Roman Holiday

Sorry about the gaps in posting. It's time to get back in the saddle, I guess. January and February have been full months. I was able to go to Utah for nine days in January to help Carrie with her darling little boy. Never mind that he had a time table of his own and was already a month old when I arrived, it was wonderful to meet him. I had the wonderful bonus of being there when Amy and Chris received word that they were to be the proud parents of a beautiful little boy through adoption. He is also a darling addition to the family and I was in baby heaven.

It was so gratifying to meet both of those precious babies and we hope these two boys will be best buddies in the coming years!

The first two weeks of February have been our regular shut down weeks for cleaning and repairs in the temple. My brother Randy and his wife Penny arrived the last day the temple was open in time to go on the last session and then we had a week together to show them why we love Stockholm so much. Even though it was snowy and cold, they were terrific sports and now know as much about Swedish history and culture and most Swedes!

What?!? The Vasa sank????

They even traveled by train with us to a speaking assignment three hours away and bore their testimonys in a sacrament meeting! What troopers!

Saturnus Hot Chocolate! What! Is this heaven?

Stockholm's smallest statue

Randy and Penny left to go to Paris and we hopped on a plane the next day for Rome--a dream come true! What an experience! We lucked into a wonderful little boutique hotel where the room was beautiful and the service amazing.

Hotel Mascagni



This is the land of ancient ruins, exquisite art, gelato, tiny little cars, religious devotion, scooters, friendly people, packed subway cars, creative street performers, pickpockets, and did I mention the artwork?

Ah, Bernini--his angels are the best!

Just one word.....GELATO!

We spent four days with Bernini, Michelangelo, and Raphael. We saw the imposing and awe-inspiring St. Peters Basilica, and toured the Vatican Museums where the art and architecture were overwhelming.

Michelangelo's exquisite Pieta

St. Peters--the scale is incredible

The main alter in St. Peters

The Pantheon

Pope Paul II

He looked pretty good considering....

The Roman forum

The hall of maps in the Vatican Museums

The Pope lives in the upper right hand corner of this building. It appeared he was home that evening--the lights are on in his bedroom and study.

I had Rick Steve's guidebook to Rome on my Kindle--a great resource. Thanks for the suggestion, Amy! I know, my head is in a book and we are standing in front of Castel Sant Angelo--according to Dan Brown's book, the headquarters of the ancient secret cult the Illuminati! I think he used a lot of literary license!

Pack jammed into a Rome metro car at rush hour--an experience never to be fogotten!

Ever seen a gladiator on a cell phone? He's no Russell Crow!

Here's my gladiator!

My personal favorite--Bernini's The Ecstacy of St. Teresa. It is still awe-inspiring and still generating controversy and commentary after all these years. A classic baroque piece!

Finally, here we are in front of the Trevi fountain where you throw a coin in the fountain and make a wish. It will insure that you someday return to Rome. There was so much we didn't have time to see and take in--I hope the magic of the fountain works!
Arrivederci Roma!

Last Christmas in Sweden

Christmas Images 2011

Christmas Eve Julbord for the temple missionaries

Vårdinge Parish early Christmas morning service

Later Christmas Morning

I have no photos of skyping with our family members but it was in many ways the best part of the day! It was so fun to see our children, grandchildren (including the newest one), siblings, a nephew with his new baby, and speak with my mom on the phone. We hope to see those we missed soon!

This last part is called

A Very Near Christmas Miss

We had a very strong wind storm on Christmas night which knocked over a large tree just outside the fence around the temple. It slightly damaged the fence and came very close to landing on our nativity. I am sure our little donkey was quite shaken by the event! It was a little too close for comfort!

On that note....

Thank you for your love, generosity, and the heartfelt Christmas Greetings we have received from family and friends. And as they say in Sweden at this time of year....

Happy Continuation!!!

We Have a White Christmas!

At least we have a little snow on the ground right now so it is looking hopeful for Christmas. We continue to enjoy the sights and sounds of this glorious time of year.

The Lucia concert at Globen was magical with beautiful lights and heavenly music.

We made a quick trip into Stockholm last Monday to see the windows at NK Department Store. While last years' were a disappointment, it looks like they are back in the game with this years' window decoration.

The theme was showing Santa (or Jultomten) in different roles:

I like this gingerbread version of the pig's head on the table instead of the real thing! Everything on this Julbord is made of candy!

Apparently in Sweden Santa can change genders...well, it is Sweden.

Santa's little potty cleaning elf

Santa deciding what to wear

This past weekend we took a ferry to Gotland to be with the little branch there for their Christmas party on Saturday evening and to speak in Church on Sunday. They are few in numbers but strong in Spirit! Gotland never ceases to amaze me in its charm and quaintness. Everywhere we looked it was like a scene from a Christmas card. We had a little time on Saturday morning to explore so we drove way to the end of Gotland to an island called Fårö where Ingemar Bergman had his home. The weather was cold, windy, and wet but the scenery was worth it!

Gotland is famous for its sheep. They are a special variety native to Gotland.

The countryside is dotted with Medieval churches which are beautiful.

An old village in the country

One of their famous "rauksten" or sandstone formations.

The children in the branch enjoy a Christmas snack

We all danced silly dances around the Christmas tree

Visby street in December--about 3 in the afternoon!

This is what most of Visby looks like

Doesn't it just make you hurt with picturesqueness?

May your days be merry and bright, and may your 2011 Christmas be white....unless you are in Texas, and then let it at least be cool!