Roma

Day 1
Our trip to Rome started out with a lovely train ride. After a delay on our first train we literally made the second train with seconds to spare. The only way we were able to make it was because the train we were taking was on the same platform as the train we arrived on. We ran to it with our tons of luggage, stroller, and baby just in time. It took us about half an hour to get everyone and everything through the train to our correct car (we got on car 3 and our seats were in car 9) Once we were all settled and situated, someone came up and said we were in their seats. Sure enough, so we hustled around a little more and FINALLY got settled. Oliver was pretty good and finally took a nap about an hour before we arrived. Here he is with Grandpa, notice the bottle of wine on the right, it was eventually spilled on Jerilou's knitting. It was bound to happen to someone.


Once we arrived at the Rome train station, a man came up to us telling us he could take us to our hotel. I was wary, but we followed him out to his "taxi" which was in fact a beat up blue station wagon. I flatly refused to get in, and wanted to go get a legitimate taxi. After a little argument and people getting mad at me (Kirby) we walked the few paces to the dozens of real taxies lined up. We got into a nice big van and Kirby admitted I was right. I was vindicated!! We got to the convent and checked in then we walked down to Vatican City.

We stopped to eat at an outdoor cafe that was way over priced and the food was not that great, but we had a great time anyway!
Now I won't say that Oliver ate that whole pizza by himself but he ate and ate and ate. He likes pizza.









Day 2
We started the day off with a guided tour around the Vatican Museum. It was informative but the place was CROWDED, the baby began melting down and it was kind of a rough time. We made it to the Sistine Chapel which was beautiful but also crowded. The baby became crazy so I took him out. Kirby followed me but Chris and Jerilou took a different door. We ended up getting separated and waiting for the other one for 3 hours at different exits. We should have moved on after twenty minutes but we kept thinking they'd show, they were thinking the same of us.




He finally fell asleep!

Pulling all the toilet paper off in the bathroom. We couldn't keep him out of the bidet either. Luckily he never learned how to turn it on.


Day 3
We walked down to the Pantheon, and had breakfast at one of the outdoor cafes. It was a gorgeous day and awesome to be surrounded by so much history.

After Chris, Jerilou and Kirby attended mass at a big old church we walked to the Trevi Fountain, but not before buying some ridiculous sunglasses from a street vendor.


We then walked to the Spanish Steps but I guess we weren't impressed enough to take any pictures. We then caught a taxi to the Coliseum. We hung out there awhile drinking beers and soaking up the view. We decided to head back home but realized that Oliver had a blow out. One of the things about Italy is their lack of bathrooms and changing baby facilities. We went into hyper diaper ops. Kirby Chris and I all attacked and got it done. Chris said he had seen worse but I wasn't sure, it was quite an experience. We walked back to the convent and passed the glutius maximus, that's what I called it anyway although I guess that isn't technically right.

Olivers New Room

In our house we have two tiny bedrooms and one TINY 6'x8' room. We originally had Oliver in the teeny room, our bed in the smaller of the two rooms and the guest bed and office in the bigger of the bedrooms. Well it all just stopped fitting after awhile especially now that Oliver is a toddler. The room was great when all he did was sleep in it, but now he needed more room. We did some massive furniture rearranging, getting rid of the guest bed and the office desk, putting our room where the guest room was, Oliver into our old room and using the little room as storage/ Kirby's closet/ man room (his guitar and amp are in there). We painted the walls and everyone is happier now.





Here's the color we painted our room, a mixture of all the left over paint. I think its Mauve.

Our new flag, Don't Tread on Me

Who needs toys anyway

16 Months Old

This was a lovely sunny day here in Italy. All the kids were out playing and Oliver was getting in on the fun. That's the one nice thing about living in row housing, all the ready made friends. I have so many people to watch Oliver if need be.
Happy April Fools and Happy Anniversary to Jerilou and Chris who we will be seeing in less than 24 hours! Better get back to cleaning!

15 Months Old

Here are some random picture of Oliver. He's still getting bigger by the day. He loves playing soccer with Daddy, and he REALLY loves balloons.





Oliver fell asleep on the floor in his room,





















Here's the view of the mountains from our house.

Ski Trip to Panarotta

Kirby and I got to go on an overnight ski trip recently while my mom stayed with Oliver. We had a blast. There were only four other people on the trip including the trip manager so that was nice. We drove up early in the morning and got right down to skiing. It wasn't as nice of a place as the time we went before, but MUCH more beginner friendly. There was a nice little bunny trail that I was able to go on and actually get a handle on myself. I did that slope over and over and over the first day. That night we stayed at this little hotel and had a great meal and lots of drinks around the fireplace. The next day we hit the slopes and I have to say by the afternoon I was able to go on most of the runs. Granted I was still making huge zig zags and taking my time, but it was pretty fun to not feel like you are going to go out of control. One of the coolest things that happened was as we were riding up the lift I looked down on my jacket and saw these actual snowflakes. It was amazing. I haven't seen much snow in my life and I don't think I've ever seen one snowflake looking all snowflaky. They were pretty big too about a millimeter across. We are already planning our next trip!

Around Vicenza

My Mother came to visit us last month and while she was here we did a lot of exploring and she took A LOT of pictures. Here we are in downtown Vicenza. It was one of the only nice days while she was here. Oliver had a blast with the pigeons.




Piazza dei Signori, the site of the old Roman forum, with two columns dating from the Venetian period and the slender Torre di Piazza, 82m/271ft, built in 1174 for defensive purposes. (wikipedia)







Every thursday they have an open air market where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, clothes, kitchen things, and more








The Teatro Olimpico ("Olympic Theatre") is a theatre in Vicenza, northern Italy, designed by the Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio as his last work. It is widely considered the first example of covered theatre of the Modern age.

The theatre was commissioned in 1585 by the Accademia Olimpica ("Olympic Academy") of Vicenza for the eastern part of the city. Construction began that year, and the building was inaugurated on March 3, 1585, after the completion of the famous scenes by Vincenzo Scamozzi. These are the sole Renaissance structures of that kind to have survived until contemporary times, and the Teatro Olimpico is the oldest surviving Renaissance theater. (wikipedia)