tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296Thu, 12 Sep 2024 00:58:42 +0000Go See Docitiesflorencewhy frolic?en routelost in translationfooddetourspacking tipsfrolicking friday fotosmonthly Top 5souvenirscyclingLOLday in the life ofholidaysself observationhttp://www.familyfrolics.com/noreply@blogger.com (janelle)Blogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-4241254616857727741Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:00:00 +00002015-04-25T22:36:27.354-07:00Getting back into the rhythm of capturing those magical moments or experiences on a family blog takes discipline. &nbsp;But, I am assured by my spouse, Janelle, it is worth the effort. &nbsp;Our Top 5 for February 2015: 1. Caleb's Soccer Team Wins State Cup. At the &nbsp;culmination of Caleb's 14y+ of soccer, his team finally won the entire Washington state cup tournament for his age group - in http://www.familyfrolics.com/2015/03/feb-2015-top-5-in-gear.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-6574080585287576040Sat, 31 Jan 2015 16:00:00 +00002015-03-15T13:27:18.757-07:00 Picking up the slack after 2014, I am publishing my first Monthly Top 5 for 2015.&nbsp; After a lengthy Christmas vacation, it was hard to get “back in the saddle” of our daily lives in January.&nbsp; 1. New Year in Seattle.&nbsp; Unlike previous years when we celebrated the New Year’s Eve in Montana snow, this year we opted to return home early and enjoy Seattle festivities.&nbsp; The boys http://www.familyfrolics.com/2015/01/top-5-for-jan-2015-its-called-toilet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-2658141232785444390Thu, 01 Jan 2015 04:39:00 +00002015-03-15T13:26:53.329-07:00 Wow! Here I am re-reading some of our Family Frolics posts, recognizing (sadly) that I have failed to capture important family moments the past 2 years.&nbsp; My last post was in September 2012, almost 30 months ago.&nbsp; Time has been marching on, despite our attempts to “slow down” and enjoy the good life. Well, there is no point in crying about spilled milk (if it’s whiskey – that’s http://www.familyfrolics.com/2015/03/our-top-5-for-2014.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-8384371999722498927Wed, 12 Sep 2012 05:22:00 +00002012-09-11T22:22:22.240-07:00The initial impulse for our road trip was the Santa Clara Invitational Soccer tournament. It was only fitting that waking up on Friday, that we would enjoy the company of the Seattle Sounders FC coaching staff and team and players during breakfast. ;) After sleeping in and a hearty meal (with inspirational guests), we departed for Morgan Hill, CA – where the initial qualifying round-robin http://www.familyfrolics.com/2012/09/nocal-road-trip-days-6-8-soccer-tourney.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-364811169644641910Thu, 06 Sep 2012 05:59:00 +00002012-09-05T22:59:26.059-07:00Settled into the San Jose Fairmont Hotel for the week, we took it upon ourselves to find great coffee and pastries for to kick off our morning routine. Anthony stumbled upon Bijan Bakery below the hotel, we took a gamble and were not disappointed (a love affair ensued for the week with their classic French pastries). I only wish that I had found their Raspberry roll earlier – it was my favorite!http://www.familyfrolics.com/2012/09/nocal-road-trip-days-3-5-college-tours.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-183473817612132359Sun, 19 Aug 2012 04:24:00 +00002012-08-18T21:24:33.096-07:00 <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; http://www.familyfrolics.com/2012/08/northern-california-road-trip-days-1-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-3481203591060643226Tue, 19 Jun 2012 05:53:00 +00002012-06-18T23:06:39.279-07:00 My sons are growing too quickly and encumbered with busy lives of their own.&nbsp; As a result, in recent years we have made it a tradition to escape each Memorial Day weekend for a family cycling excursion. For Memorial Day 2012, we elected to travel to the Olympic Peninsula, catching the Edmonds-Kingston ferry, then driving to Port Angeles to start our cycling adventure.&nbsp; After a http://www.familyfrolics.com/2012/06/weekend-excursion-to-olympic-peninsula.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-3575924555862994384Sat, 31 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +00002012-05-05T00:20:29.709-07:00While we are into local produce, organic gardening and enjoy our urban-farm fresh eggs from our 7 chickens – we are not shy about meat. In fact, we eagerly seek out local, grass fed producers of beef (from Skagit Valley and Eastern Washington), and relish hyper-local sausages from Link Labs (2 blocks away). Lucky us! So when Seattle Magazine published the Top 25 Burgers in Seattle, our family http://www.familyfrolics.com/2012/03/we-call-ourselves-meat-tarians.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-2695296655861288834Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:29:00 +00002011-09-27T22:33:41.179-07:00The penultimate day of my 40th birthday weekend was an easy 25+ mile ride along the Columbia River from St. Helens to Portland. Following a restful night and not so enticing stay at the Best Western, we were ready to depart early for Portland. The boys filled up on pancakes, while Janelle and I winced during our meal – a “free breakfast buffet.” (For your information the word “buffet” is akinhttp://www.familyfrolics.com/2011/06/40th-birthday-arrival-portland-we-love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-5904332887097931633Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:04:00 +00002011-09-19T14:04:26.724-07:00citiescyclingfoodDay 4 of our 5 day adventure was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and we planned a leisurely day of cycling from Kelso, Washington to St. Helens, Oregon – only 30+ miles. Before the day began we decided to give the boys a fresh dose of an American tradition – going to Denny’s. ;) Better yet, it was my official 40th birthday - so Denny’s celebrated my day with a free Grand Slam Breakfast. http://www.familyfrolics.com/2011/09/40th-bday-excursion-day-4-my-official.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-6384089618679913216Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:22:00 +00002011-09-19T14:05:29.796-07:00citiescyclingen route <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; http://www.familyfrolics.com/2011/08/40th-bday-excursion-day-3-sun-arrives.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-5299244255371038315Mon, 06 Jun 2011 05:07:00 +00002011-08-15T22:22:31.841-07:00cyclingen routeLOLwhy frolic? <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:http://www.familyfrolics.com/2011/06/40th-birthday-excursion-day-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-6886224764998910581Thu, 02 Jun 2011 05:47:00 +00002011-08-12T23:38:14.233-07:00cyclingdetoursGo See DoMy wife Janelle asked me what I wanted for my 40th birthday – some suggestions: (a) a trip to some warm exotic location, (b) a fun weekend in Las Vegas, or (c) a night out on the town to soak up food, entertainment and a 4-star hotel in downtown Seattle? I passed on all the above. My 40th birthday wish was simple – I wanted “time” with my family, unobstructed by our normal lives. Good clean http://www.familyfrolics.com/2011/06/40th-birthday-excursion-day-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Giacomo)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-684311375306299349Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:01:00 +00002010-07-30T21:02:33.317-07:00frolicking friday fotos This picture makes me think 'Christmas in July.' I snapped this on a one-day excursion from Florence, Italy, to Cinque Terre. This Vespa was parked near the trail at Corniglia.http://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/07/frolicking-friday-fotos-transportation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-4870694203234644862Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:53:00 +00002010-07-26T20:53:14.569-07:00day in the life of I KNOW, I know. SO overdue for a post. But really, did you want to hear the cranky rants and crackling of my brain-going-back-into-gear? Re-entry into life state-side has been a load of reality-bites and a whiff of welcome-familiarity all swept into one dust pan. Now really. You would not have wanted to hear the play-by-play of us floating around the Pacific Northwest---with borrowed cars and http://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/07/we-bought-jungle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-7898607148344587536Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:42:00 +00002010-07-23T10:42:00.187-07:00frolicking friday fotosNeed I say more? How adventurous are these? http://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/07/frolicking-friday-foto-kick-em-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-5506078158170981668Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:35:00 +00002010-06-27T11:53:10.630-07:00frolicking friday fotos Did I mention our family loves water slides? As part of our last-few-days in Italy, we found a huge water-park called AQUAFAN near the eastern coast of Italy. We spent a day and a half soaking up the sun and having fun! If water slides don't say 'family frolics,' I don't know what does!!?!?!http://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/06/frolicking-friday-foto-family-fun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-6074686145469885494Sun, 20 Jun 2010 09:48:00 +00002010-06-20T02:48:24.264-07:00Go See Do We are enjoying our last few days in Italy, together as a family. James landed a job, then shortly thereafter hopped a plane to soak up the tail end of our 'year abroad.' We have been busy closing up our lives in Florence, driving from Lucca to Parma to Bologna to the eastern coast of Italy until we hit 'beach.' Here is our itinerary: June 14: leave Florence, visit Lucca, drive to Agriturismohttp://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/06/road-trip-our-last-10-days-in-italy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-3983357186547843240Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:09:00 +00002010-06-18T04:09:00.696-07:00frolicking friday fotos Seem random? It is a bit. While living for these last 10 months in Florence, I push myself out the door and down new streets. It has been my goal to become super familiar with the history-rich, art-laden, tourist-loaded, fashion-hot Italian city. And while walking some of the artsy streets between Pitti Palace and Santo Spirito, I snapped this fitting pic in a shop window. http://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/06/frolicking-friday-fotos-artsy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-7355333271246295404Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:47:00 +00002010-06-12T09:20:20.179-07:00why frolic?You will always be able to say: I graduated the 8th grade in Italy. Perhaps the fan-fare will be a bit less, and your graduation dinner will have to wait until we reach state-side in a few weeks... but isn't it cool you can say you were in Italy in the 8th grade?&nbsp; You learned to speak a second language. And saw countless works of art in Amsterdam, Paris, London, Florence and Rome. You rodehttp://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/06/happy-graduation-anthony-your-last-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-86425051553714943Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:47:00 +00002010-06-11T01:47:00.238-07:00frolicking friday fotos For some reason I cannot seem to explain, I have a desire to take photos of old gates, door-knobs, locks, windows and bikes. There is something in them that is sturdy yet worn, artistic and beautiful but somehow harboring wisdom or secrets. I often use them as screen-savers.http://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/06/frolicking-friday-fotos-rustic-art.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-8829559783303668055Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:51:00 +00002010-06-09T03:54:19.233-07:00en routeflorence Its our last week in Florence. I cannot believe we are at this threshold, the tail end of our year-long adventure abroad. In case you hadn't heard: last spring we sold our home, cars and put our belongings in storage; we climbed a plane, landed in Amsterdam and assembled 4 bikes. Two panniers apiece, we cycled from Amsterdam to Paris, took the chunnel to London and finished the 2009 summer with http://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/06/bye-bye-florence.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-6842198812416503250Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:23:00 +00002010-06-04T01:23:00.689-07:00frolicking friday fotosSometimes pictures really are worth a thousand words. Or sometimes you love a picture but words can't explain why. I like this picture; it was taken in Florence, Italy. I think I will title it 'perspective.' Or perhaps: 'world view'?http://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/06/frolicking-friday-fotos-world-view.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-3669502161635261817Tue, 01 Jun 2010 06:48:00 +00002010-05-31T23:48:57.642-07:00florenceMemorial Day weekend for all of you in the states was for us in Florence: a 4 day Gelato Festival. Which means tents were set up in most of the main piazzas in Florence and we made daily walks to visit the numerous vendors stationed under each tent. There were videos and how-we-make-it lectures, kiddie areas and crafts and most importantly: a whole lot of gelato. Our goal was simple: try as manyhttp://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/05/gelato-festival.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29446296.post-4047613413810790370Fri, 28 May 2010 13:48:00 +00002010-05-28T06:48:00.667-07:00frolicking friday fotosCandles in church in Venice, Italy. I love the actionable event of lighting a candle; sometimes a prayer and a candle is all we can do. If you post a frolicking friday foto, please drop the link in the comments, below.http://www.familyfrolics.com/2010/05/frolicking-friday-fotos-light.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (janelle)1