The Wilcox Whirlwind

We looked out the window and what did we see? Wilcoxes popping in the jungle-gym tree!! (Remember, you can click on a picture to enlarge it.)


They were here for the Thompson special two week tour of Europe. So we set off first to see the windmills and tulips of Holland.


Of course we had to try out the local food wherever we went...in this case Dutch Pannenkoeken


Then we hopped on the train to Brussels...


to check on the peeing boy...


before stopping off to see Paris. The Eiffel Tower sets a magical tone when it sparkles at night.


Mickey gave us a warm welcome...


but some rides were definitely scarier than the Florida version.


Some took time off to defend the universe...


so we'd be safe to stroll through the parks at Versailles...


and snuggle by the Arc de Triomphe.


We searched for Quasimodo at Notre Dame...


and compared our smiles with Mona Lisa's.


Then we searched for Lallatin ancestors in Balzholz, Germany, where they lived for a hundred years or so before joining the church and coming to the USA. We even found an oldtimer in this neighborhood who knew of some Lallatins when they lived nearby. All have left now.


We hunted for castles in the Alps...


checked the gondolas in Venice for safety violations...


noted the dress standards of the Romans (I think they need a talk with the bishop)...


craned our necks checking the ceiling paintings in the Vatican and found that God had successfully created Adam and Eve in the Sistine Chapel.


We made sure that the gladiators were no longer attacking the Christians in the Colosseum..


gave our report the next day in an audience with the pope...


and played with the birds...


before throwing coins into Trevi fountain so we'll be sure to come back some day.


Pinocchio seems to be having trouble telling the truth when he is sweet-talking pretty girls...but you know how Italian men are!!


We found Aurelia...


while on our way to keep the tower in Pisa from falling.


We spent the night with the rich and famous in Lugano, Switzerland...


before making snowmen while crossing the alps...


to hike through the glaciers at Jungfraujoch at 11,383 feet.


Does anyone look exhausted after the whirlwind Thompson special? And note that Chrissy and Randy joined us at the airport to start us on our next adventure!!