Well, Jonathan and Benjamin were gone for a few days at a men's event, Katherine was on a 3 day field trip (pictures from that in the next blog), and Lauren and Hudson were at school. It seemed like the perfect day for a mother daughter day. After we dropped the kids off at school, we got a light croissant and an espresso for mom.
We passed this church while walking to the park. I never noticed that all the kids in the statue were little girls. I wonder the story behind it.
We arrived at the park and started to explore some trails.
I was glad we went early because it quickly warmed up!
The Old Mill Farmstead...we were going to see it as it was on one of the trails, but it was closed for some reason.
Pollen from a cottonwood tree...it will make your allergies explode when these cotton balls are flying around everywhere. There were times that it looked like a snow storm outside.
We caught a glimpse of the sheep grazing in the pasture.
just a fun tree
Well, this was the best shot I could get of these little lizards. They were so fast and everywhere.
Still walking....
We decided to walk through the other side of the park and visit the Catacombe San Callisto. We had to walk down Via Appia Antiche to get to the entrance.
Once we entered we found more trees and trails...
...and even a statue of a boy.
We learned the the catacombs are 3 levels and the first level actually has skylights. Rome has over 60 catacombs, but this one is the largest with more than 500,000 people buried here.
Above ground examples of some of the carvings you might see below ground.
We were headed down...no pictures once underground (but it was so dark i don't think they would have turned out anyways) They have added electricity so it's not pitch black but still dark.
back above ground...and HUNGRY!
16,000 steps on just a little small snack breakfast in the hot sun will leave you hungry for sure! We opted to eat out together. Kebabs from the Shawarma place we found right after moving to Rome.
And later in the afternoon...dessert! We tried some new flavors. Regan got Raspberry, Lemon, and Strawberry Cheesecake. I got Raspberry, Cantaloupe, and Passion Fruit.
We then walked to see Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. It's one of the 4 main churches. This is the piazza out front.
It's interesting the differences between the different churches. This one was built in 432.
The front of the church.
Saturday night we went to our friends' restaurant. It was very good. I told them that I like the flowers that they added to the street.
my dinner
Hudson ordered soup and...
sushi
Lauren was still a little hungry afterwards so they brought her some seaweed.
Walking home...
