Rome or Bust....

Well, our Rome trip was a bust...soooo disappointing! Without reinventing the wheel, I've copied the events from Danielle's blog...she did a fine job explaining the details. So in Dani's words...here's what happened.

So today was a lazy day to start out with... Bren and I just got up and got around and finally packed up and got ready to head to ROME! Our flight was at 6:55p so we left for the airport around 4 as it's about an hour away and not too huge so that would give us plenty of time. We got there, parked, had a potty break and then Bren thought she left her phone in the car. She went all the way back out and came back because it wasn't out there... it was in the purse she left with me! So then we headed upstairs to the departures gate. We scanned the departure board but didn't find our flight so we headed over to the information and they told us that our airline, Ryanair, flies out of ANOTHER airport! Can you believe it?!? Tiny Venice has 2 airports! So they tell us it's 30 min away so we run to our car, speedola to the airport, parking about 40 min before our flight. Run in and there's nobody at the Ryanair counter. So we head over to the ticket lady and she tells us... Sorry, boarding is closed. WHAT?!? It closes 40 minutes before flights and we got up there about 30 min before so they wouldn't even let us try to catch it... just S.O.L.! So we get this sick feeling in our stomachs for many reasons:
*Flight tickets
*Hotel
*Missing Rome
*Etc, Etc

But after trying to decide whether to cancel, take the overnight train, or other ideas, we decided none of those would be safe and for sure so we cut our (well Bren's) losses and headed home. We just couldn't believe that 10 minutes separated us from home and Rome... crazy! On the way back (1.5+ hrs) we chatted about what we had learned from the mishap and basically debriefed... we were both pretty sick over it all. How quickly plans can be shot down right?

Venice with Danielle

Danielle arrived Saturday morning. She's spending her spring break with us....how cool is that? Anyway, we hit local attractions on Saturday and took her to my favorite pizzeria that night. We planned to go to Venice on Sunday, but I woke up with a nasty stomach bug...uggghhh! Unfortunately, Venice was a no-go on Sunday, but Ramiro took her to more local attractions and filled her day with more sightseeing. By Sunday evening, I was feeling much better, so Dani and I decided to do Venice on Monday. Of course Ramiro had to work, so he was unable to join us...bummer! We actually saw a whole new area of Venice that Ramiro and I completely missed the first time...San Marco's square and Basilica. It was really beautiful...I've attached some photos.

Tuesday we went to the outdoor market in Aviano, and today we're headed to Rome. It's my first time to Rome, so I'm super excited! Again, Ramiro has to work, so he's unable to join us...double bummer! We'll just have to go again. :)

Sledding at Piancavallo

Piancavallo (Pee-onk-ah-vah-lo) is a ski resort about 30 minutes from our house. It's a huge attraction for skiers, snowboarders, and sledders alike. We decided to go and spend the day sledding before the snow melts. Turns out our worries were premature...there's still over six feet of snow up there...crazy! So the drive itself is a 15 mile cruise up the mountain...full of sharp hairpin turns and insane drop-offs. Driving that road is NOT my favorite thing to do. The ride made me carsick, and I was driving the car! Of course, once you're at the top, the views are beautiful and the snow is tons of fun. All we did was sled today, but we're definitely going to try out our skiing skills in a couple weeks...should be fun. Here are a few pics from today's trip. By the way, jet lag kicked in about 2pm and I took a power nap right there in the snow. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do!

Saying Goodbye...

So I'm back in Italy and trying desperately to adjust to the time change. Going stateside is easy breezy, but coming back this way is hard on the body. I'm doing really well by staying up all day without napping...even though I'm most tired midday. And without fail, I'm wide awake at 2am! A couple more days and I should be back on track.

I've added some pictures from my trip to Indiana. These are from the day I was leaving for Italy. Everyone took me to the airport to see me off...very sad. :( My little niece, Maddie, said that watching me leave at the airport was more painful than saying goodbye at home. I couldn't agree more. Miss and love you guys dearly!

I've also noticed that I don't have any pictures of my other three nieces...Courtney, Ashleigh, and Brooke. They're all in high school and very busy with work, sports, and other activities. Next year brings big changes for them all. Courtney and Ashleigh will be leaving for college, and Brooke will be getting her driver's license...exciting times! So just know that they're all beautiful girls...even though I have no pictures. Shame on me!

Dad and Mom with the kids...Maddie, Bailey, and Logan

My mini-me...Maddie. (Her glasses aren't prescription...just for fun.)

My brother Rob with his kids.

Rob and his wife, Debbie.

Doesn't my head look gigantic...what the heck???

Kelley came back!

My Goddaughter was so sweet to come back and see me one more time before I fly back to Italy. I still can't believe she's 16...that doesn't make me feel old! We hung out and watched movies Friday night, went to the Fort Wayne art museum on Saturday afternoon, and played a little Guitar Hero at my brother's house Saturday evening. LOVE that game! She also got me hooked on Sudoku. That's the hardest freakin' game I've ever played...I really do hate it...very frustrating! My mind just doesn't think that way...it's too abstract for me. Kelley, on the other hand, is very good at it and finishes a page within minutes. So even though I hated it, I couldn't put it down. I HAD to finish it. Now I have an unhealthy love/hate relationship with the silly game. It frustrates the hell out of me, but I can't stop thinking about it. I'm gonna have to go buy my own book...dang you Kelley!!!

Me and Kelley

My niece Maddie, Me, and Kelley

My sweet pea Maddie and Me

My Mom, Me, and Kelley

My Mom and Me