ITALY IS CALLING AND WE MUST GO!

John. Jonathan and August shared a breakfast of homemade pancakes this morning!  Jas and Chloe opted for some more delicious Italian pastries!

We all wore our “Italy Is Calling And I Must Go” t-shirts, (thank-you, Santa Claus!), and followed Google Maps to our destination, the Pantheon.  We rode the Metro (much to the delight of one precious two-year-old!), walked by the Spanish Steps and, of course, took some family photos by the iconic Trevi Fountain!  

The area around the fountain was jam packed with people, but when August sat beside it, everyone just moved out of the way.  (Or Jon used his camera to erase the tourists—believe what you will!)

Part of the Rome experience is, quite simply, walking the cobblestone streets; smelling the fabulous aromas wafting from cafe after cafe; all while listening to various languages being spoken!  This has always been my all time favorite part of travel, and getting the opportunity to do it in Rome, with family, was PRICELESS!

We made it to the Pantheon and, of course, took all the obligatory photos!

August’s favorite part was the horsey, the “big brown horsey!”

We chose a delightful cafe and got the perfect table where we sat outside and people watched, all while eating the best pasta known to man!  August immediately knew what he wanted to order after searching through the menu!  Our food arrived and will you look at the size of those bowls!

Jonathan ordered the first Aperol Spritzer of the trip, and gave it a two thumbs up!  

Back to walking the streets of Rome, we noticed artichokes displayed in baskets outside many of the restaurants.  It seemed Google did NOT know the reason for this, but they looked really cool!

As did all the fountains and statues we passed by!

We all took a rest from walking, sat down, and enjoyed a gelato!  (This one’s for you, Patte!)

It was a magical kind of day, having our entire family roaming Rome together!  We are certainly blessed!

Back at the ranch, John, August and I played together, watched a little bit of Cocomelon, and played some more!  Meanwhile Jon, Jas and Chloe went across town to “Cook With Mama!”

They learned how to make several pastas and tiramisu, all while drinking A LOT of wine!

Jason entertained the group by dancing the Macarena!  (I am quite sure he LOVED every minute of it!)

And finally, they ate what they made and enjoyed every bite!

They arrived home LATE, (John and I were a bit worried, as they had planned to take a half hour taxi ride back), and explained that because there was a huge Budapesh vs. Rome football game being played, NO TAXIS WERE AVAILABLE!  And by the time they walked to a Metro Station, it was closed!  But they saw some beautiful night time scenes!

They finally figured out the bus system (well, kind of) and proceeded to sit tight while it made a million stops before getting them somewhat close to our Airbnb!  Although the cooking class was a huge success, they were exhausted and fell right into bed!