tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66752428879499008822024-03-13T05:37:17.200-04:00Principessa IsabellaUna vera ImpavidoEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-5966598856473908752020-08-01T18:48:00.002-04:002020-08-01T19:12:51.279-04:00Last Post!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDhl4-6Oof8YYsc1ai7pPbcGyENzRvs_9asoVSNlzQTGnfnqgHuFAVrbvuaMjq_k0njkLi9bYUxTUP1EXwBkMNqRnPIEsE7RiKrelmuAAO_rCehTua68-th7BRQLFwvGWyAs24mvfYyyN/s1600/IMG_3036.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDhl4-6Oof8YYsc1ai7pPbcGyENzRvs_9asoVSNlzQTGnfnqgHuFAVrbvuaMjq_k0njkLi9bYUxTUP1EXwBkMNqRnPIEsE7RiKrelmuAAO_rCehTua68-th7BRQLFwvGWyAs24mvfYyyN/s200/IMG_3036.jpeg" width="200" /></a>Let me conclude the final post to this blog with an update on Isabella's medical status. Her MRI at the end of June (six months since the last) showed that all continues to be stable. GREAT news and so she will continue to be on 6 monthly check ups. Fingers crossed this pediatric brain tumor remains dormant and becomes a thing of the past. As 3.5 years since treatment moves towards 5 years and beyond, the check ups will hopefully become less frequent.<br />
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I have decided that this shall be the final post. Isabella turned 18, the day before her MRI in fact and she is about to embark on a new adventure so it seems appropriate to bring this blog to an end. Thank you to all who have read this and allowed me an outlet to share our news about Isabella's health and our family in general. Twelve years on, nearly, we are very grateful for all your love and support.<br />
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In September Isabella will begin University in the UK. She is very excited about this new adventure. The journey to this point has been a bit of a rollercoaster in the past few months, and continues to be so...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls about Rome with nonna</td></tr>
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Not sure if you heard about this thing called, covid?! It has caused a lot of disruption, pain and loss on many levels around the world and will not be quickly forgotten. We sincerely hope that you have been spared tragedy and that there will be a vaccine soon. In our small world we are thankful for good health, supportive family and friends (if only visible virtually or from afar), jobs, food on the table and a nice house and garden. However, the past few months have certainly been a challenge for both Isabella and Matilde. School basically ended abruptly in mid-March. While the school was quick to adapt to online schooling, when the exams (IB for Isabella and IGCSEs for Mati) were cancelled almost immediately, there was limited incentive to study (let alone get out of bed for some). Then the milestone celebrations - prom, high school graduation, 18th birthdays took on a new way of celebrating. and were not at all how they had been imagined. Not to mention no sleepovers, no going out with friends...not fun for teenagers. Despite this tortuous ride, both girls have shown their strength, resilience and adaptability during the pandemic.<br />
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Isabella's high school graduation was postponed multiple times; thankfully in the end we were able to come together with her class, a few teachers and parents - less than 100 of us - socially distanced in a football stadium. It was a memorable (hot) happy event. Then the following day her IB results came out. Like many IB students around the world she was disappointed by her results. In a year without actual exams, the method in which the grades were awarded defied belief. She did achieve very good results, and above what was needed for the university course, but they were not as high as predicted. Then her results were not communicated to UCAS and so there was a two week delay before she received confirmation of her place. A very tense and anxious time! Now all is resolved and the University seems determined to open physically in September. Fingers crossed. So Isabella and I finally booked our flights and are ready to complete our two weeks quarantine prior to moving in, in mid-September. It was always going to be an emotional event, dropping her at University, but 2020 has brought an added dimension.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiqrD1mTUKYJnMcTJJ0w-bnsJgLf0eoBM0IheorusyBw_aepcNbCMNK5h2zOs4k25maRSmwSnTqk3e-40WOFYW1nB1qEwp5xfCeCyv2QpMiVVJlgl8eLiuBkR0y6ReZH7m6eBwU2INNRm/s1600/IMG_2620.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiqrD1mTUKYJnMcTJJ0w-bnsJgLf0eoBM0IheorusyBw_aepcNbCMNK5h2zOs4k25maRSmwSnTqk3e-40WOFYW1nB1qEwp5xfCeCyv2QpMiVVJlgl8eLiuBkR0y6ReZH7m6eBwU2INNRm/s200/IMG_2620.jpeg" width="200" /></a>Over the past few months (20 weeks, I noted today) we have been keeping ourselves busy, running, nice walks and bike rides, tending to the gardens, clearing out cupboards, making new cocktails, off-roading the jeep at the beach, dress up Fridays with a theme and plenty of cooking (from perfecting foccaccia to jam making or Great British Bake-off worthy cakes to endless pasta making). There have also been many projects. The biggest one has been managing the works at our house in Umbria. I am pleased to say it is all coming together. Sadly we were not able to get over there this summer nor do we know when we will get there. Mati and I are dreaming of Christmas in Italy at this point. But no plans yet. Thankfully we were in Italy during the February half term break for a week to see the grandparents and we managed to meet a load of people and discuss various jobs that needed doing. We flew back to the US as covid-19 was exploding in Italy and then shortly after that everything came to a grinding halt. When things did open up in Italy in May and June we were able to begin to some works on the house and garden. Our neighbor has a great help and provided regular updates and photos so we have been able to order lights and furniture, choose paint colors etc etc etc and keep things moving.<br />
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Of course we wish we were sitting relaxing in Umbria... this summer's escape will be a week at a cabin a few hours drive away. We considered many options but right now we are really looking forward to escaping the heat of DC and switching off and a complete change of scenery. The cell phone reception is not supposed to be great where we are going, so we are expecting a complete break with some nice hikes and picnics. I am sure we will recharge the batteries, ready to face whatever the next few months will bring.<br />
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We hope you are all well and coping with the challenges that this pandemic brings you.<br />
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With lots of love,<br />
Emma and family xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-70535767906185932452019-12-18T20:55:00.003-05:002019-12-18T20:55:53.253-05:00Happy Christmas 2019!<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ORZm0qBHRkbckPrdz5p7gxuZtDu0hXuPBb__gA9T_NZlUuJo0lwYBB6OOB4jmaj5kslzLbrq3we0Us4Qgw0jCZpVjz_ERndSjO3cOEfTy08cceXLzvYxO6T5zmcF5QgHF3nxUJNVPZBx/s1600/IMG_0808.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ORZm0qBHRkbckPrdz5p7gxuZtDu0hXuPBb__gA9T_NZlUuJo0lwYBB6OOB4jmaj5kslzLbrq3we0Us4Qgw0jCZpVjz_ERndSjO3cOEfTy08cceXLzvYxO6T5zmcF5QgHF3nxUJNVPZBx/s200/IMG_0808.jpeg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqw56aCOK-ykbhPgS9M3RwuyxvRGdh1LdYjn2Q9WtAQ0HF3y8B8D6meOf1DJzUOTKbHavGZQp1js1Wdjefmy5Fqb2GXweW22Yw3frGWNLJ55O4HvS5pae3mpVJE2oK8JW3e8fNunNT9azi/s1600/52aabfa7-65b1-4cc8-9928-761e7538ed3d.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqw56aCOK-ykbhPgS9M3RwuyxvRGdh1LdYjn2Q9WtAQ0HF3y8B8D6meOf1DJzUOTKbHavGZQp1js1Wdjefmy5Fqb2GXweW22Yw3frGWNLJ55O4HvS5pae3mpVJE2oK8JW3e8fNunNT9azi/s200/52aabfa7-65b1-4cc8-9928-761e7538ed3d.jpeg" width="150" /></a>'Tis the season...and get into the spirit one must. Until today we were definitely feeling like party poopers and unable to get into the spirit and look forward to Christmas. BUT this morning we were informed that Isabella's latest MRI shows that her tumor continues to be stable. This means that we will now be moving to 6 monthly check ups. This is AMAZING news, we have reached a new milestone. Not since we began this so-called journey (11 years ago) have we had such a distance between medical check ups. This is HUGE and wonderful news, we are so relieved to receive this update in time for Christmas.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On location in LA</td></tr>
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This has been another rollercoaster year for the Impavido family. Mati passed her Maths IGCSE in the summer with flying colors and Isabella passed her driving test and has relieved us from swim practice drop offs and pick ups or nips out in the car when we run out of milk. Wonderful all round. It has also enabled Gregorio and I to have three long week-ends away this year on our own (Rome, LA and Barbados!) while the girls had fun at home with unlimited free access to the Jeep. The bonus for me was that the food shopping was done and meals planned for the week ahead when I got back. What is not to love about teenage girls?!<br />
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This autumn term has been intense with both girls in key exam years, Mati working towards her IGCSEs and Isabella her IB. Isabella has also been applying for University. To be honest, an excruciating experience as a parent, when you realise how powerless you are in the decision process and this is their life, they need to figure out which road to take. The path to a medical career for Isabella might not be as straightforward as she had hoped but we are confident she will get there. Stay tuned, we anticipate her studying in the UK or Europe next year but apparently Australia is also on the cards as a possibility.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuOkssy9Qd4hhS6H-znI6cpcc-4h76qlm-rFecxvf9W5XLEut15Ve14HUt3_SmJd6jc-U9SVMp7MOiLNZgws0xop-MtlVQpt9EoKNwEqs4TuFZ1m38ALCUHKvPJbu5Uf7hSNmEA7XGr7J/s1600/33F16801-4A05-440D-84FF-DDAC8FC80606.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuOkssy9Qd4hhS6H-znI6cpcc-4h76qlm-rFecxvf9W5XLEut15Ve14HUt3_SmJd6jc-U9SVMp7MOiLNZgws0xop-MtlVQpt9EoKNwEqs4TuFZ1m38ALCUHKvPJbu5Uf7hSNmEA7XGr7J/s200/33F16801-4A05-440D-84FF-DDAC8FC80606.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from the Villa</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw6eQc0cw6BSGMGrFt2BL6uvTq8xlOf8P-1oasOkTM5rUblNoxNQY5RnEKQbFYO2cRtFTZDbk28zEs0to6NWSegoKNQNyI9mImc-F5GkQeV18e0-5EwKxCAgy-44dyAjQH5W_klIrrb3E/s1600/dee42ed9-6111-4dea-a832-00ecb1936a68.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPw6eQc0cw6BSGMGrFt2BL6uvTq8xlOf8P-1oasOkTM5rUblNoxNQY5RnEKQbFYO2cRtFTZDbk28zEs0to6NWSegoKNQNyI9mImc-F5GkQeV18e0-5EwKxCAgy-44dyAjQH5W_klIrrb3E/s200/dee42ed9-6111-4dea-a832-00ecb1936a68.jpeg" width="150" /></a>All this paves the way for Gregorio and I becoming empty nesters in the next couple of years. Despite seeing this coming, it hit me like a ton of bricks on a wet November day, that this will be my 20th Christmas, this side of the Atlantic. Hard to believe. Maybe I too am ready for some change or my heart is in Umbria, where we are managing our new house project from afar. Yes, we did purchase the house in May. We had a bumpy start with the previous tenant deciding it was still his house and refusing to move out for the first month or so. The locksmith and carabinieri became our best friends and an alarm system was quickly installed. Thankfully we have moved on and had a great couple of weeks in the summer sorting out the house, fixing, cleaning, buying beds, sussing out local restaurants and gelaterie, buying basic kitchen equipment and even hosting our first party with friends. The work has continued over the autumn, the olives were harvested and we are hoping to visit early next year to sort out painting, furniture buying and and and. I hold out eternal hope of jumping in the new pool next summer. Gregorio is not convinced that building permits and contractors work on my timetable. The building of the pool may well form chapter two of this dream villa tale...let's just hope it's not chapter three, four and more! Suffice to say we hope that many of you will come and visit when you can and it will be a base for many hours of fun and laughter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOncOly-R1X-tvjts5SAd6uuxF21HayANkXZqgn8uiDE09jI-czk4iKehnrzisGP7yvOLMMvXx6f9b_5rl__PxnvGkjTCG8BrYH0SpRk_qexgnDvwc8-9wFG7lc1zb-kjhcXSra8zGL0A/s1600/IMG_1238.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOncOly-R1X-tvjts5SAd6uuxF21HayANkXZqgn8uiDE09jI-czk4iKehnrzisGP7yvOLMMvXx6f9b_5rl__PxnvGkjTCG8BrYH0SpRk_qexgnDvwc8-9wFG7lc1zb-kjhcXSra8zGL0A/s200/IMG_1238.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emma in Casablanca</td></tr>
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And talking of things Italian, I am one document, a translation and a rubber stamp away from joining them! I began the process the day after the referendum and given the ongoing shenanigans, I might just beat Brexit and remain a European without interruption. Viva l'Italia!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the nonni in Iceland</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS61kwqb7VlCeM3qGm7l5r_CRgyMZtvE4yYlbWAGTXlMIzbf9JtBH8C5gjDefnbsW_zeao4X09eARIomco9YmKkDSs7yU4DFIT8wLuLnK553j36bhVzDOKfWswxc63jpShoGnvarzZ6S1S/s1600/IMG_0697.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS61kwqb7VlCeM3qGm7l5r_CRgyMZtvE4yYlbWAGTXlMIzbf9JtBH8C5gjDefnbsW_zeao4X09eARIomco9YmKkDSs7yU4DFIT8wLuLnK553j36bhVzDOKfWswxc63jpShoGnvarzZ6S1S/s200/IMG_0697.jpeg" width="200" /></a>Travel has featured heavily in 2019. This summer we had a great trip to Iceland with the nonni. We loved the light, landscape and clean air. Aside from our Italian house adventures, we could dine out on tales about renting cars in Italy too from this summer and Gregorio seemed to become very familiar with the A1 motorway between Milan and Rome. With some medical scares for our parents this was all in all quite an unforgettable summer. I traveled to the UK and France several times in preparation for the 75th anniversary of D-Day and sending several hundred clients to join the commemorations. In September I enjoyed a magical week in Morocco, an opportunity to shop for furnishings for our new house. And I concluded my autumn travels in Switzerland with a breathtaking couple of days in Zermatt and catching up with my brother and family who seem very happy in their new life near Geneva.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxb319KPISaQbM35CbdlCcx-eOGMgplgoOVtgQwWAZ5b5MdOzRKJGbJXGEgGrPhXnw_krybpr5zFy0AZCdhn1RjSMBvtYWbavxnS5gqXz6MqWPEwVY_Y17MEfV2OFKBGmgNdklHGnaPfi3/s1600/IMG_9618.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxb319KPISaQbM35CbdlCcx-eOGMgplgoOVtgQwWAZ5b5MdOzRKJGbJXGEgGrPhXnw_krybpr5zFy0AZCdhn1RjSMBvtYWbavxnS5gqXz6MqWPEwVY_Y17MEfV2OFKBGmgNdklHGnaPfi3/s200/IMG_9618.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mighty Matterhorn at sunrise.</td></tr>
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On the home front, we began the year with several goals, one of them was to eradicate plastic wrap (cling film/saran wrap) and we have more or less achieved it. We are now ready to take on the next challenge in the war against plastic. I would like to urge all of you to take on one of the National Geographic slogans (and the girls will cringe that I am broadcasting this out to a wider circle) "get the cup out of my ocean" or " get the fork out of my ocean" together "let's bag plastic!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoOGu4GKPNPTAH2hxPeL_jrRJif1a5oxgMwls64DysX5HqXR4brRtZF2ZEE5mcsnM9qJU8MPslChMw8TXXEB8eVsSsIPVcrDUIVxWRQFpfhuxq_vhout1sgqehz-Q6td1s15YYcMhML-W/s1600/e8c40ed3-c3ca-4888-a3c4-4590d250952e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguoOGu4GKPNPTAH2hxPeL_jrRJif1a5oxgMwls64DysX5HqXR4brRtZF2ZEE5mcsnM9qJU8MPslChMw8TXXEB8eVsSsIPVcrDUIVxWRQFpfhuxq_vhout1sgqehz-Q6td1s15YYcMhML-W/s200/e8c40ed3-c3ca-4888-a3c4-4590d250952e.jpeg" width="150" /></a>As always we are grateful to the many friends and family around the world, who apparently continue to check this blog for updates and send words of support. I apologise for not updating on a very regular basis. Perhaps when Isabella turns 18, the tumor continues to be stable and she flies the nest next summer, I shall resort to other forms of updates... #instagramfan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmykjlFisJJRXRFI4sBi9glqZozzRmo5B2ZFIGM2Kph4QYmeFARdy4Q1lO7BThnXAMLpjff3xME53aozOkf-VQtahqIwcFxbakPbTiRtf0r4uGmRJQOPCOhUGLSgZRUtyAX2cftg-7guI/s1600/IMG_8386.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmykjlFisJJRXRFI4sBi9glqZozzRmo5B2ZFIGM2Kph4QYmeFARdy4Q1lO7BThnXAMLpjff3xME53aozOkf-VQtahqIwcFxbakPbTiRtf0r4uGmRJQOPCOhUGLSgZRUtyAX2cftg-7guI/s200/IMG_8386.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
Whatever your dreams and hopes may be for the coming year, we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and bright 2020. May our paths cross somewhere in the world very soon.<br />
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<br />
Lots of Love,<br />
Emma, Gregorio, Isabella & Matilde xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-47365978449530189432019-04-13T13:58:00.003-04:002019-04-13T14:00:47.831-04:00Still StableNo need to read on!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxJB-_5eAYxH-Q4H5ID0sierWgXZK9GnozmsLGTE0ge3HDZGfHoLe1pBP4vOblZNeav5FrOVP07JwF9KbqbRvdpvn1YUpEi_wPj3E8sXK48JT0PEOL1QVHrxmaXv2GL7bXMxHUUKl9xG7/s1600/IMG_6560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxJB-_5eAYxH-Q4H5ID0sierWgXZK9GnozmsLGTE0ge3HDZGfHoLe1pBP4vOblZNeav5FrOVP07JwF9KbqbRvdpvn1YUpEi_wPj3E8sXK48JT0PEOL1QVHrxmaXv2GL7bXMxHUUKl9xG7/s200/IMG_6560.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Yep it is all stable and we are pushing the next MRI to the end of August. That will be nearly 5 months since this latest MRI...and that makes it 1.5 years since Isabella stopped treatment. Could the pediatric tumor have finally ceased activity? We certainly hope so. We will keep you posted if there is any change later in the year.<br />
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Since our last update we have been busy, of course!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpdOKUYT7gfdWV2JiulNFaprIp-fkWFKrbPPLn-dXVy0ctlHEnIbcRrBe4TZgJLMuWDkyPlyHEXgpyRpoZNLXdtvCPU35OtYAAP_Xn7KU-ZMGuFVQpthBYhJMcWhfRNw2-6zf60nIUwmL/s1600/IMG_6287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpdOKUYT7gfdWV2JiulNFaprIp-fkWFKrbPPLn-dXVy0ctlHEnIbcRrBe4TZgJLMuWDkyPlyHEXgpyRpoZNLXdtvCPU35OtYAAP_Xn7KU-ZMGuFVQpthBYhJMcWhfRNw2-6zf60nIUwmL/s200/IMG_6287.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR-q1G6bubP3faA_U3x4UIOlr-u7z885aYk9RwWMLsUyPwzcsf2CICYH0gcZ2kmOaApJ9j8XfMz_ZqJpYDdcqs8NxFK7179cmgoawWaquRVz7sKcHH7El22Y23r6jY5MxNX24bOt7EFot/s1600/IMG_6536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmR-q1G6bubP3faA_U3x4UIOlr-u7z885aYk9RwWMLsUyPwzcsf2CICYH0gcZ2kmOaApJ9j8XfMz_ZqJpYDdcqs8NxFK7179cmgoawWaquRVz7sKcHH7El22Y23r6jY5MxNX24bOt7EFot/s200/IMG_6536.jpg" width="200" /></a>We had a really relaxing trip to Stowe, Vermont at Christmas. Lovely New England village. The snow, sadly did not live up to expectations but most still skied, we enjoyed the scenery complete with covered bridges and Isabella learnt to drive the jeep in the snow. Gregorio bought all the kitchen essentials - the pasta machine and coffee maker, so we were well fed, happy and enjoyed our break. We begun the New Year with a magical and colorful performance of the Magic Flute at the Met in New York on our return.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUHk70R_GPsxmSSz_PUVnnJtm3PU7arG4tDuuHslGBoD5NGQyxElls_V5jdLP1aaQ1pJkFUdxa9QwWnM-xC3wg2-4XOqPRG9JG7YrTiMGpTp2Pg-oKn4bXIeIHsGrFRhSgBO9CVZXSHYP/s1600/IMG_6411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUHk70R_GPsxmSSz_PUVnnJtm3PU7arG4tDuuHslGBoD5NGQyxElls_V5jdLP1aaQ1pJkFUdxa9QwWnM-xC3wg2-4XOqPRG9JG7YrTiMGpTp2Pg-oKn4bXIeIHsGrFRhSgBO9CVZXSHYP/s200/IMG_6411.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz50WS_Oq5AgMrHMEAMs8V-lur9RGTs9ESKSjv2WZPBXjs0D-bVUirr28U9u_sN4v2-i5oO3tWc6ZzYCjifAwcWmi2gx4KruCmE1JqDB47xag8kiaD8HD8ywQ63Bh5tloo4XeM4qkaBOzY/s1600/IMG_6357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz50WS_Oq5AgMrHMEAMs8V-lur9RGTs9ESKSjv2WZPBXjs0D-bVUirr28U9u_sN4v2-i5oO3tWc6ZzYCjifAwcWmi2gx4KruCmE1JqDB47xag8kiaD8HD8ywQ63Bh5tloo4XeM4qkaBOzY/s200/IMG_6357.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Favourite pastamaker</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DWRQ7TWmsfmOh9r_UoBjodljekGhp-zfxpgd3_pcKFg-kW4OG66IByOC1GGznbkDxgNLCHCpmYeD3jac-G_LGARbMrTNaNWq2UX7qZpB1n3m2UQopXsgMCR7eYoPHo4REAS8PA75XNbR/s1600/IMG_6378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1336" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DWRQ7TWmsfmOh9r_UoBjodljekGhp-zfxpgd3_pcKFg-kW4OG66IByOC1GGznbkDxgNLCHCpmYeD3jac-G_LGARbMrTNaNWq2UX7qZpB1n3m2UQopXsgMCR7eYoPHo4REAS8PA75XNbR/s200/IMG_6378.jpg" width="166" /></a>Back in DC both girls have been working hard at school. Mati is focused on taking her maths IGCSE this summer and is still an avid swimmer; while Isabella has her head down focused on the end goal of getting into medical school next year. She is enjoying the IB course and still finds a lot of time for extra curricular activities that include tutoring and volunteering at Children's Hospital and the Nursing Home close by. And just before the Easter break, Isabella was selected as Student Body President (aka Head Girl for the English readers).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnM8JkWMXy0ea9aGBPEpvKGSme6e6bdpmyUifS5Djfw9IlLoHyiK5LY8E0L18la3iOz2iOEfJvKVqEIHQBQ0Gk8YeEs5g2UlZxOOgEUm0at9eRj4faCZMed05YVUGbxRwYn306A1AfA3U/s1600/IMG_6917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnM8JkWMXy0ea9aGBPEpvKGSme6e6bdpmyUifS5Djfw9IlLoHyiK5LY8E0L18la3iOz2iOEfJvKVqEIHQBQ0Gk8YeEs5g2UlZxOOgEUm0at9eRj4faCZMed05YVUGbxRwYn306A1AfA3U/s200/IMG_6917.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Roma!</td></tr>
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We are having a relatively quiet easter holiday here and we still haven't made any summer plans. What with all the medical school exams and....our latest project, it is hard to plan....Gregorio and I are trying to buy a house in Umbria. It is a long process but it did mean that Gregorio and I had a fun week-end in Rome earlier in the year. The sign of things to come: a week-end without kids, we left them back in DC having fun without us!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPAtDIu4lD_LAEFUoin9_qUva3TEKpJGKQ8qSw6r5ynjDGbSor1o5Ik8PVNbRQ_F_mKfY-j6DjbzASqFDUa9VFYgTcwK9FGNpV6CEUG8UoQPx3OZOdqYZPXsAc8VraqI5HuHwAZgr1s0S/s1600/4cbe0e30-7757-4648-b48b-2b8e59937f35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="583" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPAtDIu4lD_LAEFUoin9_qUva3TEKpJGKQ8qSw6r5ynjDGbSor1o5Ik8PVNbRQ_F_mKfY-j6DjbzASqFDUa9VFYgTcwK9FGNpV6CEUG8UoQPx3OZOdqYZPXsAc8VraqI5HuHwAZgr1s0S/s200/4cbe0e30-7757-4648-b48b-2b8e59937f35.jpg" width="149" /></a><br />
In February, Mati had a week's skiing with the school in West Virginia while Isabella went on a service learning project to Tanzania. It was a memorable journey for her, helping build schools and housing and then enjoying some time on safari.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UBQucyrndKuODuBkyMEolh7qoavOnyqhgrEeqacNQ2ze9Mxc3DIupQzUFA1OcyWKoKtZmjXDRm_tn2IOVHfV5O9TRdd8xm-38f90DqlzHlD2zW_k7CUT2V6boXAu5kvV6O5ILWKWsJw7/s1600/c7e94dd6-0c80-4030-97f5-df547fef67e4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="640" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UBQucyrndKuODuBkyMEolh7qoavOnyqhgrEeqacNQ2ze9Mxc3DIupQzUFA1OcyWKoKtZmjXDRm_tn2IOVHfV5O9TRdd8xm-38f90DqlzHlD2zW_k7CUT2V6boXAu5kvV6O5ILWKWsJw7/s200/c7e94dd6-0c80-4030-97f5-df547fef67e4.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Spring is here and we are gearing up to the annual Race for Hope. Team Impavido will be out in force on May 5th, to raise funds and awareness for Brain Cancer and maybe get a personal best! Please join us physically or virtually. We are grateful for your support.<br />
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Lots of Love,<br />
Emma, Gregorio, Isabella and Matilde. xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-24994258808588917942018-12-18T22:36:00.000-05:002018-12-18T22:36:35.642-05:00My favourite word: stable!Much to our surprise but to our pure delight last week's MRI showed that Isabella's tumor continues to remain stable. So we move on with life for another three months. That takes us to two years without treatment. We will continue with three monthly check ups, given the blip in the early summer. This is a Christmas present we are extremely happy to receive. Thank you all for your continued support.<br />
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We've had a busy autumn, just for a change! Plenty going on with school and work. Isabella began her IB courses and Matilde her IGCSEs. Isabella is focused on her end goal of pursuing a career in medicine and has worked out where she would like to study and all she needs to achieve to get there - more as the plans progress. Meanwhile she has started learning to drive, though there was a short hiatus in October when she broke her foot (another medical field she gathered information on, from a patient perspective!) She is still singing with the choir and last Sunday we enjoyed a beautiful winter concert. It never ceases to move me, hearing such magical voices - I know I can't sing a note in tune. Meanwhile Mati is still focused on her free style and backstroke times.<br />
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Gregorio continues to derive much enjoyment from creating the perfect carb - sourdough bread and pasta in all shapes and sizes - and it is actually rather good. He even invited the world's top chef to dinner this week to check out his cacio e pepe - we spotted the chef's daughter had graduated across the street this week and posted on his instagram page. Well Mr Bottura you missed out but someone in the neighborhood (unknown to us) saw the post and is picking up her handmade fettucine tomorrow! His first official customer, rather than biased friends and family.<br />
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As we wind down the week we are looking for to switching off for Christmas. We are looking forward to a white (but pretty cold) one in Vermont.<br />
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The past few months have gone by in a whirl and we sadly didn't manage to organise our Christmas party this year (no you were not dropped off the list!) so we wish our dear friends near and far a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.<br />
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With love,<br />
Emma & Gregorio. xxx<br />
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<br />Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-47093568472364232492018-09-21T21:54:00.000-04:002018-09-21T21:54:24.663-04:0010 Years on!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G9RQ1YwYbhFynGUDZUk3mR9Y2wPKms5qirB7mMpXWn18ATYoFhs36NaT_N73TruKrjuF2AObkojgjNIjGMWSsVCHO9ZJEAMCLOGppo7G3TqLQ_-dWNjtTux2Id2NoiajglWjmwL5TkjU/s1600/IMG_5312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G9RQ1YwYbhFynGUDZUk3mR9Y2wPKms5qirB7mMpXWn18ATYoFhs36NaT_N73TruKrjuF2AObkojgjNIjGMWSsVCHO9ZJEAMCLOGppo7G3TqLQ_-dWNjtTux2Id2NoiajglWjmwL5TkjU/s320/IMG_5312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I was just six when this all began<br />
With that September 22nd brain scan.<br />
Each chemotherapy round<br />
Was like a rollercoaster up and down:<br />
ANC low, fevers, ER visits<br />
and even a broken port,<br />
But each time I have soldiered on and fought.<br />
Now I am seven and I have survived<br />
this year-long test.<br />
Let's pray that this nasty weed<br />
will now lay to rest<br />
<br />
<i>We are Impavido.</i><br />
<i>We will make this weed go</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
*********************************<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZwNi6j57uxFerB-JmIhohxF5cnqH7jRNBrkH5ga4UES9lgoanxvvHfPhODijlkiX0ZhiA0yZ7KUxnOrkzQrdR6FhWE75Ht-bTiDzLCnqGoO8CMtmGS5fHOa7bxcc9Rb6P-zkNdLq0fIK/s1600/IMG_5304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZwNi6j57uxFerB-JmIhohxF5cnqH7jRNBrkH5ga4UES9lgoanxvvHfPhODijlkiX0ZhiA0yZ7KUxnOrkzQrdR6FhWE75Ht-bTiDzLCnqGoO8CMtmGS5fHOa7bxcc9Rb6P-zkNdLq0fIK/s320/IMG_5304.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are very proud of Isabella and all she has been through these past 10 years.<br />
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<br />Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-41484992083266019822018-09-16T15:29:00.001-04:002018-09-16T15:29:55.095-04:00Anxiety downgraded!...and long European vacations prescribed! Much to our surprise and great relief last week's MRI showed that Isabella's tumor is stable. We compared it to three months ago, six months ago, one year ago and more and they feel comfortable with continuing to monitor the situation. After extensive tests with the eye doctor and visits with multiple doctors they all agreed it looks stable and we can relax and enjoy life. No treatment now. Next MRI just before Christmas.<br />
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Onwards with life!<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Emma & Gregorio, Isabella & Mati xEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-9554681752124710312018-09-12T19:51:00.002-04:002018-09-12T19:55:58.078-04:00Anxiously Waiting....For many on this side of the Atlantic we are waiting to see what Florence (the Hurricane) will bring; in this household we are anxiously awaiting the results of Isabella's MRI scan from last week-end. For the past 10 years (except for last May, which took us by surprise) I have reached out to the medical team on Monday for a preliminary reading. It has been an easier way for us to share the information with Isabella, prior to the meeting with the doctors, usually on a Thursday. However, Isabella is an independent young lady and did not want to be distracted by the news until we could discuss treatment needs and options with the doctors. So we will see what they say tomorrow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8wyLMDPuqmu1zAAirOZ9jqSawFJl4biqlXffmZFYR7Hsv5Wl5mHgnbkWlC7UYbjccLU4EdxogPepWerw-0-PjTT6KjkfxkhJmOT_aADynW_Tdb4dNYm9ebUNF8uIubyIsQGwD2gDML6i/s1600/IMG_3627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8wyLMDPuqmu1zAAirOZ9jqSawFJl4biqlXffmZFYR7Hsv5Wl5mHgnbkWlC7UYbjccLU4EdxogPepWerw-0-PjTT6KjkfxkhJmOT_aADynW_Tdb4dNYm9ebUNF8uIubyIsQGwD2gDML6i/s200/IMG_3627.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rooftop view of July 14 fireworks in Paris</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6iRMZ_Hqf3pqwdxDWnuRicu1C3264TXbEXvG6uXgGmT-OpF8knWPArjBpRLKrG6dpZ8giIdKmE_Wj1nYuvniAw8QDx270VN6oXxdUkFLhBmOiBYejBH9OXFEyyw6ws4PfFiKi5ro204U/s1600/IMG_3632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6iRMZ_Hqf3pqwdxDWnuRicu1C3264TXbEXvG6uXgGmT-OpF8knWPArjBpRLKrG6dpZ8giIdKmE_Wj1nYuvniAw8QDx270VN6oXxdUkFLhBmOiBYejBH9OXFEyyw6ws4PfFiKi5ro204U/s200/IMG_3632.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting France for World Cup final</td></tr>
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Despite this rather anxious past week or so of waiting and wondering whether Isabella will have to restart some form of treatment, Isabella, Matilde and I had a lovely summer. Gregorio, sadly was bogged down with work and did not really get a holiday. He had to change his flights multiple times and only spent a week, much to the disappointment of many, with us in Italy.<br />
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Isabella had the most amazing month in July. Navigating her <br />
way around London, Brussels, Paris and Rome. She saw friends and family along the way, showed great maturity and independence and had a truly memorable time. She was in Paris for July 14th, followed by France winning the World Cup <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAg1DDn2kXK16EJGSzQPyDD3FRyXGIytHUwfLbvc3b5D_ZZHSCpuL4MTfSpWNuFZEV7jfWqeOpuZKowysOPYX5Xras0XX635CGGz0pyTNjGZAlbnEd4hNUM63eT3KhtRYmAqWJtdqUk8k/s1600/IMG_3606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAg1DDn2kXK16EJGSzQPyDD3FRyXGIytHUwfLbvc3b5D_ZZHSCpuL4MTfSpWNuFZEV7jfWqeOpuZKowysOPYX5Xras0XX635CGGz0pyTNjGZAlbnEd4hNUM63eT3KhtRYmAqWJtdqUk8k/s200/IMG_3606.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon tea at Le Meurice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRt6XiEZjgVFRbx93yzGKuSwcgG7NutHv7zVwMD-a8akDi4t-XLXdfpCHIjR7_Q6mntFiFcBv8jqA4mvGfaZ7sWTYnztt984_j381gka6u5o5CsTxqK5L6L2SnxgEhZmDIZQLJ3SdxYaS/s1600/IMG_3781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRt6XiEZjgVFRbx93yzGKuSwcgG7NutHv7zVwMD-a8akDi4t-XLXdfpCHIjR7_Q6mntFiFcBv8jqA4mvGfaZ7sWTYnztt984_j381gka6u5o5CsTxqK5L6L2SnxgEhZmDIZQLJ3SdxYaS/s200/IMG_3781.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floating pineapple in Mallorca</td></tr>
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football, which looked like an unforgettable week-end to be there. Given all Isabella has been through and how hard she worked this past academic year, we had wanted her to enjoy this summer and it would appear she did! From Rome, she enjoyed<br />
a week's sailing camp, reconnecting with friends she met last year, picking up Roman dialect and teenage slang. Meanwhile Mati flew solo across the country and enjoyed a week at the beach, learning to surf with a friend in California. This was followed by a lot of swimming in her summer swim league back in DC.<br />
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Mati and I had a few days in Mallorca with my father enjoying tapas <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8euYUUWAczG7w9lUvsVKrwX7tha-YPjGy2t919q9IvhrHOjoR25BiyDnZ3VyOulfBkvVs-XqFZ646qSHFHkLXglLvaJaZ_HUJ3lSFIoeSXFVKzy0Jw6RQy0_xMzbWmRWx_PF3qigubRz4/s1600/IMG_4040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8euYUUWAczG7w9lUvsVKrwX7tha-YPjGy2t919q9IvhrHOjoR25BiyDnZ3VyOulfBkvVs-XqFZ646qSHFHkLXglLvaJaZ_HUJ3lSFIoeSXFVKzy0Jw6RQy0_xMzbWmRWx_PF3qigubRz4/s200/IMG_4040.jpg" width="200" /></a>and seafood galore before rendez-vous-ing with Isabella and the Italian grandparents at the end of July. We had a lovely couple of weeks in the mountains, revisiting the usual haunts, hiking, <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu75Ji9sO18ZAPiRVF2fSWUVp8jApWBuo53mwlzgfC-WxG0zpp8-BJdr-I4-hT-tggmwriS4KBZhd2XSIRvF6L52yduv7o3P1CbILL5tOBZSr6IKV3p0CT24lqG-w8mUGX-plFSS09-a__/s1600/IMG_4131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu75Ji9sO18ZAPiRVF2fSWUVp8jApWBuo53mwlzgfC-WxG0zpp8-BJdr-I4-hT-tggmwriS4KBZhd2XSIRvF6L52yduv7o3P1CbILL5tOBZSr6IKV3p0CT24lqG-w8mUGX-plFSS09-a__/s200/IMG_4131.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSaWhTv0cIDrOPskDyxD8E3_Sl9_lXHzlAH-7MPBHNycvatxjocarqM15RTvRcREUZQ83PnJUSaxf9NDpC5ikZeWrfYNeuxksuZ1JxkW3v6bQxYmIfTRKE0syN6RMBC_jOL48zgaB4KAz/s1600/IMG_4209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSaWhTv0cIDrOPskDyxD8E3_Sl9_lXHzlAH-7MPBHNycvatxjocarqM15RTvRcREUZQ83PnJUSaxf9NDpC5ikZeWrfYNeuxksuZ1JxkW3v6bQxYmIfTRKE0syN6RMBC_jOL48zgaB4KAz/s200/IMG_4209.jpg" width="200" /></a>picnicking, mushroom hunting, gelato tasting galore and generally spending time with family, including cousins and friends from Belgium and UK. For us girls it was a very relaxing couple of weeks. For Gregorio it was another <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUs3CDhixngCpeFtYqO_pvHWdNuh9-rgZjzU336sxA1VSO22bCRDEm6Lvk3lN_KAUM8MstGE-DNYL1k9TRAmBTrURI-MrJiovCLOebKvegKg51GF0I6TCUY65CmrirvMtViFjOYGJ4nl4/s1600/IMG_4654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUs3CDhixngCpeFtYqO_pvHWdNuh9-rgZjzU336sxA1VSO22bCRDEm6Lvk3lN_KAUM8MstGE-DNYL1k9TRAmBTrURI-MrJiovCLOebKvegKg51GF0I6TCUY65CmrirvMtViFjOYGJ4nl4/s200/IMG_4654.jpg" width="200" /></a>story. Even when he did arrive, the internet proved too slow in the foothills of the alps and he was forced to decamp to a business hotel in Turin for a few days. We did have five lovely days in Tuscany just the four of us and considered whether the dream of retirement in Italy is worth pursuing...watch this space!<br />
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We concluded our European (can still say that) tour with five days in London. I mainly worked from the kitchen table in Clapham while the girls jetted around London with their dear old friends. It was very pleasing to see how independent and "at home" they are in the big smoke. We did manage to see family and even catch up with my dear godmother, whom I had not seen since my wedding! A lovely couple of days. While we were in London the girls received their IGCSE results. Allow me to indulge in a proud mother moment here. Much to Mati's relief (and Gregorio's pleasure) she gained an A* in Italian. While Isabella did amazingly, gaining 9 A* and 3 A. Brilliant. Very proud of our girls.<br />
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Exams results received, the holiday was basically over and it was back to reality. Straight back to DC and into school where the whirlwind of the new academic year began. We are slowly catching our breathe and getting back into the routine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNd-puNQ_PLUGOfctKLnBSYBeEHHXELSTaMxOj5FzpTGCOpNyyKw3fJgMrJ83oV1MwDmWZZCXRC2-e11ZvXcr3X7G4S4kZTEQ4_190NSIgI2uGNn-z53VObW53tte9daLF9LwvvTBjtESt/s1600/IMG_5164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNd-puNQ_PLUGOfctKLnBSYBeEHHXELSTaMxOj5FzpTGCOpNyyKw3fJgMrJ83oV1MwDmWZZCXRC2-e11ZvXcr3X7G4S4kZTEQ4_190NSIgI2uGNn-z53VObW53tte9daLF9LwvvTBjtESt/s200/IMG_5164.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to School. No uniform for Bella!</td></tr>
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Needless to say we will update you with news on the MRI result.<br />
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Lots of love<br />
Emma & co xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-69570619992817187422018-07-02T22:37:00.003-04:002018-07-02T22:40:50.796-04:00Tough times don’t last but tough people do!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiHiBlvCNSGCaI5Xj9SntR2AHH7I7lJDZIRRJ6s1iYtRZtNy-CIo4_9E9tN24HwI5Z_Yfbrs5KbjR2yvPLvJK7QHSPFfpktepYM5snwQU9lneijeGw9gbm2Xb86oFeruozShToxc4O9_Y/s1600/IMG_3471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiHiBlvCNSGCaI5Xj9SntR2AHH7I7lJDZIRRJ6s1iYtRZtNy-CIo4_9E9tN24HwI5Z_Yfbrs5KbjR2yvPLvJK7QHSPFfpktepYM5snwQU9lneijeGw9gbm2Xb86oFeruozShToxc4O9_Y/s200/IMG_3471.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet 16</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race for Hope 2018</td></tr>
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I just read this quote and thought how appropriate for Isabella and all that she continues to face, nearly 10 years on.</div>
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The past couple of months have been particularly intense with Isabella's IGCSE exams and then in the middle of them (they went on for about 6 weeks and for which she has studied consistently) we received the news that her tumor has grown slightly and it was time to consider restarting treatment. This came as a bit of a blow to us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxw8hbrtypIkgG9lQk_9LXkcdZBlpcdxWgiAfv7t7b_epaga-rOj1Sxc5qLGLqe64khz8Maw1Og4OrxuqdKKghwxO_NNbH51KM4QiKAdT2b1kfEsQ7r0qjWrMs_4rrWVHcNkp2E0UcWeT/s1600/IMG_3468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxw8hbrtypIkgG9lQk_9LXkcdZBlpcdxWgiAfv7t7b_epaga-rOj1Sxc5qLGLqe64khz8Maw1Og4OrxuqdKKghwxO_NNbH51KM4QiKAdT2b1kfEsQ7r0qjWrMs_4rrWVHcNkp2E0UcWeT/s200/IMG_3468.jpg" width="200" /></a>After further eye exams a few weeks later they agreed to wait till after the summer. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief as Isabella truly deserves to enjoy her summer foot loose and fancy free.<br />
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Last Friday, a day after turning 16, she flew to London to begin her Grand Tour. She is currently enjoying some British entertainment, seeing friends and family and then heading by train to Brussels and Paris before flying to Rome to see the grandparents. After a week’s sailing she will then head to the alps where we plan to meet her in about a month’s time. She has lots of treats and highlights planned along the way and has put the exams out her mind (results will be out late in August) and we will all forget about treatment until September. In September there will be another MRI and then we will assess what treatment is needed then.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to drive!</td></tr>
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Meanwhile Mati is enjoying a week in California with a friend, apparently she is learning to surf - no photographic evidence yet. Gregorio is also away on mission for a couple of weeks so I am holding down the fort (overseeing painting and minor maintenance works on the house) saying goodbye to dear friends leaving DC and enjoying uninterrupted watching of Wimbledon.</div>
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In September Isabella will start learning to drive. She passed the test to get the learner driver permit just before boarding her plane to London. She will also start her IB course, start thinking about the next stage of study....and we will update you on where she stands with treatment. </div>
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Hope you are all enjoying summer, wherever you are.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off on her European adventure</td></tr>
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Lots of love,</div>
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Emma x</div>
Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-70381698597619434642018-03-17T22:17:00.001-04:002018-03-20T17:57:29.316-04:00Really Stable!Those were the oncologist's words in February, at the latest MRI check up. So we are relaxing until the next MRI in May.<br />
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We haven't updated you since 2017! Here we are at New Year!<br />
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In other news we have been chasing snow and cold weather for the past few months. We had a wonderful Christmas and start to the year in Vail Colorado with great friends. Sadly the snow was nowhere near what those in Europe were enjoying! Still a lovely holiday and recharge. We faired better with snow in Park City, Utah during the February half term. The second day it snowed for 24 hours, when it stopped we were treated to 14 inches of pure powder. Wonderful, but old legs were exhausted. We had a wonderful week just the four of us but quite the coldest ski trip I've ever had, the warmest it got was -7C and on average it was -10 C and below plus wind. It just meant lots of warm up stops with hot chocolate etc. We've had a cold winter here in DC but very little snow. Two winter treats were not quite enough for me! In January I jumped on a work opportunity to check out Antarctica. Hey, it's a hard job, I know ;-)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb5S8bQ1Nn9VmKjGP7sPBdS4VAvm-CGLn4RiUvDxTycQdBfnSH0oz7oNDrLE8Ld4lzQHPI0gxxMXKtcem6dmc24J8dsauErCK-QhDqf1DVmGZXIK0MpzcfQYFoDg0mmTQIMEI36X6k9t7/s1600/IMG_6285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb5S8bQ1Nn9VmKjGP7sPBdS4VAvm-CGLn4RiUvDxTycQdBfnSH0oz7oNDrLE8Ld4lzQHPI0gxxMXKtcem6dmc24J8dsauErCK-QhDqf1DVmGZXIK0MpzcfQYFoDg0mmTQIMEI36X6k9t7/s200/IMG_6285.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK7bKnTV7VBcmea8qKMxXwJuSi8RLNDv_dhEuxCE_9ssPsjYd7fNOd7QYGq8JV5lPXnBXXzvlXhoRF-VmokhVGnaw2idGAbjsrtR46TYMmLSG1IXNtoEKjm5FPIOmYG4yBNP1TxjYL1d_/s1600/IMG_1347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1600" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK7bKnTV7VBcmea8qKMxXwJuSi8RLNDv_dhEuxCE_9ssPsjYd7fNOd7QYGq8JV5lPXnBXXzvlXhoRF-VmokhVGnaw2idGAbjsrtR46TYMmLSG1IXNtoEKjm5FPIOmYG4yBNP1TxjYL1d_/s200/IMG_1347.jpg" width="200" /></a>I began my Antarctic adventure in Ushuaia, at the bottom of the world where the scenery was spectacular overlooking the Beagle Channel. Then I embarked on a 10 day cruise around Cape Horn, across the infamous Drake Passage and down to the South Shetland islands and the Antarctic peninsula. Apparently the seas were moderate but after 48 hours of bobbing from side to side, some of us did not fair so well. At sunset on the third day we saw land and went ashore at Yankee Harbor. There were gentoo penguins and a few chinstraps for as far as the eye could see. The light felt surreal, it was as if we were in an Edwardian photo.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMe2um_qSc0o7c3OETQhyphenhyphenwrcmP3ERHTX5mtIhI6T81g_krVDor3CwJW0F1rzPkgfmNHvm-gGAnazAm9astmlpHDylGqdX19YBsbWq2A62Nb-iKslJSKmeNkEOYTBMgwJufOux3PVH5hzAR/s1600/IMG_5375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1383" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMe2um_qSc0o7c3OETQhyphenhyphenwrcmP3ERHTX5mtIhI6T81g_krVDor3CwJW0F1rzPkgfmNHvm-gGAnazAm9astmlpHDylGqdX19YBsbWq2A62Nb-iKslJSKmeNkEOYTBMgwJufOux3PVH5hzAR/s200/IMG_5375.jpg" width="172" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zbjiXzw_9LHRFTKsGnasjCP2i0lqkbwZm6YBU9VIeqV6lG3CG9xzSyfahStlgA1iIweGrPzXEC7kzqW759DPi_ltKMw6goMvquRnrlHhGR_QKeKGBNA6QEwvf2JyiB-RLy2SaWEla3LI/s1600/IMG_5401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zbjiXzw_9LHRFTKsGnasjCP2i0lqkbwZm6YBU9VIeqV6lG3CG9xzSyfahStlgA1iIweGrPzXEC7kzqW759DPi_ltKMw6goMvquRnrlHhGR_QKeKGBNA6QEwvf2JyiB-RLy2SaWEla3LI/s200/IMG_5401.jpg" width="200" /></a>Aboard our expeditionary ship it truly felt as if we were on a voyage of discovery. One couldn't help imagining epic voyages of the likes of Shackleton to this harsh and remote environment. Here nature and majestic wildlife dominate. The vast icebergs were mesmerizing sculptures in tones of glimmering white and blue., while mountains and glaciers stretched beyond the horizon. The beauty of silence was broken only by the wind, the sound of humpback whales breathing or glaciers calving. Every day we went out on zodiac cruises or ashore to admire this vast landscape and enjoy close encounters with the wildlife, such as the magnificent humpback whale that came right up to our zodiac, tilted its head to look up at us before gently gliding by. Magic. Unforgettable. Watching the penguins waddle and slip along was adorable and one never tired of admiring the scene.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGXR5WWTFGG86_MZh6y1Od_qvqfmcu1Ip4VWhSQF6FaqrQutFGXmhKV8EkV7Q9sMoJuxj0MbCKg6AXiRgzU7I8UxhBle3JOVhyphenhyphen5gvY73C8gILPp9anZx3C5KAVZMICgyg_dVcL97i6Qui/s1600/IMG_6018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGXR5WWTFGG86_MZh6y1Od_qvqfmcu1Ip4VWhSQF6FaqrQutFGXmhKV8EkV7Q9sMoJuxj0MbCKg6AXiRgzU7I8UxhBle3JOVhyphenhyphen5gvY73C8gILPp9anZx3C5KAVZMICgyg_dVcL97i6Qui/s200/IMG_6018.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
We visited some picturesque spots including Wilhelmina Bay, the Lemaire Strait, Paradise Bay and Deception Island. We landed at the former British Base at Port Lockroy, run by four women, where I sent some postcards from the post office - as predicted they took 6-8 weeks to arrive! (Considering my postcard from the Orient Express, posted in Venice on October 31st last year, arrived the same week, I'd say Antarctica postal service isn't bad!)<br />
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This was a trip of a lifetime and I feel very privileged to have been. We still have much to learn about Antarctica. I sincerely hope that we continue to protect and preserve this pristine and magical environment.<br />
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But enough about my travels. The rest of the family are well. Gregorio has a new toy - a red jeep (he'd been dreaming about it for 20 years!) and is slowly getting back into running after injuring his knee on the slopes at Christmas. Thankfully he has not had to travel this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh202OUtZzxaY0CYipuAvI6tD9HUM_VD3e5QlLz-Od_EwFDaRo2Fjhgfc3PV00K7Y6yVB6QkwqgUy2YjuEGhl_ScfJopQvZlER6jJgVe53_23mXbUff-570Li9bdy7_WevtFxyExr3Za6tV/s1600/IMG_1985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh202OUtZzxaY0CYipuAvI6tD9HUM_VD3e5QlLz-Od_EwFDaRo2Fjhgfc3PV00K7Y6yVB6QkwqgUy2YjuEGhl_ScfJopQvZlER6jJgVe53_23mXbUff-570Li9bdy7_WevtFxyExr3Za6tV/s200/IMG_1985.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusTffZeRLpI2Cel671BZmn2SBmZh5S4CCkdU3mOnxJkchasbu17nkjJltyGIG0e7rd_zz95ejcSeTjABkxWmM129gd2NKOd_a8cf8-XmN_zoIcQsJIbg1OjMyReBcxLJ4DqK0vgth7sDX/s1600/IMG_1986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusTffZeRLpI2Cel671BZmn2SBmZh5S4CCkdU3mOnxJkchasbu17nkjJltyGIG0e7rd_zz95ejcSeTjABkxWmM129gd2NKOd_a8cf8-XmN_zoIcQsJIbg1OjMyReBcxLJ4DqK0vgth7sDX/s200/IMG_1986.jpg" width="150" /></a>Mati continues to do well at swimming. And some surprising hidden talents seem to be coming to the fore including the poem and letter she wrote for Gregorio and my wedding anniversary. She's also quite the baker. She and Isabella are helping me put together an afternoon tea baby shower for a friend tomorrow. The house has been turned into something of a Great British bake off. Talents they did not get from me - I am happy when my Victoria sponge rises and looks presentable!<br />
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Isabella did well in her mocks in February and now has her head down with eyes firmly on the finish line for her IGCSEs this spring. Oral exams next month and then written exams begin in early May and go on till mid June. Most week-ends she has been volunteering at the hospital and is pleased to gradually be given more responsibility.<br />
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We are now gearing up to the Race for Hope in early May. The team will be out in force to raise funds and awareness for this annual event. Please join the team!<br />
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More news when we have it.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Emma, Gregorio, Isabella & Matilde xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-33908264673277216412017-12-11T18:29:00.005-05:002017-12-11T21:00:58.170-05:00Happy Holidays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Was it really August when I last updated this blog? Guess we have been busy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Back to school for some</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Dinner in the garden with cousins</td></tr>
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The cousins came to visit in late August - lots of splashing at the pool, visiting the DC sites, zip-lining, solar eclipse watching and pasta making and a fun evening watching the Nats...loose that week. We then squeezed in a fun week-end in New York at the beginning of September where we saw Federer on court at the US open.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88iJbgjHhQ_RrkE0KEX_38YK_DoKLdb5ARnrQLapR65SY-DPDM7uu6QSFfjrjl5071ai1lSDlXd0IuaOjtYmWo4Z_gpUVpx3E41Wk54vRxWRR6k0uBsDsgAuj6HJXRrKipkFo8nz_ejs1/s1600/IMG_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88iJbgjHhQ_RrkE0KEX_38YK_DoKLdb5ARnrQLapR65SY-DPDM7uu6QSFfjrjl5071ai1lSDlXd0IuaOjtYmWo4Z_gpUVpx3E41Wk54vRxWRR6k0uBsDsgAuj6HJXRrKipkFo8nz_ejs1/s200/IMG_0102.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls in New York</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VbZzne6FcPYQsj-H_BVZWtIQ9qv-laRpakmATGD3H28V5jUa0JwTqD_3hyiQjoRER2ktQ0SbNQLJ4fhP0uKyncjdVaD6ekOeANk7HbIrjCXgdlxRNYDN_hRwg89uqhc7p5sk_y1YyKiy/s1600/IMG_7642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5VbZzne6FcPYQsj-H_BVZWtIQ9qv-laRpakmATGD3H28V5jUa0JwTqD_3hyiQjoRER2ktQ0SbNQLJ4fhP0uKyncjdVaD6ekOeANk7HbIrjCXgdlxRNYDN_hRwg89uqhc7p5sk_y1YyKiy/s200/IMG_7642.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">London baseball fans!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnVYqNAmZ0PaCfZoefD1_f6VeQxl8-Gi0MOn2YLKfeuM5C9XuxhDdI0RqBWqKZf0eUCXmq-zNHD1GHcXQdb616xltoU8vvqX1EdgDnYaRA5OhmRhsHfR1fejXrL97M4zCxW6HoVTnaOIc/s1600/IMG_7618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnVYqNAmZ0PaCfZoefD1_f6VeQxl8-Gi0MOn2YLKfeuM5C9XuxhDdI0RqBWqKZf0eUCXmq-zNHD1GHcXQdb616xltoU8vvqX1EdgDnYaRA5OhmRhsHfR1fejXrL97M4zCxW6HoVTnaOIc/s200/IMG_7618.jpg" width="200" /></a>School has been keeping the girls out of mischief, Isabella very focused on her IGCSE's next summer then it's IB and perhaps medicine beyond that. It's only 2.5 years away and she'll be flying from the nest! She applied to be a volunteer at Children's National Hospital - it's very competitive to get in, but she did. She has been helping out at the week-ends and is thoroughly loving seeing the hospital from a different perspective. Hopefully next year she will actually shadow a doctor or two - well she knows one or two there who are only too willing to show her the ropes. Next year she will also begin driving. Cue knowing nod from all you grandparents out there as I say "where did the past 15 years go already?!" Isabella continues to sing with her choir, last week they were caroling at the new <i>in</i> place to be in DC - at the Wharf for the lighting of the Christmas tree, complete with surprise guest appearance from ...none other than Father C. Yesterday was the annual Christmas concert and I was in awe when she and one other girl sang the soprano lines of one song - beautiful but also incredibly impressive for a somewhat shy solo performer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz_QWzIspiaOXixCrcoRM-nOvoRXzVrV6IKluR5IegGSsCUUKnuQTpO8nTnXFZIxO9nYkmfFYQlW1XpgJAO7Z1U9oLu3lwG63Cy8YoO6TxDn9Utggf7ljWHmIDOMpKMVupy-W_3qjgv_p/s1600/IMG_0279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz_QWzIspiaOXixCrcoRM-nOvoRXzVrV6IKluR5IegGSsCUUKnuQTpO8nTnXFZIxO9nYkmfFYQlW1XpgJAO7Z1U9oLu3lwG63Cy8YoO6TxDn9Utggf7ljWHmIDOMpKMVupy-W_3qjgv_p/s200/IMG_0279.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Christmas tree lighting at the Wharf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbzL9vVJChly7U2xMlk1OtBM2H6KURuT0oW5gvGOwNuaruOIzUsXmLRcxQfA8giJKpCU9t8-rIkptKGrFJ-Bsoe2dcAo-B5AIvOQqZfzFQRaKv5gStW83ua4AHb5evgMOG2FWVL6C88sQ/s1600/IMG_0275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbzL9vVJChly7U2xMlk1OtBM2H6KURuT0oW5gvGOwNuaruOIzUsXmLRcxQfA8giJKpCU9t8-rIkptKGrFJ-Bsoe2dcAo-B5AIvOQqZfzFQRaKv5gStW83ua4AHb5evgMOG2FWVL6C88sQ/s200/IMG_0275.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">The singer!</td></tr>
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Meanwhile Mati still lives in pajamas or swimming costumes. This week-end she's been swimming in a regional competition, four days on the trot and she's exhausted. Cue sick day today! A couple of weeks ago she was with her school down in Florida for a big sports meet and won three swimming medals. Unless there is swimming to get up for there's no way of getting Mati out of bed willingly before the sun is high in the sky.<br />
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Both girls have a new piano teacher this term who seems to have inspired them both to practice voluntarily on a daily basis, even to the point of fighting over whose turn it is to play! Sitting by the fire looking at the Christmas tree and listening to them play the other evening was lovely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1lq3dmd5mksfJJ1ZBN25FOhZyzfQYB0SsomkayaTZ2j7AaifpmuE5bIPzZU6p3yuwoqW2yqQMULqNgFr3LNA2wepa2gKWXgbVLf8lwpkZgIG_UdBfrx4vrZpldIAICfWOMPBflRB7qo2/s1600/IMG_8947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1lq3dmd5mksfJJ1ZBN25FOhZyzfQYB0SsomkayaTZ2j7AaifpmuE5bIPzZU6p3yuwoqW2yqQMULqNgFr3LNA2wepa2gKWXgbVLf8lwpkZgIG_UdBfrx4vrZpldIAICfWOMPBflRB7qo2/s200/IMG_8947.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Casablanca</td></tr>
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<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKENqAkEP4dyh5gMudcGOuqzrFodkarCDcNreJTgF5tOuuQoMB7uzG1CyQs94MMcrNCPvHSj33N8S7AIdbvfS0hUjl_8SZZADY1hHt656blnX0NuVguN2Jg6-ZjIBgJANNfFSEthGDDc0V/s200/IMG_8468.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Emma meets a camel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-QdgEg0YzVtMB8afGN0WDYVjo9kmSJyF3fpA12pT8Q1YUfcbeKsIxDGzeZccalvL9Qe3ie7k6gUfVgNcoIoMNVOHUuQFcXqaV0pYrS4P41ZAAc98JlmpA3Fg8CfKYASHr2tFD_3FPX0Y/s1600/IMG_8051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-QdgEg0YzVtMB8afGN0WDYVjo9kmSJyF3fpA12pT8Q1YUfcbeKsIxDGzeZccalvL9Qe3ie7k6gUfVgNcoIoMNVOHUuQFcXqaV0pYrS4P41ZAAc98JlmpA3Fg8CfKYASHr2tFD_3FPX0Y/s200/IMG_8051.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Majorelle gardens</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKENqAkEP4dyh5gMudcGOuqzrFodkarCDcNreJTgF5tOuuQoMB7uzG1CyQs94MMcrNCPvHSj33N8S7AIdbvfS0hUjl_8SZZADY1hHt656blnX0NuVguN2Jg6-ZjIBgJANNfFSEthGDDc0V/s1600/IMG_8468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTTeqFCfCWdqv9cFWJdTRQffXjSY9mYmae2PnWIhobjXaDJAof-6TSOF6sGrAja_O0o_Ojzz481sZGUocigtzclJpMwd8C58kLoIH90J1M0xqz4xQhDvsLyno7_CApSKnih6m2RzF62hx/s1600/IMG_9506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTTeqFCfCWdqv9cFWJdTRQffXjSY9mYmae2PnWIhobjXaDJAof-6TSOF6sGrAja_O0o_Ojzz481sZGUocigtzclJpMwd8C58kLoIH90J1M0xqz4xQhDvsLyno7_CApSKnih6m2RzF62hx/s200/IMG_9506.jpg" width="150" /></a>We have had a few visitors from across the pond in the past couple of months to keep us entertained. Gregorio and I have also been busy traveling a fair bit for work. He didn't enjoy his trip to Barbados as much I enjoyed my jaunts. I had a magical trip to Marrakech in September which was a feast for the senses. This was followed a month later with a trip to Europe - I was a guest on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. An indulgent and glamorous trip. We were with a fun group and were truly wined and dined in style and saw some wonderful places beginning in Budapest and then on the train to Paris. We even saw some celebs including Nadal in our hotel but I didn't have the guts to get a photo or autograph in my sweaty disheveled state! 'As if he hasn't seen sweaty people before ' was Gregorio's comment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25jqbMeXLk7ykfLvK6k1I5ujfaa3_jMlYedAPdr_DaFm9-tWj_KT_8LOg-O35gcSzyRiocSFz9FsLTqmlbjb4cpgra59-xsZQz0Qaq_ynEIGnu6aVBHdrHg5FMtjAao0BFBlWDUjMgg9b/s1600/IMG_0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25jqbMeXLk7ykfLvK6k1I5ujfaa3_jMlYedAPdr_DaFm9-tWj_KT_8LOg-O35gcSzyRiocSFz9FsLTqmlbjb4cpgra59-xsZQz0Qaq_ynEIGnu6aVBHdrHg5FMtjAao0BFBlWDUjMgg9b/s200/IMG_0144.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn4Pdb7U8IrUUmwnYbkRxEa1KCxFoHcYNoH4_G51HensQSC6bRiinfZGlsNtvQ0vxFsJPlkL9ZhGfD7IbqyGKxzyXXjdkgy4Q16ssnu6c4TuW-uOakjkKU7WiSWSWxcINT6hp2wwWu0Ww/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvn4Pdb7U8IrUUmwnYbkRxEa1KCxFoHcYNoH4_G51HensQSC6bRiinfZGlsNtvQ0vxFsJPlkL9ZhGfD7IbqyGKxzyXXjdkgy4Q16ssnu6c4TuW-uOakjkKU7WiSWSWxcINT6hp2wwWu0Ww/s200/IMG_0319.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">suppli al nero di seppia</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIJvq_lWq3Xa23USITlV-nduxnqnILOJ85bsWH8RfvSAWRGCq_b1eKqh9EzrG5MacYzHtoulQWiYFNOWCykt9g7zavuYgjMJfxiLPRAHLeHD8x-UaprUXcShNBGFCcMJ7S8tU0hAVNg8t/s1600/IMG_9168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIJvq_lWq3Xa23USITlV-nduxnqnILOJ85bsWH8RfvSAWRGCq_b1eKqh9EzrG5MacYzHtoulQWiYFNOWCykt9g7zavuYgjMJfxiLPRAHLeHD8x-UaprUXcShNBGFCcMJ7S8tU0hAVNg8t/s200/IMG_9168.jpg" width="150" /></a>It was fun to then embrace P & J in Paris and take a mini trip down memory lane before heading north to Normandy to suss out hotels for some D-Day trips complete with an indulgence of French cheese. And a day trip to Strasbourg completed a wonderful autumnal time in France - with perfect weather, some shopping and a couple of morning runs along the Seine and through the Tuileries gardens to try to work off some of the extra calories gained!<br />
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Cooking (and eating) continues to be a big family passion. Mati and Bella competing for master baker, while Gregorio continues to perfect his pasta making skills and other carbohydrate delights and Emma cooked the traditional roast turkey and trimmings for our annual Thanksgiving gathering, even if the numbers were rather depleted this year.<br />
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We are looking forward to escaping to the Colorado mountains over Christmas and just hoping that the snow does finally fall for our arrival. We had the first snow here this week-end and I know that much of England and Europe has also received a heavy dusting of the white stuff...<i>it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.</i>..<br />
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Isabella continues to be off treatment and is blossoming. The last MRI in November showed that all was stable, long may it continue. There will be another MRI in February. In the meantime we wish our friends and family far and wide a magical Christmas and a brighter, happier and healthier 2018.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Emma, Gregorio, Isabella & Mati xxx<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_eK1hqs7q2BO9So8tQV5UwUhsrMZH4_rzz8XUeSUW2XwgfptOR3Y68MuSwbo4nbXw26wUJxBrA8Xo4Lyc3yRNM1dwLlqoiSgw6Mdw8yl2XHy31oKkmioXasTcQIuVDRdE7E0zi9KzuWu/s1600/IMG_7870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_eK1hqs7q2BO9So8tQV5UwUhsrMZH4_rzz8XUeSUW2XwgfptOR3Y68MuSwbo4nbXw26wUJxBrA8Xo4Lyc3yRNM1dwLlqoiSgw6Mdw8yl2XHy31oKkmioXasTcQIuVDRdE7E0zi9KzuWu/s320/IMG_7870.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeU1C4RARxR1cg0pp20Iqai2vqjRS_S2wZhgU_dNrWQ6ITUT4HYfXNYMBPp0vGuzufyQdPunxKBrDWEWy3mPe-rnKXMdadxFYyTxVICuQF3VAjVxiMf7r1cCGGHkmjyhc80T_lWBkBaZh/s1600/IMG_0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeU1C4RARxR1cg0pp20Iqai2vqjRS_S2wZhgU_dNrWQ6ITUT4HYfXNYMBPp0vGuzufyQdPunxKBrDWEWy3mPe-rnKXMdadxFYyTxVICuQF3VAjVxiMf7r1cCGGHkmjyhc80T_lWBkBaZh/s200/IMG_0219.jpg" width="200" /></a>Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-17983868575035782272017-08-18T21:32:00.002-04:002017-08-18T22:07:59.936-04:00Summertime fun!As the summer holidays draw to a close I realize I have been remiss in updating the blog for some time. A good sign! Isabella had another MRI at the end of July and all continues to be stable. We move forward for another three months. Another MRI is scheduled in early November.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwsqlccXNwCsPmNygST-ihF2PUN8CKK0CQjZ6SXRswhxXMBtVXAfE-mKOrgutOEHG4y3sV6yCN3S_FXqLIRibsfDFWZcw8fs1zmHecL3IRjFLu7gVAqAY6hleWoU5Zu_heOJKRTEKa4mZ/s1600/IMG_6412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwsqlccXNwCsPmNygST-ihF2PUN8CKK0CQjZ6SXRswhxXMBtVXAfE-mKOrgutOEHG4y3sV6yCN3S_FXqLIRibsfDFWZcw8fs1zmHecL3IRjFLu7gVAqAY6hleWoU5Zu_heOJKRTEKa4mZ/s200/IMG_6412.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivaG2GITH7GSvjLS5mONuZ9m6ZQ6IaYfTLrOwayJNvUWykmu7iHjOwXIpwy9RWHOgbcNeWOvvEGcy6RLITmLQXlVYmG6_gX2bn-za8j1uE3qL0RcfzPio_EPOkhYeNIqqIkSBLa8UB3mB/s1600/IMG_6576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="750" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivaG2GITH7GSvjLS5mONuZ9m6ZQ6IaYfTLrOwayJNvUWykmu7iHjOwXIpwy9RWHOgbcNeWOvvEGcy6RLITmLQXlVYmG6_gX2bn-za8j1uE3qL0RcfzPio_EPOkhYeNIqqIkSBLa8UB3mB/s200/IMG_6576.JPG" width="200" /></a>Meanwhile we have had an action packed summer - featuring a lot of water. Isabella enjoyed a two week sailing course in Italy. She loves being <u>on</u> the water. She had a blast, made lots of friends and is already planning her return next summer. Before and after the sailing camp she was royally treated to a very special <i>vacanze romane </i>with the nonni. I think Gianna took Isabella to every corner of Rome by bus or on foot, experiencing the art and food of Rome at it's best. Isabella feels she really knows the city and I know how special it was by the enthusiasm she told me about the Caravaggio's she saw or the details of the different churches. Then there were the evenings out and the musical evening at Parco della Musica. Bravi nonni! Isabella also enjoyed some fun evenings out with Gregorio's friends and their children, including <i>Mamma Mia</i> in Italian! And the goodies - wearable and edible that she returned home with were received very enthusiastically!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZX1es2zRxsMahYqbt1SDfsLxguqBZWkCPIVzxvTCy8HF9WsQVxcuS6av3tc17-JRNlhBt76dkwJoNMiUH8eOa3eyFfRx3n11DFtqi3UqHRj2t8-ZFT1EZ9AO7IIRBJGezxEEwX6DAPgx/s1600/IMG_6472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZX1es2zRxsMahYqbt1SDfsLxguqBZWkCPIVzxvTCy8HF9WsQVxcuS6av3tc17-JRNlhBt76dkwJoNMiUH8eOa3eyFfRx3n11DFtqi3UqHRj2t8-ZFT1EZ9AO7IIRBJGezxEEwX6DAPgx/s200/IMG_6472.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVBBPwVANJOvcxab-s5ui99qOvBng2M81UHdv7gF8QKjiyGAarhcJ6o7bqJy1sgt8MSak0XDJp1uRFpfrIaI2bq18uKyE-cpQrQZMPlQoEeg7MueNLnj0PTh-UNPPdyZOry1wbi9je9b4/s1600/IMG_6474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVBBPwVANJOvcxab-s5ui99qOvBng2M81UHdv7gF8QKjiyGAarhcJ6o7bqJy1sgt8MSak0XDJp1uRFpfrIaI2bq18uKyE-cpQrQZMPlQoEeg7MueNLnj0PTh-UNPPdyZOry1wbi9je9b4/s200/IMG_6474.JPG" width="150" /></a>Back in DC Mati joined a summer swim league. She enjoys being <u>in</u> the water - she trained most days during the week and swam in competitions most week-ends. Gregorio and I loved watching and cheering our "dolphin" on. It was a lot of fun, even if the locations were in the back of beyond, up to an hour away from home - and we needed to be there by 7am or earlier! Mati did very well and enjoyed the team camaraderie that a summer swim team provides. She is now looking forward to getting back to winter training but already planning on joining the summer league again next year. When she wasn't swimming (or sleeping or eating - she does a lot of both) she took a culinary camp - cooking some impressive dishes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD6o3lVNPKHqvrHL65RcdjogZ2LzW0OmAxkOnD793EbORkHMHNFY2SYOqVww8rq5Ot0O50QelwYLj9zRy7g5V_Y1EInaUBnA_2o4trAqw5Y_0nTI8zwIdpzuuebyTfMzKBa1qFvydP1GF/s1600/IMG_6604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD6o3lVNPKHqvrHL65RcdjogZ2LzW0OmAxkOnD793EbORkHMHNFY2SYOqVww8rq5Ot0O50QelwYLj9zRy7g5V_Y1EInaUBnA_2o4trAqw5Y_0nTI8zwIdpzuuebyTfMzKBa1qFvydP1GF/s200/IMG_6604.JPG" width="200" /></a>After a month apart - we had an idea of what the future will be like - the girls were desperate to see each other!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPfpYGBXeOUglIk1mANdbR9ltdLnd6F23HvLstwJ63AlConW2M6CrVrL123D5SQLwCsox2yWo673_BwT4h7c14pLgEWpzFSt7zZIHdPI7vAbKCHzqA1URFthEgjmr3P1uFMb3-OABj_cd/s1600/IMG_7396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPfpYGBXeOUglIk1mANdbR9ltdLnd6F23HvLstwJ63AlConW2M6CrVrL123D5SQLwCsox2yWo673_BwT4h7c14pLgEWpzFSt7zZIHdPI7vAbKCHzqA1URFthEgjmr3P1uFMb3-OABj_cd/s200/IMG_7396.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G2GJnMZOUcyew2aplr0j9c96fOlIq7WgXY6gZzi-7y-sV618F_zyuKsdS3S6J54CszJCP7e77lpZBAwdacDqVVp0R3nNi6WFblN1bpzwQ6iUjxp1b917L5_4SAbXE6Ain7zCl35GgEWO/s1600/IMG_7064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2G2GJnMZOUcyew2aplr0j9c96fOlIq7WgXY6gZzi-7y-sV618F_zyuKsdS3S6J54CszJCP7e77lpZBAwdacDqVVp0R3nNi6WFblN1bpzwQ6iUjxp1b917L5_4SAbXE6Ain7zCl35GgEWO/s200/IMG_7064.JPG" width="200" /></a>As I write this, we are wrapping up our family summer vacation - seaside on the US Atlantic. We began with a very relaxing week at the beach in Lewes, Delaware. We stayed in a lovely little beach cottage, opposite the ice cream store and enjoyed morning runs or bike rides into the state park and relaxed by the shore later in the day. We sampled local craft beer and had some retail therapy when it rained. We then crossed the Delaware Bay and spent a week in Cape May, New Jersey, a delightful seaside town, with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants and quaint victorian architecture. Fun and lively but tasteful. It was a very pleasant discovery. Despite some wet days (providing time for Monopoly and lots of reading), the sunset cruise around the island watching many dolphins was magical, the seafood and local produce everywhere were delicious. We had some great food - cooked at home and sampled at delightful restaurants and a local farm. We found some great beaches and had endless fun in the waves or flying the kite. A pure simple quality family vacation. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvqtcI1O77IntSXO_M3lZI8GkCC6glOq1FFTyOna_FMlECaDnAN1OCZ2OjJp415LB6qyGT16Qxe0VkYpGvnCEtIzxPyOGDurzq-fCAIHf4KIO4HkQSao32Mp27prW24Yd_QZg_FwySrO5/s1600/IMG_7515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvqtcI1O77IntSXO_M3lZI8GkCC6glOq1FFTyOna_FMlECaDnAN1OCZ2OjJp415LB6qyGT16Qxe0VkYpGvnCEtIzxPyOGDurzq-fCAIHf4KIO4HkQSao32Mp27prW24Yd_QZg_FwySrO5/s200/IMG_7515.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOaVisfdDNPPIWcz7GmAlq_Bv6tCLbx4WPw_newTye6z25dJ9gRvYVfpH8cVLUqekqCA-O7Q3MFb_luPR9WAKL8Jvw12gaE_yo89TWpNkugsMOY4C-Y_bhGmv6n9VClKe65cIzpDIvxuz/s1600/IMG_7518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOaVisfdDNPPIWcz7GmAlq_Bv6tCLbx4WPw_newTye6z25dJ9gRvYVfpH8cVLUqekqCA-O7Q3MFb_luPR9WAKL8Jvw12gaE_yo89TWpNkugsMOY4C-Y_bhGmv6n9VClKe65cIzpDIvxuz/s200/IMG_7518.jpg" width="200" /></a>We are returning to DC refreshed and ready for the "new year". The English cousins will arrive the afternoon we get back. School starts again next week and so I will probably add another update this week.<br />
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Despite all the terrible events that continue to happen around the world, we hope you are all well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaWMAi-xhNbbgCzQJUdIoJ9VB9PIHRdqmNMvUXyTsKzcOYFUXQn0Aw2ecJT-Z5KD0QxxywSCZiS8_O-FV2mqQws8vp5Sp1x9fZeQYapEDQGM7crQtNSjI0bQLA8kWAui8hO5hWzcudR8O/s1600/IMG_6863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaWMAi-xhNbbgCzQJUdIoJ9VB9PIHRdqmNMvUXyTsKzcOYFUXQn0Aw2ecJT-Z5KD0QxxywSCZiS8_O-FV2mqQws8vp5Sp1x9fZeQYapEDQGM7crQtNSjI0bQLA8kWAui8hO5hWzcudR8O/s200/IMG_6863.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Lots of love,<br />
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Emma, Gregorio, Isabella & Matilde xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-8666971049216743712017-05-11T21:49:00.000-04:002017-05-11T21:49:11.024-04:00Spring in DC<b>Short version:</b> last week's MRI revealed that all is still stable, three months without treatment. Great news, we move on for another three months. Tune back in, in early August for another medical update.<br />
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<b>Longer version: </b>of course we have been keeping busy since we last updated you. We had a fabulous week skiing in Steamboat Springs Colorado in February. Nine days on the slopes was amazing, a real treat even if old bodies couldn't keep up. Gregorio and I are dreaming about retirement and how we can insure extended periods of time in the mountains... We had all weathers with the last two days of powder being pure magic, if a little chilly - 1F at the summit or -18C in some people's language!<br />
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<b>In April Gregorio celebrated a half century!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5of1nS_sMRqQW7_F3WT4L9cAop5OhkMbaMrJofqwtKgytZ6eErkwxHjPN26rXizsQAdXhzm4Isb2NGgLfT7k3y9pdhynsE0AIK3vmHoge4yavXY3jCZUxOJY2ZuANPSW4umM3H4Icx1K/s1600/IMG_5669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5of1nS_sMRqQW7_F3WT4L9cAop5OhkMbaMrJofqwtKgytZ6eErkwxHjPN26rXizsQAdXhzm4Isb2NGgLfT7k3y9pdhynsE0AIK3vmHoge4yavXY3jCZUxOJY2ZuANPSW4umM3H4Icx1K/s200/IMG_5669.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kA1d71Ga_DAVz3N6vlydCv7ITBIp7JqXPjCMeecPuBo8sfxHFJdWx3e8aVu4NZpj0zut2NCCakQIdOBWcdFhz3Uc7yseNoR4pLxhIX93g4rCUzQld7_K0OtZ2N2YBmoPywfvYzH5HK4q/s1600/IMG_5707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kA1d71Ga_DAVz3N6vlydCv7ITBIp7JqXPjCMeecPuBo8sfxHFJdWx3e8aVu4NZpj0zut2NCCakQIdOBWcdFhz3Uc7yseNoR4pLxhIX93g4rCUzQld7_K0OtZ2N2YBmoPywfvYzH5HK4q/s200/IMG_5707.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrX42UFytswNT7WQi7-x2x95mOV16tmVyTLMTMaygYai5J3-r7S17Tyw7hJ-CaBa2ae_5awNaf39nyR9eRc_sOoy-YgGdMmcLUi_rHTUlu7N3HQo586yiXNqe1qznKFHDSZKADOiNpsd9/s1600/IMG_5493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrX42UFytswNT7WQi7-x2x95mOV16tmVyTLMTMaygYai5J3-r7S17Tyw7hJ-CaBa2ae_5awNaf39nyR9eRc_sOoy-YgGdMmcLUi_rHTUlu7N3HQo586yiXNqe1qznKFHDSZKADOiNpsd9/s200/IMG_5493.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3MkOtqOy9vpmBMjdybhVv6WrJz3WUN5See0KlgNFny8cBI2ZbXJsjDE2HlPpdkAdn6KHlO8lij460IzPMRBXDM0Qxy20EqYCCF3ErFU4X2tnnsxZ8_fL931ZWHS6P8vCYWvelab8sSyV/s1600/IMG_5745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3MkOtqOy9vpmBMjdybhVv6WrJz3WUN5See0KlgNFny8cBI2ZbXJsjDE2HlPpdkAdn6KHlO8lij460IzPMRBXDM0Qxy20EqYCCF3ErFU4X2tnnsxZ8_fL931ZWHS6P8vCYWvelab8sSyV/s200/IMG_5745.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC-juH2iVi6Qab3Va9EJgfnaiVgJPtWwHlHXTVuy-Lmc-cvfpkGHa5Zhnri-IO0XuaKphxDczYUQ40g1P8MnzhehkdEv1gse7QdbXiMW0mZ593v3ew4Oyy-OuOu3C_rP_g1GfHTKpLuO_/s1600/IMG_5854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCC-juH2iVi6Qab3Va9EJgfnaiVgJPtWwHlHXTVuy-Lmc-cvfpkGHa5Zhnri-IO0XuaKphxDczYUQ40g1P8MnzhehkdEv1gse7QdbXiMW0mZ593v3ew4Oyy-OuOu3C_rP_g1GfHTKpLuO_/s320/IMG_5854.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLTbdyDzzYt8prTL6LXhXmtxfdWQoE2_gNefeknQEaeWYC3-IZeeTh5eUpTqXrcA3RWydUoxQUvO53q6Jjs1a2pZYgayhj7B8wJPw8ATVfnpa9W0vRhHGdsXnJSG_sJ1rHzl7qAgaNcaT/s1600/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLTbdyDzzYt8prTL6LXhXmtxfdWQoE2_gNefeknQEaeWYC3-IZeeTh5eUpTqXrcA3RWydUoxQUvO53q6Jjs1a2pZYgayhj7B8wJPw8ATVfnpa9W0vRhHGdsXnJSG_sJ1rHzl7qAgaNcaT/s200/IMG_0698.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLTbdyDzzYt8prTL6LXhXmtxfdWQoE2_gNefeknQEaeWYC3-IZeeTh5eUpTqXrcA3RWydUoxQUvO53q6Jjs1a2pZYgayhj7B8wJPw8ATVfnpa9W0vRhHGdsXnJSG_sJ1rHzl7qAgaNcaT/s1600/IMG_0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><i>I nonni</i> joined us from Rome on a musical tour of Tennessee. The graphic designer in my office had turned the itinerary, planned by yours truly, into a rockstar magazine which Gregorio loved. See photo. We began in Memphis with a memorable gospel church service, quasi rock concert on Palm Sunday ("<i>put your palms together for Palm Sunday</i>") followed by a <i>Love me Tender</i> tour at Gracelands, to singing the blues on Beale Street. We learnt about the birthplace of rock n roll with studio tours and several great music museums and a tour of the Gibson guitar factory. We had tunes ringing in our ears or were constantly tapping our feet. In between we cruised down the mighty Mississippi on a paddle steamer, drove around in 1950's cars visiting Elvis haunts, saw the duck march at the Peabody hotel, climbed a pyramid, visited the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jnr was assassinated and dined on delicious BBQ food and hot fried chicken. Then onwards to Nashville for the final few days, the home of country music - where there was music oozing out of every bar and museum in town. The songwriter's round at the Bluebird Cafe on Gregorio's actual birthday was particularly special. We had quite the best spare ribs we have ever tasted and the most original and indulgent donuts (bacon flavored?!). We even had a surprise visit to a small artisanal pasta factory that Gregorio has been following on instagram! It was certainly a memorable week. Back in DC we had an Easter birthday lunch to round out the celebrations with friends and family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBoIeIsfVxIHy_a9BjVeoxKmRN5pXViL6Gu0v7PA78LvLtUyF4XDlgmbct7TfU99N4UYfA7jYmSqxpZNoDrRDvtqWO21VKhX8d7BPTVcluP2gPFwrpIRf_GnMu__nZya7tU9H4Lv_nnzn/s1600/IMG_0410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBoIeIsfVxIHy_a9BjVeoxKmRN5pXViL6Gu0v7PA78LvLtUyF4XDlgmbct7TfU99N4UYfA7jYmSqxpZNoDrRDvtqWO21VKhX8d7BPTVcluP2gPFwrpIRf_GnMu__nZya7tU9H4Lv_nnzn/s200/IMG_0410.jpg" width="183" /></a>Oh but wait that was not all the birthday celebrations. He was 50 after all! Just last week-end Gregorio enjoyed one of our gifts - a drive in a Ferrari - all 5 minutes, but still he said it was pretty cool! Later this spring he is going to take an one hour flying lesson.<br />
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While the grandparents were here, we have been busy enjoying the sites of DC, including the hot ticket in town - the Yayoi Kusama Infinity mirrors exhibition at the Hirshhorn. After several attempts we were lucky to get tickets, apparently most Mondays there were about 57,000 trying to sign up for for the 6,000 tickets that were released each week! A fascinating fascination with polka dots.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphZKFMZfvLBnZcAB9gRFoklAA8sDCFM25u9snUtC141pk0vNbWJXelVEQdWIP0aaF5pqI_EvVkBChUkyHQYsIsVIPhmX_bF09QXp-QxnSwprPXIcQG7PiovGhhzyf1E2_N33jDDyx86LT/s1600/IMG_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphZKFMZfvLBnZcAB9gRFoklAA8sDCFM25u9snUtC141pk0vNbWJXelVEQdWIP0aaF5pqI_EvVkBChUkyHQYsIsVIPhmX_bF09QXp-QxnSwprPXIcQG7PiovGhhzyf1E2_N33jDDyx86LT/s200/IMG_0103.jpg" width="200" /></a>This past week-end we had the largest team ever for the annual Race for Hope. A cool start but it turned out to be a glorious afternoon and we had nearly 60 friends back in the garden for a celebratory BBQ. Isabella was reluctant to join the Survivor's tribute at the start of the race but Mati offered to join her. The team were surprised when we hadn't seen Bella stride by but they were delayed and suddenly made a dash appearance on their own at the end. Rather entertaining. Isabella ran her best time ever and was very happy. It is always a very emotional and moving event, so inspiring to see the survivors and as a family we draw great comfort from the support that our friends and family give us. Two friends flew in especially for the event, one from Italy and another from Belgium. The latter was a total surprise (that I still can't believe I hadn't cottoned on to) we were all truly touched that they wanted to join us for this special annual tradition.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBbgnK2vU7HPNm4xRoNnfm0Jq4v7bQS18KqYxJMUFFUMyLEcFoiBnpNCe2_X4dbF2u2pe2H2t5yNuZPWsCGxhDmKzm8vcrx3EV6a1whHunJLV9heGSUNOYLE9aq6O6By90hJAegQ1FZJ_/s1600/IMG_0157.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBbgnK2vU7HPNm4xRoNnfm0Jq4v7bQS18KqYxJMUFFUMyLEcFoiBnpNCe2_X4dbF2u2pe2H2t5yNuZPWsCGxhDmKzm8vcrx3EV6a1whHunJLV9heGSUNOYLE9aq6O6By90hJAegQ1FZJ_/s640/IMG_0157.JPEG" width="640" /></a><br />
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The grandparents have returned to Rome and our home is a little empty! Meanwhile the school year continues at a fast pace with exams looming. Isabella is taking her maths IGCSE this year and both are getting ready for their piano exams. We shall be looking forward to slowing down in the summer. The plans are still coming together but we have booked Isabella's ticket to Italy (on her own) to see the <i>nonni</i> and take a two week sailing camp.<br />
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Lots of love to you all,<br />
Emma, Gregorio, Isabella & Mati. xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-52276688907337545722017-01-19T19:48:00.002-05:002017-01-19T19:48:18.851-05:00New Year - NO treatment!Last week-end's MRI shows that the tumor is stable. It is smaller than it was when we started treatment last February. We have decided to stop treatment. Isabella is happy and positively beaming at the news. After a three week break over Christmas and New Year, she was rid of the darn side effects that had been building up and now she can enjoy the freedom from the treatment.<br />
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Next MRI will be in three months to monitor the tumor.<br />
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Till then we are free of medical visits. YEAH! We discussed treatment options if/when the tumor regrows. We will cross that bridge when it happens.<br />
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Brace yourself world for the event that really is happening in DC tomorrow...<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Emma & co xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-8665626625510687302016-12-22T22:29:00.000-05:002016-12-22T22:29:15.327-05:00Look back and looking ahead to 2017!It has been some months since we last updated this blog. The good news, as many of you have concluded, is that Isabella is doing well and we have been busy with many other things.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdNNWFMO69XQOMAW37MGViO33IZs5FPti2ixG-TPFGHUAc8XgpvE5dR9Yl04Ge36w0U0MlF4G1lMaU1xQr7-NAMtO-qgHZx2FPjRg98rlw_3x8OlzMV_a9mLqOI6eZO6_h7fjzXwOgmxY/s1600/2016-07-16_16-45-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdNNWFMO69XQOMAW37MGViO33IZs5FPti2ixG-TPFGHUAc8XgpvE5dR9Yl04Ge36w0U0MlF4G1lMaU1xQr7-NAMtO-qgHZx2FPjRg98rlw_3x8OlzMV_a9mLqOI6eZO6_h7fjzXwOgmxY/s200/2016-07-16_16-45-56.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower girls this summer</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBGL7WAhgy-iJfXzEvjiNcF9wgRAQPO_LlkPWF6pk0-aR9mQVY87TKTAMU2sp0Yr8f35CLY-P-psaeCCqgVoB804wDmAcBxdn_72bKinaQeSQzfy2YW0-f1Uftuyo4NaN5OUU5DCDx9gb/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBGL7WAhgy-iJfXzEvjiNcF9wgRAQPO_LlkPWF6pk0-aR9mQVY87TKTAMU2sp0Yr8f35CLY-P-psaeCCqgVoB804wDmAcBxdn_72bKinaQeSQzfy2YW0-f1Uftuyo4NaN5OUU5DCDx9gb/s200/IMG_0893.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />I am writing this while sitting at the hospital for Isabella's monthly check-up. After a VERY long day we have concluded that Isabella's body needs a break from the current medication, 3 out of the past 4 years she has been on this medication, the toxicity is undoubtedly building in her body. We are able to take a three week break on this trial, she will then be due for her next MRI and we will assess whether she should continue with a reduced dose (and hopefully limit some of the side affects) or stop the medication altogether. Stopping sounds pretty good but the unknown does cause apprehension as we don't know exactly what the treatment options are, should the tumor regrow. We will cross that bridge when we get there. In the meantime a Christmas break without having to remember to take the pills twice a day on a completely empty stomach or worry about the latest possible side effect will be a relief all round. <br />
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Ahhh, collapse on the sofa with a good cup of tea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWCjppvsQ8Yk4jwqJTF2OOdmBnEvKaN0VulpbvoCZ4jjWw7LxRDBEdr2QeSbJVI4KrwF0tszFaVuKlZ0g5UUyNf4HQcZbxkm4_PeghynGTIcSOis6LgKRR4IBsxvnJPgdq1x1tjCnBKdX/s1600/IMG_1223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWCjppvsQ8Yk4jwqJTF2OOdmBnEvKaN0VulpbvoCZ4jjWw7LxRDBEdr2QeSbJVI4KrwF0tszFaVuKlZ0g5UUyNf4HQcZbxkm4_PeghynGTIcSOis6LgKRR4IBsxvnJPgdq1x1tjCnBKdX/s200/IMG_1223.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for Tea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQQ9PpP4fJ6N0KM1Cf9tt92XMkyNgIo_v5s5y04Icqc89IJrDJFmVEKY1n00x7LTk22_Ga0W3CRIf4m6q4wncC0wU7adF5KTFH0lcmH9_cv8RBpHxkYPoTviDp2kaTJe3XqdayRFQfIOb/s1600/IMG_1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQQ9PpP4fJ6N0KM1Cf9tt92XMkyNgIo_v5s5y04Icqc89IJrDJFmVEKY1n00x7LTk22_Ga0W3CRIf4m6q4wncC0wU7adF5KTFH0lcmH9_cv8RBpHxkYPoTviDp2kaTJe3XqdayRFQfIOb/s200/IMG_1572.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atop Rocciamelone</td></tr>
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Looking back at the past six months - we had good summer that included a stop in London to catch up with friends and family. Cultural highlights included an evening at The Globe, getting lost in the maze at Hampton Court and afternoon tea at Kensington Palace. We then had two very relaxing weeks in the Italian Alps with <i>i nonni</i> and also a visit from the English nephews. We visited our favourite haunts, hiked our preferred trails and got our fix of gelato and other Italian goodies. The highlight was Mati conquering Rocciamelone at 3538 m with Gregorio and a couple of friends. Thanks to modern technology - photos and messages were instantly beamed down to the valley and I think the whole of Susa, from the hair dresser to the post office knew about the granddaughter who had climbed the mountain and then written a very special message to the Madonna di Rocciamelone praying for the other granddaughter. An emotional day. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbTP7f4JAcDGK5vEU67jRvzlyPxkaye8rMNUdLSCLXQG3Yppt_NcxZZV0icUBOECXTw50FiLHmAENr97nHJq4_72p6TnIVFOBTrJH3f6V464GHqpRuiR2VFHpuq2pBnEJEanv9cB-rJt6/s1600/IMG_1621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbTP7f4JAcDGK5vEU67jRvzlyPxkaye8rMNUdLSCLXQG3Yppt_NcxZZV0icUBOECXTw50FiLHmAENr97nHJq4_72p6TnIVFOBTrJH3f6V464GHqpRuiR2VFHpuq2pBnEJEanv9cB-rJt6/s200/IMG_1621.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L'ultimo gelato all'aeroporto di Torino</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyDfuqwU_iUM3xpU93hEK0nnsmKBsXmVgHenHTzcGFv6RVpq6XNBIDKtrM5IMyeqB78K6UxPaqefNUB8vDm3-A97aiLVhYdH4pqeQJJCAeetOJZBQVkoQslUvAmFX0_9PtNdSuGL8NItM/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyDfuqwU_iUM3xpU93hEK0nnsmKBsXmVgHenHTzcGFv6RVpq6XNBIDKtrM5IMyeqB78K6UxPaqefNUB8vDm3-A97aiLVhYdH4pqeQJJCAeetOJZBQVkoQslUvAmFX0_9PtNdSuGL8NItM/s200/IMG_1704.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sightseeing in London</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2BMOmIal_2g4t6SdyEbQ_HpbhWOd2BMKG-rA4Eu0xanoYL35LIjYBNtkxlUR44tz6l-UwYPr16cOiH9SZEAKfjX4gcr6ucC6V2HlwgYvvnwecJPdQOOWn_vV0FXkQlEMWdWJN1rMzQXq/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2BMOmIal_2g4t6SdyEbQ_HpbhWOd2BMKG-rA4Eu0xanoYL35LIjYBNtkxlUR44tz6l-UwYPr16cOiH9SZEAKfjX4gcr6ucC6V2HlwgYvvnwecJPdQOOWn_vV0FXkQlEMWdWJN1rMzQXq/s200/IMG_1469.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No matter the age, all want to climb up there!</td></tr>
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We returned to DC at the end of August and dove right back into school and I think we are only now catching our breathe as we wind down for the Christmas holidays. Matilde traveled with the school to Florida for a week in November to participate in an inter school sports competition. She talked a lot about the swimming and archery in which she represented her school but I think Disney World and her first ever roller coast ride also left a big impression! Gregorio traveled to Turkey, his last work mission there, now that he has moved to covering warmer climes in the Caribbean. The girls and I took a whirlwind trip to New York to see an old friend - it was the perfect autumn Sunday in the Big Apple. I had two great work trips this autumn - a wonderfully luxurious whirlwind tour to <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEupqt8JvxOqE4B-1MYvnZHAhlzCnnGgm1VIfoIJJlXIf1jk8kguNnPvLyFge6FXUDv_xacHMZjUtU_HtJSPUWDdIlrlst8SXc42M71zEWeoxp-jdI9J8eP5lsPgtsQr7w07Hk0YYun0OP/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEupqt8JvxOqE4B-1MYvnZHAhlzCnnGgm1VIfoIJJlXIf1jk8kguNnPvLyFge6FXUDv_xacHMZjUtU_HtJSPUWDdIlrlst8SXc42M71zEWeoxp-jdI9J8eP5lsPgtsQr7w07Hk0YYun0OP/s200/IMG_1297.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of many in Italy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_98E7AHLq5h5fHQ-UNPavrtWdTFWBxQl2-FoLSEOelJn9NM3bzs3uRkdMXiNafrfEBf9WFGyjHFGg6UhDtD8FQ_R-2VWwCa2HuRzr1SgC2y9gn-4hyphenhyphenZxTDhZZlUh1blC4Qw9VZUXEYy3/s1600/2016-08-14_11-02-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_98E7AHLq5h5fHQ-UNPavrtWdTFWBxQl2-FoLSEOelJn9NM3bzs3uRkdMXiNafrfEBf9WFGyjHFGg6UhDtD8FQ_R-2VWwCa2HuRzr1SgC2y9gn-4hyphenhyphenZxTDhZZlUh1blC4Qw9VZUXEYy3/s200/2016-08-14_11-02-26.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with cousins in the Alps</td></tr>
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Moscow and St Petersburg. I knew it would have changed since my last visit in 1988 but I could not have imagined by how much. The grey Soviet era is firmly in the dim and distant past. The beauty, opulence and great food were truly memorable. Sadly I don't see us sending American travelers to Russia soon. This trip was followed by 10 days in Oxford and London - a quintessentially English experience to feed my annual nostalgic needs. I managed some annual rituals with bonfire night, Remembrance day, stocking up on tea and treats from Fortnums and clothes shopping on the King's Road (thanks to the great exchange rate!) to name just a few non work related things I squeezed in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZrqUh1V0ROdzIWuGJlCs0vds0ewnGj0Y4wvD2p3B1nRhL_wr1O72CorKfclN1F4robz6bqv7AkX8ui0tkG0GZQKtMhZZgKPeEAUFD-FoiL3FNMNZ0n_ht5i68_rX3PYpmDL0N3_N8fU4/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZrqUh1V0ROdzIWuGJlCs0vds0ewnGj0Y4wvD2p3B1nRhL_wr1O72CorKfclN1F4robz6bqv7AkX8ui0tkG0GZQKtMhZZgKPeEAUFD-FoiL3FNMNZ0n_ht5i68_rX3PYpmDL0N3_N8fU4/s200/IMG_1736.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back to School Sept 2016</td></tr>
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The girls are growing up and becoming very independent. They are both happy and working hard at school. Isabella has started her IGCSEs and will be taking a couple next summer - under four years and she will be flying the nest! Hard to believe. Swimming is Mati's life - practicing four times a week and then swim meets on many week-ends. The bathroom is filled with wet swimming costumes and towels everywhere! Meanwhile Bella continues to sing with the Children's Chorus of Washington. Last week's Christmas concert was beautiful, the new director has breathed some new energy into their repertoire.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oyster festival in Maryland</td></tr>
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2016 has been quite a year around the world. I was in London the night of the US election. The result was a surprise and shock for many of us. It was the second time this year, I have felt let down by 'my' country. I am at home in England and America though I have no voting rights in either. The US presidential election and the Brexit vote came after very contentious campaigns and left me, first with a major identity crisis (I have since filed my papers to become an Italian citizen) and the second, apprehensive of what the future will bring.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kid's table at Thanksgiving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GfTO_b00ONucDM1eVa1IW6dcBx3_Kcr8pKgLthhLSFd7AsmQj-ziJ5w25BAKond8YA0STKcgt1_twhU-ePTdeGUybN5wU5cF7S5zEhDXbe3LMMVongh3tmP2YiG1XMBNqgp-Yh2GOad0/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GfTO_b00ONucDM1eVa1IW6dcBx3_Kcr8pKgLthhLSFd7AsmQj-ziJ5w25BAKond8YA0STKcgt1_twhU-ePTdeGUybN5wU5cF7S5zEhDXbe3LMMVongh3tmP2YiG1XMBNqgp-Yh2GOad0/s200/IMG_0832.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">economic students...a few years later</td></tr>
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As a dear English friend's father wrote recently, while the future remains uncertain, there will always be friendship. And this year we have certainly relished the friends we have. We were visited by the Italian friend who first introduced Gregorio and I - some 22 years ago - he certainly looked the same, not sure about Gregorio and I! We reconnected with a number of friends in London after several years to celebrate my birthday this summer and we were visited by other dear friends who previously lived in DC. This week we have sadly said goodbye (for now?) to some friends heading back to live in Europe. We've had plenty of fun times with friends to be thankful for this year. Thanksgiving at the Impavido household has become a tradition with our dearest DC friends, they are practically family - a big one at that, there were 32 of us sitting down to turkey and trimmings in November. For Christmas we will be at an equally warm gathering of close DC friends. Preceded, as always, by Gregorio's traditional Christmas Eve fish meal - Mati is not particularly fond of fish but she believes the menu is sacred and cannot be changed! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7evGnipz4qqZ5W7mdR0QfrDrmJbjGtNug1AWLqT_u6ooIQCFhrWrwbv8AQbsWnTI7ePDu9Xt-uke_Nz2M2L5Z4FTZyQu85FOyCbDBCmqyziSGJUIoCh2YxxgWZ2M_PiKxoYyk7wCkmux/s1600/2016-08-14_20-12-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7evGnipz4qqZ5W7mdR0QfrDrmJbjGtNug1AWLqT_u6ooIQCFhrWrwbv8AQbsWnTI7ePDu9Xt-uke_Nz2M2L5Z4FTZyQu85FOyCbDBCmqyziSGJUIoCh2YxxgWZ2M_PiKxoYyk7wCkmux/s200/2016-08-14_20-12-23.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cena nel cortile!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T7Ol71R1m423_-ujdcRCjCMahPXQYkWc9OLKau1BnxpNZT4Hz0M-W8q4x3AjK2S0awumbsCd6f8DpyvE4VsMQt-B69IHvZnM9JLDmsKb_BpgorGmBMwYEz4OOE4vUxZgsB7XWqGUP6F7/s1600/IMG_3982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T7Ol71R1m423_-ujdcRCjCMahPXQYkWc9OLKau1BnxpNZT4Hz0M-W8q4x3AjK2S0awumbsCd6f8DpyvE4VsMQt-B69IHvZnM9JLDmsKb_BpgorGmBMwYEz4OOE4vUxZgsB7XWqGUP6F7/s200/IMG_3982.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "usual" English walk in Virginia</td></tr>
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We are looking forward to a relaxing Christmas break and ready for new adventures in 2017. We wish you all a magical time with your family and friends and the brightest and healthiest of New Years.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
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Emma, Gregorio, Isabella & Matilde. x<br />
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PS can you ever have enough Emmas in your life?!?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uAiw9ihr0SXsbdfC7b-6-jZk5WgPLegpsISzfb8dzfZs6v9ogZIhcsHluciOs-rqyT5hESjL6lJ2wcH0Lf1fGbmM_bF3g7nYi2Bks9wE0rkzWeK5ZvydAeOhOwkR1F77hAKy1OyAKMTd/s1600/IMG_3587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uAiw9ihr0SXsbdfC7b-6-jZk5WgPLegpsISzfb8dzfZs6v9ogZIhcsHluciOs-rqyT5hESjL6lJ2wcH0Lf1fGbmM_bF3g7nYi2Bks9wE0rkzWeK5ZvydAeOhOwkR1F77hAKy1OyAKMTd/s200/IMG_3587.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonfire night - Up, Down & Sideways!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHIxMB7497l2gXvAP5ikNoOgt_k0OBXpT3Ua5Y9Y-iO21CIuYBAS7QcLBPgxYUX36pDUTXWXeLYInUyzWiR9faf9374t77JwmEVcr02xjFBW1nPS4gWc_4FIu-jqIje5AVcUetkcOA9h4/s1600/IMG_3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHIxMB7497l2gXvAP5ikNoOgt_k0OBXpT3Ua5Y9Y-iO21CIuYBAS7QcLBPgxYUX36pDUTXWXeLYInUyzWiR9faf9374t77JwmEVcr02xjFBW1nPS4gWc_4FIu-jqIje5AVcUetkcOA9h4/s200/IMG_3403.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in NYC</td></tr>
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<br />Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-9336677080568844172016-07-28T22:05:00.000-04:002016-07-28T22:05:53.673-04:00Shrinkage!Nearly six months back on the treatment and we have confirmed shrinkage. Need I say more?!<br />
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Yesterday's MRI shows approx 20% reduction so the tedium of taking the pills twice a day on an empty stomach ( four of us have synchronized alarms on more devices than you can imagine to avoid missing even one dose) and the annoying side effects to Isabella's skin are worth it. This is great news. We will leave soon on holiday and will depart in a very good mood.<br />
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Girls are having a good summer. Sleepovers, shopping and plenty of sports ( swimming and rowing in pretty oppressive DC heat) are keeping them entertained. We've had some fun outings and also attending a beautiful wedding a couple of weeks ago where the girls were flower girls. We are looking forward to catching up with family and friends in Europe soon.<br />
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Some photos from some recent activities in DC.<br />
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Next MRI end of October.<br />
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Lots of love<br />
The Impavidos xxx<br />
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<br />Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-74759579640063445002016-05-16T21:20:00.000-04:002016-05-16T21:20:03.570-04:00All StableFirst MRI since we restarted treatment shows that the trial drug is continuing to have effect. The official word is that the tumor is stable, and shows no growth since the February MRI. Looking at the figures it might even have shrunk slightly. But they need to see a more significant decrease to officially declare shrinkage. However, stable is VERY good we are much relieved and move forward for another three months.<br />
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This means we can now finally start to think about our summer plans. We are still constrained by medical appointments and school holidays but we are very grateful that the treatment is continuing to have a positive effect. Isabella is one of the first to go back on this treatment.<br />
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Meanwhile in other news: it is still pouring with rain here and feels more like March than the typical May weather for DC. We did have a lovely sunny day yesterday, though very cold for the 5 K color run that Gregorio and the girls did. I waited at the finish with a cappuccino in hand and everyone's sweatshirts!<br />
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We are gearing up towards the end of school with lots of annual events, with choral concerts, sports day, exams, birthdays and more.<br />
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Next MRI end of July.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Emma & Gregorio xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-91363857953330592382016-05-02T22:47:00.001-04:002016-05-02T22:47:10.191-04:00Race for Hope 2016<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HyY0EtFGJRa3dLwmajZABpXNop9rneJT7J-uWrzQLB2K7kvGR3ls5eX5bMsyTY1IXp49MTB5lh6otybcjGUuQow6EgohEyhQnp2CxCjzZvoXH5Nt__cnJxWosGJFTNh-Qts4kbCf00no/s1600/IMG_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HyY0EtFGJRa3dLwmajZABpXNop9rneJT7J-uWrzQLB2K7kvGR3ls5eX5bMsyTY1IXp49MTB5lh6otybcjGUuQow6EgohEyhQnp2CxCjzZvoXH5Nt__cnJxWosGJFTNh-Qts4kbCf00no/s640/IMG_0363.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the Team at the start of the race.</td></tr>
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Well it poured with rain but this did not dampen spirits. We had an amazing turn out, nearly 60 in Team Impavido. Thank you to all who joined us, along with thousands of other runners and walkers. Isabella strode proudly in the survivor's tribute (see video below - though I am not sure this will work!) and we all ran or walked in record speed<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx1o2UaBBjsRbKlNLSG3LXvf85gCT1flUfA0jKTzPJgDvTSeHYOH_27HIgdVmKsglr4pFTnZSKMY165NLz9qw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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It was a memorable day. <span style="text-align: center;">Here are some fun photos of the team!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Impavido at the end</td></tr>
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We abandoned the celebratory lunch in the garden - even the English think twice about 60 in the garden in the rain....so we moved to a large pizzeria in Bethesda and took over a private room. A fun and relaxing way to celebrate with dear friends. We are very grateful for their immense support and when the rain stopped all kids (and one or two adults) even went outside and played rugby - an annual tradition for two members of the team.<br />
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The donations just keep on rolling in, we are nearly at $4,500 raised by Team Impavido for 2016. Vice President Biden spoke at yesterday's event, though we missed him. His support for this cause and over $2 million raised so far by Race for Hope 2016 will surely move us closer to better treatments and a cure. Here's hoping.<br />
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Many thanks to all who supported near and far.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Emma, Gregorio, Isabella & Matilde xxx<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheltering in CVS before the start</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great outfit! Did it keep you dry?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last but not least!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5k ladies - give me a game of tennis over running any day!</td></tr>
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<br />Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-23969900406243828642016-04-29T23:05:00.000-04:002016-04-29T23:05:19.853-04:00Race for Hope looking backWe have been getting ready for our annual 5K Race for Hope to raise funds and awareness for brain cancer. The forecast is not looking good for Sunday. And despite the largest team ever, I think we might be in for a repeat of our first year in 2009 when it pissed with rain.<br />
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This got me thinking about how the team has grown over the years. I thought I would pull up some previous photos to share and you can tell by the light and what we are wearing that the weather has varied greatly each year!<br />
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You can still donate to this year's cause by going to curebraintumors.org. Please search for our team. The event raises much needed funds for research into new treatments. Many thanks for all your support. We will be posting photos of the this year's event.<br />
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<b>2009</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLt9OjOP6hhYAyarhcZE4kSUH2dzIpo4yhlmL3Ag8r69Nl0jcIIv5DkALUg9ETCNMkePn6ScKSNLE5_sIGmd_nTEttokKhyphenhyphenfwMdsEr3M3rnji_Yrk9-oPQX0wrq0IPjhaoNb8Z14znbvx/s1600/RFH+at+the+start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLt9OjOP6hhYAyarhcZE4kSUH2dzIpo4yhlmL3Ag8r69Nl0jcIIv5DkALUg9ETCNMkePn6ScKSNLE5_sIGmd_nTEttokKhyphenhyphenfwMdsEr3M3rnji_Yrk9-oPQX0wrq0IPjhaoNb8Z14znbvx/s200/RFH+at+the+start.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original team 2009</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOfo9OQIlNzIRkbavPONWz6EEIcCqpoin6i6s109I7Y-T5ITPtkKaOOFiiHnMxeGoNBHdLoYK1h8rWFCuSXJy1DXifVnC4C-o4DR2ZoPgdAwv4OVzxwY5FKUJo12Z3R6T4NNHrjkA9sZi/s1600/2009-05-03-10h06m07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOfo9OQIlNzIRkbavPONWz6EEIcCqpoin6i6s109I7Y-T5ITPtkKaOOFiiHnMxeGoNBHdLoYK1h8rWFCuSXJy1DXifVnC4C-o4DR2ZoPgdAwv4OVzxwY5FKUJo12Z3R6T4NNHrjkA9sZi/s200/2009-05-03-10h06m07.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the pissing rain in 2009</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrzOkMrONUl6ptFNBYUncKzsnkYUFmLVwJbZfhRnLqA16M3iPeBYZscEDoFRCmdZODqiGeMKYj2jiCYhoyVqEnreDORqbjmn89TkIfzCHcn_MNGoYCVjk20Ib6J_cWsRQ9QUP00w2En3v/s1600/2009-05-03-10h08m06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrzOkMrONUl6ptFNBYUncKzsnkYUFmLVwJbZfhRnLqA16M3iPeBYZscEDoFRCmdZODqiGeMKYj2jiCYhoyVqEnreDORqbjmn89TkIfzCHcn_MNGoYCVjk20Ib6J_cWsRQ9QUP00w2En3v/s200/2009-05-03-10h08m06.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud fun runner!</td></tr>
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<b>2010</b><br />
English side of the family are in town for the event and we had team t-shirts and were showing off Bella's book, trying to find a publisher. Mati and Peter were on scooters!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4VPCtsoMv5wGsLzFJAB9WI5HXpEQ3jafqtzO141kI0t7fztSCWegLZDLQALHo6bbPFgfL7l06hqA_Ah6oeE1BQDTKJSpxV7-a_xYpJDsoTpNpiXTMRIpjinqHFTkeHR_YzDUIGss7gqd/s1600/Team+Impavido+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4VPCtsoMv5wGsLzFJAB9WI5HXpEQ3jafqtzO141kI0t7fztSCWegLZDLQALHo6bbPFgfL7l06hqA_Ah6oeE1BQDTKJSpxV7-a_xYpJDsoTpNpiXTMRIpjinqHFTkeHR_YzDUIGss7gqd/s1600/Team+Impavido+2010.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Impavido with shirts & Bella's book 2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo6X68ONjsNVg6KwpkKVpIp3Oc6mguqg3pW_5E1H_6k_DlODgnC4L3wGx6454MIq0nOetDKDdiWQR-9691LwDQ5ht_KOIXoF2lzp69Q3Sf_ageFoRV-XTKX-bujuRIxZ1vP4LK5Bk3dFS/s1600/Bella+and+Packer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo6X68ONjsNVg6KwpkKVpIp3Oc6mguqg3pW_5E1H_6k_DlODgnC4L3wGx6454MIq0nOetDKDdiWQR-9691LwDQ5ht_KOIXoF2lzp69Q3Sf_ageFoRV-XTKX-bujuRIxZ1vP4LK5Bk3dFS/s200/Bella+and+Packer.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With her neurologist 2010</td></tr>
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<b>2011</b><br />
Isabella proudly strides in the Survivor's Tribute at the beginning of the event. The nonni were in town for the race.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iUTPWPoKgvX56CH4pGEeF4PJDKqEgrktjqdQ61qasw97o2S04G5zfRXsriXxfKMwA4SCYAB5eLvJwLwa6jdqPeA0QX9hHxNeLA2QPhSmMNuhRBfxwy0MZl-coFmQoSLn7TW3S9pcLjrf/s1600/2011-05-01-09h01m27s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iUTPWPoKgvX56CH4pGEeF4PJDKqEgrktjqdQ61qasw97o2S04G5zfRXsriXxfKMwA4SCYAB5eLvJwLwa6jdqPeA0QX9hHxNeLA2QPhSmMNuhRBfxwy0MZl-coFmQoSLn7TW3S9pcLjrf/s200/2011-05-01-09h01m27s.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survivor's Tribute 2011</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrZG_jlhkKExLlNfAVmF43XTXX4N0UQ1PTT1kYmAmghX5Jk63ZsRVrRB00RTFtqSFgdKp-KQQ5rJLiJ481n3sRWpND8K1WdoOBsfA9GJFLY4DHBkQQCVqXtkwG_BSxdDw_7li2oMFQr_X/s1600/2011-05-01-10h19m48s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrZG_jlhkKExLlNfAVmF43XTXX4N0UQ1PTT1kYmAmghX5Jk63ZsRVrRB00RTFtqSFgdKp-KQQ5rJLiJ481n3sRWpND8K1WdoOBsfA9GJFLY4DHBkQQCVqXtkwG_BSxdDw_7li2oMFQr_X/s200/2011-05-01-10h19m48s.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Impavido 2011</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQSH6Qttzg-nAFdayAgKUw9D95tMvWMSqWTTPo8ENs3Dj_a6Plh4oCABD_XDMdQaKYOZZp5GPEcV27VljRVNh9QAP0NzJV8sZM3teyEhTwjxzWnTOHLA9liVk5Y451iI3vBQdW29-9eTb/s1600/2011-05-01-09h45m02s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQSH6Qttzg-nAFdayAgKUw9D95tMvWMSqWTTPo8ENs3Dj_a6Plh4oCABD_XDMdQaKYOZZp5GPEcV27VljRVNh9QAP0NzJV8sZM3teyEhTwjxzWnTOHLA9liVk5Y451iI3vBQdW29-9eTb/s200/2011-05-01-09h45m02s.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Nonni 2011</td></tr>
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<b>2012</b><br />
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UK family here again to join the team.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQgUU-XDMBTS9ikasb5LDeNLk79G1oI9Cautk6u0f7wcedOwp6LAi-H_tSUkHYFSCXepxabQGX5dIyKFYO-bHObIixzINgH5M3z5flbXKd0OOB1bP71SQwd-x4AHX_ws42YSPZoG3mJMv/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQgUU-XDMBTS9ikasb5LDeNLk79G1oI9Cautk6u0f7wcedOwp6LAi-H_tSUkHYFSCXepxabQGX5dIyKFYO-bHObIixzINgH5M3z5flbXKd0OOB1bP71SQwd-x4AHX_ws42YSPZoG3mJMv/s200/IMG_2219.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Impavido 2012 at the end</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-1O1GdFmYC6JAsOWa7dvKoqUeFdImiGkUDimn9NZxx0_pn22mWNfOyEKPSYKwM6HYUG_s3n4Z6RUmJJ4fW9i_rDxfUTwKCTcxYpG5lUqP8xbXC2oor0mazwMF5Zvx0wcothD-A9n9YfO/s1600/IMG_2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-1O1GdFmYC6JAsOWa7dvKoqUeFdImiGkUDimn9NZxx0_pn22mWNfOyEKPSYKwM6HYUG_s3n4Z6RUmJJ4fW9i_rDxfUTwKCTcxYpG5lUqP8xbXC2oor0mazwMF5Zvx0wcothD-A9n9YfO/s200/IMG_2193.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Impavido 2012 before the race.</td></tr>
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<b>2013</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhM50u49e9WPvpvk_hiT1PP5irRtva9fOGIfegwfbvJQFA0vogwH4P4Ka67cFzkGXeY2GeefV5n_kKbTkrReD4HI6cNrWUz8iLSNOHp-R4wSAyuCf9sCcjW_fwuuC3WSDKgaVLJU9A-hw/s1600/survivors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhM50u49e9WPvpvk_hiT1PP5irRtva9fOGIfegwfbvJQFA0vogwH4P4Ka67cFzkGXeY2GeefV5n_kKbTkrReD4HI6cNrWUz8iLSNOHp-R4wSAyuCf9sCcjW_fwuuC3WSDKgaVLJU9A-hw/s200/survivors.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survivors 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2XGaNaqf0JwAETPyPlvwpqic-otSJVoD4hq1ZWhWIQVmPCKlHUhyphenhyphenP2HuU7AJHPvru4lZhbdwbpqm3PBDPPanPXXW3V-oZ2NwEIfTcNiz06efrZ18E5ETorF2q-hTf9LueJNF9_BeMGOB/s1600/Bella+and+Michael.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2XGaNaqf0JwAETPyPlvwpqic-otSJVoD4hq1ZWhWIQVmPCKlHUhyphenhyphenP2HuU7AJHPvru4lZhbdwbpqm3PBDPPanPXXW3V-oZ2NwEIfTcNiz06efrZ18E5ETorF2q-hTf9LueJNF9_BeMGOB/s200/Bella+and+Michael.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survivors 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5avmEYJyFoikNVhDEf57WyuN22_A1ythS5XJhcCmBarNHkScFLolMzIw4VhMSQrEh5YIVZDwC-dVGVbqn9qQxz_Sy1ZG5vBb5lc2tWtSm-_CMDxzRIC5BdG1DVZsZc7E3GUWfut-BUiOW/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5avmEYJyFoikNVhDEf57WyuN22_A1ythS5XJhcCmBarNHkScFLolMzIw4VhMSQrEh5YIVZDwC-dVGVbqn9qQxz_Sy1ZG5vBb5lc2tWtSm-_CMDxzRIC5BdG1DVZsZc7E3GUWfut-BUiOW/s200/photo.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 another cold start</td></tr>
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<b>2014</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8djDSfTjwhhVcHO21mGSnxfryVm2Twh9_cLR_Mg6Tedih3P-xlaWJdCPfofHwyyw3wnYZFnSW-0pOre1ZHSkqGr8jZGF5qa83bJy9Z20cd9hb0I51kBK68dHfxywaXJjDXkATfaIWK-w/s1600/IMG_4476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8djDSfTjwhhVcHO21mGSnxfryVm2Twh9_cLR_Mg6Tedih3P-xlaWJdCPfofHwyyw3wnYZFnSW-0pOre1ZHSkqGr8jZGF5qa83bJy9Z20cd9hb0I51kBK68dHfxywaXJjDXkATfaIWK-w/s200/IMG_4476.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impavido Family 2014</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Impavido 2014</td></tr>
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<b>2015</b><div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella with her oncologist 2015</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious day for Team Impavido 2015<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-40748715920943420202016-02-14T20:58:00.000-05:002016-02-14T20:58:41.023-05:00Here we go again!We feared it, we hoped otherwise but the reality is: Isabella's brain tumor has grown. We were shown last February's MRI, last October's and now this February's. Sadly there is a steady increase and given it's close proximity to the optic nerve now is the time to restart treatment.<br />
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This obviously came as a bit of a blow to us all, particularly Isabella. However, we've had nearly one and half years without treatment and the good news is that the trial drug that she was previously taking can be retaken. It has minimal side effects, there will be 'minimal' hospital visits and most importantly it was successful at shrinking the tumor last time around. Good news, here we go again.<br />
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For those of you not in this world of continual medical visits - minimal side effects is still not always pleasant. Last time around there were endless in-grown toe nails. Watching one's daughter have these extracted is bad enough, god knows the pain she endures. The skin issues are another side effect that are not always fun to deal with. And there are the usual digestive upsets, though not as bad as traditional chemotherapy. Minimal medical visits....ha! I suspect Isabella saw more medical experts and had more tests last Thursday and Friday than the average person does in years. Sonograms, cardiograms, EKG, blood tests, endless eye examinations, visits with oncologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, more blood tests. The list goes on and on. Yes we were pretty fed up and drained by the end of last week. Many of these tests to ascertain how she was. The reality is, she feels and looks great, which is good. Then there were all the tests that were necessary in order to restart trial treatment.<br />
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So I think we are all set to start this week, tests indicate she is fit to start and we have signed the consent forms to be part of the trial. Just a minor issue of needing to remove some baby teeth as requested by the orthodontist , hopefully we will get that done prior to starting the treatment as the drug does slow down the body's ability to heal wounds. This should mean that only three days include medical appointments this week and leave Thursday and Friday free for fun. What a half-term break!<br />
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I am reminded of a saying that the girls learnt in the early years at school - when they were learning to share things with other kids: "you get what you get and you don't get upset". Isabella was initially feeling pretty down at the news but once the medical appointments began, she shows incredibly maturity and is cooperative with the doctors and very accepting that this is the situation and so deal with it we must, start the treatment and on we go. We are very proud of the way you takes it all in her stride.<br />
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Isabella had a nice pedicure and manicure as a treat this week-end and we had a great day out on the slopes today - even if it was extremely cold 7F (or -14C or lower?) when we arrived this morning More snow is forecast tonight and tomorrow and we are hoping to escape to the local slopes for a couple of days at the end of the week if all the medical appointments go to plan.<br />
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Then it will be monthly visits to see how she is doing and get another course of medication and three monthly MRI's to see what effect the drugs are having.<br />
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We will update you when we have more news.<br />
Love<br />
Emma & Gregorio xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-57152871801914362742016-01-21T22:57:00.004-05:002016-01-24T14:47:01.234-05:00Cuba Libre<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT25cusWT4Ygi9AiibFjL1o2y7Apwwnf3w1N6X5xZVtUoz2yyPAAAj6FxEpBuDok-xjLL2gAwur2dRF-SlzT8oSbND637ZKK82Upqnm1wiYk4rll3QmaraIW0BnS91NHoQNFJkqSq5rlml/s1600/IMG_2136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT25cusWT4Ygi9AiibFjL1o2y7Apwwnf3w1N6X5xZVtUoz2yyPAAAj6FxEpBuDok-xjLL2gAwur2dRF-SlzT8oSbND637ZKK82Upqnm1wiYk4rll3QmaraIW0BnS91NHoQNFJkqSq5rlml/s320/IMG_2136.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">As I sit in a rather cold and snowy DC, bracing itself for snowmageddon 2016, I thought it about time to share some thoughts and colour from our memorable trip over Christmas and New Year to Cuba! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEdoIzmIH2WDa8E4tEOIG2vSkKzIhtP6anCKYR5SK3ncmH_96UIsTzQJKNgD0g2BNhtxIFwO20bkd8fYgZAMsj8jbevAdui2tM-nd63r_EJjej6-isca6LkExIstQ_oKCW-xGJjelEmCu/s1600/IMG_3557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEdoIzmIH2WDa8E4tEOIG2vSkKzIhtP6anCKYR5SK3ncmH_96UIsTzQJKNgD0g2BNhtxIFwO20bkd8fYgZAMsj8jbevAdui2tM-nd63r_EJjej6-isca6LkExIstQ_oKCW-xGJjelEmCu/s200/IMG_3557.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM6eUz1Yp5jj3KE2E1VSYlCmY32U1rOnOyRMJTZSXpVyEQ-vkLAwYj8-LbHFskGKo5ACidqLRfSi6IntJzA1uc1XE0SuneKKWaHwINPMzudqraswnE_MmIlbsGVea5zLkkrZPHZE93omx/s1600/IMG_3560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXM6eUz1Yp5jj3KE2E1VSYlCmY32U1rOnOyRMJTZSXpVyEQ-vkLAwYj8-LbHFskGKo5ACidqLRfSi6IntJzA1uc1XE0SuneKKWaHwINPMzudqraswnE_MmIlbsGVea5zLkkrZPHZE93omx/s200/IMG_3560.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-dg1JdCAXGwBsFevTzxDA6CQwnGRGi3S1wroQ9GjxJ44kPxHKMEOaEqj_KcBMUG9AEWIMB3a8sgydxzO2Rq564_92Sjq3f_31jPlguCmJ-HKfk2dJWK-BqzRyBprPX4Yjk1caS6TDLEv/s1600/IMG_2183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-dg1JdCAXGwBsFevTzxDA6CQwnGRGi3S1wroQ9GjxJ44kPxHKMEOaEqj_KcBMUG9AEWIMB3a8sgydxzO2Rq564_92Sjq3f_31jPlguCmJ-HKfk2dJWK-BqzRyBprPX4Yjk1caS6TDLEv/s200/IMG_2183.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">We had decided late last summer that now was the time to go to Cuba "before it changes" Planning and booking the trip was a challenge - one of my most challenging ever, and that is saying something! Don't believe all you read - it is still a difficult destination to reach for Americans (and thus those of us living in the US) unless you are one of the permitted categories that is allowed to travel there as part of an official organization. Then add to this, the fact that Cuba is struggling to meet the surge in tourist demand (and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon) and that there is no sense of urgency in responding or resolving a problem from the Cuba end. Despite all this and not totally convinced all our reservations and plans would work out, we were very excited setting off for warmer climes several days before Christmas.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Without a doubt it was a fabulous trip. We had a great time but it was quite an adventure. Cuba is a fascinating country, the music is still ringing in our ears. The people we met were very happy and friendly despite their poverty. People people everywhere - walking across the highways to get from one field to the next, waiting for a lift at the side of the road, sitting watching the world go by or gathering to listen to music. To say nothing of all the tourists, especially in Havana. It is a very lush island which I hadn't quite expected with very vibrant colors everywhere you look - on the buildings, the cars, the art and the people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgvjZYiffnDY5WbBqv5ep1kU_2GCnYf2ZdziNHWZyrOkNcyexPoyV6X56IsxlULZs_bcjiKCKw5j6uYaC1ajPc5uGT5TTovx8CC1nWFHanDnlqzkONaDTy6Z_1NYNpXueKmbLnAy_ri7w/s1600/IMG_2111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgvjZYiffnDY5WbBqv5ep1kU_2GCnYf2ZdziNHWZyrOkNcyexPoyV6X56IsxlULZs_bcjiKCKw5j6uYaC1ajPc5uGT5TTovx8CC1nWFHanDnlqzkONaDTy6Z_1NYNpXueKmbLnAy_ri7w/s200/IMG_2111.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RBGt2jvrLlusvMS-RX66GTneRKnBcub6avESVKmDOqUv4MdcSPpZ7q-1vPGnHiGXMheBK5rvuW6LxkUURAPkWJzTTE8oBLDExdaUnPuu0F00apfBaFtgSSebK3L95M7YxSXCsBApR4Ap/s1600/IMG_2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RBGt2jvrLlusvMS-RX66GTneRKnBcub6avESVKmDOqUv4MdcSPpZ7q-1vPGnHiGXMheBK5rvuW6LxkUURAPkWJzTTE8oBLDExdaUnPuu0F00apfBaFtgSSebK3L95M7YxSXCsBApR4Ap/s200/IMG_2049.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">The modes of transport were also a source of fascination - the endless horses - either with just a farmer astride smoking a cigar on his way home from the field or with a carriage transporting many people from A to B. And there were many bikes and lorries with passengers standing/some sitting getting from place to place. And then there were all those "old" cars. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Two weeks later we were still photographing them, whether it was the 1950’s yank tanks - Buicks, Pontiacs and Chevys or the Ladas from the Soviet Union days. They were surreal in many ways. It felt very cinematographic. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">We did take a couple of rides in brightly coloured 1950s convertibles - cruising along the Malecon at sunset, pausing for photos in Revolution square. Mati wished she had bought her Pink Ladies outfit to really look the part. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Driving was an adventure - we did rent a "modern economy" car. It must have been built in the 1980s, it was filthy and felt like it was falling apart - well it was, for the last two days the driver door wouldn't open and Gregorio, complete with panama hat was doing his Starsky and Hutch impression. Quite the scene. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">At least the AC worked. I played navigator, my usual role. And if I may blow my own trumpet, I'm rather good at it. Despite what my junior colleagues might think, there was a time when we did navigate without iPhones and GPS systems. We got around the island with a rather basic map. The surprising thing was that on the few occasions we needed to verify directions, it didn't matter who you asked, they knew exactly how many meters before you took a turning and the specific landmarks to watch out for. The greater challenge was the quality of the roads - they were full of pot holes and there was a lack of illumination on the roads and some of the cars at night. Towns do have some street signs but they are small and very hard to read. Sometimes the petrol stations had petrol and you had to make sure you filled up when you saw a station, they weren't plentiful. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Havana was a fun and vibrant city with plenty going on. There are parts of the old town that have received some serious investment but just next to a renovated building you'll see complete decay, balconies being held up with rudimentary wooden poles or complete gaps where the building has collapsed. Despite the washing, the old wires, rubbish and more the former glory and vibrant colours of the building shone through. The setting by the sea is magical. We enjoyed visiting Hemingway's home Finca Vigia - an idyllic setting outside of Havana. A trip to Floridita's his favorite haunt for a daiquiri was less enjoyable - rather </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">commercial and touristy. From Havana we drove down to the western part of the island, pausing in Las Terrazas, a national park. It was pristine, calm and organized scenery around a lake where we saw flamingoes. We continued down past Pinar del Rio and stayed in Vinales driving past the tobacco fields. The landscape, particularly at sunset, was beautiful. That was Christmas day - we did not give any presents but we did give a young guy a ride to the next village after work - one hour down the autopista, as his bus had broken down. Given the number of people who congregate on the highways under the bridges it would seem a common occurrence. Cubans are obliged to give people a ride if they have space in the vehicle. We did not know that and thought we were being stopped by the police when we saw an official looking guy blowing a whistle at us! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Next stop - Varadero. Given that international visitors have been going there for years - we expected more. The beach was nice, but we have seen better ones in the world and the water not that warm. The accommodation - despite selecting a 5-star newer property was really below par and frankly run like a soviet sanitarium, though with a very friendly smile. In the end we could only laugh. It was a relaxing couple of days and a chance to get over various episodes of food poisoning (that was inevitable). We headed south just before New Year's eve, stopping to visit Che Guevara's mausoleum, monument and museum inSanta Clara. It gave us insight into the reverence the Cubans hold for this man. A little more explanation in the museum would be nice - I mean, it is all very well to see the chair his grandmother sat on or a pen he used in 1959...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">We saw in the New Year in, in Trinidad. A smaller and more vibrant community than Havana. We stayed in a Casa particulares and met local people who were very friendly and talked about their entrepreneurial ideas and helped us find 'good' places to eat. We went to Cienfuegos for the day - a city founded by a French emigre, the architecture is neoclassical French in style, though I don't think the French use such vibrant colors in the architectural details. We were pleased we were staying in Trinidad which felt more like a village and easier to walk everywhere, the girls wandered around the market stalls on their own which was fun. In Trinidad, more than anywhere there was music everywhere - in the cafes, in the restaurants and in the square - Buena Vista Social Club eat your heart out. On January 1st we spent the day at a small beach close by - no infrastructure but full of Cuban families. The water was warmer and cleaner than up north. A magical place to start the new year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I guess I haven't mentioned the food - which is rather odd for the Impavidos. Well in short it was nothing to write home about. In fact it was </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">bloody</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> awful! It was repetitive and not good. Chicken or pork with beans and rice. There is a lack of ingredients and a lack of any culinary tradition. We went to some fun paladares - family run restaurant where the food was edible to good but they were more about the atmosphere and location. We learnt that not only is food very important to us on holiday but on the few occasions we thought we would wing it and find something on the fly - we had a disaster. The one piece of Christmas we took with us was a <i>panettone</i> - it came in very handy and never tasted so good. On a couple of our driving days all we had some old bread and pringles crisps. We made up for the lack of good food with mojitos, daiquiris, pina coladas, cuba libre and more (and mocktails for Bella and Mati). On our return we had two nights in Cancun - we didn't get to the hotel restaurant till 10 pm but boy did we enjoy the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">guacamole and tacos that night!</span></span><br />
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The thing that struck Mati were the endless cigars. They really are everywhere. Isabella loved all the colorful art and Gregorio the music and free flowing mojitos! <span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Overall one of the wonderful things for us all, was slowing down. You can let it frustrate and upset you - waiting 2 hours for your luggage to arrive , 3 hours for the rental car to be available or 7 hours delay on departure at Havana airport or you can just sit back and enjoy the scene and enjoy the moment. Related to this was being out of contact with the world - no texts, no emails, no wifi, no connection full stop. It was wonderfully restorative for us all. We observed the scenery, we talked and laughed and had a </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;">great</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> time together. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coming back to DC was quite a shock. No heating on arrival at midnight and below freezing outside. The next day we had an injured deer in our gardens. Turns out he had been there most of the time we were away! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week-end Isabella is supposed to have her next MRI. However, they are really forecasting a mega snowstorm, the grocery stores were worse than the day before Thanksgiving, the hardware stores are selling out of snow shovels and salt....SO we are in wait and see mode to see if we can make it to the hospital. I think it might be a bit far to walk. Metro has already been declared closed for the week-end, many schools and businesses are closed or will be closing early on Friday. Bella and I will get our exercise shoveling, Mati is happy we have stocked up on baking goods and so will keep us fueled.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Updates on Isabella's MRI if and when there is any news beyond the white stuff!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HAPPY NEW YEAR, we hope to see many of you in 2016</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Emma & family xxx</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PS - just a few photos - still sifting through them all!</span></span></span><br />
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Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-21685714372842769972015-12-20T08:15:00.000-05:002015-12-20T08:16:35.158-05:00Where did 2015 go?<br />
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Like many, I find it hard to believe it is almost Christmas. Actually the Impavidos have already "done" Christmas. The Italian grandparents were with us for a couple of weeks for Thanksgiving and then we decided to have Christmas before they returned to Rome, complete with crackers, corny jokes, champagne and presents! Matilde Lucia rather liked the fact that we were celebrating on Santa Lucia.</div>
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So why have we already celebrated? Well we are heading to some sunshine and warmth in the Caribbean! The girls have been very understanding about not having presents but getting a holiday instead. Even so we have still put up all the Christmas decorations, baked cookies for Father Christmas, made (and remade) the ginger bread house, monitored the Elf of the Shelf's movement around the house. You can't stop the magical traditions of Christmas, even if you aren't going to be here. It has been a busy couple of months and we are looking forward to slowing down. With limited communication options, I think we will really switch off and enjoy all that the island has to offer...more to follow</div>
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I am sorry not to have updated this since August. Isabella had another MRI in October - all was stable and so we were given another three months off until the next round of scans and tests scheduled for late January. Isabella passed her Grade V piano exam, sang beautifully last week at the National Cathedral Christmas concert and is starting to choose her subjects to take for IGCSE. It takes me right back. Meanwhile Mati continues to love swimming and has beaten some of her own personal bests at some of the recent swim meets. She is enjoying secondary school having now mastered how to tie her tie and she continues to adore cooking - particularly the sweet stuff! Both are maturing into independent confident young girls - firmly established in their own bedrooms where they retreat immediately upon return from school each day.<br />
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We are looking forward to a bright and happy 2016 and hope we shall see many of you in it!<br />
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Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and fun and healthy New Year.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Emma, Gregorio, Isabella & Matilde. xxx<br />
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PS sorry we have been playing around with the format of the page and haven't quite worked it out yet!<br />
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Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-83898297844886998092015-08-27T22:15:00.002-04:002015-08-27T22:15:52.406-04:00Secondary school girlsWith new uniforms, new backpacks, new lunch boxes and more! And so another school year begins. Here is the annual photoshoot - with new school uniform and all the paraphernalia. ...and back to the routine we go.<br />
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<br />Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-87967287569031207892015-08-21T18:05:00.001-04:002015-08-21T18:05:14.820-04:00What a roller coaster!For those with limited time. Here is the short version : following up from last week-end's MRI - no action required, we will continue life as normal and monitor the situation. Another MRI is being scheduled for 6-8 weeks time.<br />
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The longer version is that we've had quite a ride of emotions this week and had I written this post on Monday I would have been in a totally different frame of mind! Isabella's oncologist called on Monday afternoon with the preliminary readings on last Saturday's MRI. She began the conversation with "have you got a moment?". Well we all know what that means - shut the office door, sit down and take a deep breathe. She explained that the tumor had grown a few millimeters which represented a 35% increase so we would review the options on Thursday when we visited the oncology department. The good news is that the oral trial drugs - the mek inhibitors - could be used for re-treatment and given the limited side effects and how effective it had been at shrinking the tumor before, this was good news. Yeah, right. Treatment, goodie!<br />
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Gregorio and I were convinced of the worse - back to treatment and the depressing drudgery of being in that routine again. All Isabella's vision issues over the summer, along with some dizziness and stumbling began to add up.<br />
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Three tense days followed. The worse part of which was telling our teenage daughter who is very happy with life, that her tumor had grown and going back treatment was highly probable.<br />
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So we went to children's yesterday fearing the worse. After extensive eye tests, numerous visits and talks with all the specialists at the hospital we have concluded that we will continue to monitor the situation for a couple of months. Despite our fears, none of the symptoms and vision issues that Isabella seems to have been having over the summer appear to be abnormal or normally associated with her tumor and its location. The increase is small and so we will monitor for a couple of months. Isabella will have further eye tests in a couple of weeks and another MRI at the end of Sept/early October. If things are stable we will continue without treatment. If there is a further increase then we will probably start the mek inhibitor. So for now we will return to “normal”, get back into our DC routine etc and await the next MRI. I believe we are all extremely reassured by this.<br />
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In other news this summer Isabella gained an A* in her Italian IGCSE (International General Certificate of Education - taken by British students at age 15 or 16, for you non-Brits) and Matilde passed her Grade 3 music theory. This week we have been watching the sunrise over the Potomac - Isabella has been learning to row in the early hours. She loves it, so much so she had no qualms about jumping into the river at the end of the lesson for her capsizing drill!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9xCRj1OKBFKbKCQlFUp0nab2HLbyZhsv4MewgFaVYqmzwhjHyej0G2NAKMVUHq6h7qub7FNWIkLUVdD-z9HB3Uosrc03vDl7bRn8pG4UmtlBfNOKZEoFBj3EHPmOa_KCLAgvlfAK46hm/s1600/2015-07-09_17-00-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9xCRj1OKBFKbKCQlFUp0nab2HLbyZhsv4MewgFaVYqmzwhjHyej0G2NAKMVUHq6h7qub7FNWIkLUVdD-z9HB3Uosrc03vDl7bRn8pG4UmtlBfNOKZEoFBj3EHPmOa_KCLAgvlfAK46hm/s200/2015-07-09_17-00-12.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZ5fUglHQS8KlODunrbJCu1LSrgxZuMbRJJb1B7w9dyHVKC0FJE5hSUEY0NFytCBsVhFgRbTiaBrw3Gi4xMbzUNdAuzMPgUSgAHt5CSKd9WZZCkDWMY_WEuZDtiG2iu1xXXeR5qcHqKT9/s1600/IMG_7186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZ5fUglHQS8KlODunrbJCu1LSrgxZuMbRJJb1B7w9dyHVKC0FJE5hSUEY0NFytCBsVhFgRbTiaBrw3Gi4xMbzUNdAuzMPgUSgAHt5CSKd9WZZCkDWMY_WEuZDtiG2iu1xXXeR5qcHqKT9/s200/IMG_7186.jpg" width="200" /></a>We had a good summer with friends and family in Europe. A few upsets - pulled tendons, twisted ankles, pretty bad stomach upsets and several things not going quite according to plan, not to mention the very hot temperatures. However there were some wonderful highlights that include Carlo and Gianna's elegant celebration of 50 years of marriage in Rome, a lovely party in Tuscany for some dear friends 50th birthdays, splashing in the Mediterranean in Mallorca, eating and drinking great food and wine as always. We also saw the Sistine chapel (we are American though, we could have done with some AC), the girls insisted on having their portraits done in Piazza Navona (that's what the tourists do, cringes Gregorio), we toured the foods of the world at the EXPO in Milan, we bought new school uniform in M&S and we stocked up on lots of clothes, shoes, edibles and drinkables thanks to the favorable euro!<br />
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School begins next week. More news when we have it sometime in October. For now deep sighs of relief and hopefully a week-end catching up on lost sleep this week.<br />
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Lots of love<br />
Emma and Gregorio xxxEmma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-75895056141273305792015-05-17T11:50:00.001-04:002015-05-17T11:50:45.855-04:006 months on - all stableNeed I say more?!<br />
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It's been 6 months since we stopped treatment and last week's MRI shows that everything is all stable, no regrowth, we are off the hook and continue our lives for another three months until the next MRI.<br />
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In fact we were so relaxed this time, possibly a first, that I forgot to contact the doctors for a preliminary reading on the results.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZYObFUB2yz5AKGSBeNom851umxkTviq5jKqleESi2PD6Cggm9xYWU-aVi7T6z4ztLWsR7xuf_bFtgMuh1LTIbhYe2ocUPM3E6xEI_ASATkEiZLywNQNO8nfH-UIyR8pjiYjz91nAEx1w/s1600/IMG_6622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZYObFUB2yz5AKGSBeNom851umxkTviq5jKqleESi2PD6Cggm9xYWU-aVi7T6z4ztLWsR7xuf_bFtgMuh1LTIbhYe2ocUPM3E6xEI_ASATkEiZLywNQNO8nfH-UIyR8pjiYjz91nAEx1w/s200/IMG_6622.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Meanwhile spring activities in full swing here. End of year tests and exams have started, some finished. Isabella had her end of year choir concert yesterday and Mati will finish swimming for the season this week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kS98oZeUydzMTcgbvqnK8ldPBpWD7bmiRStEiwkOeFhuUsJnUg6Ol0hPB2GsBOgvWobr1V8uS5WDe1quWH1vcv690iThWvoqYQFbR_r1e8oDiTdqEWyvq0puk0EWihv8Gp0y4_WVh4c3/s1600/IMG_6627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kS98oZeUydzMTcgbvqnK8ldPBpWD7bmiRStEiwkOeFhuUsJnUg6Ol0hPB2GsBOgvWobr1V8uS5WDe1quWH1vcv690iThWvoqYQFbR_r1e8oDiTdqEWyvq0puk0EWihv8Gp0y4_WVh4c3/s200/IMG_6627.jpg" width="200" /></a>Then there's birthdays and Mati's graduation from primary school. And then we are gearing up for summer travels in Europe.<br />
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More news when we have it, in the meantime a few photos from recent weeks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20c1fw2eI0dd0Ei6JU8x3Ebr87V-hM4n8H6hNM2p1cRkNJW84HLGIGmLd6XJbCtH-EGofu43JbGtCuZBf387yER-xUhysH0U7BNRlCAuRxSu1gqcvTZPrZbGXWYVMIcS9j45adNlRlPg9/s1600/IMG_6746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20c1fw2eI0dd0Ei6JU8x3Ebr87V-hM4n8H6hNM2p1cRkNJW84HLGIGmLd6XJbCtH-EGofu43JbGtCuZBf387yER-xUhysH0U7BNRlCAuRxSu1gqcvTZPrZbGXWYVMIcS9j45adNlRlPg9/s200/IMG_6746.jpg" width="200" /></a>Lots of love,<br />
Emma & co. xxx<br />
<br />Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6675242887949900882.post-84338861006883014612015-05-03T20:56:00.001-04:002015-05-03T20:56:59.149-04:00Glorious day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of Team Impavido at the end of the Race for Hope 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today was the 7th year that Team Impavido has participated in the Race for Hope here in DC. We had the largest team ever - all going at various speeds. Some setting their personal running record, others took a more leisurely stroll! But all completed the course. Our team ranged in age from babies in strollers to grannies striding, even running along! Bravi tutti!<br />
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It was glorious weather, perhaps a little hot for running but it is always so wonderful to come together for this amazing event to celebrate those who have survived brain cancer and remember those who have sadly lost their lives to this terrible disease.<br />
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Dare I say, Isabella was beaming, she is blossoming into a fine young lady. She strode proudly with all the yellow t-shirts in the survivor's tribute and then completed the 5 K in her personal best.<br />
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Afterwards we had 60+ in the garden for a celebratory lunch. The garden in full bloom, the pimms flowing, balls and frisbees flying everywhere - the perfect garden party. We are lucky to be surrounded by so many great friends. Team Impavido have raised $3,580 so far this year for Race for Hope - all proceeds will go towards Brain tumor research. THANK YOU to all who have contributed.<br />
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Next MRI next week. Hoping for another all stable and then we are off the hook for another three months. We'll keep you posted.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Emma & Gregorio. xxx<br />
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<br />Emma and Gregoriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428555030404093834noreply@blogger.com0