Naples & Capri

Our final destination was Naples, Italy.

 Naples was the only place that slightly dissapointed Jerad and I.  It was our last port stop, so we were getting depressed about our trip being almost over and we just wanted to soak up every minute possible in Europe before we had to come home!  Naples (to us) was dirty, crowded, and the people were rough and acted like they were 'up to no good'.  So after about an hour and a half of walking around streets like this....

 And we knew we had to eat pizza because this is where it originated...

 We decided to hop on a taxi boat to the Island of Capri!

So off we go to try to make the best of our day...

Capri was FANTASTIC!  Just check out the views...

In Capri, we browsed the shops for Lemons, Limoncello, Olive oil, and Lavender.  Check out the size of those lemons!

We finally got to eat some true Italian pizza!

And sit at the cafes enjoying the scenery while drinking some Peroni's

Then back on the ship, we celebrated Jerad's birthday!

Picture of the guys from our table

Then we converted the piano bar into a karoake bar.

We spent the next day at 'sea' travelling from Naples back to Barcelona.  Here's a pic of us from the following evening at dinner. 

Details from Barcelona to follow!

Rome

First stop, Vatican city-  so amazing it's literally jaw-dropping!

Mass was going on while we were there, so we got to see the Pope on the big screen!

So amazing for our faith!

Bridge where the Borghese family traveled from their residences to Vatican City.

Next up, the Colosseum!

Unrivaled architecture!

Fountain that provided fresh water for all spectators to drink- ironic that it's in the shape of a cross?

Arc de Constantine

Jerad throwing a coin in Trevi Fountain to ensure he comes back to Rome!

Borghese gardens and Borghese Gallery

Back on the ship for some nighttime fun!

Europe - con't

Sooo I never finished talking about our trip!  Here's a run-down of a couple more days in europa!

Our next stop after Cannes was Pisa and Florence-  Jerad and I loved the architecture, buildings, and history of Italy.  We could go back in a heartbeat.  Hopefully one day we will!  ;)

We went to Pisa and saw the leaning Tower. 

Ate some Italian Gellato

Replica of Michelango's David- we saw the original at the Galleria d' Academia (couldn't take pictures inside).   We also went to the Uffizi Gallery were we got to see Botticelli's Birth of Venus.  Check it out if you've never seen it before.  The hidden imagery in this painting is phenomenal!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Birth_of_Venus_(Botticelli)

Visited the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River-  famous for it's many gold jewelers- it is the oldest bridge in Florence.

Visited the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore- Florence's cathedral- the Duomo- the 4th largest in the world.  Jerad and I LOVED this church, baptistery, and plaza.

Guilded door of the baptistery

View of Florence from the peak- such a beautiful city! 

View of the amazing aquaducts that supply Italy's cities with water...unbelievable how advanced they were!

 Back on the ship for dinner

More details on Rome, Naples, Capri, and Barcelona to come!

Oreo cheesecake

I've made this a couple times now and it's delicious- always a crowd pleaser!  I received the recipe from another blogger  - http://www.elizabethannsrecipebox.com/2011/07/oreo-no-bake-cheesecake.html   I use slightly less whipped topping and less cream cheese so it's a little better for you....riiiigggghhttt!

Line pan with foil overlapping sides
Harshly smash half the container of oreos and mix with 1/2 stick butter.  Press into the bottom of the pan and place in the fridge.  Keep adding oreos if the mixture is too moist.

Beat 3 packages (8 oz) of cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp of vanilla until smooth.

Add two handfulls of chopped cookies with half a tub of whipped topping.  Stir until mixed.

Pour over cookie crust and refrigerate for up to four hours.

When you're ready to serve, flip the mixture over on a platter!  Enjoy!

Thank you

Just wanted to say thank you to my dear friend, Emily, who helped me rescue...and do the best we could with this stray.  It was a horrific night and having someone there to help me saved the day.  Emily stayed with me for hours, helped me bathe this poor pup who was in terrible health, and ultimately take it to Animal Services as we could not care for it.  It was a tramatic evening that could have been disastrous had I not had a friend with me to help. Thanks Em!

We've been through a lot together...here are some pics of us from....College

Engagement Parties

Bridal lunches

 Wedding Days

 Bachelorette Parties

 Wedding showers

 Wedding Days

 Birthdays

 Nights Out

 Nights out

Happy Weekend!