The Kummers: I'm Back!

I am such a loser for not posting anything for the last 4 months! Especially when they have been as jam-packed with exciting stuff. I guess I just got behind and then kept putting it off because I knew I had so much to post. I will try to do a summary recap of the big events this fall.

First, Brett turned the big 3-0! I spent all summer planning him his backyard birthday party fiesta, and loved every minute of the planning and execution! We had a taco truck come park-it in our driveway and that was how I fed all 50 people. It was a success! Here is a collage of all the details from the party.

Colors: Red and White
Theme: Brett's 30! Let's Fiesta!

Next comes our trip to Europe. I started planning this in the middle of the planning of Brett's party--so it was one busy month! We had both never been to Europe and I guess had kept putting it off because the thought of planning it and picking out where to go was too overwhelming. Well, we finally decided to just go for it, and using Rick Steve's Italy and France books and Trip Advisor, we put together the perfect trip in under a month!

We spent 3 days in Paris, 1 day in Venice, 2 days in the Cinque Terra region (Vernazza), 3 days in Rome, and 1 day in London on our way out. It was a lot of traveling, but I wouldn't have done it any other way. I loved seeing so much on one trip! We can relax when we get home, right!?

When people ask me what was my favorite place, I honestly just can't choose. So I'll give the pros and cons to all the places we visited:

PARIS-

LOVED: all the little french cafes lining the streets and sitting at them for hours listening to the street music. the little cobblestone streets. seeing Versailles (the Gardens were my favorite). I loved all the cavalier king charles we saw. Loved Luxembourg Gardens. Loved all the flower markets. Beautiful architecture. My favorite meal of the trip was at Le Coup Chou--(If you are ever in Paris you MUST go here!) Loved the fall leaves everywhere and crisp cool weather!

HATED: all the cigarette smoke, figuring out the metro system in another language, hence the reason we got stuck in the Versailles train station for 2 hours. Also hated all the men in skinny jeans that we saw, ha! Also didn't love the Latin Quarter (over-rated!)

VENICE-

LOVED: Venice at nighttime! (Most romantic night of our trip). Loved the dueling orchestras on St. Mark's Square, the gondola ride under the moonlight, the little wine bars.

HATED: Venice at daytime! Massive swarms of fanny pack-wearing tourists off of cruise ships. Flooding of St. Mark's Square, muggy weather. Touristy vibe.

CINQUE TERRE-

LOVED: Vernazza, the quaintness, the views (incredible), the pesto (the best!), the more laid back part of our trip, loved our private terrace that overlooked the sea. Loved the relaxation. Loved the friends we made!

HATED: Parts of the hike (although I'm glad we did it--it was very strenous and dangerous at times!) Thats about all I disliked about Cinque Terre. I can't wait to go again!

ROME-

LOVED: walking around at nighttime, the Vatican Museum, the history, street music, the location of our hotel (right across from Colosseum), loved how close everything was (you could walk everywhere), seeing all the amazing history of Christianity (The stairs Jesus walked on, the chains that were on St. Peter, etc.), Loved Trastavere.

HATED: body odor all around, crowds, chaos crossing the streets, grafitti everywhere, dirtyness, and tourist traps.

LONDON-

LOVED: location of our hotel (across the street from Buckingham Palace), the pubs, fish and chips, and St. Paul's Cathedral (where Princess Diana got married) was my favorite church of the whole entire trip (and we saw A LOT!) because it was so neutral inside, and of course I loved seeing English speaking people again!

HATED: Not much, I really liked London! Need to go back again since we were only there 1 day.

All in all, the Europe trip was an amazing memory that I will foreer cherish. I got 4 items on my bucket list crossed off--#1) Kiss my husband under the eiffel tower #2) Take a Gondola ride in Venice #3) See Buckingham Palace, and #4) Attend mass at St. Peter's in Rome. Can't wait til our next European adventure! I'm thinking Greece, Scotland, Czech Republic and Germany!

The weekend after we returned from Europe, I had a business trip in Washington DC. I always look forward to these trips, even though they are work-related. The other 2 liaisons and I have become great friends and we work hard/play hard at these conferences, always trying to squeeze in a little sightseeing on our off hours. If you find yourself in DC, or more specifically, Georgetown, any time soon, you have to eat at a restaurant called Filomena--It is delicious and has a great atmosphere! All of us TCH booth staffers ate there our last night and it was delightful!

Then, a few weekends later one of my dearest friends Natalie got married! I have to say that Natalie was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. It was one of those weddings where everything was just fairytale perfect! She looked like a little doll. Isn't she perfection?

Then, before I knew it, Christmastime was here! We had our annual Christmas party for old friends and new! It truly is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season to make our home look festive and to spread the cheer and festivity of the season with others. Even Santa Claus made an appearance in the wee hours. Here is a collage of some of the decorations around our house for the party.