Roman Holiday

Let us hope that Rome's eternal glory never fades, if by eternal you mean warm evening sun cascading down richly colored buildings, or you mean creamy risotto and warm bruschetta dripping with cloudy olive oil, or if you mean epic arts spanning every age of mankind, or you mean an evening piazza stroll with a flowing fountains soundtrack. Rome can certainly beat you down with its chaotic traffic, steep inclines, blazing hot sun and its big city posture. If you don't attempt the see-it-all tourist blitz and instead you take it one coneful of gelato at a time, you'll find Rome is not only manageable, but delightful. On this my third Roman holiday I have finally found a Rome I love.


At the Vatican


Vatican sculpture courtyard


Laocoön


Laocoön




Inside one of many long galleries of the Vatican museum leading to the Sistine Chapel, which you aren't allowed to photograph (the first time I've actually seen this enforced here)


Inside the massive St. Peter's Basilica


St. Peter's Basilica


St. Peter's Basilica


St. Peter's Basilica, above the confessio near the tomb of St. Peter


Touching the foot of St. Peter


Michelangelo's Pietà


St. Peter's Square


Near the Pantheon


Bride and groom showered with risotto, who were just married inside the Pantheon


Trevi Fountain


Trevi Fountain


Borghese Gallery, home to Bernini's masterpieces (and sadly no photography allowed inside)


Potentially the best gelato on the planet, San Crispino aka the patron saint of gelato


Our favorite Roman restaurant, the cheese asparagus risotto was melt-in-your-mouth good!


Coliseum, listening to our handy Rick Steves audio guides


Beneath the arena stage, Coliseum


Coliseum


Overlooking the Roman Forum from the Coliseum


Coliseum


Coliseum


Arch of Constantine between the Coliseum and Roman Forum


The massive wing (yes only one side!) of the ancient Basilica of Constantine in the Roman Forum


Always a possibility for new discoveries, modern day archaeologists on a dig at the Roman Forum


Beware the ides of March! Caesar's altar


Roman Forum


The other contender for the world's best gelato

Women Be Shopping

Some super cool friends from OC came to London and stayed with us for a week. It was great having them here. This photo of Kari and I shopping Regent Street is our only evidence that they were here with us. Thanks for coming, and for all the awesome American goods you brought us!


Photo and post title credit: Paul

First and Fourth Grade

So the first day of school was actually a couple weeks ago. At this stage I'm happy to report that both kids are settling into the new school year very well! The big news this year is that Dallin is no longer a British school pupil, but now attends the same school as Madeleine. There are many, many reasons why this has our entire family jumping for joy. Let's see, they're now on the same school calendar AND they get dropped off at the same time at the same place . . . cue happy dance!

And to add happy to happy 4th grade for Dallin this year is nothing like the pressure cooker he was in at the British school last year. Plus he gets out of school a whole hour earlier this year; now there might actually be time for him to do things like, um, be a kid!







Our little first grader who loves school, even the homework!

Scotland

We had one last summer hurrah up in Edinburgh the weekend before school started. While we were surprised at how cold Scotland was in August, we found the warmth of the Scottish people and the charm of the Scottish culture more than made up for it.


A priceless moment on the Royal Mile


The Royal Mile


Views over Edinburgh from the camera obsucra platform


I just love these old roof lines


View down the Royal Mile from the camera obsucra platform


Inside the camera obscura museum, which I highly recommend for anyone visiting Edinburgh with children (very cool!)


Inside the camera obscura museum


A cafe where JK Rowling scribbled on napkins about a boy named Harry


Taking our seats for the grand Military Tattoo






The bagpipes fill the arena, something I will never forget




Grand finale ensemble


The Edinburgh Castle illuminated with the Union Jack as a part of the Military Tattoo performance


Edinburgh Castle






Outside the Writers Museum showcasing Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. This museum is a little gem along the Royal Mile.




At the end of the Royal we came upon this lovely hillside, which Dallin was so excited to hike