Switzerland

We spent four days in Switzerland. It's a beautiful country. Just like I imagined. Lots of green grass, wild flowers, snow capped mountains, and little towns with cobble stone streets.

Since Carey's mom came out for another visit this year, we asked if she could stay a little longer so we could plan two separate small getaways while she watched the boys. One to Rome and one to Switzerland. Carey's mom not only survived watching Lincoln, Noah and DJ, but she made some special memories with them. Thanks (again) mom!

We hiked, shopped, walked a lot, took a train and cable cars, took a toboggan ride, ate new foods, and just had a fun time.

Our hotel in Lucerne, Switzerland.

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In order to get up to our room, we had to take the funicular railway or cable car up to the hotel. The funicular railway is the shortest one in the world.

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Shopping

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We found a candy store with 12 flavors of slushes. Tom's dream come true.

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We found a park bench along the water, had ice cream, and took in the beautiful scenery.

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Lots of cafes along the water.

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The famous chapel bridge in Lucerne. Constructed in the first half of the 14th century as part of the city's fortification.

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Picture in front of the chapel bridge and water tower. Water tower is Lucerne's trademark and the most photographed monument in Switzerland.

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We ate dinner at this Fondue restaurant.

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Yum

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We stopped here on our drive to Interlaken which was about an hour from Lucerne.

Views like this everywhere along the way.

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Beautiful countryside

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We took a train up the mountain to Kleine Scheidegg which gave us views of the Jungfrau and Eiger Peaks. We got glimpses of these great mountains as the clouds moved in and out.

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Our happy traveler.

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Getting ready for cold winters.

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We took a Gondola and cable car from Kriens up to the top of Mt. Pilatus, near Lucerne.

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A little church tucked away in the mountains.

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Breathtaking

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Halfway up the mountain we got out and both did tobaggon rides. This tobaggon ride is the longest one in Switzerland. Almost a mile long slide!

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View of the toboggan slide.

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A short clip of Tom going on the toboggan slide.

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Rome

We just got back from a weekend in Rome. I still can't believe it. My mom is here for a month, and she watched the three older boys (thank you mom!!) while we went to Rome with just Max. It's only about an hour flight away. We stayed at a great hotel within walking distance from lots of historical sites, shops, gelato and pizza places. We took a tour of the Vatican/St Peters and the Roman Forum/Coliseum. We both fell in love with this city.

Our hotel

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On the corner from our hotel . . . you can see the Coliseum in the background.

That's how close we were!

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We found a new favorite pizza place near the Trevi Fountain. We ate there twice!

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Yum!

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Tom and Max trying to figure out which way to go.

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Our 9 1/2 month old is seeing the world. Too bad he won't remember any of this!

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Trevi Fountain

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In front of the Trevi Fountain

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The Italians call this an elephant fountain. Max couldn't resist it.

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The famous Spanish Steps built in 1717.

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Mommy and Max on the Spanish Steps.

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Max at the Vatican.

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We did a three hour walking tour of the Vatican/St Peters Basilica.

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Max did pretty well. He needed to get down and play every once and a while.

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Standing outside St Peters Basilica. Max was taking his nap.

Thank you Ergo carrier!!

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Streets of Rome.

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View of Rome from Palentine Hill.

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Roman Forum.

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Tom and Max

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Tom and the Coliseum.

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Inside the Coliseum.

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