Venice, Italy

Last month, while Eric's parents were here, they were SOOOOO nice to watch the kids for a couple of days while Eric and I went to Venice.  It was AMAZING!!!  Venice is exactly as I had pictured--so picturesque.  We had such a great time wandering the streets and seeing everything.  Here are a few (we took so many pictures) from our trip:

They were selling masks everywhere--I didn't realize masks were such a huge deal there--but apparently Carnival is very popular!

Everywhere you looked it was just SOOO picturesque--I loved it!!

We saw gondoliers everywhere--we didn't do a gondola ride, but they were so fun to watch. 

I was surprised at how narrow some of the canals are.

Someone's 'garage'

St. Mark's square--behind me is St. Mark's cathedral which is unbelievable!

You can't see too well, but in the square there are a bunch of restaurants and they all have professional orchestras playing--it was so fun to sit and listen.

Just like I imagined!

Eating breakfast--how could you get a better view

My handsome husband!!

Rialto bridge--one of the famous bridges in Venice

Part of St. Mark's Cathedral--it was amazing how detailed everything was--this is a mosiac

Doge's Palace--we went on a tour of this and is was so opulent and gorgeous.

This is in the palace--it is the gold staircase--all of that is gold!

There are no cars allowed in Venice--everything is done by boat--here is the ambulance boat!

This is called the "Bridge of Sighs".  On the left side is Doge's palace where the courtrooms are and on the right is the prison.  They call it the bridge of sighs because as prisoners go from court to prison, they cross this bridge and this was the last look they got at Venice.  I thought it was fascinating.  We went on a tour of the prison and it was pretty grim!

I can't even begin to thank my in-laws for watching the kids.  While I love to travel with them, this definitely was a trip for just Eric and I and we had so much fun being together in such a fun place!  Can't wait to get out and explore more of Europe!!

Our Ocean View

This is the view from our front porch--I LOVE IT!!!  Eric and I joke this is the only time we will have ocean-front property and of course it is living on a navy base, but I just love to look out my window and see the ocean, watch the waves come in--it is so relaxing!  The sunsets are gorgeous--I LOVE IT!!

Abuelos visitan escuela!

Eric's parents have been visiting us for the last 2 weeks and we have done some very fun things with them.  One day Eric's dad, who speaks Spanish, came to the kids school and read them a Curious George story in English and Spanish.  The kids loved it and it was fun to show Eric's parents what Spanish school is like!

Here is Grandpa reading to Kailey's class

Kailey's class with Grandma and Grandpa

Here is Grandpa reading in Ethan's class--they listened a bit better than Kailey's class!

Here is Grandpa showing the kids America and where he lives in America.

The kids looking at America

Ethan's class--the woman in the red smock is his teacher-Mary Carmen and she is FANTASTIC!!