Rome

When Tom & Karin offered to stay with the kids while they were here visiting, J and I jumped on the chance to go to Rome to visit the new temple and take my first trip to Italy.

We started at a castle overlooking Bracciano Lake:

The next day we went to Tivoli Gardens:

And the ruins of Hadrian's Villa:

Then the temple:

Our third day was an early morning start at the Vatican Museum, then a visit to the Borghese Gallery (where we couldn't take pictures, but the Bernini sculptures are amazing!)

This is Raphael's "School of Athens":

 Outside St. Peter's on Wednesday when the Pope comes out to speak:

 St. Peter's Basilica blew me away. It is huge!

The canopy over the altar, also done by Bernini:

A view from the top of the dome:

On the roof:

The Vatican's Swiss Guards:

Our last day we visited Ostia Antica, the old Roman port. I couldn't believe how well preserved this tavern was:

A view of the Ostia Antica ruins:

We loved the food and were so happy we stayed at an AirB&B where the hostess gave us recommendations for her favorite places that got us off the tourist track. This was our last meal on the cutest back street:

Our last gelato run (of which there were many during our 4-day visit):

May

May brought visitors, birthdays and Joel's baptism.

Birthday breakfast:

A joint cake, courtesy of Grandma:

Tom & Karin and Shawn's family:

 Joel getting baptized in the Jordan River:

It was such a beautiful experience:

It was nice to cool off a bit:

Weather Warming Up

We were excited when the weather finally got warm enough to go to the beach (I say finally, even though it was April, because with less than one year here and decent beach access, we feel pressure to get the kids there.) At the end of April and into May, we made a spontaneous trip to the Red Sea, then Tel Aviv with friends, and then a hike in the Negev desert with other friends where we got lost in the barren heat for a while before we finally found the watering hole we were looking for.

Snorkeling is better than the sand in Aqaba, but that didn't stop them (and Jonathan, Claire and Paul enjoyed the snorkeling, too.)

It was cold for me in the shade, but my skin prefers that is where I stay.

We might be considered regulars at this burger joint in Aqaba called Route 65. Who knew that in a year, we would go to Jordan 4 times?

Our day at the beach and playground near Tel Aviv with friends.

On the wrong road in the desert:

On the right road leading down to the hidden water:

The last bit got steep:

So steep that Paul slipped:

Claire in her hiking glory:

Palm Sunday and Easter

Between the Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants and our church, there is a lot that happens in Jerusalem around Easter (especially since different churches celebrate it on different days). We joined in the Palm Sunday walk from the Mount of Olives to the Old City. Jonathan went to the sunrise service at the Garden Tomb, and I helped plan and execute an Easter activity at the Jerusalem Center for the district.