April Updates

Now that I have finished all the Europe posts I can catch up on what's been going on since I got back! The two biggest things that happened were birthdays. I love birthdays!

First up we have Scott. Happy Birthday Scott!!!

The next birthday was Kadin's, my best friend's baby who turned a year old! Woohoo! He's getting so big. :)

Europe 2012: Beach!

While in Italy we stayed at Villa Emilia, a cute little villa right next to the Mediterranean Sea. That was where we spent our Easter and all the nights in between seeing all the places we went. We even got to play on the beach!!! It was actually a bit chilly to go out in a swimsuit, but I just love how oceans and seas sound. I really wish that someday I can live near an ocean. We found an old boat that had washed up on the beach. I thought that was really cool even though we couldn't do anything with it but take pictures. While staying here I was totally inspired to write a novel. It was just so picturesque!

I didn't take this picture, but this is where we stayed. It was so nice. :D

Me in the washed up boat.

Europe 2012: Cinque Terre

The last place I was able to see before I left Italy was Cinque Terre, five cute little towns clinging to the cliffs. It was beautiful. I wish I had been able to hike to each little town, but my family and I got there a little later in the day so we drove around and saw what we could. Most of those towns are accessible by train or walking  trails only, but we got pretty far with the big fat Honda Odyssey.

Europe 2012: Roma!

Rome was quite an adventure! My family, Scott and I all took a tour that left early in the morning. we woke up at three to drive an hour from our villa to Camp Darby. We were all exhausted that whole day! It took a few hours to get there by bus and I slept most of the way. I wish I had been able to stay awake to see the landscape as we passed. Once there the tour guide couldn't say, "watch out for pick-pocketers and gypsies" enough and that the African guys selling fake stuff in the streets were really nice. Honestly, it was hard to fit all of Rome in a day. It's pretty much impossible. My way of seeing it was to skim over it all. I dragged my family all over Rome that day using our feet and the City Sightseeing buses a few times. (Those buses are not cheap!) Here are a few pics of the places we were able to see that day. :)

St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Yeah, I was here.

Trevi Fountain

Pantheon

Pantheon again :D

Victor Emmanuel Monument 

The Colosseum! 

The Colosseum again!

Europe 2012: Firenze/Florence, Italy

We nicknamed Florence the City of Nakedness. Most of their art was naked. Haha! It was still fun though. It was amazing to see all of the talent! Here are a few pics and a video!

A replica of David in the square. Just HAD to take this picture. ;D

Europe 2012: Pisa, Italia

Everyone but Moonah. I wish she had been there too. 

Pretty city :)

Europe 2012: Köln/Cologne

The next big trip was to Cologne, Germany. AMAZING! I absolutely love the cathederal there. It's huge!! Scott and I hiked all the way to the top. It was pretty high. We also visited the Hohenzollern Bridge where couples like to leave a lock with their names on it. Kind of a really cute idea so we did it for fun. :D

The Cathedral in Cologne. It's so high it's touching the clouds!

View from high up in the cathedral spires. 

Can you find ours?

Europe 2012: Luxembourg!

 The day after Scott and I were in Trier my parents came and picked us up on their way to Luxembourg. We explored Luxembourg City a little bit and then went to the Utopolis theater and saw the Hunger Games. Loved that movie, but I also love that theater!

American Cemetery in Luxembourg City. It was amazing to visit this place and learn about American history overseas.

American Cemetery

My Dad standing under the flags. It was perfect. :)

A nice view of Luxembourg City through the fisheye lens.