Visit from Katie and James

November/December 2024 visit from Katie’s family

We were quite pleased to host Katie and James and their three children for Thanksgiving this year.  They wanted to visit and were kicking around a visit for Thanksgiving, after Christmas or even late winter/early spring. Well, once they decided to make the trip, neither Katie nor Jodie could wait ….  they came for Thanksgiving.  We were excited for them to visit and for them to see a part of the Italy that we are experiencing on our mission.  

Welcome to Italy - at the Milano Malpensa Airport

We rented a 7-passenger van so that we could travel all together while they were here.   We didn’t account for the lack of luggage capacity in a 7-passenger van.  We really needed at least a 9-passenger vehicle to get them and their luggage to and from the airport, but somehow, we made it work – thanks to Jodie and James cramming themselves in the very back seats so we could use the foot room in front of the kids for luggage. 

A tight squeeze in a 7 passenger van with luggage

OK, that sets up the visit.  Rather than a day by day, blow by blow run down of events, I plan to just share a bunch of photos.  Most of them will be self-explanatory.  You’ll see photos of kids, castles, gelato, scenery, gelato, etc. etc.  We had a wonderful time with them.  Needless to say, we were worn out by the time they went home, and they were exhausted from the travel to and from Italy.  Totally worth it!

A few photo highlights from the trip.

Walking around Alzano Lombardo

Visit to Bergamo – tram ride, Christmas Market, Ferris Wheel, Carousel, Red Train tour

Visit to Bergamo’s Citta Alta – foccacia, gelato, castle, funiculare, piazzas, narrow cobblestone streets, scenic views of Citta Alta and Bergamo from San Vigilio

View of Citta Alta and Bergamo from San Vigilio

Leolandia – an amusement park for kids and making cookies

Lake Garda, the Sirmione Castle & the Brescia Castle

Visit to Oltre il Colle and Zambla Bassa - two of Jodie's ancestral cities to see old church records (thank you James for facilitating this visit with your Italian language skills)

Katie found these cool hats in a shop in Sirmione.  They were a wonderful addition to help keep the kids warm during their trip.  

Milan – Sforzesco Castle, Duomo and Galleria

The final gelato stop.  It was a cold night, but the gelato was so worth it! 

The cones were filled with warm chocolate or caramel sauce inside.   

Thank you Katie and James for the effort and sacrifice to visit us.  We truly had a wonderful time during your visit.  

We love serving in the Italy Milan Mission and working with Family Search in an effort to preserve precious old records that tie families together and connect generations.  

It was a wonderful treat for us to see some of our family during the Thanksgiving Holiday.  It was a great reminder to us of what is really important in our lives.  Family & Friends!