Florence, San Gimiggano, Cinque Terre

We have made a lot of ground since we made it to Florence. We wandered the streets of Florence with Jim and Bonnie on Monday. On Tuesday we headed up in the Tuscany hills to San Gimiggano. I forget how beautiful this city is. It was unbelieveable. We had an amazing time there. We wish we could have stayed over night. Next time.(: Yesterday, my birthday, we headed out to the Cinque Terre for a couple nights. It was a long train ride plus we got off at the wrong stop. So we had to take a cab to the La Spezia main terminal to catch the train to Manorola. What a pain but we got there. When we got into town we had to walk up hill to our hotel. Wow, was it worth the hike. It was unbelievable. While we checked in they gave us strawberries and champagne. Then we got to our room. Small but beautiful. What a view of the town and sea again. We hung around town and ate at a seafood place up the hill. I wish I tried the shrimp but didn't. I regret it now. Not much of a seafood lover. Now we are on our hike of the Cinque Terre. It's a little hot and humid now, but I'm not complaining. We are enjoying our time here very much and can't believe how much we love it here. It's so beautiful and amazing.

Until later. Hope we can get some pictures up again. Sorry we can't get pictures up. We will try to get a bunch up when we return to Florence.

Our days in Italy So Far

Well we are here and with the internet finally. We just traveled up to Florence to meet up with Jim and Bonnie. It was an hour and half from Positano to Naples then 3 hours to Florence on the fast train. Lots of travel but great views. We heard about the earthquake this morning when we were checking out. We are ok and worried we might not be able to make it to Florence. It all worked out. Thanks for asking!

So, our days in the Amalfi coast was awesome but with travel on public transportation. To get to each town was about an hour away on really winding roads. It was nuts! We got some videos for you to see. We traveled to Amalfi Town, up the hill to Ravello, a boat out to Capri Island then the rest of our time in Positano.

We traveled for 24 hours to get to Positano and we were welcomed with an amazing view from the place we stayed. I was worried for a moment but when she opened the doors it was unbelievable. Positano is our favorite spot so far. We absolutely loved it and didn't want to leave.

Now, we are wandering around Florence taking it all in. It's different from the Amalfi but we sure to love it here too. We might take to bus out to San Gimigano and/or Siena. We will see what it brings for us. Then off to Cinque Terre. I can't wait. It will be a blast. Nice and relaxing just like Positano.

Enjoy the pictures.

To my family. I am with you all in thought and I wish I could be there for everyone. I love you all very much.

Day 1 - 3, Mom you are our Savior!!!

So, we are here in Italy. We made it all to do with my mom! She drove us to the airport and we didn't know we needed our paper tickets after checking in the night before. So about 1 1/2 before out flight we found out we couldn't get on without our tickets that were at home. My mom got out of bed in Burnsville, droveto ourhouse, brought us ourticket. In time for our flight. We had5mintutes tospare. We madeit.

I havezero patience with this damncomputer. I'll postmore later. Enjoy picsif wecan get them on. damn computer!!!

chao.

We're Off To Italy!

I can't believe it but here we go again, off to Italy! We are going for 12 days to see more of what Italy has to offer. We are flying into Rome and heading straight to the Amalfi coast. I can't wait for this. It's going to be so different from Northern Italy. It will be exciting to compare the styles and culture it has to offer. We get to meet up with Eric's parents too in Florence. That will be fun to meet up with someone you know. It will be nice to compare stories and have a conversation in English with someone else other than your husband. (:

I hope to blog a lot throughout our trip to share all our experiences. I hope everyone enjoys our stories and pictures. Please share any comments. We love to read them throughout our trip.

Take care and here we go!

Alisha & Eric

Winter Weekends

A few weekends ago it was Hockey Day in Minnesota. Few people recognized it, but it was a holiday for me. There was an outdoor high school hockey game and college and pro games the rest of the day. Here are some pics of the outdoor hockey game:

Last weekend was the Pond Hockey Championship on Lake Nokomis. I didn't play or know anyone that was playing, but I stood outside for another afternoon to watch hockey.

Today we went snowshoeing at Fort Snelling State Park. Alisha came with me for this outing. We had a blast and it was quite a workout. If you haven't been snowshoeing we recommend it.


There were deer everywhere. At one point we swore they were circling us to attack, so we went the other way.

Christmas 2008

We had a great Christmas this year. It was a full house for awhile but it was all worth it. We can't wait for next year. 

On the Hunt

On Saturday we decided we were going to make the journey to pick out our Christmas tree. On our way down to Cannon Falls we go. We decided to start a tradition this year by cutting down our own tree. So, we had lunch in town and headed out to the tree farm. After we turned in there ended up being 10 cars behind us in line. They hand us a saw and tell us where we need to go. There was 100 acres of Christmas trees. It was crazy! So, we found an area we thought we would find it and made the journey to pick the perfect tree. We walked up and down the aisles of trees. We would stop and think this ones pretty good but is there a better one? Then we thought oh that first one wasn't too bad.... but wait where was it? All the trees look the same. So many to choose from; so many with flaws. Then we found the one. Just like how the Griswald's found theirs. Not really. It's small but just right. Eric cut it down and off we went. 

All the people hunting for "the perfect one"

You talkin' to me?  Are you talkin' to me?

"The One" (for this year)

A little cold there Eric?

Tim-ber!

All finished