Gorgeous Countryside

On Thursday Mark, Connie, Robert, Charissa, Ross, myself, and Colton decided to take a day trip to the Tuscan countryside. We were able to borrow a co-worker's car and the Stowers found a really cheap rental so we loaded up and headed out late that morning. We decided to go to the highly recommended (if very touristy) towns of San Gimignano and Volterra. Both were really amazing places with stunning views. The Tuscan countryside really is all it's cracked up to be!

This is San Gimignano from outside the city walls. It's known for having the most towers still standing in any city in Tuscany. The towers were built by wealthy families to show off their power back in the day.

Looking out at the countryside from a road in San Gimignano.

I loved this tree and building - beautiful!

Family picture with a gorgeous view in the background.

A main piazza in San Gimignano. I love the stone buildings.

Ross, Charissa, Robert, and Connie taking a break to admire the main street.

Colton held up pretty well, even though he doesn't nap much while out and about in his stroller - there's just too much to see!

On the drive from San Gimignano to Volterra, though, he finally succumbed to his exhaustion. Unfortunately the cities weren't that far apart so he only got about a 20 minute nap.

This view looks out to the Tuscan countryside from Volterra.

Mark and Connie enjoyed the view!

Though we didn't see any vampires in Volterra (this city is part of the story in the popular 'Twilight' series), Robert and Charissa played the part well.

This was an amazing Roman theater from 10 B.C., I think. Behind the theater, built later, were Roman baths.

This is one of the main churches in Volterra. It was beautiful inside and out. The shadow on the church is from the baptistry across the way.

After a long, full day we headed back to Florence. Colton was very quiet and looked so tired, staring off into space for the first 30 minutes of the drive.

Well, I thought he was tired. It turned out that I snapped this picture about 30 seconds before he vomited. We think that he might have gotten carsick due to the twisty roads in the countryside. There's nothing sadder than a sick baby. The funniest part, though, was as soon as the vomit exited his mouth he began saying, "Cool! Cool!" I guess he's a true boy. :) We promptly pulled the car over, stripped him of his clothes, and Colton rode the rest of the way back to Florence happily in just his diaper. Once again, just like a true little boy.

Now Robert and Charissa have gone home and just Mark, Connie, and Grace remain in Florence until early Easter Sunday. We are taking it very easy for a few days - in part because we are all exhausted and in part because Ross got very sick last night (either food poisoning or a stomach bug). Today we mostly just hung around home, and we plan to do the same tomorrow and Tuesday - maybe even Wednesday! We are all excited for some low-key time. Please pray that Ross would feel 100% better soon, and that no one else would get sick. Also pray that Colton would continue to do well. He has been a little fussier and grumpier than usual - we think because of all the stress and changes that have been going on this past week - but he is still such a sweet boy. Hopefully these next fews days to rest will be just what he, and the rest of us, needs!

Pisa

Today we took a little family day trip to Pisa. There is a great outdoor market there on Wednesdays and Saturdays, one of the booths selling Vietri pottery on the cheap. Of course we also had to stop by the Leaning Tower. :) We had a fun but exhausting trip.

It began with an hour-long train ride. Uncle Bobby entertained Colton pretty much the whole time!

A picture of my handsome husband on the train.

Here we are buying our pottery at the market. My in-laws bought variations of serving platters and coffee mugs.

I bought these four pots to plant flowers in for our back yard. After we got home, Connie, Charissa, and I looked up the pieces we purchased (or the closest thing to them) on the Vietri website. Let's just say I paid less than 1/12th of the price they would have been in America - which was over $600!!!

After the market we began walking toward the Leaning Tower. On the way we came across this park where Ross and I had our "define the relationship" talk over 6 years ago. In fact, we think this was the exact bench on which we talked!

Colton was pretty tired by this point because he won't nap much in his stroller. He was chillin' out, though, and seemed pretty darn relaxed!

Finally we made it to the Tower! The pictures don't do it justice - in person it looks like it's leaning much more.

Robert and Charissa were looking cute together.

And, of course, we had to do the typical "holding up the Tower" photos.

I was excited to get a picture with Colton in front of the Tower - his first time seeing it. He didn't really seem impressed.

After seeing the Tower, we headed to eat a late lunch. We went to a good mediterranean place that had great hummus! I was so excited that I got some to-go. Yay!

We headed straight for the train after that only to find out that there was a strike going on. We had to wait a little longer than usual but we hopped on a train and made it home safe and sound with all our stuff and a slightly grumpy, over-tired baby. All in all, a very fun day!

Colton: 17 Months Old

A spring day in Florence. Piazza Michelangelo, taken from the bus.

Colton is growing quickly! He is just finishing up his 17th month (he'll be 18 months old on the 25th). He is such a funny kid and I thought I'd share a few pictures of him from this month.

C loves wearing Daddy's sweat bands. He wants to be just like him!

Taking the sweat band off...

...and trying to put it back on. :)

I love that cute profile.

Last week I dressed C in his "redneck" overalls. He added my hat to finish off the look. The whole thing was just so cute I had to get some pictures. Colton is getting really good at smiling for the camera!

C loves putting things over his eyes and walking "blind." So silly!

The Stowers fam is here visiting now (Mark, Connie, Robert, and Charissa are already here - Grace arrives Friday). We are having a fun time touring, shopping, eating, and spending time together. :) I'll be sure to post little updates from there visit soon!