Back to Blogging

This poor blog has become extremely neglected!  It is my goal from now on to stay on top of documenting the events in our lives.  With family spread across the globe and pictures just sitting in files on my computer, now, more than ever, I am focused on keeping a good record.

But before I get on to the present, let me catch you up on some quick highlights from 2012:

The Birth of Lucy Patricia

Our beautiful baby girl, Lucy Patricia, was born on May 19th at 11:11am weighing 6lbs 8oz and measuring 19.25" long.  I should add that this is also my birthday!  Of all the days in the year, I was not expecting her to come on this one.  I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Graduation from Yale

On the day we came home from the hospital, we made a quick stop at home to nurse Lucy & change her diaper, and then we left straight for Jonathan's graduation from Yale's School of Public Health.  What a memory!

A Cross-Country Move

At the end of June, we packed up our charming apartment in Westport, CT, loaded up our Subaru Outback, and drove across the country to Salt Lake City, UT.  We will call Utah home for the next 4 years while Jonathan is in Medical School at the University of Utah.  I finished 4.5 wonderful years working as a Marketing Brand Manager for L'Oreal.

A Family Reunion

The Curtis family was reunited for the first time since Jonathan & I were married in May 2008!  We spent a lovely week at the cabin in Woodland, UT.   

A Name & Blessing

All of our immediate family including all of Lucy's living Great Grandparents were in attendance for her blessing.  It was particularly touching to have her namesake Great Grandma Patricia there.  Lucy shared this special day with her cousin Anne who was baptized that evening - two beautiful girls dressed in white!

Lake Powell

In August we spent a week with the Bond family at Lake Powell.  Were we crazy to take our barely 3-month-old baby?  Probably.  But we had a good time, and Lucy enjoyed riding on the boat.

White Coat Ceremony

As Medical School tradition holds, Jonathan was "cloaked" with his white coat before beginning his first year.  It suits him well, don't you think?

Lucy is Growing

Obviously there is much more to come on this topic.  Lucy is growing much too quickly, and we love her more with each day!

Nice & Avignon, France

Day 7 - August 16th

Similar to every day on this trip, we had an early start on the train to make our way from Genoa, Italy to Nice, France.  After a day of intense hiking, it was nice to relax on the train and enjoy the beautiful coastal views as we made our way through the last of the Italian Riviera and into the French Riviera.

Our first destination when we arrived?  Crepes, of course!  Our mouths were watering as we ordered - crepes with lemon & sugar and banana & nutella.  After inhaling the deliciousness, we walked around and enjoyed the old city of Nice.

Second stop?  Gelato!!  Luckily enough, Nice is close to the Italian border and carries on the tradition of yummy gelato.

Day 8 - August 17th
One of my favorite parts of Nice was the market.  They had everything imaginable - fresh fruit, flowers, breads and more!  We packed our bags with breakfast / lunch and made our way to the beach where we enjoyed a couple hours on the French Riviera.

That afternoon, we strapped on our backpacks and made our way west and a little north to a quaint, charming town called Avignon.  This little city is bordered by medieval walls and is often referred to as the City of the Popes as it was once the capital of the Catholic church.

Pont de Benezet

Day 9 - August 18th

This picture is for my uncles sport the brand "Carhartt" - they always joke how they can't wear this brand anymore because it has been trendy.  Looks like it has made it's way to France!

Back on the train - making our way to Barcelona!!

Cinque Terre

Day 6 - August 15th
Early Monday morning we made our way to the Roma Termini and caught a train to La Spezia.  Upon arrival we stored our backpacks at the station and caught a local train to Monterosso, the northernmost city of Cinque Terre, where we began our hike through three of the five cities.

The trail from Monterosso to Vernazza was by far the most difficult.  Although the hike was demading, it was absolutely breathtaking as its path wound through olive orchards and vineyards.  Vernazza reminded me of a mini Venice.  Very quaint, yet packed and touristy.  Corniglia was my very favorite.  It seemed like many hikers bypassed this town.  Too bad for them as it seemed to offer the most authentic Italian coastal living.

Monterosso

Vernazza

 Corniglia