ITALY 2007!

Hello family!
I thought this would be an absolutely appropriate time to write a little blog about our Italy trip, being 5am and awake for the past hour with jet lag still! :)
We left on Friday the 12th. Had a direct flight from Seattle to Paris, and then a flight from Paris to Rome. We were all very excited and only packed carry-ons, which I am not used to doing, but am very happy we did so! We got into Rome at about 8pm. It took us some time to find our "apartment" we were to stay at, as the contact man put 18 as the house number on the email, instead of 81...we were so confused! When we did finally find Giuseppe, our host, we were surprised to find that we were staying on the second floor (first floor was described by Giuseppe as "you must excuse me...I am making a construction site here." ??!!!) of a building with many flats. We stayed in a room the size of a dorm with six beds of different heights lined up one next to the other with about an inch in between each bed and about 6 inches between the ends of the bed and the wall! It was a surprise to say the least! We luckily were given ONE clean sheet for a bottom sheet and all slept snuggled in our sweats and sweatshirts using our hand towels as blankets (which we brought in case the places we stayed didn't have towels provided, such as this place. So the towels were wet!). HAHA, we stayed at this place for three nights and it definitely grew on us, although I don't know if we would recommend it to other travellers! :)
Saturday, we spent the day walking around Rome...AFTER we all accidentally slept in until noon! We saw the ruins, including the pantheon and colosseum, and went to the secret "keyhole" in a random garden in Rome, which had a view of three countries: Italy, Vatican City, and Malta (???Right???). It was so cool! We walked through numerous piazzas and of course, ate amazing italian food for every meal!
Sunday we woke up early so that we could walk to the Vatican and make it in time for daily Mass at the side chapels...hoping we would find one in English. After walking around the almost empty St Peter's, we happened upon a very young Californian priest! It was great! Us kids split up the readings (soooo cool to say that I have read in St Peter's!) and had a great personal homily about the church and some of it's secrets. After Mass, we ran over to the Vatican Museum and waited in line for two hours until it opened (and no, we weren't even close to the start of the line!) We finally saw the amazing Sistine Chapel. After that, we went back to St Peter's, climbed to the top of the dome, and went in tons of their little stores. We headed back home in the evening.
On Monday we woke up early and packed up to head off to Assisi. Assisi was my favorite town this trip. (I have been to italy once before). It's the cutest town built into the side of a hill and it just soo homey and quaint. We went in about 20 churches, they are on each block, and each one was it's own little treasure. Of course, we went into St Francis- gorgeous, and St Claire's-where her uncorrupt body lays! It was crazy!
Tuesday, we took the train to Padoua (took about 6 hours). Unfortunately, I cought some virus and was vomiting most of the day. We arrived in Padoua in the afternoon. We went to St. Anthony's, which has much more of an Eastern European influenced church style. It was very beautiful. The rest of the fam will have to fill you in about this city, as I checked in early to get over my sickness.
Wednesday was Venice day! We took a water bus on the Grand Canal all the way to San Marco's at the edge of the city. The church was incredible, and to our surprise, we recieved a free tour in english about almost every detail about the church. It was awesome to know the symbolism and history of the paintings and church. The tour guide told us we are lucky we didn't come the week before as the tide was very high and we wouldn't have been able to tour the church! After the church, Bridget and I helped ourselfs to some shopping, and actually ended up getting split up from the rest of the fam. After wantering aimlessly around the streets of Venice, and trying to soak up as much as we could about the city, we all met up at 6 to take the train to Florence.
Thursday we woke up in Florence at a youth hostel. Unfortunately for the first night, we were split up, girls in a random girls room and boys in a random boys room. (had booked to be alltogether in a 6 bed room, but showed up too late for our reservation, so they cancelled it!) We found the coolest cafe with amazing cappucinos and pasteries that morning. We climbed the Duomo and went to the market. We walked over te Pont a Vecchio and ate gelatto. We met up with Sonja in the evening, toured her pennsione, and went to the well known restaurant La Spada (Lizzie's FAV!). The food there is incredible!
Friday we met up with Sonja again and just toured around again. We went into Santa Croce, where Michelangelo and Dante are buried. Lots of history with that church, and Sonja was a great tour guide! The rest of the day, we mostly shopped, ate gelatto on the triangle bridge, and packed up for the flight home the next day!
Saturday we woke up very early to catch our flight from Flo to Paris. It was a loooong, but smooth day. We were welcomed home by Dom, with dinner already made for us by Aunt Theresa. So wonderful!
We all loved our trip and can't wait to go back! Kevin and Bridget, if I missed anything, please feel free to add more stuff.
I'm going to try to get some more shut eye before the sun comes up.
~Cait

HOME AT LAST!

Hello everyone!
This is NOT an ITALY post yet, but just a late post letting everyone know that I am back living in the NW. Miguel accompanied me on the long drive home at the beginning of this month. We stayed in Tucson for a few nights for his friend's wedding, then a night in Vegas (at NY,NY hotel. Never been before to Vegas, it was pretty awesome!), then in Portland and finally home! I am happy to be back in the NW to start a new chapter in my life, though I was very sad to leave San D. I am going to be starting my job in about two weeks working through a travelling company as a per diem nurse at Swedish on the Critical Care floors (not to be confused with ICU.) Since I am working through a travelling company, I have the option at anytime to just pack up and take a travelling assignment wherever I please. The per diem option, which I am going to be doing at least until early spring, does not require me to work any holidays and I basically call in every week and give them a list of the shifts I want to work that week. It's an AWESOME option for this time of year (winter holidays) and I will reassess if I still want to be per diem or travel somewhere in the spring. And on top of it all, I won't miss out on FUN FAMILY FUNCTIONS anymore! SO HAPPY and EXCITED to be back around!
Feel free to visit me at my new home on West Lake Samammish. Some of you already know it as Uncle Ed and Aunt Liz's! :)
Gotta get to bed, this jet lag is killin.
PS: Italy blog will come soon!
PPS: Colleen, BLOG THE WEDDING! Still so sad we missed it. :(

Honeymoon Stories

Thought there should be a blog space available for colleen and Brian to jot down a few romantic tales from the great HI. So, the question is: Did Brian sit around and watch Boston in the playoffs all week, or did Colleen set good precedent by turning off the TV, and take him instead on 'long walks in the woods.'
??

bpr

TC Prep Performing Arts

I am in the Performing Arts class this semester at Prep, and we are working on a play that we will be performing on October 30th. The play is Jekyll & Hyde, and it will be really awesome. Monica Powers, James Powers, Will Virden, Mary Davis, and Alivia Bierschbach are all in it, singing, and it sounds really good. So mark it on your calendars, because it would be really nice if you all could come see it.
Thanks! Love you guys.

Everybody, I need some collective prayer - chi - energy sent my way in the next forty eight hours. Im freaking out. This is a call to arms.

Thanks.

love,

bart

BACHELORETTE WEEKEND!!!

I just wanted to share the fun with my family. This last weekend my four best friends flew into San Diego to suprise me for a fun filled weekend. Caitlin and Brian had planned it all with them, and I had absolutely no idea. It was such a blast! Here are a few pics to show you how much fun we actually had!!!!

(P.S. Three of them are single!!!!! Hey Hey cousins........Come to the wedding!!!!)

Lappe

To All of you who know my friend Justin Lappe,

he is taking off for his second tour in Iraq on Sunday. Give him a call, send him your prayers, tell him thanks for "weaving the blanket of freedom we sleep under."

Lappe's number is 360-305-8494. jwlappe@gmail.com

Colleen, you are right in his neighborhood, and you can make out with him again because you are not married yet and neither is he! Wahoo!

love,

bart

First day of school

Hey y'all just thought I would send you all a little note to let you know that school is going well. I am passing classes like it aint no thang, but spend 48 hours a week in the classroom! Gnarly, but "if you want to be treated like a professional, act like one." I guess that means study like one too...

Omaha is a lovely little city. I live right in the downtown with views of Iowa and the missouri river. It was great to see Colin as he drove through, and all are welcome to stay with me for interviews or cross-country road trips.

More later -- Have to get to anatomy class. This is a picture from the first day of school; Joe Sullivan and I looking all professional and stuff.

Catholics vs. Protestants

In other news, DeSales Catholic takes on cross county rival and three times the size Burbank Government under the lights tonight at 7 p.m. on Ty Baffney Field, led by the one-two combo of Ty's younger brother, Kevin, throwing bombs to sophomore standout Shane (Shangsta-T) Roach, younger brother of previous Fightin' Irish standouts Colin (currently setting a world record for having been a Fightin' Irishman for 11 straight years without having repeated a grade) and Kevin and Madsie Padsie. Be watching in the years to come for upcoming Irishmen Reilly (who'll spend eight years as starting kicker for those two Irish teams) and Renee (head cheerleader material at a minimum).

Go Catholics!! Go Irish!!

Tri-Cities Prep vs. Liberty Christian

In other news, TCP is playing against their cross-town rivals tomorrow. The game will start at 7 at Edgar Brown Stadium (pasco high's stadium). Everyone who lives within 120 miles (will) is expected to attend, in order to watch a competitive football game with a catholic school (everyone knows that DeSales doesn't count). Just for the record, I expect a blowout, since we've never actually lost to Liberty before in football, and have beaten them by 30+ each of the last 4 years. Hope everyone makes it
-Christian

Thanksgiving 2007

Dear All,

Although we'd love to be with you all, we won't be home for T-giving because we'll probalby be at our new boyfriends/girlfriends house (borrowing from a famous quote from the princess). All of the Bellingham Chambers will be going to New Orleans for Thanskgiving to celebrate that holiday and to have a birthday celebration for my Uncle Bobby's 85th. ...sorry for partying.

We'll be thinking of you , eating muffellatas and crayfish for you and having a hand granade and hurricane for you all in the Big Easy.

Great time this past weekend being with nearly everyone to celebrate Patricia's birthday and to witness the demise of ND football...and that's sad.

Glad to be back on the blog and we'll post pictures of NO when we get back...Liz, figure out your password (Brian helped with your name) so that you can post from Italy next month.

Love you all,
Bill C.

Bloggability factor is low, please post lots on this strand

Craigslist

Hello All,
Just wanted to inform everyone who reads the blog about just how awesome Craigslist.com is. As I think all of you know, I am relocating to Seattle in just one month (!!!!!!). I have been researching many different moving companies, but since I don't have even enough furniture for a studio, I would be paying a ton of money for a small load. As time went on, my new almost cousin Brian Cooke suggested that I should try to sell my 5 pieces of furniture on Craigslist and then just ship my boxes up and pack my car with the rest. On Monday afternoon, I took pictures of all my items and posted them on Craigslist, playing it safe by starting a month early on trying to sell these things. I actually wasn't going to be surprised if nothing sold and I would have to hire a moving company. However, today, not even two days later, I have already sold, my Bed, my bookshelf, and my lamp. WOW!
Anyways, the point of this blog is just letting people know how great craigslist.com is. The website is user friendly and makes it so easy to post stuff to sell. So if anyone is thinking of selling a piece of furniture, I say use craigslist!
Just ask me if you have more questions! Love y'all! Can't wait to be in the NW so I can party it up with the fam!

Finally college

Roaches one and all,
I just thought that I would let you know that Jack Chambers and I have successfully begun a new chapter in our lives. Earlier this week both of us began classes here at Gonzaga University. Everyone kind of half jokingly (or seriously) seemed to be wondering what I would be doing after my year off, so it is with great excitement and academic focus that I post this. I was really nervous about going back to school last week, but when I arrived last Friday and aunt Mimi and judge Jerryyyy hit the road I realized just how ready I am, I've been gone and almost on my own for a year. It was a great feeling to walk into the bookstore, the registrar's office, the meetings and be able to do what was required without the assistance of anyone (so many parents waited hand and foot on their clueless kids). It was a particularly neat (as grandma would say) experience to write my first tuition check purely with my own money (next year that may not happen). So you may wonder why I am even posting this. Well first because everyone is always complaining about the lack of blog use. But second because I thought that you should be aware that yes, Wim did go to college, and it's even a Catholic one. And finally third: you younger cousins, I'd actually encourage you to take a well-planned and mapped out year off before college if you don't feel ready (or just don't want to go straight away). Some of my experiences were better education than school can offer (plus it doesn't hurt to start school with 20 some G's in the bank). Love you ALL, I'm off to Religion 120.
Keep me in your prayers; you're in mine,
wim

October Wedding!!!

Hey family! I finally got a gmail account in case anyone is interested. It is cerner15@gmail.com . I wanted to share a little bit about this last weekend. My parents flew to Maine to meet my in laws. Brian and I met them in Boston and then we drove for two hours to Kennebunkport Maine. Brian's family has two beach houses on Goose Rocks Beach. We stayed with his parents, grandmother, aunt and uncles, as well as a few cousins. It was great! We even had time to see Uncle Brud, Aunt Glenna, Kelly, Kevin and their families. So now we are more excited for the wedding. I can't wait to see you all in October. Here are a few pics from the weekend. Enjoy....................

I'm back!

Thanks for getting me here, Boo. I've missed this thing.

They didn't make it easy to convert to the new version when they upgraded a few months ago.

Dan

Hanford History

All,

Not necessarily a family oriented blog, but since most of you folks are from the Tri-City area, this program may be of interest.

Enjoy,

In May, a crew from Atlantic Productions was on the Hanford Site producing a segment of the History Channel’s "Lost Worlds" program. The crew visited the old Hanford town site, B Reactor, T Plant and other locations on the Hanford Site.
The Hanford segment is being aired this Wednesday evening as part of the series called "Secret A-Bomb Factories." Check the time of the program in the History Channel listings for your particular cable/satellite carrier.
The program is expected to include coverage of Hanford’s role in producing plutonium for the World War II Manhattan Project and the subsequent Cold War nuclear arms race. The following description for Wednesday’s program is posted on the History Channel web site.
The end of the World War II heralded The Cold War--a war of paranoia and potential nuclear catastrophe. In the wreckages of missile sites, secret cities and crumbling nuclear facilities, we'll search for clues to understand how this "war" was played out and the secret structures that were constructed to arm the nation against attack. From fifteen-meter concrete walls to airtight steel doors and massive nuclear production plants, this episode reveals the awesome engineering that took place across America.

The Three Best Pics I've Got (subtitle: OTIS)

Lucia's Baptism

What a great celebration! We had Iowa representation from the Schneiders, Irish representation at The Kell's, and Triple-A cuteness representation from Lucia. See for yourself!

SOME CHOICE FAMILY REUNION PHOTOS

Thought we'd try to get the party started again by posting some Sullivan Family Reunion photos.
Feel free to post yours too so we can see how much fun everyone had!!!!!!

Wow

For all the talkers in the family, this place sure is a ghost town. Why dont we talk about the new 8gig iphones or something. Or else I am deleting myself from the list out of principle. Big threat there.

Julie and Joe's Wedding

All,

Just wanted to give you a head's up, in case you haven't heard, that after long diliberation, Julie and I are changing our wedding date. It is no longer going to be September 8th, it will instead be sometime in the spring, still in Olympia. We tried to do too much, too quickly, and think this will be best for the both of us. We want to make sure everything is in line before we make the ultimate committment.

This is a good thing, and we are both happy about the decision. I will keep everyone updated as to when the new date will be.

Now we have more time to plan for this once in a lifetime event!

Love yall,

Joseph Roach

Family Reunion T-Shirts

Hey guys,
Sorry I haven't really gotten much info out about the shirts!!!! I have the design down but I just have to take it to the printer to get it set in stone and to make sure they can do what I want them to do. It's gonna be cool.....hopefully....but I can't explain it very well. Just know it will have the Sullivan crest on it and the last names of all the family members in the Sullivan family on it. I hope to get to the printer on Friday or Saturday so I will let you all know what they look like as soon as possible!

Oh, and about Prom pictures, I have some but my dad hasn't sent them to me yet from his computer so I will get those out soon as well!

Love you all (and SOOOO excited for the upcoming weddings!!!!!!)
--Fiona

"Blog is dead" s: J. Lennon

Joe and Colleen both posted that they were getting married on this thing and a whopping total of about 6 people chimed in with one liners. I think blogging is dead; its over. Lets put this thing to rest. Check it every day-- yet nothing new? Gotta get more into it gals and gents.!!! Or else Lennon's right. Blog is dead.

bpr

Colleen and Brian's Wedding

I thought I would start this blog strand-- Colleen, time to chime in about your little event last night!

Julie and Joe's Wedding!

All,

Please "save the date" for September 8th (that rhymes!). The wedding will be in the Catholic Church in Olympia. We made sure it wasn't in October for all the Johnsons.

Talk to you all soon, and mark your calendars!

Love,

Julie and Joe Roach :) ... soon!

Lucia Schneider!

Gonna get married and I'm...

All,

Why doesn't anyone blog anymore? Well this one is worth it! Julie DeBord is about to change to Julie Roach!!! Today at noon was the official acceptance. We haven't set a date, but found out that October is a bad time for the Johnsons. Well, if that is when it happens, you will just have to send presents instead! Today's been a wild day, and ready to go to bed. Looking forward to all the love to come. She is a great woman, and I have no doubts that this is going to be a long, and loving relationship!

I'll let you all know the date, and as things progress, but for now it is just the fact that we are going to be a very, very happy couple :)

May the next be just as happy (Colleen?????)

Love you all!

JDR (and JAR)