November marked the beginning of the biggest adventure our family has ever taken. After years in Hawaii, we packed up our lives - all five of us, including an 8-year-old, a 5-year-old, and an infant - and set our sights on Europe. Naples, Italy, to be exact. But first, we had some stops to make.
Family, Theme Parks, and Turkey
We flew to the mainland to spend time with family before the big leap across the Atlantic. The kids needed it, and honestly, so did we. There's something grounding about being with the people who know you best before you head off into the unknown.
Of course, we couldn't pass through Florida without hitting the parks. Universal was a blast - the older kids were finally tall enough for the good rides. Disney was pure magic, as it always is. Watching their faces light up on those classic attractions reminded us why we do things like this. Life's too short to skip the magic.
We celebrated Thanksgiving surrounded by family, stuffed with turkey and gratitude. It felt like a proper send-off. One last American holiday before we traded it all for espresso and pasta.
The Long Way to Italy
The flight from Miami to Madrid was long. Really long. With three kids, including an infant, every hour felt like three. But we made it. Madrid was a brief layover - just enough time to stretch our legs and remind ourselves that yes, we were actually doing this.
Then came the final leg: Madrid to Naples. The first week of December, we touched down and stepped into the Italian air. It hit us. We live here now.
Moving internationally with kids is chaos. Embrace it. The memories of the journey become part of the adventure.
Starting Fresh
Our new house was waiting for us - empty, but full of potential. The loaner furniture was basic but functional. A couch, beds, a table. Everything we needed to start. Our real belongings? Somewhere on an ocean liner, slowly making its way across the Atlantic. We track it sometimes, imagining our stuff bobbing along on the waves.
There's something freeing about living with just the essentials. The kids don't seem to mind. They've got each other, a new neighborhood to explore, and gelato around every corner. What more do you need?
This is our new chapter. An American family in Naples, ready to explore Europe one train ride at a time. The slow route starts here.
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