Part 1 of 4 - Rome, Italy

On May 30, 2010 Our little family endured the LONG plane ride to meet up with our friends in Italy. Enjoy pictures of the first half of our trip in Rome.....





We couldn't get enough of the little cars, they were so cute! I'm thankful that I didn't have to drive in Rome. They drive SO FAST and there isn't any lanes. It's just a big free for all!




I don't know the actual name of this white building but a local told me that "it's a muesum for soldiers with no name". It's truly amazing from that outside (not so impressed with the inside)! The local also told me that the people there don't really care for it because it's "to new and modern looking" she also said "It's funny to see you so in ahhhh, I guess I don't appreciate it because I work across the street!"
The other picture is of Todd and Jake with the babes on the side of the white building. Can you believe these two made best friends in 1st grade (I think) because they both had the same pencil box? I can only imagine there conversation going something like this...

Todd "Hey cool pencil box"
Jake "Hey I like yours to"
Todd "Do you want to be friends?"
Jake "Sure"!

Okay moving on.



I always thought this little statue thing was really creepy (which it still is!) until I learned the story behind it which is very interesting and some what long. (Longer than I want to type about!)




While we were there Italy celebrated its Independence Day. We watched a parade and after it was over jets flew around with the colors of there flag smoking out! The parade was mostly lot's of different military soldiers, no fancy floats! It was really cool to experience another countries celebrations!




I was so in love with the signs!



Fontana di Trevi aka Trevi Fountain, It was beautiful! So many people flock to this attraction. It just blows my mind how OLD it is! It's 85 feet tall and 65 feet wide. The fountain was completed in 1762



Ever wonder what the inside of the Coleseum looks like? Well now you know! Can you imagine lions running around the lower level? Sounds intense!



I LOVE fleur di lis! They were everywhere. I took a picture of everyone that I saw. I have over 100 different ones. It's so true that trends come and go. I haven't researched it at all but I believe that they originated in Italy. They have been there for thousands of years!



This picture was taken inside the Roman Forum (Italy reminded me of Vegas. Vegas stole a lot of ideas from Italy!) This is where they burned Julius Caesar! People still decorate it with flowers and gifts daily.




Here is an image looking over the Roman Forum and a close up of a remaining pillar.





This is the famous Spanish Steps "Piazza di Spagna"! There are 137 steps built between 1723-1726. It was cool to see because it's famous but other than that it wasn't the highlight of the trip! The family picture is at the bottom of them, the picture of Todd is close to the top of them, and the other picture is one of many beggers everywhere you go! What a terrible life style!



The weather was GREAT everyday beside this day! We didn't have much going on besides touring around and figuring everything out. I think we walked about 15 miles that day. Rome is actually really small and easy to figure out. We would put this blanket over the stroller when it was raining or Crew was napping but we always found him peeking around. He didn't want to miss anything!




This is over looking Rome from on top of the white building, you can see forever. I could sit and observe from there all day! Lastly here is a picture of the inside of a church. While I feel that I can't say anything bad about any of these places to worship...they just make me feel creepy and not feel the spirit! But I do have much respect.

Coming up next is our day in Florence and Le Cinque Terre (which translats to 5 villages) Close to my favorite place in the world!