Rome Pictures (Day Two)

We wanted to share some pictures from our second day in Rome last weekend (as promised on last week's posting). We spent Sunday at Vatican City and had a great time, but there is still so much there I'll have to go back and see! I swear you could spend over a week there and still not see everything. I also tried to find the Pope, but they have him very well hidden!

Karl and I in Vatican Square Upstairs in the Dome of St. Peter's After walking up over 550 stairs to the very top of St. Peter's Basilica, this was the view- sooo worth the sweating and hypervenilating Look how narrow the stairs were going up and down! Downstairs in St. Peter's at the main altar Fun times in the Square More of the Dome Another picture from the tip-top of St. Peter's- breathtaking

Rome (Day 1) Pictures

As promised in the earlier post, here are some pictures from our first day in Rome! Enjoy!

In the Piazza outside the Pantheon Judy and I with Mr. Gladiator outside the Pantheon I guess he didn't like Greg too much... The beautiful interior of the Pantheon The dome of the Pantheon Part of the escavated Roman Forum Judy and I outside the Colosseum in front of the Arch of Constantine The Colosseum in all it's glory Inside the Colosseum More inside shots...

I think I was telling Karl not to take my picture... What a beautiful day in Rome! Karl at a fountain in the Piazza Navona

Beautiful Building

Versace...need I say more?

Spanish Steps (sorry the picture is going the wrong way) This building has the name "Caro" at the top...my family must be famous afterall Karl and I in front of some more of the Roman Forum Trevi Fountain at night...breathtaking! The whole gang at the end of the night (once again...sorry about the side shot)

Just another weekend in Italy....

Time has flown by since Karl and I got to Italy- I can hardly believe we've been here almost a month already! We are trying to soak up all we can of Italy whenever we have a spare moment. Trying to do things in August aren't as easy as they seem though because only about half the stores are open, it is super hot, and the government is shut down so everything goes even slower than normal, but we're still having a great time!

This past weekend, Karl and I went to Rome with our friends, Judy and Greg, and had an AMAZING time. We all spent last week planning on where to stay and what to do and it paid off with a jam-packed 36 hour trip! We left on Saturday morning and took the train into Rome- we learned on that trip to never travel standard again and to always upgrade to first-class. The first thing we did was to get me new shoes since mine were already causing me pain (I actually wore Greg's flipflops through the train station). From there we checked into our hotel right next to the Spanish Steps then we made our way through Rome seeing the Pantheon, the Coliseum, lots of great stores, tons of Piazzas, lots of "rocks" as Judy and I liked to refer to the escavated ruins, and so much more. We ended the night with dinner by the Trevi fountain and drinks on the Spanish Steps.

On day two, we went to Vatican City and even climbed over 550 stairs to the very top of St. Peter's Basilica (my feet are still feeling that hike). We saw so many amazing paintings and sculptures, and the architecture was incredible- it's hard just putting it into words! We ended the afternoon with lunch at a nice pizzeria then caught the train home around 4:30. I'll put up pictures tonight and probably some more tomorrow- we got so many great shots! Thanks again everyone for checking the blog and keeping up with us and can't wait for all our visitors! Ciao!

Our Italian Home

Some of you have been asking about where Karl and I plan on living after we move out of the Navy Lodge here on base (which I'd like to do as soon as possible), so I thought I'd show everyone our future home here in Italy! We will be moving to an area of Naples called Pozzouli- it's very historic and absolutely beautiful. We have decided on a rather small home, but choose it due to the amazing view- the pictures prove it! It has three bedrooms, none of which have closets, and a kitchen (with all new cabinets), a living room, and a eat in kitchen. We have a nice backyard and private, gated entrance, a private balcony from our bedroom overlooking the Bay, and a rooftop patio where I plan on spending a lot of my free time. I guess I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!

View from the rooftop This is the living room, kitchen, and dining room all rolled into one. This isn't our furniture (it's pretty upgly), it's the loaner stuff belonging to the guy who just moved out. The downstairs bathroom with the smallest washer/dryer ever and a bidet (not sure if I spelled that right), but the landlord is taking it out for us because it gives me the willies. Our upstairs bathroom- very pink Our future bedroom with some more ugly furniture Outside our bedroom with the spiral stairs up to the patio Leading to the guest room I am so lucky to be living in a place like this.... I have officially fallen in love with Italy Can't wait for everyone to come and see the view for themselves! Ciao!

Congratulations Kellye and Danny!

Today is such a bittersweet day for me...my little brother is getting married (yay!) and I'm unable to get back to the states for the wedding (boo). Danny and Kellye have been dating for over four years now and I couldn't have asked for a better sister-in-law. Kellye and Danny seem to made for each other and I'm so excited that she's going to be an official part of the family now! Their wedding is today at 5:30 in the evening which is about the time that I'll be going to bed here. Karl and I wish more than anything we could be with them to celebrate such an important day in their lives, but we are there in spirit and my mom promised to have a drink for us! Congrats again guys- we love and miss you so much and have a great wedding day!

Kellye and I at her bridal shower in July

Finally some pictures!

After a long wait, we thought we'd show everyone some pictures of our beautiful new home in Naples (Napoli), Italy! Last Friday night, Karl and I went out with our friends, Judy and Greg, to downtown Naples and some scenic places, also. We had an awesome time and felt like authentic Italians, from eating at a pizzeria to shopping in the side alleys. We can't even explain how beautiful this place is and how you feel as you walk down the street- it's truely something you'll have to experience to understand (and you're all welcome to come do just that)!

Karl and I with Mt. Vesuvius behind us Karl, Me, Judy, and Greg with the Bay of Naples behind us Another great shot of Vesuvius Downtown Naples from the Autostrade (the scariest road I've ever driven on- Italians are CRAZY drivers and they say the only time the road signs matter is if there is an accident, so no one stops for anyone else and there is basically no speed limit) More of downtown Naples Me and Vesivius Naples is absolutely beautiful in the eveing from the hills We sure do love posing with that volcano... The rich side of town where the government officials live One of the many island towns in Naples Inside the Galleria- the first shopping mall EVER in Europe (imagine my excitement)! Judy and I in the square outside the Royal Palace (that's a church behind us but I forgot the name) The square we ate at Friday night- while at the pizzeria (by the way, the pizza here is out of this world) a violinist came and played at our table- simply amazing! Me in a very famous spot- the San Carlo Theatre (the first opera house in Europe) is on the left and the entrance to the Galleria is on the right

This is the first part of Naples- this castle used to be considered the entire city- everything was within the walls for protection. It's now a famous museum and from what we hear, there is a great pizzeria there, too!