Christmas 2009

We had a great time with Aunt S!!!!!
Germany, Trier, Christmas markets, swim meet,
Las Tinajas, brochetta de la casa,
parties and packages.
It was non-stop fun and rain...
but that didn't stop us.
Madrid was the big finale!
Waiting and waiting for C to arrive. All worthwhile. I love family gatherings.

more stuff

Hair cuts, facebook, tryouts for basketball, swim meets and times dropping to make Champs, quilting, still sunny in Spain.

Halloween & Marine Corps Ball 2009

The Huelva circle had a great evening with costumes and dulce. Housewives, Capt America and the girlfriends dressed up for the treats. The Marines do it well! The ball was a terrific success. B had two dates and was the man about town.

Braces off and Homecoming Dance

A great day overall! Everyone had a good time and he was so happy to be brace free.

Granada

The crowd and I went to Granada. On the way we stopped at one of the many sunflower fields. We shopped in the souks, walked past Cathedrals and spice stalls. We got lost looking for the Carmen for dinner; we arrived 30 minutes late. We were able to take pictures from the St. Nicholas Square. We spent the next day at The Alhambra!!!! Everyone was impressed and exhausted. What a terrific weekend. It's a must see. Loving Spain.

July 2009

The USNH Rota had a COC and Dining Out in Puerto. We had a wonderful time attending both. Also Ercolano with B was amazing in Napoli. And lastly a self portrait of the author at her computer wasting time but having fun on the internet. Having Summer fun with friends. Oh the simple days for simpler times.

May 2009

Feria Month. It has been a blessing this May to see MLM graduate from UVA! AAM turn 12 years old! CAM come home from a successful year at VMI! NJM went to his first prom! My life feels rich and full. The children are enjoying their lives. I love traveling Space A to the States with the family and hope to do it much more. We had special family members come up to Charlottesville for M's graduation and were able to share the joy with other friends from Jacksonville Florida. What a great month.

A new beginning

Life is going along. It is different now. I am different now, whether it is recognizable or not. I appreciate the "little" things more. People are the most important asset we have. You can never say, I love you enough; nor let others know that you care about them on a daily basis yea minute by minute basis. I hope I am a better person today than I was April 1, 2009. I am more determined each day to make my life an example of how to love others. I don't know how exactly I'll succeed but that will be between me and God to judge my succeeding. I want to thank all my friends and family and families of friends for their enduring support and love that they've shown to me and my family!!! There are no words to express some of what the heart feels during the hard times. Sometimes it can only be expressed in tears, hugs, kisses and silent prayers. I am amazed at the grace and mercy in our daily lives. M is a graduate of UVA. C is succeeding at VMI. N is doing so well in high school. A is growing up and becoming a 7th grader. They are all so different and each so wonderful. I love their smiles and chuckle silently at their spats with each other. We are all adjusting to being together this summer, perhaps our last as MLM starts out on her own. I hope and pray that I can rise to the challenges of our ever changing lives. We are all working at various jobs and that is a first too. The ever fluctuating life is an "interesting" thing to watch when we can step outside of ourselves. What we believe, the places we go and the things we do mold us and we have the freewill to become who we want to be. I'm pledging to become a more loving individual in anyway I can. I hope that my actions will show my heart more than my mind. Each day is a new gift ~ I want to make others feel that too.

Passing of a wonderful Mom

Prov. 31:22

I will miss you Mom...
http://www.respectance.com/Elinor_Hill_Manson/

Vacation and Feria Dress

I'm so glad that CK and EK came to visit. We saw the Andalusian Horses in Jerez, they went to Morocco, we saw the Alhambra and shopped and went to Seville. A whirlwind week but well worth the driving and craziness. I also wore a feria dress for a fund raising fashion show. Loved my week. The best part were the evenings of sangria with CK on the patio. Each visitor makes this house feel more like our home. Thanks for blessing us with your visit. I hope to welcome more friends and family.

Monkeying around on Gibraltar

My friends have arrived and we are going everywhere. Yesterday we went to Gibraltar and rode the Rock! The cable car was being repaired so we took the van tour. We "enjoyed" the Apes, the views and tunnels. We ate fish n chips at the Clipper. Yummy and we definitely felt like we were in the UK. Next time we see the glass factory...

I found a cappuccino in Spain!

My friends and I have started lunching together at various restaurants in our area. This is the beach at Puerto Sherry and the restaurant has cappuccinos!!! It makes me very happy. Spain is feeling more and more like home.

Mi escuela espanola

Mis profesores son muy buenos. Y he hecho a muchos amigos. Tengo gusto de mi clase espanola mucho. I am learning much and trying to speak spanish more and more.

Nueva vespa para NJM

N loves his new scooter.

Swim Meet in Naples Italy

N, A and I went to the Naples Divisional Swim Meet this weekend. We also drove past the Colosseo, Nate plugged it into our Tom-Tom and Tim led us straight there. The colosseum never ceases to be fantastic. We'll do the Rome trip another time. We had gelatos and bought water then off we went to Naples. 2 hours later and many driving experiences we arrived at the Naples Capo Inn Lodge, on a Navy base next to the Naples Airport. We checked in and were off for Pompei, pictures to be added when I get them. My camera went home with M (she used it for her Florence trip). Pompei is amazing! They were such an advanced and large city for that time period in Rome. The plaster casts of dogs, people and preserved buildings just leave you speechless. We ate at the little italian lunch place by the parking lot, cappuccinos were yummy. Nate has given up on spaghetti in Italy, my recipe rocks, thanks to Joanne. The A1 highway in Italy is smooth & fast, every lane has a different speed limit, lanes are just suggestions and high beams and horns are the cue to MOVE out of the way. We went to the Applebees at the Navy Support portion of the base, every night. We sometimes miss that American food. I had a salad both nights. N and his friend CB used the shuttle to get to the support base and meet up with some girls for NEX shopping and Valkyrie movie. A and N swam great! N improved his times on all 3 events. A came down with a high fever Sun night after the meet but recovered to get on the plane the next a.m.. We left Mon at 5 a.m. for the Fumicino Airport - gelatos and cappucino at the airport then flew home. It was a fun but quick trip. We learn more each travel experience.

New Years Eve and New Years Day 2009

We had families of friends fill our home on New Years Eve. Cards, food, Guitar Hero and other games were enjoyed by all. We ate grapes for each of the twelve bongs to end the old year and to celebrate the coming of the new (Spanish tradition). We also met friends at El Quinto Pino for some food and friendship to bring in the New Year too. We are blessed by many smiles here in Spain. I must thank my cousin Victor for all the wonderful photos he took while visiting. My camera skills went on vacation when he arrived. He saved the day. Thanks VGH!