I can't believe I get to write about the following pictures. <3 I remember sitting in the dark on the front porch in Santaquin like it was yesterday. Looking at a map, brainstorming where we could visit, how and when we would do it.
After hours (and months) of searching for Airbnbs, excursion activities, train timetables, flight deals, and everything in between, Logan and I got to pick Mom up at the Berlin airport. I was soooo happy we were able to squeeze in some Berlin time amidst our trip plans.
The fall weather has just began and the sun was shining while we walked through Tiergarten.
It was truly one of the best mornings of my life. Walking around the city, shopping, and hanging out with my mom & Logan. We missed Justin while he was away in Turkey for a tournament!
Some of the best "souvenirs" from the U.S. I love fall candles!!
Logan was pretty happy to see his grandma & crawled behind her everywhere she went in the apartment.
We woke up, loaded up the car and boarded our Wizz flight for ROME! Over the next days we would drive from Rome-Florence-Pisa-Cinque Terre-Lake Como-Lugano.
Somehow all of those people fit on that plane and our legs paid for it haha. Minimal legroom. We were just grateful to leave on time and that Logan fell asleep during takeoff.
Beautiful Mediterranean view while landing.
Our first stop was the Rome Temple Visitors' Center. I was here May of last year with Justin. Our short visit was one of the highlights of our cruise. It was incredible being back with baby Logan and Mom.
The grounds were beautiful, as always, and had us in awe. The peaceful Spirit there is so strong.
We learned that this olive tree and three others were transplanted to the temple grounds during construction. They are 400-500 years old! I had no idea olive trees lived so long. There's a grove near the temple with a tree that dates back to when Christ was on the earth.
The carpet in the temple and visitors' center represent olive leaves. The temple is in an oval shape to represent the olive. Lots of symbolism.
We toured around for almost two hours with a couple of sweet sister missionaries from Northern Italy & Salt Lake, UT.
The stain glass mural is one of the most amazing things I've seen. Over 100 symbolic parables and meanings taken from the scriptures are represented in the artwork.
Logan was happy to roam around freely without any carseat, airplane, or stroller restrictions. He followed us all over during the visit.
This visitors' center resembles where I served in São Paulo. The murals, wallpaper, and scriptures are all identical. Brought me back to that special time when I was a missionary.
The visitors' centers have certain videos that are only available there. There's one about The Family Proclamation that I watched multiple times a day in Brazil. I hadn't seen it in almost five years! As a 19-year-old, far away from home and missing my family, this video has a special place in my heart.
I got to watch it and then testify that families can be together forever over and over. Grateful to finally watch it with some of my eternal family.
My favorite room. <3 It's hard to stand there and not get emotional. There is no denying the power of the Holy Ghost I felt in that room staring at the Savior.
We walked around outside some more, reluctant to leave. It was the best way to start our week & I was so grateful to be on temple grounds.
Let the week of pasta and pizza begin!!
& finding Pam Marketplaces to shop for our breakfast groceries.
We decided with Logan and our schedule, renting a car would be best for the situation. I read discouraging Google reviews about driving in Italy (Rome especially) with some positive ones sprinkled in there.
We were hopeful & thankful that Germany had prepared me a little for the crazy Italian roads! But how cool to drive through intersections like these:
And to be driving around a corner when suddenly the COLOSSEUM is in front of you! It was so surprising and funny in the moment. We were driving around Rome together. <3
We had the first time slot to see the Colosseum and getting there first thing totally paid off. Space to walk with Logan & enjoy the grandness of that wonder of the world.
Everything was picking up as we were leaving and we happily made our way against the flow of tourists back to the car.
& up lots of steps like these!! By day two, we were pretty good at navigating the stroller up and down stairs.
Headed over to St. Peter's Basilica! This is when Logan started gaining popularity and people would discreetly smile and talk about him, or come over and just touch his face while speaking Italian.
It was so out of the blue compared to Germany and the U.S. People liked seeing babies! There weren't too many out touring Rome.
At the time, I was just trying to find the cheapest tickets to get into the Basilica. We went with a guided tour & now I know we're not guided tour people haha.
It was hot, Logan wasn't too happy, and it was pretty crowded. After seeing a bit of the Basilica we left our group and decided the self-guided route was a much better pace.
Cherub baby + cherub Logan
Grabbed our first gelato of the week and took to the cobblestone streets across the city.
The Pantheon
Trevi Fountain
Look at all of these people!! We were surrounded by people all day long. I wish we could've had name tags to see where everyone was visiting from. We heard all sorts of languages and even though we didn't talk to many people, it was draining to be in crowds like that all day!
Spanish Steps
We took a quieter route back to the car & returned to our cute Airbnb to rest & get ready for our next travel day to Florence.
