Conover Family: Worth the Wait

Just when our kids started thinking the airport was a place we just went to hang out for fun- we finally made it on a flight out of the country!After 5 attempts to leave on space-available our family of six flew to Europe! Let me just say it was worth the collective 25 hours of spare time spent at the USO eating ice cream, crackers and top ramen while we prayed for our name to be on "the list."

Chris had a wonderful, ambitious plan with hotels booked throughout 9 European cities that he had to call and reschedule for every possible flight. So 5 times he had to redo our itinerary and somehow it still worked out. Not only that but Deidre, Chris's mom was there at the exact same time and came along with us which was so fun to have her company and her help with the kids. She was also there to snap photos of our family and I can't wait to see what ended up on her camera.
We started out in Germany, got to see Rothenburg before going to Munich to see Chris's brother, Curt, wife Angie, and darling little boys, Hudson and Max, and we grabbed grammy and headed to Prague. From Prague we went to Vienna for a stay then through Slovakia then onto Budapest for the night. (There is so much to say about each place but I'm not going to elaborate on the blog because then it will never get done!) I can say though that we really LOVED Prague and Budapest! Then we hit Ljubljana, Slovenia for an afternoon and evening of fun. This was a city full of unexpected bits of excitement. Then we headed to Venice. We spent one day there and that felt like enough! It was beautiful but so crowded. From Venice we went to beautiful Florence where we, and by we I mean Chris and the kids, feasted on octopus. Deidre and I enjoyed our pizza and ravioli. I love my time in the kitchen and spent some time upon my return giving a shot at recreating this Tuscan dish tha't included sun dried tomatoes and pistachios. From there we headed to Rome and Vatican City for 3 days and loved every moment of it... Well, I didn't really enjoy doing laundry in the tub but I did enjoy being somewhere long enough for our clothes to air dry. Deidre was brilliant and we ordered a few irons and ironed some dryness into our clothes! Our rooms were both fully draped in our travel clothes and it was a sight to behold. I do recommend the sights of Rome to what was in our hotel room, though. Rome was fascinating! From Rome to Pisa which was more than just a leaning tower and then to Milan. We celebrated Channing turning one while in Pisa and Milan! He is such a great addition to our family and we are all delighted by his never-ending nonsense! For the record he says "Mama," Papa," and liberally uses the word "ball." Learned "dog" while in Munich and wouldn't leave poor Preacher alone, he was so happy to crawl after him. He makes other great noises and sounds and is quick to laugh. I remember I laughed a lot more even when I was pregnant with him. He has been walking since we've been home and it closely resembles Martin Short's walk in his chaps and boots in the Three Amigos! Back to the trip- We enjoyed the beautiful drive through Switzerland, stopping in Lucerne and staying in Zurich then back to Munich for a week. The drive up through Bavaria was breathtaking as was nearly every other place we drove through. Curt and Angie were very hospitable to accomodate our family for so long. It was a blessing to spend time with them and the boys. The trip didn't quench my desire to travel at all, instead, along the way I must have pick up a few hitch hiking ants that crawled in my pants that have made me even more restless! Now each day I am at home I wonder what wonderful things I am missing out on! I do know however that nothing can compare with being able to stay at home with my little rascals!

I have never appreciated our double stroller more (the one Chris rescued out of a neighbor's garbage load and cleaned up/duct taped 10 years ago!). It a life saver. As was the $3 potty chair Aunt Angie picked up for Faith that fit into "Glorious Stroller" that we would throw on the ground anywhere and Faith would happily perform!

The kids were a dream and this was such a neat adventure to be able to share with them. Thanks Chris for your ambitious ways! I am blessed to reap the benefits... Here are a few of my favorite photos from my camera.

Rothenburg

Prague

Vienna

Budapest

Venice

Florence

Faith didn't want to feel left out....

poor Channing, he was a helpless victim

Rome

no, Chan, they didn't play football here

Laundry

Did I mention how woozy I felt at the top of the tower?
And by the time we got to the bottom I thought I'd surely be sick but luckily the kids were there to distract me!
That "lean" made me feel like I was at an amusement park!! How ridiculous is that?!!

textbook Ethan

Milan

These are to illustrate how difficult it is to get a decent photo of four kids!
I kinda think they are more entertaining anyway! At least thats what I tell myself...