I vow to try my hardest to write a monthly blog update, starting now.
Early New Year's resolution? Hmmm...
ITALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 |
| The skyline of Florence, including the third largest cathedral in the world |
 |
| Looking up the Arno River |
 |
| Standing on Ponte Vecchio, the oldest remaining bridge in Florence |
 |
| A view of the Tuscan countryside |
 |
| Our first "real" pizza; nothing else will ever live up to this. |
 |
| Romantic dinner at the Tuscan castle and vineyard |
 |
| The Colosseum in Rome |
 |
| Inside the Colosseum |
 |
| Monument to all the Christian martyrs who fell inside the Colosseum |
 |
| The Roman Forum, where Julius Caesar and Paul walked. |
 |
| Ruins of the Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum |
 |
| The Pantheon |
 |
| Inside the Pantheon |
 |
| Having lunch outside Vatican City |
 |
| The expansive dome of St. Peter's Basilica |
 |
| St. Peter's Basilica, the largest cathedral in the world |
And there are more
here, with captions, if you are the "slide-show" type.
We had an amazing, culture-filled, gluttonous, romantic, rejuvenating vacation in Italy - and we feel so blessed to have been able to take this trip. This kind of thing never would have been possible for us if it weren't for Bill and his relentless hard work for an amazing company.
I bagged my first Fourteeners this summer! The hike up Gray's and Torrey's Peaks was slippery, but fun! And the company on the way to the top was excellent. :)
 |
| Jen, me, Chris, and Adam at the summit of Torrey's Peak |
Oh, Oktoberfest. How we love thee, and your beer, and your brats, and your.... silly hats?
 |
| Uncle Dave, me, Bill, and beer |
 |
| Bill enjoying his bratwurst |
|
|
 |
| Chris is forced to wear a silly German hat, and looks thrilled about it. |
|
We actually made it up to the mountains during the height of the Aspen color-changing season this year, and it was definitely worth the drive. The Aspen is quickly becoming one of my favorite trees!
Bill's sister Angie visited us just before Thanksgiving. Her short trip here included Rocky Mountain National Park, Ikea, The Wine and Cheese, a really crappy pizza, and a night on the town at Sing Sing in Denver (a dueling piano bar). We love it when we have visitors!
 |
| Angie at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park |
 |
| Angie and I at Sing Sing |
Of course, no blog of ours would be complete without some furry kid pictures, right? They are up to their usual shenanigans.
 |
| A family picture is a rare occurrence! |
 |
| Sleepy Goose |
 |
| Sleepy Bean |
 |
| Goose in a basket |
 |
| Bean tormenting Goose in a basket |
My mom came to visit last weekend! Even though we won't have any visitors at Christmas this year, it was so nice to see my mom right before the holiday. We have started acclimating her to the Colorado weather by forcing her to walk around outside, at night, in 25 degree weather, just to see pretty twinkle lights. :)
 |
| Mom and our Christmas tree |
 |
| Mom and I at the Blossoms of Light display at Denver Botanical Gardens |
 |
| Pretty twinkle lights |
And now we are in the thick of it - the Christmas season, that is. Baking, shopping, wrapping, shipping, decorations, parties, gift-giving and receiving, counting blessings, treasuring family and friends. We wish you the most heartfelt Merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year!
