V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N, we're gonna have some fun.

Does anybody know that song? I have had it on my mind for a few days now. If you haven't guessed Alex and I are on vacation. We are spending Christmas and New Year with our family in Italy/Spain. So far it has been wonderful. It has been amazing to spend time with our families in such a beautiful, developed place. Not to knock Kyrgyzstan; but running water, refrigeration, heat that happens without work on my part, and complicated food has been a really nice break for me.

We have been busy since we have arrived. Mostly, catching up with family and traveling. We first spend a action packed day in Rome and saw most of the major sites in a very leisurely manner. It was really nice being there in December without crowds. My absolute favorite site was the Sistine Chapel, absolutely amazing. It made me cry. We've also visited Parma which is a wonderful place to eat. I mean, they invented parmigian cheese and prosciutto. Also, you can buy a great bottle of wine for 3 Euro. Today we went to Florence which is also amazing. I feel like I should generally be telling you more about these places but, I think I'm still taking it all in. I guess the things making me happy are my family, the Sistine Chapel, cheese, and red wine. Thanks Italy! Here's a little bit more detail in the form of images.

http://www.facebook.com/media/albums/?id=7606386

Departing in 5...

We're leaving in 5 days, seriously--- this Friday. We've packed our suitcases and backpacks, wrestled with sleeping bags and compression sacks, and double checked lists. I now know more than I ever expected to about crazy science fabrics and ratings on sleeping bags.

Over the past month, Alex and I have been touring the East coast attempting to visit as many friends and family members as we could before we leave. It has been tiring and amazing. Our family cult now has a symbol and a saying---T-shirts are imminent. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you to all of you for your support and for taking the time to hang out with us!

Talk to you all after we travel through space and time and arrive in Kyrgyzstan.

P.S. It's SPRING TIME---Go play in the dirt! This robin is...