Madrid, Spain (LAST Spain Posting) Sept 20-22

Well what an adventure! Josh has been a trooper and was able to drive in Madrid to the hotel and car drop off. He did much better than me! Our GPS went bizerk in the tunnels in Madrid and it was crazy. This is one of the parts of traveling that stresses me. Anyway we are here, eating, playing, shopping. Tomorrow the Museo Prado and then more Madrid. Here is to the end of the trip!

We had dinner in this market. Wow! The food was great, but not too kid friendly. We might try it again tomorrow and maybe I will take some pics. The tapas...yummy!!

Yes more playgrounds! I think we have hit every one that Spain has to offer. The kids love to play and meet other kids. They even met some from San Fransico. We tell Spaniards we are from Tennessee and they think for a minute and say Jack Daniels...guess that is what we are known for.

Well we have all day tomorrow here to explore and then we start our journey home on Wednesday. Can't wait to get home and tell you all about it in person. Buenos Noche!

Nerja, Spain Sept 16-20

Nerja has been one of my favorite places. We have relaxed and had some really good meals. We can eat for 30 to 40 euros on the beach, while the kids play at a playground and we eat a delicious meal. So nice!
One of our first days we went to Alahambra, a moorish castle. It was really neat and has some "unique" history.

For 4 days we have built sand castles and buried each other in the sand. The beach is always fun, no matter what country you are in!

Ty has gotten Josh to play A LOT of soccer with him.

After Nerja, we drive 5 hrs to Madrid and try to drop the car off. That should be fun! Adios!!

Parador Sept 14-16

Wow! We left to drive down to the Parador and what a trip. We got stopped on the interstate for over 2 hrs. When I say stopped, I mean we got out of the car and other people around us had a picnic! We finally got going again (apparently there was a protest going on) and then added 3 hrs to our trip because the GPS took us 1.5 hrs too far...argh! Try asking for directions in a different language! Despite it all the kids did well, it was Josh and I that were bitter. As long as we stop at playgrounds they are fine. :) Our car trip took 11 hrs. Luckily we got to our castle right before dark and it was fantastic! So nice we decided to stay here 2 nights and not go to Sevilla. We have rested, played in the castle's pool and playground and eaten good food!

Forgot to mention that Josh pushed the car to back up at first. We couldn't figure out how to put it in reverse...ha! And Ty has kept us laughing, he thinks the guy from Star Wars is Obie Kanobie #1.

Tomorrow is suppose to be a 6 hr trip to the beach for 4 days, so hopefully it will be less eventful! Much love!!

Llanes, Spain Sept 11-14

I am having problems with the internet, so a shorter post. We spent 3 days following the Vuelta (Tour of Spain, bicycle race). It has been a lot of fun, and exhausting. Here are a few pics.
This is our crew on Covondonga. We (mainly Josh) pushed the kiddos up this mountain part way. Let me tell you pushing 100 lbs up steep uphills is VERY tough. We are so sore. Despite the rain, we cheered on the Vuelta. The countryside here is beautiful, mountains right next to ocean.

Here are the kiddos cheering on the riders on the Cotobello mountain. Josh pushed the kids over 4k up the mtn and then a French man drove us the rest of the way up...God bless him! It was a fun day, but we were SO worn out afterwards.

Barcelona, Sept 8-11

Seems like 3 weeks ago, but only 3 days ago we started our trip. Here is Ty on the plane. He did great! I lucked out and got to sit with him. :) Josh sat with Marley, she didn't sleep as much and cried a couple of times but for the most part was good. Barcelona has been a lot of fun, with it's harbor, markets, playgrounds, beaches, La Ramblas (touristy street with lots of vendors), etc. We have really enjoyed it and it's food!

La Boqueria! There are markets all around Barcelona. Natural fruit juices 1 euro, all kids of fruit 1 euro, meats, fish, bread, veggies, and the list goes on. These have been very yummy!

Yesterday we had a delicious lunch at Ryans Beach. The food was good and the atmosphere was perfect. The kids have tried lots of different foods and so far they have done well. I bought a piece of bread this am, and much to my dismay it had fish on it. For breakfast...they put fish and olive oil on everything, even their chips!!

Here's the fam at La Sagrada Familia (Holy Family in Spanish, Cathlolic Church designed by Gaudi). This is the most popular tourist attraction in Barcelona. We have been there, we have eaten sardines, olives, tapas, vino, sangria, and paella. We are trying to live like the Spainards! Oh yeah, I will post a highlight of pics (more than this)on facebook when I get back.

Some of you may ask, how do they do it? Traveling internationally, 6 hr time difference, different language with a 4 & 2 yr old, etc. Well I think this pic says it all. :) The "candy store" is called Happy Pills. The kids LOVED it! Although after this we spent our 3rd night in Spain. We are all out of whack. The kids were up for a long time last night. Hopefully we will start to adapt to their time soon.

I think Ty really liked Marley's photo flip book from Disney because on this trip he has asked to get his picture made everywhere. This is along the harbor.

Tomorrow we drive to Llanes to see the Vuelta (Tour of Spain, bicycle race) and we are all excited to see another part of Spain and eat our picnic lunches (bread, cheese, meat, vino)! I will do another post when we leave Llanes (3 days). Adios & Love!

Spain - Sept 8th

Yesterday we left Signal Mtn. at 9 am and started our trip to Spain. We drove to Atlanta, flew 1.5 hrs to Toronto and then a little over 7 hrs to Barcelona, Spain. The kids are napping right now and hopefully we will go out on an "adventure" here in a bit. The kids have done good so far, but traveling with kids definitely adds a new dimension to traveling internationally. :)

When we first landed we were challenged with making a phone call, sounds simple but we had a hard time and then we took a taxi to our flat. Cost more, but definitely easier. I think one of my friends had it right when he said, "no matter what, this will a bonding experience for your family." Anyway stay tuned to see what is in store for us next! Hasta luego! Oh I asked for the bill today and some how ordered a bottle water instead.

Neighbors and Friends!

Happy 4th Birthday Hudson! Hudson is our neighbor across the street and we have loved watching him grow into a sweet little boy and friend!











Ty & Marley love watching our neighbor's dog Gracie.

Look Mom what I can do! Thanks Tessa for the tutu!!

It's football time in Tennessee!!

Our good friends the Grau's are moving to Nashville and we will miss them. Here is Ty kissing Anna Claire good bye...so sweet!