Pisa, Italy

Normally, we are the family running through the airport, bags flying everywhere and hoping our children are somewhere close-by. This time, we got stuck in traffic on the way to the airport, and still made it in time to leisurely walk to our gate. We even had time for a bathroom break!


We were loaded onto the bus taking us to the plane and found a spot next to the window. Then, and I have no idea what he was thinking, Brady licked the handrail in the bus. This quite possibly could have been one of the worst decisions he has made. We boarded the plane and got 3 seats together on a full flight without seat assignments. The flight was uneventful. This had me worried. Something stressful usually happens by this time, so I was waiting for it. The guy from the hotel was waiting to give us a ride; we only brought carry-ons, so what? I wondered was going to go wrong! Our hotel was great, and then it happened. Brady forgot to listen and practically ignored everything we said and Juliette forgot that she needed to sleep.

After spending all night trying to get Juliette to sleep, finally at 5:30am and exhausted, we gave up. She played and took drinks out of the mini bar, then out of the blue, she laid her head on the pillow (with a toy in her hand) and fell asleep. Good thing I love that girl!

Practically dead, we manage through breakfast which included some screaming children, then set off to find the leaning tower. Not 10 steps out of the hotel, Brady is crying for Greg to hold him. Oh this day is great already!

Juliette left her cup in the car back in Sicily, so we stopped at a pharmacy hoping to find a sippy cup. $15 dollars later, we left with a single small cup. That thing was like gold! While there Greg decided to weigh himself with Juliette on his back and Brady on his shoulders (he’s a Super Hero). Any guesses to what the number was?

We walked through the city and I became very excited as we approached the tower. Then, there it was! Glorious and LEANING! According to our favorite travel guru, Rick Steves in his book Florence and Tuscany 2009, the tower is the cathedral’s bell tower. Building began in 1173 and after 5 years of building they noticed the tower was leaning due to sinking in the unstable soil. Continuing to build, it took over 2 centuries to build the 200 ft. tall and 55 ft. wide tower.

I have seen pictures of the tower, but it was amazing to actually see it in person. I am very aware of how blessed we are and never want to take the sights and experiences we are having for granted. It is inspiring and humbling to see these great places on our earth!