After Rome we drove a ways up to Florence. We didn't actually stay in Florence, though, we stayed in the country (this place is lousy with castles and fortresses!) at the most charming hotel, Tenuta il Burchio. Ainslee got a horseback riding lesson and Aidan harassed the girls in the pool (some ladies men start early). Ainslee also began her tradition of a cartwheel in every country. vive le gymnasticas!

Aidan's favorite place in Rome was the Pantheon, and no wonder. We visited the monument Michelangelo said was built by the hand of angels during a very slight drizzle with the sun shining through the oculus. Pretty cool! The kids (and the grown ups) also loved playing around in the Forum.

Some more pics from Rome. My camera actually died at the Vatican Museum so I may or may not have any pictures from that day, although I know others in the family will! Rome may actually seem like the Eternal City after spending an eternity looking at these pictures....

We landed in London after a long flight.... but it was relatively early in the day! We stayed in a great flat directly across from the Waterloo station with a cool view of the London Eye (see, you can see it right there over Ainslee's shoulder) and walking distance from (look, kids!) Big Ben, Parliament, etc. Mom and Dad took the kids for the evening and Jason and I went sight seeing on our own (Yum -- Indian fish-N-chips). Also, it was Ainslee's friend Laine's Birthday that day, so she sent Laine a birthday greeting from the top of the London Eye! Oh, and that's Ainslee's "Flat Cassidy," she didn't want to be like everyone else and have just a plain old Flat Stanley.

Here are some pictures of the pets, Sassy (age: old) and Bella (age, newish):

It's only a few months late, but I'm going to try posting from our big trip this summer... here are (or, should be) pictures from the first day...