Italy Recap

So we're back from Italy. Ok, we've been back for ten days, but life's busy trying to pack and move! Italy was great. We enjoyed the quaintness of Florence before moving on to Rome for the rest of the week. The wedding in Florence went off without a hitch, and the castle was beautiful! We stayed at the Hotel Duomo which is clearly located right next to the famous Duomo. We also trekked to see Michaelangelo's David (way bigger than you'd think) and Ponte Vecchio bridge which we learned was the only bridge in Florence the Germans left standing in one of the world wars.

On Monday we made the only train from Florence to Rome, as every Monday the train people strike (um, no one told us that until late Sunday night). Upon arriving in Rome we dropped off our luggage at our hotel then head out for a nightwalk from the Spanish Steps to Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Tuesday we did the whole Colosseum and Parthenon tour. Wednesday we hit up the Vatican Museum, got to see the Sistine Chapel (which Mary was a little disappointed with), went over to St. Peters where the Pope was giving his weekly sermon, then trekked all the way up to the top of the dome. It was 387 steps up in a tiny two-foot wide staircase that is old and crooked. Mary didn't like being up that high, but Jim didn't seem to mind.

Thursday we just bummed around the city and picked up a few souvenirs. It rained most of the day so we were thankful we'd gotten all of our "must sees" out of the way prior. All in all we enjoyed our trip and are glad we went. Neither of us are big 'Europe' people and don't have any desire to return anytime soon, but we're glad we had the chance to go this time. The entire album of pics (sans wedding) are posted on our family website if you want to look.

Returning after 15 hours of flying was the best of all. Ava missed us a lot and was really excited to see us (as we were her.) Another huge milestone was met the weekend we returned, as Ava decided to start using the potty! All it took was us buying her some Disney Princess underwear (pull ups, as she calls them) and she's been hooked ever since. She only had accidents the first 3 days and is now pretty much 100% trained! She still wears diapers at night, but we'll get there.

We're moving this week, so we probably won't post again for several weeks once we're all settled in to the new house. Happy Thanksgiving to all! Here are some pics to enjoy.

Famous symbol of Christianity next to the Colosseum.

Jim with the Pope in the background. St. Peter's Square

The tiny steps going to the top of St. Peters.

Us at the top of St. Peter's

Inside St. Peter's - Saw John Paul's grave and (supposed) St. Peter's

View in Florence from Ponte Vecchio

Trevi Fountain in Rome

Ava proudly going on her potty!