Rome--The Vatican

 Being in Rome was so awesome.  To be in the places we've all heard of and seen in movies....

St. Peter's Square (there's Dad with the hat on)

the Swiss Guard

St. Peter's Basilica

We waited a few hours to get inside the Vatican Museum, which actually wasn't as long of a wait as it could have been.  It was amazing inside.

Hi Dad!

Hi Mom!

Inside the Vatican Museum...

Beautiful ceilings everywhere

I love the color of this mosaic

(yes, it is what you think it is--hint--fertility goddess)

Beautiful!

Amazing 3-D paintings

WOW!

Ancient map of Italy

Unfortunately, you can't take pictures of the Sistine Chapel.  It was the only place in the museum that had a.c.  But that was only to help preserve the paintings, not for the people's comfort. We sat there for a long time, just looking up.  We looked at each section and tried to recognize which biblical story was being told there.  They asked everyone to be quiet and respectful (unfortunately, not many people listened).  There is also a rule to have your shoulders and knees covered in respect for the church.  I thought that was really interesting--they actually wanted people to be modest!  Most of the women had scarves on to make what they were wearing more modest.

Inside St. Peter's...

Pieta

So many beautiful domes

If you look closely at the bottom of this statue, you can see something coming up from under the "cloth." Creepy.

Next time, the Coliseum.

Monaco

The beautiful city of Monaco

Of course they sell Ferraris here

There was a Texas store in the mall!

There's our boat!

We went to the beach and swam in the beautiful Mediterranean. (Clothing optional) We were the most dressed of anyone on the beach!

Lots of yachts and beautiful blue water

The changing of the guards at the palace.

An ancient home of the royals

The church where the royal family is buried.

So we couldn't understand all of the writing since it was in French, but it said something about St. Nicholas and there was a bone in a case--Santa Claus is buried here?

Prince Ranier

Princess Grace Kelly

Just a beautiful place.

Mediterranean Cruise

So I had some computer problems for awhile and I thought I lost all of my pictures from the past 10 years, but everything's ok now and here are some pictures from the cruise!

ON THE SHIP....

We had the best table on the boat.  We were at the back of the ship with huge windows at the end of the table.  We watched the sun setting behind us during dinner a couple nights and we also watched dolphins playing in the wake of the ship.  It was great!

Our first sunset

I just love these little towel animals they left for us each night.  They are so cute!

The FUN SHIP!

Another beautiful sunset

Can anyone guess what this is supposed to be?

I LOVE THIS!

Another cute little guy.  I'd love to hear your guesses on what you think each one of these towel animals is supposed to be.

Mom thought this sign was pretty funny so we had to take a picture of it.

Isn't the water so blue and beautiful?

Here are the wonderful people we ate with every night. (the spouses are sitting across from each other) From the Left: Casey, me, Mom, Dawn, John, Dad, David, and Tanner.

All dressed up for the Elegant Evening

Can you tell I like these things?  They had a book on how to make them in the gift store.  I almost bought it, until I looked inside and realized how complicated these things are!!!

Next week, Monaco...