Top 10 Summer Memories

This post was supposed to happen last week  last month, but didn't. Our week last week felt so OFF although I couldn't put my finger on it. I was off for sure, forgetful and feeling like I was running around like a chicken with its head chopped off. At least I still have 4 days left of Summer so technically this post isn't too late!    Ya got me, I'm officially late But now that it's officially FALL- I wanted to be sure to share these memories! 

I thought I'd round up some of my favorite memories from Summer-- It feels redundant to say but WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO, GUYS?!?! I swear, we were JUST planning our trip to Florida the other day. Anyway, here are our TOP 10 favorite moments/memories. I asked everybody what their favorites were and we compiled this list!!

Doing Disney in Just Over One Day

In the beginning of June, our family had the opportunity to go to Walt Disney World. Our primary plan was to visit my grandparents but we also thought it would be fun to take a day or two to explore Florida. Our options were narrowed down between Disney and staying at a hotel and doing a few beach days. We ultimately decided to do Disney and once we decided that, planning was in full mode! Because we knew we would have limited time, we knew how important it would be to plan, plan, and plan!

Friday Favorites- SUMMER MOMENTS

We made it to Friday friends!! This week went by pretty fast as I took Monday and Tuesday off from work. We started 1st grade and the response I got when I asked how it went was, "MOM! It was AWESOME! We didn't do any hard work and it was so fun!" Only my child.. =)

I thought I would share some of our FAVORITE Summer moments today as I'm linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals. 

New Summer program for Sophia and new child care for Saidey kicked off our Summer!

Playing in the sand at the beach was a FAVORITE 

Swimming was a FAVORITE this Summer 

Family time at Des Moines Moms Blog event was a FAVORITE

Farmer's Market and grilled cheese with bacon are FAVORITES 

Thelma's Treats is a FAVORITE

Celebrating 4th of July was a FAVORITE 

Yankee Doodle Pops is a FAVORITE tradition

And let's be honest- Italy was a FAVORITE 

You can see posts about our trip here, here, and here! 

Celebrating a special lady's SIXTH birthday was an absolute FAVORITE 

Let's Flamingle!

Selling our house was a FAVORITE (the rest of the process- not so much =) ) 

Visiting the zoo was so much fun! 

American Girl dolls have become a FAVORITE in our house! 

The IOWA STATE FAIR is always a FAVORITE (two times!) 

And finally, celebrating back to school was a FAVORITE moment!

Summer 2016 was sure good to us! We made so many good memories! But Fall- my favorite season- you can come any day now! =)

Happy Friday all! Enjoy the weekend! 

Italy Adventure- Ciao Roma!

I realized I haven't shared our last three days in Italy! I can't believe we've been home for over three weeks now. It's true what they say about getting the travel bug. Before we even left, we were planning our next trip to Italy (insert monkey hiding its eyes emoji).

Day 8 

We decided to take the fast train out of Florence to get to Rome rather than drive. We dropped the car off and headed to the train station. When we arrived in Rome, we took a taxi to the apartment. Our apartment was in a FABULOUS location, right next to the Pantheon and close to shopping and restaurants.

Our apartment building 

Our apartment building was just to the right of the Pantheon... amazing view and location!

We got to the apartment, unloaded and settled a little before getting ready to go to the Vatican...

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

We went back to the apartment to change and then ventured out again for the evening. We walked to the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps (they were closed for renovation).

Finished the evening off with pasta and wine! We walked back to the Trevi Fountain to see it at night too!

Day 9

We stopped at the cutest cafe for a fresh croissant.. yum! 

We then took a taxi to tour the Colosseum..

Seriously...amazing!

We also toured Palestine Hill or known as Old Rome

We returned to the apartment after our tour and went shopping for the rest of our souvenirs we wanted to get. 

We went back to the apartment to pack and get ready for dinner.

Views from our apartment at sunset... overlooking the square. It was truly picturesque.

And then.. we had our last dinner in Italy! 

Day 10

Our trip home was very uneventful.. until we got to Chicago. We boarded the plane on time and then were delayed for an hour on the tarmac due to weather. We finally deplaned and were told our flight was cancelled. We tried to get on another flight through a different airline but it didn't leave until 10:40. And then it got delayed until 1AM. And then it was cancelled. After some begging, we ended up on a last minute flight to DSM and got in around 11:30. It was so good to be home! 

Ciao Italy! We will see you again someday! 

A wonderful sight to see after a long day of traveling...

We are extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to go to Italy and spend time with the entire family. It was an amazing trip that I will always remember. 

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to check back here on Friday for Friday Favorites! Have a great rest of the week y'all!