He's Not So Little Anymore

I remember when I was in high school and would think about "when I was older". I would always compare ages of what my siblings would be doing when I was a certain age. The biggest one was, "How old will I be when my little brother goes on his mission?". Well, tomorrow I turn 22 and Steven will be leaving on his mission to....

Tucson, Arizona

August 13

Steven has worked so hard and I look up to him so much. I am very proud of him and realize that he isn't so little anymore. But I will always consider him my "Bud".

Venice

Michelle and I went to Venice early in the morning so we could spend most of the day walking around this island city. Who knew that when looking at the map you were actually looking at everything measured in yards! It is really easy to get lost down all the different alleyways, bridges, and following the many canals. It was so cool to realize that we were walking on a floating city! And I think the best part of Venice was going to the square and harrassing and playing with the pigeons!

On May 12, 1797, Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Venice during the First Coalition. The French conqueror brought to an end the most fascinating century of its history: It was during the Settecento (1700s) that Venice became perhaps the most elegant and refined city in Europe, greatly influencing art, architecture, and literature.

Venice is world-famous for its canals. It is built on an archipelago of 118 islands formed by about 150 canals in a shallow lagoon. The islands on which the city is built are connected by about 400 bridges.

St. Peter in Chains

San Pietro in Vincoli, St. Peter in Chains, is a smaller basilica near the Coloseum that houses the chains that bound St. Peter. The basilica was first built in the middle of the 5th century to house the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter while imprisoned in Jerusalem. Michelangelo's Moses, which dates from 1515, is the most notable piece of artwork in the basilica.

Michelangelo's Moses

Vatican City

So I'm pretty sure that everyone is familiar with Vatican City. But I had no idea that it is an independent state and the smallest in the world with a population of 800. It has it's own postal system, police, government, and even issues its own passports!

Ceiling to the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica
Masoleum of Pope
St. Peter's Square
St. Peter's Basilica
The Pietà sculpted by Michelangelo

Vatican Museum

We weren't allowed to take pictures in the Sistine Chapel :(

Art

We visited the National Rome Museum one rainy day and saw some pretty cool sculptures.

Discus

Baths of Diocletian

• Diocletian's Baths, dedicated in 306, were the largest and most sumptuous of the imperial baths and remained in use until the aqueducts that fed them were cut by the Goths in 537.

Girls Best Friend

I was online and "ran" into the Fendi website...and what did I see?! The bag that I actually saw in person in Italy!!! Did I ask the price at the store in Italy? No! The bag was too pretty to ruin my fantasizing and oohing and aaahing. So now that I am far, far, far away from the actual bag and store I risked it and looked it up (sigh)...

Fendi
Paillette Spy Bag
$4,890.00 (TEAR and SOBBING SOUNDS)

Palatine Hill, Coloseum, Roman Forum

Ancient Rome is pretty incredible when you think about it because once you realize how old everything is...you are completely awestruck. Palatine Hill has exististed since 1000 B.C.

Many affluent Romans of the Republican period had their residences there. The ruins of the palaces of Augustus, Tiberius, and Domitian can still be seen. Augustus also built a temple to Apollo here, beside his house.

A room in Augustus' palace.

Roman Forum

• The Roman Forum, was the central area around which ancient Rome developed, in which commerce and the administration of justice took place. The communal hearth was also located here. It was built on the site of a past cemetery.
  

Arch of Titus

Coliseum

• Originally capable of seating around 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladatorial contests and public spectacles. It remained in use for nearly 500 years with the last recorded games being held there as late as the 6th century. It was constructed between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus.

Trevi Fountain

The first day we got to Rome we went straight to the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and the Pantheon. I was absolutely astonished at the size and beauty of the fountain. We went during the day and returned a couple days later at night time. It is such a breathtaking sight!

Pantheon

Sitting on the Spanish Steps

Fountain in front of the Spanish Steps

(I filled my water bottle up here!)

Tossing a coin

The dome inside the Pantheon

Trevi Fountain at Nighttime