London with my mom

So I am a little behind on my blogging but I had to back track and tell you about my weekend trip to London with my mom. We had such a blast and it was truly amazing. We toured around on a double decker and we were so lucky to have gorgeous weather. One of my favorite things we did was tour the river Thames, it was a fun and different way to see the city. We saw all the major sites including the Tower of London (which I don't have a picture of...) I have been to London a few times now, but I have never seen a Broadway play so we scored some tickets to WICKED and it rocked! I loved the music, the storyline, the scenery, everything about it was fantastic.

The classic double decker
Cruise on the river with the London Eye in the back
Big Ben
Tower Bridge
Don't we look like sisters!?!?!Buckingham Palace
Harrods (WOW, that store was overwhelming!)

My MUM is here!

My mom has been here visitng the past week and we are lucky enough to have another full week with her before Millie and I head back to Utah for three weeks! I can't wait to see my family and friends at home but it has been a blast being able to share my life here with my mom. The 1st day she was here she got started on Millie's favorite grandma activies; playing in makeup, helping her cook, making playdough, playing in the bath, and feeding the ducks. We have been running around since the minute she got here and this is the first day I have had a chance to get some blogging done.

Isn't Millie Lovely

Bring on Spring!

The old graveyard in our city center

Notice the cars in the backgroud...I don't think I will ever dare drive here!

Grandma and Millie attend Hogwarts

(the dining hall in Christ Church where Harry Potter was filmed)

After spending the morning at a private showing of the Ashmolean's most amazing art work we had lunch at the Noodle Bar YUMMY! ( we were able to see work by DaVinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Van Goug)

Outside St. Mary's Chapel

Grandma Stricking a pose

Giddy Up!

Our Beloved Prophet

President Gordon B. Hinckley

June 23, 1910-Jan 27, 2008

You will be missed

Don't judge a book by its cover

I just finished the Twilight Series and I am going through withdrawal. Every time I had a spear second I was reaching for my vampire fix. I didn't think I was going to like these books even though they were all the rage but I loved them! I miss my Edward and I need to know what happens next. Any fans out there know if Stephenie Meyer is coming out with a new book any time soon? I can't wait to get my hands on the next edition.

Too much information

So I know you are all dying to hear about the progress of my two year old bathroom habits, so here we go...

Last week was interesting to say the least, but the whole potty training thing kind of clicked for her Monday. She has been doing a lot better, although we have had the occasional accident. I think she will be pretty set after this week. Patience is a virtue I sadly lack, but I am trying. When Millie does go to the bathroom she always says, "hurray, I got one". It's kind of funny.

Other then that things have gotten back to normal after our December adventures. Brady's classes started up Tuesday and he is going to be busier then ever! Besides his usually studies they also have an Entrepreneurship Project and he is heading an Environmental Conference, so whenever he is not in class he is usually meeting with someone. He also had his first interview and they just called him back tonight. They actually talked to me because he was at the school and they said they were "highly impressed". They want him to come back for a second interview!

And so the job hunt begins...

Keep Your Fingers Crossed

Grandma Jager sent Millie her "Big Girl" undies in the mail today and so we have started the dreaded potty training. I say "dreaded" because I have no idea what I'm doing and now every time we leave the house I have to take into account where in the world we can get to a bathroom since we walk everywhere we go and most places won't let you use their bathroom. You gotta love the city.
Well Millie has had on her undies for about 2 hours and although we keep trying she hasn't had to go. I keep having her drink water, but no luck. The buzzer went off and we tried again, but nothing! Two minutes later I walked into the room and she is standing on one foot saying, "mommy my peewee". We have now had our 1st accident and I have a feeling there will be many more to come...

When In Rome...

We left our house at 1:00am and arrived in Rome the next day around noon. Millie did great, but we were all exhausted and just looking forward to getting to the room we were renting out and crashing. That's not what happened! We luckily found the place without too much trouble, but no one was there to let us in. After driving around for over an hour we found an Internet spot, sent the people who's house it was an email and found a McDonald's to crash at for awhile. At this point we tried the apartment again but still no answer. We went back to the Internet shop and there was word that someone would be there to let us in. We went and still nothing! I still can't believe I didn't break down crying. Brady found us a random hotel and we planned on staying there while in Rome. The next day the people sent us and email apologizing for the mishap and told us we could stay there as their guests. Just when we think everything is going to work out the hotel won't let us check out, so we had to pay for the night even though we weren't staying.

We got to our new place and once we were in it couldn't have been better. They had left some little toys for Millie and since they lived right next door Millie would go over and play with their two little kids. A 4 year old boy Tomy, who she adored and a 2 year little girl LuLu, they didn't really like each other. It's funny how well she played with Tomy even though they didn't speak the same language. We were so happy to be their guest and that everything worked out in the end. Now to get to the good stuff! The first day we were having housing issues we obviously didn't do anything, but Friday we hit the Vatican.

The Flamm's Have arrived at the Vatican. It was really cool to see the Vatican. We were able to go into St. Peter's Cathedral where the Pope attends his service. It was beautiful. We then waited in a 2 hour line (Millie was sleeping) to see get in and see the Vatican as well as the Sistine Chapel.

I was amazed to find out that "the Creation of Adam" was only a tiny part of the Sistine ceiling. It was covered with magnificent art.

We headed back to our hotel and found a little park for Millie. She couldn't have been happier.

Saturday we moved our things to our new place in Rome and headed to the Colosseum. WOW was it cool. After the Colosseum we walked up past the Roman Forum and to Piazza del Campidoglio. Just when you think we must have done enough for the day we hit up The local Hard Rock for some American Cuisine. We found some birds for Millie to feed and then went to see the Capuchin Church. It was pretty intense. There are skeletons of over 4,ooo monks decorating the hall. You can't take pictures but you should check out this website http://www3.sympatico.ca/tapholov/pages/bones.html.

We left for Florence on Sunday and we had a wonderful time! I loved Florence. Monday we went into the city center to check it out. What a beautiful city. We walked across one of the only bridges to survive WWII and into the city square. That evening (New Years Eve) we decided to watch the sunset over the city. It was a breathtaking view. Tuesday (New Years Day) EVERYTHING was closed, so we had a Millie day. We played outside at the park all afternoon and then played soccer (her favorite) back at our B&B.

Wednesday we got up early and waited in another two hour line in the freezing cold so we could have a chance to see some truly amazing artwork inside the Uffizi including The Birth of Venus by Bottille. Again you can't take pictures so if you want to see what masterpieces they have there check out their site at http://www.uffizi.com/, it's one of the most famous art museums in the world.

There is an American War Cemetary/Memorial right outside Florence and I really wanted to see it. It's important to be reminded of it all. It brought tears to my eyes to see the graves of hundreds of men I didn't know. Brady's grandpa Ellsworth was in the group of men that liberated Buchenwald (the 1st concentration camp to be liberated) so when I see these graves and read their names I can't help but think how grateful I am for these men who fought along his side and died.





Thursday was rainy and yucky but we toughed it out and went to see the David by Michelangelo. I am so glad we did. It was by far one of my highlights. He is massive. I always thought the David was a little bigger then an average man but as you can see in the picture he towers over our heads. Michelangelo had even carved the veins in his hands, they were truly extraordinary. I could have stared at him all day. Millie loved him and kept saying, "I take this one home, OK mom?"


The David

While Millie napped I stayed back with her and Brady went to climb Gioto's Tower next to the Duomo. It's 414 steps.

GO Brady GO.

Brady's self portrait on top of the tower

Here's a picture of the Duomo and Giotto's tower (the tower is the white tower on the left)

Friday we headed home. We flew out of Pisa so we of course left Florence early so we could see the Leaning Tower. We were told not to make a special trip, but it was one of my highlights as well as Brady's. It was so cool to see it in real life! I was able to climb it and it was an amazing view. We also went to the Baptistry which is right next to it and at first I thought it was a waste of money. There was nothing really outstanding about it, but then a worker came in and had us all be silent so he could show off the acoustics of the place. It was stunning to say the least. It truly sounded as if the heavens had opened and angels were singing.

We still had time to kill so we headed into a little town next to Pisa called Lucca. It was so cute! I didn't really want to go but Brady talked me into it and I am so glad he did! There was the cutest little shops and covered market. Sadly Millie slept the whole time we were there because she too would have loved it. Everyone seemed to have a dog and they were selling baby bunnies, tiny turtles, birds and all sorts of goodies. There was a darling carousel and ice rink set up, to bad we didn't get to skate.

"help me, it's falling"

"aren't I strong"

I spotted this little camera at one of the venders and Millie was thrilled. She loves to pretend to take pictures and this was perfect. She was so cute. She told everything she saw to say "cheese". Oh how I love her.

We had to be to the airport about 7:30pm and we arrived in England at 4:30am Saturday morning! We had such an amazing time and it is a trip I will never forget. We are so lucky to be able to be here in England to be so close to all these wonderful things. Millie and I are pretty luckily and a little spoiled if I do say so myself. I almost forgot; I got the cutest red leather purse in Florence. Nancy bought me one when she was there a few years ago and I ruined it. I was so sad, but I was able to find the exact brand and it looks very similar. I love it!

Thank you Brady for everything.