Here are highlights from our first 6 months:

March was cold and rainy! We spent many days indoors but we did go to Oxford with Zia Stephanie and her friend Graeme. Michele and Marcelo came to visit briefly and we toured around London. (The Burrough Market is our favorite!)

April was still cold. Sara Ann came to visit. We spent Easter with the Nelsons who live downstairs. We did a great deal of sight-seeing around London. Sara and Julia also fell off the number 82 bus... literally fell out. Luckily, we were rescued by a few nice men. It was ugly.

May was still cold believe it or not. Nana arrived on May one just in time to help us prepare for another arrival.... Marco Gregory Milani arrived at 16:16 on May 14th, 2006. He was born at St. John and St. Elizabeth's to much fanfare (we could hear the cheering from the Cricket matches at Lord's Cricket as he came into the world). Julia was a bit uncertain about her brother at first but now she loves him to pieces!

June finally saw the arrival of somewhat warmer weather. Greg's aunt Ruth and uncle Norman were here for a brief visit as were Linda Ravano, robbert DeVries and Sebastian.

In July the heat was almost unbearable, believe it or not. It was nice, however, not to have to wear a hat and gloves! We had numerous visitors including Auntie Julie and Uncle Jim (Chenu), the Miyamoto's (Stephanie, Craig, Brittany and Matthew), Nonno & Nonna Milani and Grandma Carter, and Nicole and David. Julia turned 2 on July 13th and Marco turned 2 months on the 14th. Marco has his first train ride when we went to meet auntie Julie and uncle Jim near Oxford for a few days. We stayed at the Burleigh Farm which is a working farm. It was great fun... a little scary driving with auntie Julie but fun nevertheless! Greg and I went to Paris for a quick trip sans kids!

August was a bit slower: We had no visitors (that I can recall)! We spent a great deal of time sightseeing in London, going to the parks and the zoo, going to museums, and getting ready for our September trip!

In September we went to Spain for 10 days. We stayed in two great paradors: aigua blava on the Mediterranean coast and Vic Sau which was a bit more inland. Linda, Robbert and Sebastian visited again as did Zia Stephanie. Julia started school and is LOVING it. (Often we have to bribe her to come home.)