This picture was taken at the Duomo in Florence. We got there early to beat the crowds and boy were we glad an hour after this picture was taken the square was full of tourists and umbrellas.
This was the smallest car that we saw while in Italy. It actually has one seat in it. It is sort of like a threee wheeled closed moped. the streets are so small in florence they were not an uncommon sight.
I have to admit that Florence was not my favorite city we visited in Italy. Don't get me wrong it was beautiful, and unique and different from anything here, but there were aspects of it that I did not enjoy.
Things I didn't enjoy include the massive amount of people everywhere and how dirty everything was. It made me sad to see how people have treated some of the oldest buidings in Italy. It also rained almost the entire time we were in Florence, so if we look a bit damp in the pictures you will understand. This picture is of Pointe Vechio a world famous Jewelry area is on the brigde. I found several items I would love to have but unfortunately most of them were over 3,000 Euro. Too bad, maybe next time!!!
We spent two days and three nights in Florence and saw so much. I also haven't walked this much in a long time (at least since the college days). The bus system was a bit crazy, and crowded but I am happy to say we hardly ever missed a stop we were aiming to get off on and only had to run to catch a bus once or twice.
One of the reasons to go to Florence is the shopping. They have some small markets which sell all kinds of things, but mostly leather, ties, scarves, and other souvenirs. It was a fun place to shop especially in the rain. It wasn't too crowded.
We also ran into about 6 sets of missionaries from the states and of course I just had to say hello. We are all children of our heavenly father and that is perhaps one of the best things I learned form this trip. I am so blessed to live where I do but people in other places are different and that is what makes this world so wonderful. Embrace the differences, and be grateful for what we have.
If you can see it we probably saw it. This picture was taken formt he piazza michealangelo where the original David was located. We saw the replica and the original. I guess that is what you go to Florence to see and we did. Overall we saw so much stuff in Florence it is hard to list it all so I wont try. We aso had some great food in Florence. The time went by too quickly. If I had to do it again I would have spent time in Umbria (it was so beautiful in the rural areas) rather than in Florence, but like I said maybe next time.
I just thought I would post some birthday pictures of my kids. Jayne had a Dora Adventure birthday party for her fourth birthday. We had a gooey geyser and a crocodile pond and guess what we did find the birthday cake. We also played water games with guns and balloons. Yeah, it was fun. Fifteen kids is a lot of kids at a party. She has a lot of little girls in her primary class, and a few other girls from her dance class and a neighbor were invited. Impressive cake huh? That is from the combined total of zero art classes I ever took. It is not my forte for sure. But it will due and it tastes just as good as a pretty cake.
Isaac turned 6 this year and had a Star Wars pary. This actually was a very fun party. He had friends form church come to celebrate. We made character masks, had Jedi training, Guess the character, and a piniata. We were having so much fun we didn't finish all that we had planned. There was no time for guess who said it, pin the lightsaber on Darth Vader, pass the death star, or the melemium falcon relay.
