Rome

We made it to Rome around 1:30pm and it was SO HOT! I was our last day before flying back home, so we had to go into the city to see some sights if we wanted to see any this trip. The kids were hot and had walked way too much. I mean, why dont they like walking in 95+ heat with humidity...come one tourist kids! ha!

We only made it to a few sights, but at least we got to see a little.

The Colosseum

Ruins in the middle of the city, amongst building and streets, just being preserved. So incredible. 

Me and my precious kids

enjoying a stop in the shade

Ana amazing church we walked by

Take a break, tired and hot...such a trooper

There is my happy kid

Daddy and his girl

Sibling love, he adores her almost as much as she adores him. :)

Doesnt that look say it all...tired, hot and not thrilled that mommy wants pictures

trying to muster up a smile despite the heat

ahh...sweaty boy...time to go back to the hotel and swim!

but first...a snack of pizza (when in Rome, what else would you eat!)

she is such a ham...love how her personality is so expressive!

Selfies after swimming at the hotel :)

Love this shot of my amazing sweet boys. 

This is from the church you saw in earlier pictures. It was incredible. pictures dont do it justice...but Em insisted she needed one taken inside. :)

The fortress walls surrounding Rome..but where we parked our car.

Ice cream time....of course! you walk and you deal with the heat...you get rewarded of course with delicious ice cream. :) vacation is the best for that. These kids ate ice cream/gelato every day on vacation and that is the way it should be. 

Silly girl with her breakfast cereal. she cracks me up!

On the plane ready to go home! (strange to call NL our home, but for now it is.)

Em couldn't believe we were going back to the same house we left with all of our stuff waiting for us. poor confused girl, she thought we had to move AGAIN...so confusing this crazy life! Happy to show her that we are staying put for a bit.

This kid was ready to go home, he missed it, but had a great trip.

last day in Siena

We stumbled upon a beautiful church on another adventurous walk. That is the beauty of a bigger city, out every day exploring and you find something new around the corner.

Em just loves pictures of baby Jesus and mother Mary. She wanted her picture by all of them!

How did we just find this playground on our last day in Siena? It was shaded and had a view that took your breath away. I had some fun too!

Emma with the owner of a favorite meat and cheese shop we found. Every time we went there he gave Em a biscuit cookie. He was the GRUMPIEST man ever, but not to her! He doesn't ever allow pictures in his shop and scolds people for taking them...but on our last day I asked if I could have one of him with Em. He was so nice and said yes. We said goodbye and see you again soon...Em cried. It was so sad. He gave her an extra cookie for the next day since he wouldn't see her and told her to come visit next summer again. Such a neat memory.

walking around town...more steps...this city is build on a hill. 

In the church we found today. Its under restoration..but was still just open to go in and see. 

Siena in the background

More pictures from the playground we found today.

outside the fortress wall by the playground

tomorrow we head to Rome 

Porto Sant Stefano

Its was HOT so we thought...lets head west to the beach and cool off for the day...

Porto Santo Stefano!

It was not cooler, still over 90 degrees and humid, but it was still fun and nice to splash in the Mediterranean and cool off. It was so warm!

Checking our a fortress...closed but climbing the steps were still fun 

 from the steps on the fortress

 my handsome hubby

 by the water 

 walking around town...hot!

 selfie with my doll

 by the harbor

 Bret and Aidan waiting for the slow pokes to catch up in a tiny bit of shade they could find.

 kids by the water

 nice photo work Aidan

 Emma's turn to take one

 beach time

 yep, I did it, I put a swim suit on my pasty white body and got in the water, crazy what this European life is doing to me. no one cares, so why should I? They are so much less vein here, its inspiring.

 Bret with the kids

 These two LOVE the water....head first...trying to belly surf? I dont know. 

 running

 I dont know...being the goof ball that she is. cracks me up!

 My sweet boy, so happy to be at the beach!

 Dinner back in Sienna ...acting like we don't even know Aidan is taking a picture. (he told us that is key to taking a good picture, catch people just doing what they do. where does he come up with this stuff?)

 Another shot by Aidan of the outdoor seating area of the restaurant we ate at. Beef stew, ravioli and the best gnocchi ever!