Rome part 2

The second day in Rome was a half day, we needed to catch the train to Milan at 3pm and honestly the trains here in Europe are wonderful. We went to the Coliseum (which we could see from our hotel) and the forum. This was so impressive and I really wish I could see it when it was at its peak.


I tried taking two photos of the area and put the together I overlapped some but you get the idea

The side of the Coliseum the holes are where they chipped the exterior away to use for other buildings mostly in St Peter's square

this was the floor those ruins were put in 10 years after it was originally built before then it was hallow and could be filled with water to reenact ship battles.

Closer look at the ruins under the floor

a view from the top of the Forum

This was called "The Arena" not sure what it was used for.

I thought this ruin was cool looking

one of the buildings from the forum

AWW Roma

Italy part 1:

This week I had a meeting in Italy for my work, the meetings were in Milan, and so we decided to fly into Rome before taking the train into Milan. Rome is Aw some!!! I have pictures of the Vatican below, there will be other parts coming later.

This bowl is made up from a stone that no longer exists on earth it costs over 100 million dollars (saying this with my pinkie at my lips)

This was stolen from Egypt well taken I guess the Vatican cant steal.

Yep this is a dog feeding kids, I think it is a symbol of Rome of Cesar I cant remember my college class.

This was the palace of Stalin

I loved this ceiling, it was covered by paintings

The blue stone from this floor is from Haily's comet

This casket is made up from the same stone that the basin is made from.

This is a figure of the battle at Troy, this guy tried telling the Greeks that the horse was a trap and was dragged down by snakes sent by some god.

This is Apollo he had a bow originally, he has been castrated by one of the popes when he was offended by all the nudity in the Vatican so he took a hammer to all the male models

St Peters square, the square was built with stone from the coliseum

Mayson's baptism

So my oldest girl turned 8 and that means it is time for her to do something special in our family, get baptized. She was so excited leading up to the day and then when it arrived she was jumping all around. Our time spot was the last at 4:00 pm and an unusual occurrence she was the only one from our ward getting baptized so it was a very special day. Thanks for all the friends and family that made the trip, you made It very special for Mayson.

This is her pose, so grown up.

This is with Jen's grandpa and father with all the girls.

Both great grandparents, Mayson is lucky to have two Great grand fathers and two great grandmothers still with us.

I like this picture.

A neighbor made this cake for Mayson, it tasted great too.

Getting her first scriptures.

Opening her presents, thanks for everyone that got something for her she was so surprised.

Jordan with Aunt Becky and Uncle Craig.

My grandparents talking to Jen's dad.

We had a full house, it was so much fun.

My wife can throw a party

Coast Rica

Last week Nelson Labs did a seminar in Coast Rica and I decided to go. Most of the time was business but we did have Monday free so we all went for a zip line rain forest canopy tour. It was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone. Coasta Rica is an amazing country and worth a visit. Once you get to the base of the mountain the climb is in two parts, the first half we were in this old suburban and then you finished with a pretty steep climb through the forest. Once on top you gear up and then the fun begins.

There was a very long and steep hike through the rain forest to get to the zip line this is us at the top getting ready


Some times its not good to have a big greengo head

'

This is what it is all about

half way through the fog came in making it even more fun riding through the mist.

This was the steepest and fastest one coming out of the forest.

new picture

Mom took this picture while she was out and let me post it, my goofy fam!

fam

Wouldn't you want to be with these 4 girls forever, I know I do!

Moab Madness

So this last weekend we went to Moab for my first ½ marathon. We arrived at Uncle Ken and Aunt Jan’s house late Thursday and we are so grateful that they had us over. It was great staying with them they took suck great care of us and Ashlynne became Uncle Ken’s best friend, she wouldn’t leave his side. Even when we were at their home and he was playing cards she would be watching TV right beside him. Saturday was the day with the most action. I woke up early and caught the first bus for the starting line. The buss dropped us off around 7:30 am and the race didn’t start till 10:00. It was about 32 degrees so I had to stand around that time freezing waiting for the race to start. I wish I would have brought the camera with me on the race and took some photos because almost 4 thousands runners together is an impressive sight. It took me 2 hours and 18 minutes to run the 13.4 miles. My goal was 2 hours and 15 minutes and I was on track till mile 10 when I hit this big hill (who puts a big hill at mile 10 anyways) this delayed me some but all and all I am happy with the run. Kory I’ll call you alter I have some advice with things I learned. Then I took a couple hours to shower eat and take a quick nap and it was back to the arches. We were going to hike delicate arch but there were too many people so we decided to hike landscape and double Os. The total hike distance was just over 4 miles and with three little girls needless to say daddy slept great that night. Below are the pictures enjoy I know I did.

Ashlynne by Uncle Ken

Mayson and Jordan enjoying the view

A rare picture of elusive beautiful wife

The view from the top..breath taking

This is my fav arch landscape they say it will fall in my lifetime

The girls at the windows

I look beat, but you try running 13 miles

trail up to the arches


Doing my civic duty to help maintain the park

Me and my girls