All I can say is... France, Italy, Spain... best 10th anniversary celebration EVER!
Thanks mom and dad for taking us along on this amazing trip of a lifetime!
We cruised out of Spain on a Celebrity Ship. This picture was taken from our balcony along with a few other pictures from around the ship.
First stop was Villa Franche, France
We took the bus up to Nice and roamed the markets and downtown before stopping for some Socca (a local speciality) Delicious!
Probably one of my favorite gelato stops of the trip (and there were many!)
The city was just amazing. It seems like forever ago now, but I know we'll make it back here someday.
Next was Genoa, Italy
We took the train over to Cinque Terre (five villages), Italy.
Then we hiked the Via dell'Amore (Path of Love) from one village to another. All along the path people have hung pad locks as a symbol of their eternal love.
Luckily we happened to have one on our back pack. The little green lock is ours. I guess we'll be together forever now. :)
They say the best pesto in the world can be found in these villages. We had to have some before we left and yes, it was excellent.
Then there was Florence, Italy.
And the leaning tower of Pisa. I cant believe how star struck I was when I saw this. It was so emotional to turn the corner and have these beautiful building that you have only read about and seen in pictures all the sudden right in front of your face.
Florence was a lot of fun and a jam packed day of museums and churches. (a little shopping too)
Unfortunately you cant take pictures in the Uffizi Gallery.
The Duomo
The Replica of David out in the courtyard.
Rome, Italy. The busiest day ever!
The Colosseum.
The Roman Forum.
La Bocca della Verità ("the Mouth of Truth"). Travis has been telling the children about this fountain for years and how if you're a dishonest person and you put your arm in its mouth it will bite off your arm. We had to show the children just how honest their parents are.
Grammy too.
The Trevi Fountain. So beautiful!
The Piazza Navona.
The Pantheon.
Saint Peter's Square.
Next Stop Naples, Italy where we headed straight to Pompeii.
Now it's time for the scary, but beautiful, drive up the Amalfi Coast.
Positano, Italy and the place I will someday retire.
Sorento, Italy. Great shopping and some yummy pizza.
Then there was Barcelona, Spain. We got an apartment here and stayed for a few days. It was really nice to be able to come and go as we please without having to worry about missing our ship.
The picture below really does symbolize our stay here. I feel like we were running all over the place trying to fit it all in. What an incredible city with so much to do and see!
My parents in front of the Palacio de la Música Catalana.
The Sagrada Familia. This church was so amazing it almost made me want to convert to Catholicism. Almost. Gaudi was truly an emotional and ingenious architect. Viewing his designs throughout Spain was definitely one of the highlights for the whole trip.
The chains and weights is how he came up with his concept. He took pictures and then turned them over to get the outline for his design.
Of course you can't go to Spain without eating lots of tapas.
One night on our way to catch the metro we saw a parade going on right outside our apartment. It was really cool to see all the kids playing their instruments and the giants all dancing.
Barcelona Cathedral.
This is the kind of hot cocoa you get in Europe. Sure it's good, but you really can't drink a whole cup.
The Barri Gotic.
Park De La Ciutadela.
Park Guell by Gaudi.
More Gaudi architecture.
The Pedrera by Gaudi.
These were the chimneys on the roof.
The Santa Caterina Market.
Our last night in Barelona was spent in the apartment, cooking up some amazing finds from the market, and settling down for a nice home cooked meal.
You know it's funny how I thought we would have to waite until our kids were grown before we would be able to visit these places, but now that we've started, I think it will be a lot easier to keep going. With or without the kids. So Ireland in 2013, here we come.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Trip Of a Lifetime!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Charlee's Growing
I know I say this every time, but how does it happen so fast? How is my little baby girl already turning four years old? This is it for me. She's the last one. Once she's all grown I'm left with no babies! I'm going to have to figure out a way to entertain myself I guess.
Charlee wanted a puppy party and I lucked out with the weather which means I didn't have to bring the mess into my house, the neighborhood park served us well. After making 20 bod ear headbands and 20 dog collars I was ready to get it done and over with. The kids all had a great time and Charlee got to welcome in her 5th year of life with a bark.
Charlee, you bring so much joy and laughter to our home. You amaze me everyday with your imagination for storytelling (both good and bad) and your ability to follow me around ALL DAY LONG asking for things to eat with sugar in them. You are very bright and extremely sensitive to the needs of others.
Some of your favorite things...
candy (or anything with sugar)
your new bike
stuffed animals
dolls
legos
orange chicken
being in charge
singing church songs
playing tickle torture
any games with your family
We love you Charlee! Happy Birthday!
I love my bike! Thanks Grammy and Poppy!
Baby Summer
One of the best things about living in Olympia WA again is being only a 3 hour drive away from my best friend and the girl I grew up with. It was especially great this time because we got to make it over there for their new born baby girl Summer's blessing. She was the sweetest little thing! At one point I was afraid Molly might try to stick her in my purse and smuggle her out. Sorry Molly, no more babies for the Yonkers.
But you know you cant leave Wenatchee (apple capitol pf the world) without picking apples. It was a little rainy, but that didn't hold us back. After we got home I made my first ever batch of cinnamon applesauce. Good Stuff!
It's great being close again.
Back In School
It's that time again, and boy am I ready for it. Molly and Dillon are back in school and I've started watching a couple super sweet little girls a couple days a week. We spend a lot of time at the Children's Museum.
Did I mention Travis is teaching seminary? Poor guy has to get up at 5:30am every day, but he love s working with the kids, and I'm guessing he's probably pretty good at it.
Some visual aides/word puzzles he made to get teach the kids about the plan of salvation.
