We are home!! Yeah! :o) We had a great vacation, but after being away for a month, I am glad to be home to relax and then get organized. I have a lot to do to get my house the way I want to, but I am hoping that a little each day will get it done soon. It isn't easy with a little monster attached to you all the time.
Speaking of monsters, Kensley had her 18-month check up yesterday morning. She weighed in at 23 1/2 lbs and was 30 1/2 inches tall. She was nervous the second we walked into the dr's office and wouldn't let me put her down. Whenever the nurse or doctor came near her, she would cry. Then she had to have 2 shots which validated her fears. I was pressured into giving her a flu shot that I really don't think she needed. Oh well. She gets 6 months of peace because she doesn't have to go back to the doctor until she is 2.
I am so excited to be home and don't plan to go anywhere for a while. Stephen will be home for a visit in April (April 17-May 6) and we are going to stay home and relax this time. I have registered Kensley for a couple community classes that start next week, Tot Time and a toddler gymnastics class. I think it will be fun for her to get out of the house and make new friends. Speaking of new friends, Kensley starts Nursery this Sunday!! I am so excited and hope she stays in class and likes it.

Good-bye Italy

Our trip to Italy is now a memory in the past...We arrived in Las Vegas last night after a long, LONG journey home. Our flight from Rome to Atlanta was 11 hours and then from Atlanta to Las Vegas another four hours. It was terrible and finally over. Kensley hasn't been feeling well the last few days and developed a fever while in-flight. I, of course, packed her medicine in my checked luggage and had nothing to give her. A flight attendant gave us some Tylenol that we broke up and crumbled up in some water to dissolve and then mixed with strawberry juice and forced it down her throat. When we got back to the house, me and Kensley went to bed without even brushing our teeth! Kensley woke up several times during the night from not feeling well and the time change so I am still longing for a full night's sleep. She is adjusting a little better than our trip there, though, so hopefully she will sleep better tonight. To make matters worse, I haven't had a shower in two days because the water company thought my in-laws had moved and the house was vacant, so they turned off the water while we were gone and we are still waiting for them to come turn it back on. They said they would be here an hour ago. Even with all the drama and malfunctions, we have had a great trip especially being able to spend time with Stephen. We are already looking forward to seeing him in April. He is coming home to Mesa this time for the visit and we are not traveling anywhere! We are staying home and doing nothing. If anyone wants to see him, they have to come to us! :o)

Fountain of the Broken Boat

Kensley and Dad playing in the fountain at the base of the Spanish Steps.

Piazza Spagna

The Spanish Steps lead to the Spanish Embassy and that is how they received their name. They were designed in 1724.

Piazza Navona

We went to Piazza Navona and froze ourselves almost to death to hear the missionaries sing in the square. It was fun to visit with them, but it was the coldest night since we have been in Rome.

Church Day

We decided to make the trek to church yesterday even though we didn't understand a word of it. Stephen translated a little bit, but I missed almost all of it. After church, it was pouring rain and we had to make the walk to the bus stop without any umbrellas. When we had left earlier, it was sunny outside so we didn't think that we would need them. :o( Drowned rats once again.

La Cucaracha

The other night we were talking about what we should have for dinner when I said that I was really in the mood for Mexican food. I was kind of joking and then Stephen responded that there was a Mexican restaurant near the Vatican that he had seen recently. So, we all got excited and decided to go. I have had A LOT of pasta and pizza the last couple weeks. It turned out that he hadn't really seen the restaurant, but just the sign advertising it. It seemed silly for some reason to eat Mexican food while in Italy so we were a little embarrassed to ask for directions. So, it took a while to find while wandering the streets, but we finally prevailed! It wasn't the same as we are used to, but it was still good. It was also the most expensive meal we have had yet. I guess they can charge outrageous prices since they dominate the Mexican food market in Rome. This picture is of the bathroom there. :o)