Certifications and Long Runs

Passed my exam despite my tummy bug! That means I'm officially certified in Lymphatic-Drainage Massage. A therapeutic and very relaxing massage technique. 


This weekend we have been home and it has been wonderful to have some calm time together with Z. We did weekend shopping yesterday morning and then while Z went to the range I baked cookies. I had the chance to chat for a long time with my family and see my new nephew Roman Jamal "in person"!!! He is the cutest baby yet ;) I'm VERY proud and can't wait to see him for real so I can hold him... does anyone know how close the techies are to creating a program with the ability to pass things over the chat connection? Thankfully, my niece little V (Roman's big sister!) was able to give him a few kisses for me <3 


Zeno made us sushi rolls from scratch for dinner yesterday - MARVELOUS is all I have to say. Thank you Amore! And perfect pre-race dinner - this morning we woke up and ran 14k :) Oh, I feel it, but we had no injuries and a lot of fun. 


Now to recover - spicy tea, a good book and a bit of relax. 

Tummy bugs and exams don't go together...

Somehow, during my trip to Portugal, I picked up a stomach flu. The kind that requires the near proximity of the bathroom :( Today, this evening, I have a final exam for Lymphatic-Massage... I'm finding that my concentration is not so sharp. I hope it goes ok!

Visit to Portugal :)

We had a lovely 3-day weekend in Portugal together with friends, sunshine and warm, practically T-shirt weather. We had to leave too soon... Zeno was looking at every abandoned house and stating, "We could buy that house and fix it up and live in it!" :) It really was wonderful.

Pillow-head-men - the things we do for cute little babies!

Logan was very appreciative :)

Amelia and Amanda ready for the rain! 

Keeping Logan entertained

Boca d'inferno

Amelia introduced us to all kinds of games! 

Duck fishing

Curious George saves the Zoo

Giraffe

Pig

'Manda the Panda

The Little Charmer

Zeno - everyone's favorite jungle gym! 

Ahhhh... holidays with friends :)

Amelia the up and coming photographer

At the West-most point in Europe! 

Lighthouse :) 

Crashing waves upon the coast

Zeno found a comfy rock

Great place!!! I loved it :D

Buon San Valentino!

For Valentine's Day I spent the beginning of the day cleaning, cleaning, cleaning like a whirling dervish. I had to change the mop water 3 times because it was so dirty! I guess that's about what I should expect since I haven't really deep cleaned since Thanksgiving ;) 


With the cleaning done, it was time for the fun part: Decorating!!! We were getting ready to have some friends over for a Valentine's fondue - meat, cheese and chocolate fondue to be exact. Yum! 

With the arrival of our guests and friends Giovanni, Rachael, Charlotte and "little brother" (not visible until approx 10th of March) let the party begin!!!! 

Oh, first, you've seen the gorgeous flowers already, but let me just say, as we were getting ready for work in this morning, my Amore said - what I heard anyways - was that on Valentine's Day flower prices are hiked up astronomically and it wasn't necessarily the greatest thing to have to get ripped of for flowers. I heartily agreed that rationally it didn't make much sense at all... so, I didn't expect any Valentine's flowers and I tried not to be sad about it (even though he got me flowers all the years previously) because, after all, he was right.

Low and behold, Z was a bit late in getting home from the office (in fact he arrived after the guests) but he came bearing this most gorgeous bouquet!!!! I was so surprised :D and delighted!!! 

Thank you so much Amore mio! 

Just to keep the record straight, it turns out that he said nothing of the kind and had intentions to get me flowers from the day's start! Only - my hearing deceived me... and that made the flowers that much more gorgeous somehow... tricksy Amore mio ;) I'm still not quite convinced my lack of hearing was completely unintended <3

We had great fun! Especially Charlotte who decided Zeno was one of the BEST toys she'd ever had :) 

Happy Valentine's Day!!! Buon San Valentino!!!! 
I just love my Z so much... is he not the absolute super best!?!?!?!? <3