Our Parisian Holiday

So, it happened a month and a half ago, but here (finally) is our post from our trip to Paris for Graham's birthday. The hotel we had stayed in last time was in such a good location we got it again. Our flight ended up being a bit delayed, so we didn't get into to Paris until 10:30 at night. Fortunately, that was also when the sun began to set!

It was a great way to start off the trip. It looked just like one of those French landscape paintings. The next day was Sunday, and free day at the Louvre! We met up with Maryam, who lived in Paris this summer, at the entrance. After entering in, Treva had to face off against a surly gladiator statue:
It was such a battle that even the Egyptian mummies took notice:
Meanwhile, Maryam found some monkeys to play patty-cake with:

Graham's nephew Brian was on his European oddesy and made a guest appearance as well. Here are uncle and nephew in the king's old parlour:


This picture is taken from our favorite cafe in Paris, good food, not too expensive, and oh yeah, one of the best views in the city of Notre Dame (the church not the school):
And since we were there, we figured why not take some interior pictures too? Definatly a different type of chruch from the ones we're used to in Rome.
The next day we headed into the Pantheon. Well, the French version. While we still prefer the original here in Rome, the French one did have some amazing sights:


After the Pantheon, we checked out Monet's water lilly paintings, which were Treva's favorite highlights of the trip:
Graham got a little carried away on his birthday and had to make pit stop at the hall of justice (just kidding, it was just too good of a photo op to pass up!)

Before heading off to Versaille, we made a pit stop at St. Chappelle, which was amazing!


In Versailles, Treva made a beeline for the Bernini sculpture of course. Even away from Rome you can't pull that girl away from her favorite artist:
Graham striking a conquering pose next to the Sun King

Versailles was nice, I guess... OK it was amazing and over the top
After all of the oppulence and beauty of the king's old palace, we needed some time to reflectWith Maryam in tow, we went through the Military Museum, which also houses the tomb of Napoleon and his relatives
Treva and Maryam hanging out seen through the bottom of Napoleon's tomb
While Treva's highlight was water lillies, Graham's was trying on an actual suit of armor
Reaction shot of Graham with his birthday present: his very 1st iPod
After dinner we headed over to the Eiffel Tower. Just as we showed up, it started to bling!
Treva cheesing it up in front of the tower
After a missed flight and a wonderful encounter with one of only ten men in all of France named Pierre Antoine (or so he said) we got an extra day to check out Paris. Good thing we did, otherwise we would've missed sunset by the Arc de Triomphe
And here we are, a happy couple on the Champ Elysees waiting for a movie. Not a bad way to end a good vacation!!!!!

Our life in June

Here's is our long-overdue post of our life here in Italy in June. It's a little bit of everything from visiting friends, new camera tricks, a trip to Siena and Montepulciano (for Twilight), and the newwest member of our family, Mercalli!

Enjoy!

Playing with my new camera in Piazza Navona.

Aperitivo with our Roman friends and my visiting friend Evan!

The most ADORABLE little boy that was on my tour! He was so sweet and amazing, I asked if I could take a picture (cause I'm weird and think other poeple's kids are cute and want pictures). He said his favorite gelato flavor is "stwah-bwewry"

Graham impersonnating Michelangelo on the street named after him.

In the Piazza di Siena!

Isn't is pretty!?

Gorgeous!

Each section of Siena is like its own little city, it has its own mascot and colors. This one is the turtle section and it has bruin colors: blue and gold. Guess I know where I'd be living if I were Sienese!

Awkward 3rd boob in the Siena painting gallery. Gotta love religious art, just so realistic and convincing!

From Siena we took a day trip to Montepulciano to try and spy on the filiming of "New Moon" that was going on there for 3 days. We arrived to throngs of eager 13-year old girls all vying for a bite from Edward Cullen. Needless to say, that didn't happen. In fact, nothing did. All we saw were barriers, the outside of buildings and a few extras. This is the castle that the cast and crew used as a staging and dressing area.

The outside of the castle. Rob and his gang are just on the other side!

The very official sign that kept us outside the gates.

One of the extras for the festival in Volterra. Those red capes were unfortunately all I was able to see :(

All the red flags out for the "festival" in Volterra. That and the hundreds of Italian tweens who turned out in droves for a glimpse at Rob. Unfortunately, that day most of them, like myself got stuck outside security limits.

The piazza where they were filming the scene where Bella runs across the crowd towards Edward and through the fountain. They were filming outside while I was there, so security was extra tight. Apparently if I had come the day before, they were filming inside so you could basically walk up to the building and many Italian girls told me they saw basically the entire cast as the went in or out... Darn timing :(

The poor dog who looked just as depressed and broken as I felt for not being able to see anything.

The next day they would be filiming in this alley, so the sign says not to park here (obviously someone didn't listen). My guess is this is one of the alleys Alice's yellow porshe will race through!

Us in the Piazza di Siena at night

Evan and the glowing Piazza

Siena is breathtakingly gorgeous!

The doorways in Siena weren't exactly crafted for giants of Graham's size...

On top of the tower in Siena, amazing!

The beautiful sky-view of Siena

The Duomo of Siena
Can you tell we weren't sleeping well?...

The best mojitos we've had in Italy were found in this little "Cuban" bar in the backstreets of Siena. The dog is their mascot of sorts :)

For my parents... If you combine your names together, you roughly traslate to "wild and grilled" (in this case boar meat). I think the translation kinda fits :)

Evan's impression of the 4 Rivers fountain...

Graham's impression of the fountain :)

Look at what my new camera can do!! Thanks mom :)

Playing with light in Piazza Navona

Us and the city we call home

Our little pain in the ass, Mercalli


Soon we will have a post of our adventures in Paris! Keep checking, it's coming soon!

We love and miss you all!