Juliet's Balcony

We stopped through Verona, Italy, on our way back to Germany.  Though Shakespeare never actually visited Verona, we visited the balcony assumed to be Juliet's.  The best part is the graffiti left by modern day lovers.

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

Overlooking the Adige River in Verona

Driving in Italy was NUTS.  I felt like a reckless driver the entire time we were in Italy with my giant minivan and their teeny, tiny Fiats and Smart Cars.  I really thought I was going to be permanently wedged in a downward spiral of this parking garage forever.   We left the "uscita" unscathed and grateful.

117 Small Islands in the Marshy Venetian Lagoon

A couple of weeks ago we spent a chilly, sunny day in Venice, Italy.  It seems like a bad idea to build a city on islands in a marsh, but you can't blame those who started it since they were fleeing from the Barbarians.

Lovely laundry

The fish market

St. Mark's Basilica.  It is said that St. Mark's remains were smuggled to Venice in a pig in the 800's. 

Chasing the pigeons

Feeding the pigeons

Nuremberg, Germany -- The old and new

We planned our trip to see the opening of the Kristkindl Markt (Christmas or, literally, Christ Child Market), the historical old town, and because Playmobil Fun Park is nearby.  Nuremberg is a beautiful old city and the Market was impressive, if overwhelming with small children, strollers, below freezing temps, etc.  However, I must say that Playmobil Fun Park was incredible.  Less than a fourth is open during winter and still, it was so much fun for the boys (and adults).  I gush.  It was fun, affordable, very age appropriate, just so well done.  It is giant indoor and outdoor playgrounds plus rooms of Playmobil toys set-up for play.  The workers come by, switch them out and wash them every couple of hours. 

Sir Seth

A cure for cabin fever... US Postal knights.

Happy 1st Birthday, Victor

Our sweet Vic was 1 December 1st.  It has been such a fast year! 

A few Vic facts:

1) He is a sweet, sweet snuggler.

2) He is passionate about food.  Of the few recognizable words he has two are food.  "Nana" is banana and every other kind of food except cheese, which is "ch-ch-ch".

3) He is finally getting some hair, but it is blond and he basically still looks bald.

4) He adores Seth and much prefers his toys.

5) If he wants to be funny or get attention he fake sneezes.  He thinks he is hilarious.



His birthday ice cream.



At first he thought it was way too cold.

Getting better...

Yummy....

Lick the tray delicious.

"It's quite snowy, Mom."

That is how Seth put it this morning.  I think it is a bit of an understatement.

We have been away without internet access for a bit.  I'll be posting pictures from Vic's birthday, our trip to Italy, and Mom and Lee's trip very soon.

A Resourceful Moment

It is cold here.  Really, really cold for a girl from Alabama.  The snow is on the ground and the high was 17 today.  Yeah, really cold.  So, this means that when we go out there is the added difficulty of dressing three people for the weather.  I have this great little red suit for Vic that only involves one zipper.  Seth is a bit more difficult -- jacket, hat, gloves, etc... So, I dressed Vic today and then sat him down.  This is what I saw when I found him in the next room a moment later. 

The oval

The octagon

The rectangle

Wee Little Liechtenstein

Looking at the map, I realized that we were going very near Liechtenstein on our way home from Switzerland.  Why miss visiting a kingdom when it is only 10 minutes out of the way?

Facts about Liechtenstein:
1)  Official name is Principality of Liechtenstein.
2)  Population 35,000.
3)  More registered companies than citizens.  (Odd?)
4)  Fourth smallest country in Europe.  (The smallest three are Vatican City, Monaco, and San Marino.)
5)  Highest average personal income in Europe.
6)  World's largest producer of sausage casings, potassium storage units, and false teeth.  (Again, odd?)
7)  The Prince of Liechtenstein is the world's sixth wealthiest leader with an estimated wealth of $5 billion.

The Prince's house.

A model of the Prince's house for us commoners to see.

Luzern, Switzerland

Mark Twain described the Lion of Lucerne as "the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world."

Hof Cathedral, rebuilt after a fire in 1645

Catching the train to Alpnanchstad to see Mt. Pilatus.

From the top of Mr. Pilatus, overlooking Interlaken region.

If you look closely you can see a church in the center of the picture.  I must say that it requires some serious commitment to be a member of this congregation.

So Swiss

View of the city from the Lake Lucerne ferry

Sunset from Lake Lucerne