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.
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.
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!
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