Buon Natale!

Babbo Natale Sighting

I compromised on my real beard policy this year...

For the Italian kids, this was just a photo op with the equivalent of a cardboard cutout. The Epiphany and La Befana still are much more significant.

But for Jack, this Italian Santa was serious business. He even checked out the mailbox to make sure his letter would get to the REAL Santa.

Frosted Firenze

Florence was pounded by 7 to 12 inches of snow yesterday. The soccer game was cancelled. Cars were at a standstill on the highway. A train was stuck in Livorno for 7 hours.

Still, that didn't stop Utah-hardened Jack from making the most of it. He pulled on his Size 5 snow pants (six inches of leg showing) and plowed in.

Unfortunately, this snow is a week early and isn't likely to last for a white Christmas...