Happy Birthday Tom!

We celebrated by going to Outback and then the next night we had an ice cream cake. 

Den 6 Wolves and den leader Sheila

Sheila is the den leader for Christopher's den this year. She has 9 boys in her den. Notice the Spanish sword on the wall. One of our purchases this year. 

Day One - Italy - to the top of a volcano

They weren't kidding around when they gave us the walking sticks before we started our 30 minute hike up to the top of Mt Vesuvious. It was quite the hike! We spent 5 days over Columbus Day weekend in Italy, we stayed in Sorrento. 

At the top of Mt Vesuvius

Believe it or not, we did make it to the top of Mt Vesuvius. It was pretty neat being on top of a volcano, getting to look down into the crater. It was such a warm day, we could've had shorts on! 

Christopher at the top

C You can still see steam rising out of the vocano. 

Next stop, Pompeii

After exploring Mt Vesuvius, it was only natural to go to Pompeii. To see the city that was buried in ash after Mt Vesuvius blew up. 

A body from Pompeii

This is one of the bodies they recovered. It was in a glass case. It was covered in ash and then preserved. 

Outside of Pompeii

After spending a couple of long hot hours exploring Pompeii, we were ready to go. We were also tired after climbing Mt Vesuvius. 

Island of Capri

Christopher and Tom waiting for our pizza. We took a boat from Sorrento to Capri. 

Amalfi Coast

We spent Monday morning driving along the Amalfi coast. It was a gorgeous drive along the ocean, with windy twisty roads that tend to make a child carsick if he's playing his PSP. 

Amalfi coast

This was one of the views we had as we drove along the Amalfi coast line. Very pretty! 

Paestum, Italy

After driving the Amalfi coast we went to Paestum to see the Greek ruins. 

Paestum

Sheila and Tom in front of one of the Greek ruins in Italy. 

Who's Got the Keys?

Just outside the city gates in York, England, we stranded Roger and Sarah Sudbeck on a traffic island on our way back to the car. While windy all day the rain did stay away for our visit. Emperor Constantine was crowned Emperor of Rome in 306AD in this city. Learn about it at Emperor Constantine.

Sunday Roast at the Local Pub

Roger and Sarah Sudbeck, our latest visitors joined us for the evening meal at our local pub the Stukely Inn. We enjoyed sharing stories and catching up on old times in college at SDSU. 

New Addition to the Family

We ordered this clock in Germany back in May, low and behold this September it showed up in the mail. Christopher scrunched in next to it to pose for this photo. So far we still like the noises that it makes and haven't switched them off yet. 

An Island in the Alps

This island is in the middle of Lake Bled which is just across the Austrian/Slovenian border. The island has a cute little church on it that you can swim to , rent a boat or hire and orseman to take you there.

Game of chess anyone?

Tom and Christopher played a game of chess after we went swimming in Lake Bled. 

Swan family

As walked around Lake Bled there was this cute family of swans.

Bled, Slovenia

Onto Bled for our last day (we were here 1 1/2 years ago on Spring Break). Bled Castle is on the peak behind us.

Lipizzaner stallions

We went to Lipica Stud Farm, which is the home of the Lipizzaner stallions. We watched a 1/2 hour show and got a tour of the stables. 

Predjama Castle

This castle is built into the side of a mountain, probably due to the air conditioning coming out of the cave adjacent to it.

Concrete beach

Here is a picture of the concrete beach. A little hard to lay on, but no sand between your toes and all over your beach towel either.

Sunset

After supper we walked along the concrete beach - yes, that's right, no sand just concrete. This was taken close to our hotel. 

I need a washcloth!

It was so hot out that the ice cream was melting faster than Christopher could eat it, or get it somewhere onto his face for later consumption!