Venice

On our way from Austria to Venice we stopped for a potty break and found these hats and had to get them for the kids.  Here they are sporting their new ear covers and eating some icecream. 

On this trip we found one of the least expensive places to stay were camping grounds.  We were not sure we wanted to sleep in our tent, especially with the rain so we didn't bring it.  At these camping villages they have small trailers for rent.  These places were actually really very comfortable.  They have two rooms, one for the parents and the other for the 3 roudy kids.  The camping village also had a swimming pools, playground, restaurant, and small grocery store.  You wouldn't think it but this place was more comfortable than a regular hotel, and less expensive to boot.  Take a close look at Brecon, he is going down in his classic picture pose.  When he is getting serious about a picture he will kneel down, often trying to get us to do the same.  Watch for it in other pictures. 

When we went into Venice we got on a boat not knowing where it would take us, but hoping it would be something worth seeing.  There were street vendors everywhere and everyone trying to make a buck one way or another.  These were a couple posing for pictures. 

Cael lost another tooth just as we got there.  We were actually worried he was going to loose it because it was so loose so we ripped it out.  Very little screaming and only minimal bleeding. 

Gondolas in a small canal in Venice

We had a hard time finding any food besides pizza and pasta/spagetti.  The one thing we could all agree on is that icecream is an excellent breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anytime snack.  We have probably spent more money on icecream on this trip than all other foods combined.  Connor is the funniest because at first we would not buy him one and would just share.  That only happened the first few times, now he throws fits if he is not the one holding the cone

Cael has been constantly wanting to be the photographer.  Rarely do they turn out well, but this one was not too bad. 

 Cael and Brecon in the St Marks square

We did find a nice place to get some pizza.  We actually couldn't eat it all.

On a boat in Venice, going under a beautiful bridge.

ICECREAM, ICECREAM, ICECREAM- Platt family diet for hot days in Venice

We took an afternoon and went to the beach at Lido Island.  Connor has been loving playing with dirt on this trip. Every time we turn around he is picking up the dirt, especially after we have cleaned his hands and they are still wet.  He also has a thing for rocks and will stop frequently to pick some up.  Sometimes when he is in a rock pickup mood we can just give him a big one to hold and he forgets about picking up all the other ones.  At one point Cael thought it was funny to give him an especially large rock that he was trying to lug around and didn't want to leave behind.  Sometimes Cael isn't the most helpful brother. 

Its hard to actually get them together without a wrestling match breaking out.  Here was a special moment where they just sat for the picture.  Classic Brecon kneel. 

Doge's palace. 

Cael in St Marks Square

 Brecon has occasionally not been happy with what is going on.  There has been much weaping and wailing at times.  The good thing is it doesn't usually last long, especially after threatening no more icecream. 

Here the boys are feeding the pigeons.  Connor is funny about animals because he gets so excited when we see them.  He will practically jump out of your arms to show you an animal he thinks you didn't see, but when the oppertunity to touch one comes he usually won't do it.  He likes to keep his distance from them and will only go near if you go with him and help. 

Many people have taken pictures of the boys on this trip.  It is usually the asain people.  I think there is something about the boys blond hair they like.  We are frequently asked if it is alright if they take the boys picture.  Sometimes they don't ask, which is still alright with us.  Sometimes we will let them hold Connor or Brecon in the pictures but when we do that the boys will always make a pouting face for the pictures.  It is actually kinda funny.   This lady below wanted her picture taken next to the boys. 

Here area the masks we bought in Venice.  Cael was so excited about them.  All he would talk about after seeing them was when were we going to buy some.  They when we finally did he wanted to wear his right away, all through the town of Venice.  We waited until we got back to the campground to put them on.  Now we just have to get them through this trip without breaking them.