What's Been Happening With the Gilleo's in Italia

My Mom's visit came and went way to fast. It was sad to have to say good-bye, as I knew it was going to be at least another year before we would be able to see each other again. With there still being another month and a half still left of summer break we tried to keep busy. USO come to town with the Elmo Live show, so I figured since Kaleb and Mason had each been to an Elmo Live show that I would take Luke. Yea, his reaction was YAWN! He was not at all amused and quite bored with the whole thing. I guess my baby isn't a baby any more.

While being stationed here in Italia the last 15 months, we have had the opportunity to make some wonderful friends. I have always said that God places certain people in your lives at exactly the time you need them. Moving around often makes huge challenges for me and making friends, so when I am able to see the people that have been placed in my path, I am ever so greatful for His providence. We have been blessed to have the friendship of the Scott family. Liz and her husband Kenny also are parents of three boys! Their oldest is 11 the same age as Kaleb and they were in the same class last year. Their middle son is 8 the same age as Mason, and their youngest is 5 just 7 months older than Luke. This summer they invited us to their special spot at Lake Barcis....the boys had a blast playing in the COLD water, and we were quite entertaining for the Italians who were also enjoying the "Scott Spot" that day.

Right before the start of the new school year we made a trip to Ramstein Germany. This base has been dubbed "Little America!" We figured we could get in out American food fix and knock out school shopping.

We had a great week full of eating, shopping, and playing. The boys did some rock climbing in the outdoor rec, and got in some swim time at their awsome indoor pool.

On our last day there we drove the hour drive to Spangdahlem AB and met up with the recruiter and his family there. Such a wonderful and gracious family. They took us into town to experiance our first German Pig Fest! The boys enjoyed the carnival part and we enjoyed the yummy German food.

So concludes our first full summer in Italia. It was time for the kids to get back to school. Kaleb started 6th grade and is now a big middle schooler. Mason started 3rd grade but looks like he should be a middle schooler, and little Lukers started back in the PDE program.

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." ~ Martin Buber