30th Anniversary--Rome!

Here are a few shots of Dave and I celebrating our 30th anniversary in Rome.  We also had Julia and Andrea with us, but that will be in another post.

Here we are at the Colliseum and Forum--part of ancient Rome--about 1900 year old buildings.

It was a hot day and we bought hats from vendors near there.

These fountains at Villa D'Este in Tivoli-- an hour train ride from Rome were part of the estate of a Cardinal a few hundred years ago.

Here's the Pantheon, outside and in.  The structure is original-- 1st century AD.  Very awesome.

Here's a bridge not far from where we stayed--near Castel St. Angelo.

A view from the mountain town of Orvieto--an hour north of Rome by train.

Taking a stroll on a beautiful summer evening with the best husband ever!

Our vacation in Rome

We were in Rome for over a week!  I had been before with my parents and brothers when I was younger, and then on a study abroad experience for a week.  I also lived in Italy for a year and a half as a missionary.  I remembered a lot of the language, so it was a city I wanted to show Dave.  We decided to share out 30th anniversary with our youngest daughters, Julia and Andrea. 

                                We saw the old city first: the Colliseum and Forum.

 We took a train out of town a bit to visit the lovely fountains of the Villa D'Este in Tivoli.  The girls remembered this and several of the sights from The Lizzie McGuire Movie, which was filmed in Rome.

 We spent a  full day at the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Cathedral.  My favorite part is Michaelangelo's Pieta statue of Mary holding Jesus.

The square outside St. Peters

One day we took a train to Orvieto, an ancient hilltop town where the Pope and others would come, at times, for safety.

We had a LONG walk to the Borghese Gallery that wasn't too close to the subway. 

We said goodbye to our great landlady where we rented our apartment.

The apartment was awesome, and had a cool courtyard inside.  There was so much more that we saw and tasted and experienced.  Probably too much to take in and remember, but we had a great time!

Happy Fourth of July!!

While David and Andrea are still returning today from girl's camp,  Julia and I sat on our lawn chairs this year to view the neighborhood 4th of July Parade go by our house. I feel very blessed to live in the United States, and to live under our Constitution.  God Bless the USA!!

Spring Visit

Dave's Mom and sister Julie visited us this last week.

In the middle of their trip they saw other family and took in 'The Carol King Show' on Broadway.

While Mom and Julie were here, Dave and I also went with Julia and Andrea to the Mormon Temple Visitor's Center where we heard Lindsey Stirling (a dancing violinist) play and speak to us. We had lunch one day with David in Baltimore near his work. The World cup soccer game was televised. We were there for a US game, and there was a lot of excitement at lunch. The staff actually stopped serving for awhile to watch the end of the game!

Budding Painters get their First Break

I was given a novel gift for Mother's day by Kara and Erika-- an art lesson for 2. Dave and I signed up and attended in Rockville. It's a fun place of town now with people sitting outside eating in the evening. We had a two and a half hour class with some instruction in acrylic, and a picture of two coordinating pieces of art that we could use as reference for ours.

 

Here are the proud artists displaying our work at home. I love bird motifs, (you can see the ceramic plate I painted once with the girls.)  We coordinated our colors together so they would blend nicely--just like we do. Thanks, Kara and Erika! It was so much fun!

A Day at the Beach- Northern California Style

 While visiting California in May, I was able to see my brother Vic in Sebastopol, north of San Fransisco.

 He only lives about a half hour from the beach.  We took a  scenic drive to it which was breathtaking.  It was such beautiful country--a very peaceful and uninhabited stretch of California.

 We stopped for a scone at an amazing bakery aptly called the Wildflour.  They bake with the most wonderful, fresh ingredients.  We tried an apple, cheddar scone, which was great, but our second scone was heavenly--pear, rosemary, and Kalamata olives--so moist and memorable!

 We enjoyed strolling their garden and sitting for our snack.

 I loved all the wildflowers on our drive, also!

 Even the cows relax each day and enjoy the beautiful breezes and views of the ocean.

 Someone had built a little lean-to for cover.  We had a nice picnic lunch near this spot.

Unfortunately the seals weren't out in the cove that day, but it was a wonderful combinations of views and making a new memory with my brother.

Santa Rosa. A trip to see my brothers

Three of my brothers live in or near Santa Rosa, California.  My brother Robert went to the hospital On Easter.  As it was very serious I made a trip from May 13-28  to see him and my other brothers. My mom also came from Southern California.  I was glad that I was able to go out and be with my family.

Easter, Beautiful Spring Weather, and a new Camera for Andrea

 Andrea bought a new camera with money she has earned working at a medical clinic.

She is intent on learning to use it, and putting it to work.

 On  Easter morning we were ready for church.  David, our bishop, was already there.

 It seemed like a good time to take in some lovely spring weather

 and get some pictures outside

 borrowing the view of our neighbor's plant

 which is next to ours in our back yard.

Julia, you can't escape Andrea now when she has the camera in her hand!