Roman Holiday

Monday, December 31st we took a train to Basel and then EasyJet to Rome.  It cost us less than 200 francs for all four of us to fly round-trip to Rome.  We took a bus to the city and then walked a short ten minutes to our hotel.  Everything went quite smoothly and we were thrilled with our small B & B.  Big rooms, tiny shower, no maid service, but clean and right next to the Vatican.  They should just call it a B because there is no breakfast.  We had dinner and grabbed some snacks.  We decided to have our own New Year's Eve party in our room and avoid the crowds.  But our own party was not much of a party at all.  The kids read, we played a little backgammon, and were in bed by 9:00.  Yipee!

Tuesday morning we had some yogurt in the room and then started our self-guided walking tour at Saint Peters Square.  There was a New Years Day Mass being broadcast on the square and a ton of people were in line to get into Saint Peter's Basilica.  From there we headed to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountains, the Spanish Steps, and saw a ton of other interesting landmarks.  We ended our day at the Forum and just got a glimpse of where we will spend the better part of tomorrow - touring the Coliseum.  We had a great dinner at a small restaurant by our hotel and were all exhausted by the time we got home.  

The Vatican 

Castel San Angelo

The Supreme Court of Italy

Piazza Navona

The Agony and the Ecstasy: (Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, with Smiley balloon)

Fourth Gelato of the day

How the Spanish Steps are supposed to look.

How the Spanish Steps really look.

Vittoriano - monument to Victor Emmanuel II, first king of unified Italy.

Trajan's Column

Old Roman Forum 

more of the Old Roman Forum 

Trevi Fountain

Peace, brother

Our neighborhood

The Saturday before we left for Rome it was a rare, clear, sunny day.  Keith took the kids skiing and I regrettably stayed home because I was glad to have a day alone.  I went on a run and as I did I realized how I don't really have pictures of our neighborhood and the great homes and embassies that I walk past every day.  I grabbed my big camera and retraced my steps.

The kids and Keith had a beautiful day and I should have joined them.

It was even warm enough to eat lunch outside.

Some of my favorite houses and views. 

Our flat is on the top left.

Kelly and Josh's school that is just across the street.

Frohe Weihnachten

Sunday, we had a beautiful simple Christmas meeting with the Bishopric speaking and the congregation singing many Christmas songs.   I have said this before, and I will say it again.  Everyone sings here, even the kids, and it sounds so beautiful,  but  I still miss our English hymns.  After church our friends the Bells and their five adorable children came over for dinner .

Josh and Orrin

The kids did a Nativity.  Talmage, Kelly, and Ethne

Brett, Jethro, Hazel, and Ethne singing Christmas songs.

Christmas Eve was a great day and I was so glad that Kelly convinced us to stay in Switzerland for Christmas instead of traveling somewhere. I went running in the morning, Josh played basketball in the afternoon with the Brady's and the missionaries, Keith and Kelly did some last minute shopping while I cooked,  and then we all went to the Brady's for a wonderful dinner of bruschetta, raclette, and Kristen Muir's key lime torte.

Walking to the tram with our Christmas goodies.

Erin and Kelly

Two of the funnest missionaries ever.  Elder Sonne and Elder McKee

Dan, Lori and Kent.  Three of the greatest people ever, I just think this picture makes them look like they've eaten a little too much cheese.

The Nativity

Christmas morning was quiet, relaxing, and a little dull.  Keith made us breakfast, we ate a ton of candy, and the kids stayed in their pajamas all day.  Keith and I took a long walk in the afternoon and every time I think of leaving this beautiful country I feel like crying.

Josh's favorite gift - the Bern flag

This was a letter to Santa that we found under the door of the little church pictured below.

I think this is the church of the Seven Dwarfs.

The day after Christmas we were needing to get out of the house.  We hopped on a train and headed to a town called Brugg.  Toured Hasburg castle (not much to see), had a yummy lunch in the castle restaurant and then headed home.

Brugg Train Station - So many of the train stations in Switzerland are beautiful. 

In the evening we went to the "light show" in Bern where they play music, tell a story, and project pictures on the Bundeshaus.

Thursday it rained all day.  Josh played with Nathan while the rest of us relaxed and watched movies.  Keith has the next two weeks off and he has to get in some lazy time before we leave for Rome on Monday.