4CarpenterHouse

   We took advantage of the long weekend and the visit by the President to get out of town.  We returned to Fontane Bianche a great little beach town about hour and a half south of Sigonella.  We meet a small group of friends and enjoying the beach life.  Roof top terrace at our apartment. A few pictures of the apartment below. First evening at the beach, the main house had a gate straight to the sand and water. Jim and Greg. Deanna and Erica Game time. Hard to find a house with this close to the beach, great for the kids. Typical beach crowd in late May. Almost dinner time Jim and Erica. Mark and Trish hanging out by the BBQ action. Time to close down the party, once the Rajchel's start dancing. Greg the BBQ master all weekend. The kids learning a new game from Ms Aja. Deanna showing off her San Diego county roots. Captain American catching some sun. K-bird returning from the ocean...

      We had our final two groups of guests visit us here in Sicily before we head back to Oregon.  Pat and Michele old friends of Deanna's were the first to arrive.  Deanna and Michele met back in community college and have stayed friends through the years.  Michele and Pat have visited us in many of our duty stations over the years.  We were very excited that they made the trip to Sicily on their grand tour of Italy. Mr Pat checking out the Mt Etna in Taomina on a great spring day. Overlooking the ocean and coastline. Deanna and Michele. Walking over the bridge into Ortigia. Group picture after lunch.  A week later Marks Nieces arrived to spend some time with us.  Both Nieces had visited us during our Naples tour in 1998-2002.  At that time they were young teens and traveling with parents, this time they came together.  We had a great time hanging out and seeing some of our favorite sit...

                   We were able to catch a super cheap flight out to Romania over the spring break holiday.  We always wanted to get there and spent 4 days wandering around the country.  We found great food, people and had awesome weather.      We had never spent any time in a former communist country and were amazed at the scale of old left over buildings and factories.    Our rental bikes, we have found that a bike tour of large cities is the best way for our family to see it all. Deanna enjoying the great weather that we had the entire trip. The girls playing a fun little park in the middle of the city. Laurel living dangerously.  Our tour guide Mihai Downtown palace Some local treats that we had for lunch, very enjoyable. Some local sights that we had during the tour. Small antique market. Our group taking...