Sorrento, Italy

Sorrento, Italy

Augusy 9, 2009

After our morning in Positano we drove a short distance to Sorrento, Italy. We were introduced to Italian inlaid wood working shop and Jason bought a beautiful jewelry box that plays music. I am CRAZY about it!

And yet . . . another gelato. YYUUMM!!

(Becca and Me with our gelato)(I shared a little gelato with Jason . . . it was taken by force)



After exploring Sorrento and shopping for souvenirs we had lunch in a gorgeous hotel that overlooked Napels Bay. We had an amazing lunch of lasagna, chicken, Parmesan salad and bread . . . of course.

Pompeii, Italy

Pompeii, Italy

August 9, 2009

Our last stop on this day was Pomepii. This is an ancient city and one of the world's most famous archaeological excavations. In 79 AD Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered the thriving city of Pompeii with volcanic ash and pumice stone. This city was full of temples and mansions of wealthy inhabitants who desired to escape the turmoil of Rome. The volcanic ash and stone completely covered this city and they have been working on unearthing it for many years. A portion of the excavation is available for tours and exploration. I don't know why I assume people who lived that long ago weren't intelligent . . . the picture below proves me wrong. The streets of Pompeii was where their sewage and waste drained. They placed these large stones at intersections so pedestrians could cross the sewage filled streets. So smart.When archaeologists started digging around Pompeii, they discovered that when the volcanic ash covered the city it made casts of the inhabitants as well. These are real people who's bodies were sealed in a cast of ash. In some places you can even see their bones poking through the cast.
This is a cast of a pregnant woman. Kinda makes me tear up.

(Lauren, Becca, Jason, Me, Matt and James in Pompeii)

Rome, Italy

Rome, Italy

August 10, 2009

When in Rome . . . act as the Romans do . . . and roam around . . . or so says my husband. Jack stayed with Grandma Cindy on the ship while we toured through Rome.

We first started at the Colosseum. It's so crazy to think that the gladiators fought here. Jason was thrilled to be in one of the first sport stadiums.

After the Colosseum we went to Trevi Fountain. Who knew a fountain could be so amazing?And I threw a Euro in for luck and to return to Rome.

More gelato . . . and more pizza . . .

Our final stop of the day was the Vatican. This was the place I was the most excited to visit. I couldn't wait for all the art, history and architecture. I was disappointed that our tour didn't leave much time to explore. Just another reason to go back!
Inside St. Peter's BasilicaThis sculpture (La Pieta) by Michelangelo is found in St. Peter's Basilica. I loved one of the tour guides interpretation of the the various La Pieta sculptures Michelangelo created. In this sculpture Mary is holding the body of Christ after the Crucifixion. Apparently Michelangelo loved to invision this scene. He had lost his mother at a young age and it's as if you can feel the tenderness and longing Mary feels for her son. I am not aware of anywhere in the scriptures where Mary holds the body of Christ after that Crucifixion - but I can imagine that she, just as any other mother, would want to hold the body of her son. It was a very insightful explanation of this piece of art.

Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy

August 11, 2009

Our time in Florence was amazing! To get to Florence we had to travel through sunflower fields of Tuscany. Yet, another place we could revisit.

Our first stop was in the Cathedral Square where we saw the fourth largest cathedral in the world and Baptistery. These doors are to the Baptistery. These doors are know as the Gates of Paradise. Each square on the door is a carving of a bible scene.
A visit to Tuscany anyone? GORGEOUS!

We spent a lot of time in the Uffizi Museum and Academia Gallery where we saw a lot of work done Michelangelo, Rafael and DaVinci. Not the ninja turtles . . . the artists. :)

I would have to say the highlight of the day was when we saw the statue of David. I seriously welled up with tears. It was beautiful.

Pisa, Italy

Pisa, Italy

August 11, 2009

Our last stop of the day was to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And yes . . . we are toursists.

Livorno, Italy

Livorno, Italy
August 11, 2009

While we were in Florence and Pisa Jack spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa in Livorno, Italy. It looks like they had a lot of fun. Jack even had his first experience with a gypsy and bus ride without a car seat. No seat belts on Italian buses.

Monaco, France

Monaco, France

August 12, 2009

Our last stop on the cruise was in the South of France. We decided to explore France and ride the train to Monaco along the French Riviera.

We stopped by a Ferrari dealership. Wishful thinking Jason . . .

No gelato in France . . . it's called ice cream there. And yes, there is a difference.

Humid french weather + end of a vacation + hot baby + tired baby + cranky mom and dad = a naked baby in a French subway. Gross I know.

Home Sweet Home

They say a sign of a good vacation is being ready to go home. I think we all felt that way. We had a blast and saw so many amazing things but there is nothing like your own bed! Our vacation was amazing. We saw parts of the world that I only dreamed about seeing. Thank you mom and dad for arranging this fun family vacation! It was the trip of my dreams!

Jack Is 7 Months Old!

This last month has flown by. We have had a fun filled month of traveling on airplanes, boats, buses, cars and trains. Jason and I also learned that a "vacation" isn't really a "vacation" with kids. Don't get me wrong, Jack was a BLAST to be with on our trip, but we now know that if we want to relax, we have to do it sans kido.

This month Jack is:

- crawling on his arms and toes . . . kinda odd, but it's pretty cute and he can move like the speed of light

- says MAMAMAMAMAMA - but I don't think he associates it with me yet. It's just a noise he likes to make.

- has developed the most ear piercing scream if he doesn't get his way (we are attempting to break that habit with a form of time out - I think it's working for the moment)

- laughs like crazy when he is too tired

- eating all kinds of foods

- sits up without any problems at all

- can sit up on his own from laying on his tummy

- can be a total charmer in public and the minute we get home he can turn into the most cranky little guy (the last two pictures show his dual-personality)

Home Sweet Home

We have just returned from two weeks in Europe. Italy, Croatia, Greece, France and Spain. We had a blast and now it feels SO good to be home in our own beds. Be prepared for a long upcoming post of boring sight seeing and family photos. Now I just need to find the time in between the seven loads of laundry I have and switching back Jack's day and nights . . .