Bonjour!

Guess where we are? Yup, we made it to France. Man that was a short Workaway in Italy...but we knew it would be from the get-go... we are kind of exploring and trying to enjoy some beautiful european cultures and sites along the way, but would really like to end up in Spain soon. Which we should. By the beginning of March we should be there.

The beautiful view at 'work'...

We arrived in Italy, as you know, and were looking forward to a bit more family time - maybe some hikes- and relaxed work... and we got all of that. Well, not so much the hikes.. with an 's' on the end of it. We went on one hike. We did other outings, day trips etc, but on the one weekend where we could have done a long hike, maybe even overnight hike, we were sick. We caught a stomach bug (ugh, I know, the worst) and one by one were having to obstain from eating and coming down with it. In the end only 3 of the 5 of us got it, but that, stretched out over about a week, made our short stay even shorter as far as exploring/outings/hikes etc. goes.

Meals outside together, kites and swinging- and remember Remus? He loved coming by for cuddles...

But that's ok. We got in lots of family meals, swinging, playing and work that included playing with a little 5 month old, renovating (painting, plastering cracks of old buildings) etc and meal prep/general help around the house. Just as we hoped and had heard- the work was plentiful but relaxed. Setting our own schedule but keeping plenty busy with a variety of odd jobs - really just what Workaway should be. We were really grateful for the opportunity to help out this beautiful family and small family owned business.

Some of the renovations we made.

You can check it out on their website: www.casa-rosa.it and if you're ever going through central Italy I very highly recommend staying there!

It's located really close to Assisi, like, where Francis of Assisi came from. So of course we visited the Basilica in Santa Maria Degli Angeli (yeah, we had to practice that quite a few times before we could say it smoothly). Which, the boys, well, only slightly enjoyed. I flashed back to going on my first European trip with my parents. I think I was approximately the same age as my oldest right now. Around 13, maybe 14 years old. Like at the age where your parents really want to check out the amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit a castle/cathedral/whatever in Europe and I was just like "why do we have to always walk up hill to visit a castle?" (insert rolled eyes here) or "when can we eat?" and "we're going to another church?!"

Yup, total tourists!!!

Yup, that came back to me karmically, bad, with my oldest. Who figured out the Italian work for "exit" and was constantly telling us which way we should go so that we can leave as soon as possible.

But that's ok. We do touristy stuff like that pretty rarely, so he's allowed to complain. It's not his thing.

Our middle child was mostly into the touristy stuff... mostly.

We did a few Francis of Assisi trips... really not much... and on the way to our next spot in southern France we made a three day drive out of it so we could see more of some sights and the southern France Mediterranean coastline. We stopped in Pisa, 'cuz I mean, come on- the leaning tower of Pisa (!) and the obligatory pictures of us holding it up - I donno... I couldn't resist.

I know, I know... couldn't get more cheesy.

And Monaco - which turned into a drive through Monaco, instead of a stop at the Museum like we had hoped (long story, but it just wasn't possible to do with quick stop at a museum like we had thought and planned)....but we stayed at some nice AirBnB's near the beach and made it easily and without any complications to our Chateau in southern France.

We made it to the Mediterranean Sea!!!!

Not like it's our Chateau... but we'll be helping out here. The family that works here has a energetic cutie pie who's about to turn 5 - and a brand new little baby- so we're just helping them get things back up and running before the new season begins (you can rent out the Chateau for a vacation in a small French Castle- how cool is that!?).

We'll be starting work Monday. But so far it seems lovely here and the people are, once again, absolutely wonderful as well.

Part of the Chateau...

And, as promised, the obligatory Green Card update: we're somewhere between step 4 and 7... you kind of do a whole bunch of things all at once and then submit it all. The "do a whole bunch of things at once" process is quite lengthy- like, going through an online system and answering a BUNCH of questions (that we already answered at length for step one- come on US immigration, stream-line this process! It doesn't have to be this redundant!) while also submitting, uploading and translating a whole bunch of documents. Which, as you guessed it, we have also already submitted with the last department/step one! Ugh. But we're moving along. Things are happening... bit by bit. We're hopeful and patient. Bound by the system and bureaucracy that comes with it in the hopes of simply going state-side and traveling. Sometimes it's just a bit crazy actually if you ask me.

But there it is. I promise to do an update in a few weeks- before Spain.

Be well everyone!