Aperitivo!

Drake started his 3-week management class today which is gonna be intense. We had a nice chat this morning and got a tour of his apartment. He was about to sit down for aperitivo on his balcony after receiving news his washer is broken. On a positive note, they are one of the few apartments that has a dishwasher. 

He also got to Pisa on Monday. New experiences and learning every day. 

Week 1 in Florence

It looks as though Drake has "survived" his first week in Florence. This week is all about getting comfortable in Florence - orientation, safety, local site seeing, etc. Classes start on Wednesday. 

He's settled into his tiny apartment with four other young men. He's got a very central location and only a 15-min walk to class. Here are a few pics from his first week. 

First night dinner 

Duomo - 3 minute walk from his place 

Fun cocktail bar 

Found a grocery store and cooking in 

View of Florence

Three kids on the left are roommates. 

Florence Bound

Other than a super hot flight and waiting in a long line to catch the shuttle to get his apartment keys, the travel was uneventful. We strategized on the packing, used packing cubes and got in all the necessary items in one big bag.  We even found a bag that fit the "personal item" dimensions in my stash of bags. It wasn't sexy, but it got the job done. The travel backpack also worked well and will hopefully be a great companion on some epic European adventures.  

Tanner came along for the drop off which was extremely easy with no lines at the airport. I'm so excited for this adventure for Drake and look forward to many stories. 

The Final Push

The arctic blast meant that none of us were really in the mood to leave the house. We did venture out to pick up some food and some shoes for the Italy trip and Tanner headed out for his indoor Ultimate league, but other wise we hunkered down. We busied ourselves with football, games, pool, Fortnite with cousins, movies, packing and cooking (well, I busied myself with this). The boys also went to Freddy's for lunch on Sunday - cheese curds, shakes and burgers were the food of choice. 

We also enjoyed a salmon dinner, surf and turf with asparagus and baked potatoes, sausage and eggs for breakfast and Boulder sausage for lunch on Monday before departing. 

I will remember this staycation weekend fondly. I only wish Marshall could have been here with us. 

Cozy Abducktion

A snowy Friday evening as an arctic cold blast moves in meant that we were not up for much here at the Peavy household. 

Marshall departed for India around 11:00 so it was just the boys and me. We tried out a new game - Abducktion which has been a fun new strategic game that has gotten some good use. 

We did venture out to Lafayette to The Post for fried chicken and a new place for the boys. (We strategized where to go based on food Drake may be able to get abroad and landed on fried chicken). 

The picture of the game makes me happy for several reasons: 

• Playing with both boys 
• The Miami logo 
• Playing in our new kitchen

Definitely a night to fill a mama's heart. 

Celebrating 2-1

Schedules required us to celebrate Drake's 21st birthday in Tuesday this week. Drake chose a Japanese BBQ in downtown Denver where we cooked a variety of meats and tried some new foods. It was a good last night together ad a family of four celebrating our eldest. 

We then had a birthday burrito tower and a couple gifts on Wednesday morning before Drake took off for Winter Park to celebrate. 

I'm not really sure how we have a son that is (almost) of legal drinking age. It has been a privilege and a gift being his mom. Here's to an amazing year around the sun for him. 

Peavy's Pizza

A casual night cooking homemade pizzas and garlic bread in the new kitchen in Monday night. Marshall did a great job doing most of the work and we used the new pizza boards I got him for Christmas. A fun family night as we wrap up our time together as a family of four. 

Weekend Shenanigans

Some birthday parties, date night, skiing, ultimate, volunteering. 

NYE 2024

The last day of 2024 was a hodgepodge of activity for the Peavy family. The boys headed back to Colorado and spent New Year's Eve with friends, Marshall worked and I toured around downtown Seattle with Riina. 

Riina and I met the rest of the folks at Matador in downtown West Seattle for margaritas and happy hour apps. It was a casual evening at the LeBeavy household, but we all made it to midnight and saw a few fireworks down the street. 2024 was good to us and I'm optimistic that 2025 will bring us many memories as well.