Not the kind of temple we are used to

About ten minutes away from Syntagma Square lies the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It was the largest temple in Greece during Roman times and held one of the largest statues in the world. While there we also got some great views of the Acropolis.

Pete and the kids with the Acropolis in the background

Our family in front of the Temple of Zeus (or what's left of it)

Only 15 of the original 104 columns are still standing.
Imagine how big it really was.

It took about 650 years to complete the temple...a little longer than the one in Salt Lake

The family with the Acropolis in the background

More of Athens

After our eventful day visiting the Acropolis, we took a break from our sightseeing so Pete could fit in some work meetings. It worked out great because it was raining anyway and it gave us time to hang out at Julie and Spencer's place. The following day, the sun was back and we ventured once more out into the city. This time we took the Metro one stop to Syntagma Square, which is the largest and most central in Athens.

Syntagma Square (photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Right as we exited the metro station there was a little cart selling these monstrous sugar donut looking things. Of course we had to have one. Unfortunately the square was filled with many stray dogs who also were in need of a large sugar donut. We spent little time perusing the square and headed off to find a more secluded (dog-free) area.

Luckily, a few blocks away we found this little spot in front of an old Russian church.

Christina, the kids, and one LARGE sugar donut

I think the diameter might have been the same size as Ruby's head

Alex taking an enormous bite

Henry not wanting to be outdone by his older brother

Picture overload

Looking up at the Acropolis

Alex checking out the theatre

A better view of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Henry a little wary of several stray dogs we passed on the way up

Ruby on the steps leading up to the Propylaea

A family shot

Ready for our closeup

My stylish sister-in-law

Hannah and Spencer

Cute cousins-they may look similar in size but are actually 4 years apart!

Can you see my three kids in front of the Propylaea?

Mars Hill

Julie, Hannah and Ruby heading towards the Temple of Athena

Small, medium and large

Christina wanting to know how close the kids were sitting to an early death in the picture above

Henry is small potatoes compared to the Parthenon

Julie, Christina, Pete and Ruby

Ruby, Hannah and Alex

Family shot in front of the Parthenon

It must be said: "How did they build this??"

The boys with the city of Athens in the background

Pete and Christina

Heading down from the Acropolis to have lunch in the Plaka

We found a nice little cafe that served up traditional souvlaki, gyros and Greek salad.
A bonus: even though it was early we didn't have to wait around because it was open all day.

Getting started

We started our first morning in Athens walking up to the Acropolis by way of the Agora.

Alex, Ruby, Henry and Christina with the Temple of Hephaestus in the background

More views of the Temple of Hephaestus and the Agora Park

Ruby and Christina headed towards the Acropolis.
It's quite the hike and the only way up is on foot.

Storytime

This is the Nelson Family

Julie (Pete's sister), Hannah and Spencer


Once upon a time they moved here:

Athens, Greece (photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

One cold, winter day, the Clayton family decided to visit the Nelson family. They happily exchanged snow, skiing and temperatures in the 20s for sunshine, sightseeing and temperatures in the 60s. They ate yummy gyros, souvlaki, kabobs, yogurt with honey and galaktoboureko. Julie cooked Mexican food and shopped at the farmer's market so they could enjoy amazing strawberries and oranges. They did not venture into a McDonald's the entire time! They braved the crazy drivers, stray dogs (there are millions) and weird alphabet (with no GPS) to have another fun family adventure. Then sadly, after enjoying the Nelsons and watching Henry's cough and cold get the best of him, they boarded a flight to Geneva and were welcomed home by 17 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ruby and Alex hanging out at the Nelson's apartment

Hitting the slopes

After waiting around for months, we finally had enough snow to go skiing close to home. Alex has been skiing on his own with a ski club and was very comfortable going it alone. Ruby surprised us with her first ski since last year. She took off on her own with only one small crash. Henry was did OK until it started snowing...and then he refused to put his skis back on. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't get around to filming him. Hopefully we can get him up one more time before the season ends.

Alex who has graduated to poles and goggles

You can't tell in this picture, but Ruby has pink skis which she is thrilled about

Five on skis

Alex on the bigger hill

Ruby and Pete

Ruby and Christina
Not a great video but proof that I did actually ski in Switzerland

Playing with Dad

As much as I hate doing it, occasionally on a Saturday I go grocery shopping. It is not fun. Because the grocery stores here close early (6pm) and aren't open on Sundays, the entire Swiss population does their shopping on Saturdays. As you can imagine, the kids are rarely willing to go. Who can blame them? I'd choose playing over fighting the crowds any day.

A few Saturdays ago they had a blast playing in the snow in our backyard. Pete is always a good sport with them when it comes to cold weather activities. Nevertheless, in my own defense, I have gone outside with the kids and did in fact shovel all the snow into that huge pile in order to create a snow fort. I nearly passed out afterward but still consider myself a pretty awesome mom.

I think Ruby fit inside the easiest

Alex used it as a home base in which to throw snowballs at Ruby

Henry and his crazy hair

Pete getting into the spirit of things

The older the kids get, the harder it is to get a picture with all of them looking at the camera and smiling. Shouldn't it be the opposite?