Dust off the suitcase...

I can't believe the time is almost here for us to pack it all up and head north! North to Buffalo...and then to Toronto to catch a flight for our first BIG family adventure! EUROPE! The mother country...ITALY! What on earth were we thinking? I know I wasn't thinking about this adventure at all...this was all the work of my husband! Michael is Mr. Adventure...Mr. Spontaneous...Mr. LET'S DO IT! Me...well...I am nervous Nelly or Debbie downer! That is why I still can't believe we are going to be taking this trip in 12 SHORT days!

As I said, Michael is Mr. LET'S DO IT and basically invited us on the family trip with my in-laws (sorry & THANK YOU Andrew and Laura).  They were completely willing and excited for us to come along.  So...from a Friday evening of me saying "Absolutely NOT...we are not going to Italy" to a Monday night of clicking purchase on our airfare...here we are!

Michael and I will be taking this adventure with our two littles (Brooks (6) and Caroline (4)).  My mom and brother will also be coming with us! I told her it would be a fun way to celebrate her 70th year on this planet (which was in March)!  Michael's parents are also going with us! 

I am going to do my best to keep this blog up to date with the memories we are creating...both the good, the bad and the ugly!  I know there will be meltdowns (I hope to keep mine to a minimum), tears, LAUGHS, and lots of loving family time as we take on Italy for 2 weeks!

Here is a quick rundown of what is in store:

1. Toronto to Rome

2. Land in Rome and pile into our 9 passenger van for our drive to Puglia

3. Adventures in Puglia as we enjoy the beauty of the "castle" that we rented...which will host 22 of us for a week!

4. Travel to Roseto (my grandmother-in-laws hometown) for the day/night where 17 of us will be taking over the small town! I am looking forward to this bit of family history!

5. Say our goodbyes to Andrew/Laura and company! They will take their trip north to her family in Milan and we will take ourselves to Assisi for the night!

6. After Assisi...we travel to the Tuscany region where we stay for 4 nights (plans to see Pisa, Florence, etc).

7. Finally...we end up in Rome for 2 nights where we will hit the famous landmarks and stuff our faces with gelato!

This is also the FIRST flight for my kids! Did I forget to mention that "GO BIG OR GO HOME" is a motto in the Cap family? So...instead of a short flight for the kids...we thought a trip across the pond would be best for their first time. 

I have looked at every tip, trick, and hint on Pinterest for packing and easy flights! Stay tuned for how that goes...