What a Blessing!

What a joyous occasion to attend Sacrament meeting and witness as Blaise took Ian Andrew in his arms to give him a name and a blessing. Also in the circle were Ian's grandfather, step-grandfather, great uncle and others who also hold the priesthood. This little one can look forward to so many wonderful associations! Fun to gather as family afterwards. Sweet day.

Rome, Florence, Venice: The Trip of a Lifetime!

After 15 hours of flight time coming home, Ray and I fell into bed at 8:00 p.m. At 3:00 a.m. we were wide awake! So I listened to my phone messages. One was a frantic call from Washington Mutual with a report of suspicious activity on our debit card....Rome, Italy???!!! I can hardly believe it myself. What glorious week. Sights, history, art, architecture, risotto, pizza, ravioli and gelato!! Ray's brother Tom and sister-in-law Carrie were our well seasoned tour guides and delightful traveling companions. They booked our flights and hotels and scouted out the most wonderful eateries. We took a fascinating guided tour of the colosseum in Rome, of the Palatine and Forum. Ate exquisite quattro formaggio pizza at a little cafe. And LOTS of gelatos. Walked miles and miles through the streets with Tom in the lead, into magnificent churches and past ancient ruins and and swank designer clothing stores. Scary the traffic there! All these midget cars and mopeds and bicycles and carefree pedestrians occupying the same little alley ways....But back to the beginning...After our nine hour flight from Chicago to Rome, I woke up and soon found that it is bad to not eat or drink and be taking a sleeping pill while on antibiotics for an ear infection at 39,000 feet. We no sooner debarked than I threw up in the airport. Not a good start. They rounded up a wheel chair for me and the poor taxi cab driver (I was sitting in the front seat) drove like CRAZY to get us to our hotel. I was out for the rest of the afternoon while Ray, Tom and Carrie headed out to see the Pantheon. I just prayed it would all get better and it did! From Rome we traveled by bullet train to Florence and it was lots more walking to see the Duomo and Baptistery, (Ray and Tom climbed the dome), Michelangelo's David (I got chills), the Uffizi Gallery and Pitti Palace. Such exquisite art!! Unforgettable homemade ravioli at Mama Gina's. The view from the Arno River. Another bullet train to Venice.... Suddenly we were in this other world of water channeling past long rows of the most colorful house fronts. Speed boats and gondolas and water taxis and domes and cathedrals! I loved St. Mark's square, the tolling of the bells, the lovely strings and piano playing in the open air on the first balmy night as we strolled home from dinner. The highlight of Vienna was the Tintoretto museum--a church and hall covered wall to wall and across the ceiling with glorious Tintoretto artwork. Gigantic canvases depicted scenes from the Bible and the history of Venice. We also toured the Doge's Palace (getting a bit weary from much walking and, sadly, sensory overload, despite the rooms of beautiful paintings and statuary). From Venice four hours back to Rome and a day at the Vatican library, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica (with the Pieta). ....All these marvelous scenes and good times keep playing in my mind and surely will for years to come. We owe so much to Tom and Carrie for inviting us and making it all so easy and fun. It truly was the most wonderful trip of our lives.