Bonjourno, Roma!

Ah, Rome.  This may be one of my favorite cities.  Can I say that?  How many favorites can a girl have?  Hmm.  Well, anyway.  Second visit for me, and still LOVE it.  Here are A LOT of pics from Rome.  We had two wonderful guides to take us through The Vatican Museum, and then the Colosseum and The Forum.

We kept envisioning Giddie knocking down the hundreds of statues that line these walls.  Like dominoes.  I think he would have enjoyed that.  I, on the other hand - wouldn't have.

Here's Giddie feeding a horse; making all the noises to go along with it.

These are just 'lovlies' from the beautiful pieces of art at the Vatican.  The Sistine Chapel really is wonderful.  I am one who feels everyone needs to see it at least once in their lives.  Amazing.  A great guide makes this museum a hundred times better, btw.  A totally different experience with someone who loves and is passionate about this place.

St. Peter's Basilica.  We loved this place.  It's so ornate and over the top.  Even the dead popes covered in wax didn't creep me out - and the kids thought it was awesome.

Subway ride home after a very long day...

The Forum.  I laughed that Gid and Sol climbed all over these ancient stones.  Didn't matter to them that this was history at it's finest - just give them something to climb on.  This was Simon's favorite part of the trip - well, one of them.  He LOVED the history.  I don't love it so much, but the older boys found it fascinating.  (Again, get a guide!)

LOVE the Colosseum.  This was place is just awesome.  It's huge, and beautiful, and full of history.  Never mind that a protest with a couple thousand people was marching around the place.  Oh well.  It's Italy, after all.

We really and truly ate Gelato every day of our trip.  And twice on some days.  It was the main staple for us; that and pizza.  Who wouldn't love a trip of ice cream and pizza, I ask you?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUBY!!!!  Ruby turned seven in Rome.  I hope she never forgets it.  We had a wonderful day and enjoyed our sweet little Roo.

Spanish steps.  Peter's favorite.  I don't know why, but he loves this place.  They are pretty, and always have lots of people.  If nothing else it's a great place to people watch.

We've spent a lot of time like this around Europe.  Parked on a sidewalk having a food break.  Panini!

You'll see more of this.  We utilized the fountains all over the country.  What a cool place that has fresh drinkable water flowing from beautiful fountains everywhere.  And that are hundreds of years old.

I think I'll title this, "Samuel.  Stand up straight!"

As you know.  MY favorite.  Trevi Fountain.  For me, this is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  I feel something when I'm here.  Serene?  Peace?  Calm?  Beauty?  I'm not sure.  But I can't get enough.  There were LOTS of people here on this day.  So we weren't able to soak it all in - but I can dream, can't I?

Gid's turn.

Pantheon.  This too is a pretty cool place.  The open center in the dome is neat.  It rained the day we went, and the drains just caught the rain.  It was neat to see how it works.

Arriverci Roma!