This kiddo was so excited to play online with Drew. He's missed his buddy, but LOVED playing Fortnite on the HUGE tv at the airBNB with Drew. They talked and laughed for a couple hours.
Seagulls in the city :) We saw our ABNB host while taking this picture. He laughed and said they don't like the seagulls. They kill the pigeons and baby birds in the city and are getting more brave about getting close to people and their food. We have moved now to our place and I haven't noticed nearly as many seagulls here (maybe because there is more traffic noise)
I think it's so cool walking through old structures throughout the city. They have done a good job preserving these things while building new all around it.
Hudson asked for fish and chips. He was excited it wasn't American style fish ;)
So, for some reason Italians just don't eat much cheddar. We have been on the hunt for some and this is the biggest amount we have found. We have been stacking 5 slices then shredding it so we can use it in certain homemade dished that call for it. I guess we will need to start coming up with some alternate recipes.
This, I believe, is our favorite gelato shop. Each day they have different flavors, but the price is better than the touristy district and it tastes great! We have since found out that it has quite the reputation in this part of town. Hudson's favorite is the caramel cream.
This was the walk to one of the apartments we saw. It was a beautiful part of town and quiet. The park next door was huge. I really like everything about it except that it wasn't really near the area we were trying to be near for ministry and the kids' school. When we looked at the kids getting to school from here, they would have had to ride a bus for at least 45 minutes each directions (this was at non rush hour) and the bus only comes once every 30 minutes...so if you missed it, you are toast.
Jonathan and I had been out in the heat all day looking at houses. Walking home, we were soooo thirsty. We stopped at a Bubble Tea place and got these drinks. Mine was strawberries and crushed ice.
Playing his sax underground
The Aniene tributary feeding into the Tiber River.
These are some of our favorite stores in Rome for many reasons...the prices are good (but the aisles are pretty tight), they have SOME "art supplies" like pencils and glue, and they are usually run by Chinese people in the city.
The flower stand by our now new apartment
The girls making a video here for a project we were working on.
We ate at an Indian restaurant near our ABNB. The owner was excited for the business and brought out several different things for us to try for free.
Regan made homemade carbonara. It's one of our favorites when we go out and this tasted just like it. The legend is that the dish came about during WW2 when the American soldiers were in Italy. They were homesick for bacon and eggs so the Italians made this noodle dish with an egg base instead of tomatoes and added bits of pig cheek on top. It's really quite good.
since 1922...so glad we found this place! :)
San Giovani Basilica...one of the 4 major churches in Rome
The back side of San Giovani Basilica
Hmmm...I don't thing my dogs would eat this dog food...noodles? Are you supposed to cook them first?
The Apian Way...the road Peter walked into Rome on.
I would so go back just for this dessert!! YUM!
This restaurant was recommended to us. We were told "NOT expensive" Well, we must have different definitions as to what expensive means. I told the kids to enjoy! They will never eat at a restaurant this nice again, haha!
We struggled to eat it all, but fancy restaurants don't do doggy bags ;)
a selection of meat and cheese to try
These roles were SO SO GOOD! I have no idea what kind of bread this was, but my kids were begging for more.
Pyramids in Rome...apparently, the Romans were fascinated with Egypt.
A famous and yummy food called supplì. It is filled with rice, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
Benjamin chose the pizza place today
These 2 tried a new one...turned out to be a little spicy.
These 2 ended up with a table in the sun. It's too hot for that so we asked them to join one of ours. You just stand at the tables here anyways. They only have a handful of actual chairs. It's more of a grab and go place.
We enjoyed walking past this hotel because of the pretty purple tree in front.
Got caught in a hail storm in June!
Italians love their dogs and take them everywhere...on the train, in the mall, grocery shopping, literally everywhere. This is at the entrance of one of the grocery stores. Your dog can get a bit of water while you pick up the shopping cart.
This has been one of my favorite breakfast items, but not every place has it...a blueberry muffin with fresh blueberries.
Fun little souvenir gifts...colored pasta.
lots of mask choices. You only buy 10 at a time.
These 2 girls cooked and amazing dinner!! I could get used to this! ;)
Jonathan and I got stuck out in a rain storm. This is where we are supposed to cross the street. Hmmm.
The bike paths near our 2nd choice apartment. The kids would have loved this!
Traveling back...waiting on the subway
One of my favorites pictures of Regan.
The whole family was together walking past Trevi Fountain. So I needed another group picture :)
pretty at night
One happy kiddo! McDonald's is her favorite! It's much better than the states ;)
part of the Roman forum
Surely there is a better design for a plunger. That's the shorted handle ever!
The kids playing at the park together
Lauren and her little buddy, Silas
Love it
Jonathan thinks that I'm crazy, but I thought it was genius. I can learn Italian through Chinese :)
It's really a book to teach Chinese to Italians, but hey, why not?
Late nights
Eating dinner at Ren Chinese Restaurant
This is definitely the most authentic place we have found! The kids kept saying how it tasted just like Ayi's cooking. Too bad the price isn't more affordable or we would come here often. It's a nice occasional treat though.
My puppies
Don Orione park near the kids' school
We took Hudson to meet the principal of the school. Before the meeting was over, she had invited the girls inside, too, because they are middle school. We thought the school was only for elementary, but in fact now has a middle school!
Everyone must have their temperatures checked before entering.
The courtyard of the school for recess...3 basketball courts and 3 soccer fields
Free candy after the meal
Hudson asked for tomato soup
Free bread for us to try...mmmmm
I'm still not sure how this "line" made any sense for the post office
Love all of the places to get water in town
One of my favorite cheap meals so far...kabobs and rice
Katherine likes the kabobs and fries...check out the plate of ketchup! I asked for some ketchup for her fries. I guess they think she needed tons!! :)
