exploring the interior. It's amazing to think that gladiators and lions fought there and ship battles took place where we were standing!

Duomo di Siena.
Made of dark green (so dark it looks black) and white marble. Siena was my favorite city we visited while in Italy, although all of them were a close second. It's Italy's mid evil city and it feels & looks like you stepped back in time... to the 12th century. We missed the Palio by one day but saw horse hoof prints left in the sand from the race!

Beautiful Tuscany, on our way to our B&B.

Admittedly Florence was not my favorite place. We spent 1.5 days there and after the first day I was ready to be done. A friend of Mckay's did suggest a restaurant for us to try and we had a fantastic dinner that night. Here is Mckay with his Florentine steak, a local delicacy that looked completely unappetizing to me but he seemed to enjoy. I had lobster risotto that was to die for.

Venice, the sinking city. I wish we would have spent more time here. It's crowded and touristy but the ambiance of a city on the water is so incredibly mesmerizing. We loved it! We paid a stupid amount of money to take a gondola ride, but when in Venice, right?

We stopped in to Verona to see an opera (Romeo & Juliet) in the arena that was built in 30 AD. In 1913 it was used for operas and has been used for them ever since (minus during WWI & WWII). In 1913 audience members brought candles to light the stage because there was no electricity. In the 80's the tradition was brought back to represent the significance of each member of the audience being in such a historic & ancient place. It's a neat tradition and fun to see thousands of candles lit through out the arena.
*As amazing as the arena was, seeing an opera in a foreign language gets boring fast.

I never tired of the grapes! They look so pretty & perfect all lined up and so lush & green. I took this picture in Cinque Terre, five brightly colored villages carved into the mountain side right on the Italian Riviera. Right when we arrived we took a boat to Riomaggiore and hiked back up to Monterosso al Mare. It took us 4.5 sweaty, tiring hours but I don't think I've ever seen such beautiful views.

Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terre), enjoying the sand, sun & sea.

Vernazza (Cinque Terre)
This was part of our hike, as we were coming down into the village, so picturesque!

After Cinque Terre we made that little detour back to Siena because we couldn't get the town or our B&B out of our heads. It was so perfect and peaceful and serene. The woman we stayed with (Marie) cooked us the most incredible food we've ever had. Ever. I have no words to describe the caliber of her cooking. Or the perfection of the setting.

Then we went South. Here I am early in the morning floating in the Mediterranean ocean in Amalfi town.

This picture makes me want to go back maybe more than any other one... dreamy.

They have lemons growing everywhere! And they are HUGE! I saw some the size of mangoes. They have this icy/lemonade-y thing with shaved ice and whole cubed lemons. You just eat it right up, peels and all. It's tasty & tart, great for the smoldering hot summer days.

Sitting out on the pier at sunset looking back to Amalfi.

Our last day we were in Sorrento and we spent a good portion of it exploring Pompeii. That was fascinating. The mountain behind us is actually Mount Vesuvius which erupted in 79 AD and buried an entire civilization. It is incredibly preserved, down to the "artwork" in the brothel.

the rest of the trip.

From the airplane.

 It was SO BRAVE of me to let her ombre my virgin hair of 8+ years but I caved and I'm so glad I did! I love it and couldn't be happier. It's just the right amount of change with no looming roots to upkeep! Happy hair.

We love our bonfires. Box of wood? Check. Ridiculous amount of gasoline? Check. Lighter? Check.

It's a miracle my Dad walks away with eyebrows intact.

The day after the funeral Mckay returned to Connecticut and got back to work (boo!) but I stayed a while longer.  I drove up to Logan and spent another five days with my family. It's always nice to just relax at my parent's house. We missed Kenna girl (who spent a few weeks with the rich and famous is Saint Tropez) desperately, but were mostly jealous of her.

crazy, sad, beautiful week.

May 2012 at his home in Orem, Utah

Mckay and I were on vacation when I found out that my wonderful Grandpa Craven passed away.  It was quite the unpleasant end to the fun time we were having, but it had a different effect on me than I expected. I was sad and shed a few tears, but it was a peculiar thing to experience such sorrow and joy at the same time. Frank L. Craven lived an incredibly full life, my sadness was only for those he left here to miss him.

We flew to Utah on Tuesday July, 17th and the funeral was the following day.
He received a military burial that brought tears to my eyes. His children ensured that the funeral did not go over 1 hour (his explicit direction) and that it was focused on the Savior and the gospel and not on him. What a thing to be apart of.

He truly was a man nearing perfection. I honestly believe that.  I am thankful that I recognized all the goodness in him while he was still on earth with us.  I'm thankful that Mckay had a chance to meet, know and respect him. I'm thankful for the man that he raised (my Dad) who is so incredibly like him. I'm thankful for his humility, dedication, integrity and happiness that you couldn't help but notice. I'm thankful for the time he spent with me and Rae as little girls, Irish dancing with us and teaching us to ride the lawn mower. I'm grateful for his enthusiasm that had me convinced at 12 years old that Chuck-a-Rama was the best restaurant in which a girl could dine!

Mostly I'm grateful for his unyielding love for the Savior and his family that seeped into our hearts created a solid foundation for his whole family.

My Grandma and her six children: Mark, Kent, Curtis, Diana, (Grandma Lyle Tyler Craven) Phillip & Frank.

 Grandma with her brother in law, my Grandpa's brother, Roulon Craven.

 The Mickey Mouse phone that all the Grandchildren obsessed over.  Also, a fishing pole & picture of his catch one year salmon fishing in the SF bay with us & Uncle Curtis.

Lest this be a sad post, which it truly isn't, I have to share a story.  I spent the few days I had after his funeral reading his life history and page after page it had me giggling at his antics that didn't fade with time.

Paraphrased from his life history: When Grandpa was in high school in Boise, ID the Snake River flooded. The ROTC, which he was a part of, were excused from school to help with the volunteer effort of sandbagging and keeping the town safe. They were instructed to wear their uniforms for identification purposes. So, the next day, Frank & Roulon Craven and two of their friends went to the meeting place to help out.  The National Guard had been called in and was already working.  When the four arrived, they were mistaken for Army personnel and when asked what the orders were, they decided that it was more fun to give them than to receive. They spent the entire day directing the National Guard working in that area instead of sandbagging as was their assignment!  They went back to school the next day and were praised for all of their hard work. (!!!)

What a man, what a life!

Pictures 3-6 via, my talented cousin Lisa.

last weekend

we partied in the city with Kenna girl.

 1. Brunch for 3  -eggs benedict & tangerine/ginger tea at Alice's Tea Cup, a favorite of mine. Mckay was worried that he was the only man in the place. He may have been, were it not for the gay servers. 

2,3,4. Central Park for people watching and sun soaking.

It was a perfect summer day. 

5,6,7,8. Fulfilled Kenna's biggest NYC wish and spent 3 hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She was in heaven (being quite the creative genuis that she is) & we loved it too!

 Mckay: "How is this art? All you have to do is make a mess of paint. I could do this." He was quite the modern/contemporary art critic.
Kenna: laughing because she gets it.

 Need this one in my house!

4. Up to the roof top for a breathtaking view and City Cloud sculpture.

reflections.

9. Ended the day with shopping, a candy high from FAO Schwarz &  a yellow taxi cab ride for the girl.

busy, busy bees!

 We got back from CA on a red eye and just six hours later the summer got busy!  Just how we like... Dan & Rachael (college roommate) & their little angel baby, Jude arrived and spent 2 days with us!  They were off touring NYC during the day, which we unfortunately were not able to take part in, due to jobs and studying, but we had them in the evenings and mornings and loved it. Jude was such a trooper baby to traipse around NYC for 12 hours each day.  Mckay was in disbelief, "Rachael is so tough, huh? Will you be tough like her? That is awesome."  He was impressed! Kudos Rachy!

 A few days after D&R left, Krissy & Kara (HS bff & lovely twins) arrived and spent a few days with us! This time, I didn't have work so I got to play all day.  We shopped Greenwich Ave, got our nails done, grocery shopped, made a lovely dinner together & watched a movie to end the girls day off right. It was so fun to have them here! We laughed a lot. Love you girls!

 Later that week our very special summer guest arrived! Kenna decided to move out to NY for the summer & live with the super awesome family I lived with & be their summer nanny. So far she is loving it. She has her own car, own wing of the house, and a cutie 4-year old side kick to hang out with all day. She spends the weekends with us, we're trying to show her a good time so that she moves back after high school. We sure love having her around. Here are my two cutie pies enjoying a fried Oreo in Times Square.

 June happened out of nowhere and brought a lot to us. Mckay took his CFA test on the 2nd and we are so incredibly glad it's over. Now we get to hang out and do fun things on the weekend -as opposed to him studying for 10 hrs every Saturday (barf). I am so happy to have him back.  On June 5th he turned THIRTY!!! Woah. We partied all night in the city with great friends & had a birthday BBQ on Sunday. More on that later, it was a night to remember!

We also have some exciting news...

 After lots & lots of thought & a few prayers answered we've signed up for another 3 years in CT! Mckay applied to NYU's MBA program and was accepted!  In the fall he will start on his part-time MBA while continuing to work full time. It will be busy, but we're excited & grateful for the opportunity he has. I am so very proud of my brainy man! I could just gush & gush over his accomplishments- but mostly, I am just so thankful for his hard work & willingness to support our family now & in the future.

 We finally got a sofa! It was quite a shock to me, when last week a UPS guy knocked on my door with a massive delivery. I am so in love with it! Mckay pulled off a fantastic surprise. What a cutie. He said he wasn't even scared of not consulting me on a pretty major purchase because he knew I'd love it so much. Yup, I love it so much! Good call Mckay!

 Dale & Penny (Mckay's parents) are visiting us this week. We packed a whole lot into our Saturday and have some fun plans for the last few days they are here.

 Mckay's flag football team won the CHAMPIONSHIP!  They had a great season with lots of fun, sweat, battle wounds and an almost-brawl with the opposing team on the last game they played.  Go figure.

Last but not least, Kenna girl is mastering the art of East Coast driving!  No easy feat.  We are doing lots of practicing before sending her out on her own.  Go girl!

That's all we have from this corner of the world.

Love,

 the happy Dunn family (+ Kenna).