Allen Family

How do you celebrate a marriage?

Now that this trip is over I've been thinking about the trip and the last 10 years of marriage. I know that there are a million different ways to celebrate marriage, whether it's a day, a year, or 50 years of marriage. I think the best way is to celebrate each and every day! This trip, while it has been amazing and probably a trip of a lifetime, reminds me that whether I'm here in Europe or home in the states, my marriage to Jeff is a gift! I am thankful for each day that I have with Jeff and the family we've created. I know that what we have is eternal and I look forward to eternity with the man I love!

Happy Anniversary Jeff! Thank you for this trip and for taking care of me and the kids. Love you now and forever!

Rome, Italy Day 3

Well, our last day in Rome is complete. It was perfect. We were able to rest and relax until the afternoon then we went out and took in some more sites. We went to see the Pantheon which became a church dedicated to martyrs just after the fall of Rome. The columns on the out side are one-piece granite columns, the biggest in Italy, and they were shipped from Egypt. Inside is beautiful with typical church deco, paintings, statues, etc. But what's really impressive is the dome in the center. The concrete dome is huge and it gets thinner and lighter with height. The highest part of the dome is volcanic pumice. The very top of the dome is left open and exposed to the elements. It would be a really cool place to stand in a rain storm!

Looking up at the dome

Then we walked further to the Piazza Navona. It was a long rectangle piazza filled with beautiful fountains and painters all around selling their paintings and art. Wonderful benches to sit and take it all in. We rested there for quite a while then went over to a local restaurant and had dinner. Music was playing and we enjoyed our last authentic Italian meal!

It was dark by the time we started to head back to the hotel and on our walk back we couldn't help but take this picture of the Colosseum all lit up.

It was a great last day here in Italy. I hope that all these posts have been fun to see and not to boring. It was really meant to be online journal entries for Jeff and I so we wouldn't forget all the amazing things we were able to do on this trip. I'm so glad that we were also able to share it with my family and friends so thanks to all of you that took a look and left comments. It's been fun to read your comments and feel closer to home while we've been so far away. Can't wait to get home tomorrow and see our family and friends. Love you all!

Rome, Italy Day 2

The other top prioritiy of Jeff and I while in Rome were that we wanted to go see the Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica. It was pretty cool to see the head quarters of the Catholic church. We learned that St. Peter's Basilica is the richest and most impressive church on the earth. It was quite spectacular. I couldn't believe how huge it was. The pictures don't quite show it, but it was beautifully decorated and built, filled with marble everywhere and famous art. St. Peter's square was beautiful as well. We sat for a very long time enjoying the fountains and people watching. No sighting of the Pope though, just in case you were wondering! :)

Then after taking in the Basilica we walked down to the Tiber River and saw this amazing bridge. It's called Ponte Sant'Angelo. There is a castle at one end of it that is called, fittingly, the Castel San'tAngelo. It was built as a tomb for the emperor. It was used as a castel, prison, and place of refuge for popes under attack. We didn't tour inside of it but I'm sure it was cool.

Tomorrow we have plans to go see the Pantheon here in Rome. Then after a good nights rest we will be on the plane and traveling home. Can't believe how the time has flown!

Rome, Italy Day 1

Well, there's no getting around it. Jeff and I are tired from all the travel but still enjoying Europe. We are trying to take it even more easy while here in Rome. There were definitely some sites that we new we had to see and others that we could pass up. We decided not to go to the museums here because we are "museum-ed out" but the history here in Rome is a must see. On our first day we went to see the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. They are near each other in the heart of Ancient Rome. It's so impressive just how long these structures have been standing. The Colosseum is 2000 years old. The Romans pioneered the use of concrete which allowed them to build this tremendous building. It could accommodate 50,000 fans and was topped with an enormous canvas awning that was hoisted across the top to make it the first domed stadium. Just looking at the Colosseum I can't imagine how many men it took to drag that awning over the whole stadium. The Romans loved their entertainment and planned out the building of this stadium perfectly. In the middle under the stage were rooms and tunnels that kept animals waiting to fight then they were lifted up in elevators to the stage. The animals could come out at any point of the arena behind blinds and the gladiators had no idea where they would come from or by what they were going to be attacked. Pretty incredible. Of course, knowing how much our son Wyatt loves dress up we just had to buy him a little gladiator suite! Maybe he'll be a gladiator for Halloween this year. :)

Then we went across the street to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. I learned a lot here too. Palatine Hill is the hill above the Forum and it contains the remains of the imperial palaces and the foundations of Rome from huts to legendary houses. Pretty cool to imagine where the royals of Rome lived and ruled such an empire. The Roman Forum is the place where pretty much everything important in Ancient Rome happened. It's said to be the most important piece of real estate in Western Civilization. It's been a pretty cool history lesson up close and personal.

Another day of a lot of walking so we are tired. Back to the hotel for some sleep. :)

Florence, Italy Day 3

On our last day in Florence we headed out to get some shopping done, of course! Florence is well known for Italian's and Tourists alike spending all day shopping and finding bargains. We had a lot of fun walking the streets and picking out what we liked best. There are streets all over the city with shops and souvenirs so it's not hard to find what you are looking for. The leather is all locally made and beautiful. And of course what would a trip to Italy be for a huge soccer fan without getting some Italian soccer jerseys!! Can't wait to play again and don the jersey. Abigail, yours is ready for you now!! :)

This bridge is famous in Florence for shopping. It's called Pointe Vecchio and is lined with gold and silver shops. Fun place to walk and people watch. :)

While walking around we ran into a large group of people all standing around watching this funny man. He stood in the middle of the piazza and played funny jokes on unsuspecting passer byers. We sat, rested our feet, and had some good laughs with the surrounding Italian's. And by the way. What's the deal with the Italian people being so beautiful! I don't know if it's the dark hair, the olive skin, or what but the Italians are gorgeous. And just so you don't think I'm superficial the Italian people are also a very happy people, relaxed and what's more, kind and friendly. I love Italy!!

I'm sad to leave Florence and wish we could stay! But Rome should be impressive and I'm looking forward to seeing the history there.

Florence, Italy Day 2

On our second day in Florence we decided to tackle the amazing art and museums that the city has to offer. First we went to the Accademia Museum which houses pre-Renaissance and Renaissance paintings and most importantly, Michelangelo's David! Again, people had told us over and over again how amazing it was and that we had to see it. What an understatement! The David is definitely my fav piece of art. You don't have to be an art buff to appreciate what this sculpture means and how impressive it is. It was sooooo HUGE. Jeff and I were guessing but it looked like it was at least 20 feet taller than the podium it was standing on. Unbelievable. Also, the amazing detail that Michelangelo carved into this stone. It was so real. You could see veins in David's hands and you almost expect him to start breathing and see blood flowing through those veins. I have such a respect and admiration for artists that can create these masterpieces. Unfortunately no pics are aloud in the museum so you'll have to take a trip to Florence yourself to see this amazing piece of art!!!

Then after the Accademia we walked across the city to the Uffizi Gallery. The Uffizi Gallery houses the greatest collection of Italian paintings anywhere. It was a beautiful museum. The art is great as well as the structure itself. It's hard to believe how big these buildings are and how long ago they were built. The picture below is taken from the center square standing looking up at the Uffizi.

Day 2 was incredible. I was in another world with all we'd seen. I was also exhausted so after all this we went back to the hotel for a nap, then dinner.

Florence, Italy Day 1

We arrived in Florence mid morning and decided that we would walk around the city some to get our bearings on where everything was. It was such a warm and sunny day as you can see. In fact we have had perfect weather while we've been on this trip. I'm thankful for that. :) So we left our hotel and wandered the streets. It was fun to find out that we weren't very far from the Arno River that runs through the city. We really enjoyed sitting and resting and watching the peaceful river flow. I think one of the things I loved about Florence so much was that as you walk around and explore you will always find yourself ending up at a Piazza with an amazing Cathedral in it with people gathered all around. Every street is lined with beautiful buildings and meets with more amazing churches then on to more beautiful streets. I love this city!!!

The Arno River