The coliseum...we had some Canadian guy give us a tour.

St. Peter's Basilica was Brodie's favorite thing in Rome. There was so much to do in Rome, we must have walked 10 miles the first day. That night we started getting taxi's because I wasn't doing super great with the pregnancy and was getting worried. We must have spent $100 on taxis but it was soooo worth it! We found some random young guys that were from the U.S. that were studying to be priests in Rome. One guy was from Montana and the other was from New York. We started chatting with them and one of them asked if we minded if he showed us around. He gave us an amazing tour of St. Peter's. I think we got a lot of info from this priest that wouldn't have been in a regular tour... and it was free!
The Sisteen Chapel was amazing, but we were super glad not to be there in the summer when there are huge lines and it's super hot. We didn't have to wait in line for anything and there wasn't tons of people.
We met Mike and Lisa over there. We knew they would be in Italy but planned our trips independently. It was a total coincidence that we were in Florence on the same days. Brodie and Mike talk all the time because of work, but Lisa and I see each other once a year (crazy!) We go out to dinner maybe once a year together at home. We've decided it is way easier to just meet in Italy for dinner! Mike served his mission there, so it was nice to have someone with us that knew his way around.
Look closely and this guy is giving everyone the bird! Of course Mike pointed this out to us...thanks Mike!

Bonjournou!

Brodie and I went on the trip of a lifetime to Italy. After much persuasion, he finally agreed. With baby number 3 on the way, it was now or never. Our first stop was Rome which was amazing. This is the coliseum.
I've had a really hard time trying to find pictures of Brodie not doing his impression of a male model. He may be on to something here with the modelling!
A bridge from Rome to Vatican City. We had the best weather ever. November was a great time to go...not too busy and not too hot.
Our first experience with a "5 Star" Hotel. It was our big splurge. I booked this hotel on priceline for $195 or something. The regular rate was $350 a night. It photographed beautifully on the website...wasn't much greater than a Holiday Inn, that happened to be really old! Our other hotels were less than $100, with our nicest one being $60 a night.
Brodie is giving Dora the Explorer a run for her money with his backpack. We discovered the Metro as we were leaving Rome. I started worrying about walking 10 miles a day while pregnant, so we spent $80 on cabs in a day. Then we discovered the Metro would have taken us anywhere for $1. Go big or go home. Again, if you could see his face he is being goofy. I guess that's why I love him!

Stanley

For those of you who have been lucky enough to be staying at the Hillton when Brodie gets a call for tickets to the Ducks game, you know how fun they are. We took a picture of us because it's not too often that we take both kids...or that Brodie takes me! He usually reserves the tickets to shmooz surgeons, although I think Uncle Mike may have been to more games than anyone. Last year when Kristy and Tyler were here, Lisa gave us the whole box because they were out of town. That was a gong show with all the kids!
Last time, Payson was super excited when Wild Wing came to the box. Lisa apparently can get him to come up on demand! haha! We tried super hard to get Abbey to even look at Wild Wing, and she was super scared and crying. She wanted nothing to do with a man dressed up like a gigantic duck. Can't imagine why...
The games are just a little more exciting when they win the Stanley Cup, like two years ago. Brodie was actually at the last game. I was at the game before that, with one of Brodie's doctor's wives. When Brodie called to ask the doctor if he could go, he said no but my wife would love to...awkward! So Brodie had me meet her there instead. Long story....This picture was taken at a party they had after. They invited everyone from the mailman, to the garbage man. Logan took the Stanley Cup to school the next day for show and tell, and no one knew what the heck it was. That's what ya get for living in the O.C.

Barkley, Brodie and Payson at a game in 2005

Brodie, Lisa, Barkley and Josh in 2005

Not Halloween Yet

After our Trunk or Treat, we had to stop and get some milk. Payson was soooo embarrassed to go in the store with his face makeup on, even if Mom was wearing her cape. It wasn't until Brodie put back on the mullet wig that he agreed to go inside!
We won the award for Scariest Costume... because we were a vampire family! So prestigious.
This was actually taken a week ago. We normally dress up after dinner.
Payson takes his vampire roll seriously and doesn't crack a smile.

Desperate Housewife

After a long day, she does what most desperate housewives do...Gets on her vampire costume, reads "Twilight", and dreams of Edward.

Feeding the children

Doing dishes looking like she crawled out of bed

Pushing Piggy in a broken stroller

Abbey is such a desperate housewife. Look hard in her stroller pictures and you will see her stroller is missing a wheel and has only one handle. But she must stroll on...While we were outside decorating for Halloween, Abbey went in the house to play...or so I thought. The front door was open so I could hear her, and pretty soon I heard dishes banging together. I came inside to find her standing on the door of the dishwasher. She had conveniently unloaded the entire top rack, gigantic sharp knife and all. It was all stacked up on the counter top. Looking at her face in the picture, with her messy hair and all, she really does look like a desperate housewife. But even a desperate housewife gets dolled up now and then...

Crazy Hair Day

The finished product was soooo worth it!

Payson's Hair Cut

In September Payson had his first Crazy Hair Day for first grade. We take it to another level by growing out his locks all year, so the 1st crazy hair day will be extra shocking. The night before he was a little sad to cut it, but was brave. It was quite a process and Abbey was playing in the bath. I noticed her getting out a couple times and running around naked. I didn't realize that she had been making trips to her bedroom and emptied ALL her drawers. She put her clothes in the tub...helping with the laundry I guess!