We had a smooth 3.5-hour drive from Venice to Como, finishing the audio book “All Thirteen.” We felt lucky; Bart and Whitney had a harrowing 10-plus hour drive involving mud slides and road closures the day before.
This portion of our trip involves 7 boys, a lake and many boats. Water skiing, tubing, boating over to George Clooney’s villa and shouting “George!” loudly and repeatedly, and throwing one another off paddle boats ensue. Whitney and I read and chat on the beach and drink Moscow Mules. Everyone is happy!
What else happens on the Lake? Some Yahtzee and gin rummy. Xander learns the guitar chords to the Extreme song “More Than Words,” which really takes me back to high school. I am enjoying “Things Fall Apart” by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe between mules. I’m preparing for family book club next Sunday. Love this choice Logan!
After our active/lazy days on the lake, we enjoy many meals together.
It may be that other restaurant patrons look a little frightened when we arrive. And sometimes a child mistakenly drinks three Fantas with dinner and another eats french fries for dinner. But we have a good time. And sometimes even get a tour of a restaurant owner’s wine cellar.
Lake Como is beautiful and fun, but we miss our annual lake time with the Lang family. We hope they are enjoying the Ontario lake days and all our old rituals.
Swiss Family Lang-Newkirk 
George! George! George! George!
This looks amazing. That is A LOT of testosterone. Thank god for Moscow Mules. Everybody looks happy and healthy. Europe appears to be good for you guys. Love you to bits!
AR
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We are enjoying but we certainly miss all of you and wish we could see your European faces yesterday. Soak it up, love you all! xoxo
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This is epic! What an incredible adventure!
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Leah, I am loving reading about your adventures – especially the food (of course.) Impressed you find time to read (as always.) I read a book too – not just for book club! Check out Crying in H-Mart – some aspects relatable for us (we can have our own private book club. 🙂 )
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Matt and Leah – welcome to Europe! I was excited to hear you were moving to Basel, even if only for a year. Matt, it’s been ages. We need to meet up sometime soon. We are overdue for a trip to CH…and of course we hope your travels take you through Munich and southern Bavaria at some point too – we’d love to show you around. Good luck getting settled! Adam
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