Sunday July 22, 2012

Dear Jackson,

It has been a few days since our last blog as we went on a vacation to Rome, Italy! It was definitely an interesting vacation for us all. We will have many memories of trip (both good and bad). On our way there our plane was delayed about an hour but that was ok because you enjoyed playing at the airport so much. When we left we said we were ready for some warmer weather but we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Once on the ground in Rome we soon realized just how hot it was there compared to Holland. It was hot!

On our first morning in Rome we pre-booked online a tour through the Vatican. Inspite of our best attempts to make it there on time (most notably a failed subway attempt) we missed our reservation and did not see the inside of the Vatican. We did however, walk around the outside and you played by the fountains and entry. There were allot of people there! Next, we got back on the bus tour and sent back to our hotel. We went up to the roof of hotel to the pool to get some relief from the the heat. This sounded like a great idea but the water was sooo cold you did not want to get in (nor did we). After a quick nap we ventured out again into the city and went to a playground so you could get some exercise. Then had a fine meal at an Italian restaurant, Dad had his first pizza in Italy :-)

The Vatican

Not the happiest guy playing by the fountain

Playing at the pool

Our first dinner in Rome

Pizza

Playing the the park

You wanted to go on this ride but you were too small

On our second full day in Rome we decided to go at our own pace so we took the tour bus to center of the city and tried to find sites on our own. After some frustration we finally found the Piazza Navona and then onto the Pantheon. The Pantheon was nearly 2000 years old! And we decided it would be the perfect place to have some lunch. Unfortunately, at this point you were already tired out from the heat and did not enjoy the historical setting as we hoped. Dad did enoy his second pizza :-) After lunch we found our tour bus again and made our way back to our hotel. We once again ventured up to the roof to find the pool in hopes that it would be warmer today. It wasn't BUT we did find a "hidden" kiddy pool that was perfect for you. We another expensive and dissapointing meal at our hotel and then went back to the room for some R&R.

The Pantheon

Drinking out of the big water bottle at lunch

On our last full day in room we were starting to get the swing of things so we walked all the way to the Colleseum in the morning. We had a great tour of the 2000 year old structure. You climbed and walked all over it! It was hard to believe that long ago Gladiators once fought here; Dad really enjoyed seeing it. We then jumped on our tour bus again and headed to some more amazing sites including the Trevi fountain were we had a fantastic lunch and Dad had his third pizza :-) We had some great Gellato (ice cream) for desert. You loved it! After some pool and rest in the afternoon we went out to eat again for supper. Mom had lasagne and Dad had speghetti (not pizza?!?). You had a nice stuffed pasta that you really liked. It was probably our best meal of the trip!

The Coloseum

Playing outside the Coloseum

Playing inside the Coloseum

Running around inside the Coloseum

Let me in here!

Yummy lunch by the Trevi Fountain

Gellato!!! You're favorite part!

Happiest in our hotel room

After all of this we were ready to get on a plane the next day and get out of heat and back to Holland. You slept almost the entire flight :-)

All-in-all it will be a trip we will look back on and remember for both the good and bad. Rome is an amazing place with a tremendous amount of history, amazing architecture, and culture. We are so glad that we could take you there with us to experience it. Mom and I will have never forget seeing these amazing places with you and making memories that we will cherish forever.

Love,
Dad