Flocked (Relay for Life), San Lucar outing

Well, it's been a busy week since I returned from Virginia. I've included photos of our grilled chocos (squid) and the favorite of the region the tortillas camarones (shrimp crisps). We were at a San Lucar venta called Casa Balbino on the square in San Lucar. It was a beautiful setting, the tortillas were delicious, and I can pass on the grilled chocos next time. The Relay for Life group is sending around a flock of pink flamingos!!! You get flocked at night and then as a fund raiser pay to remove the flock, send the flock to another address and pay insurance not to have the flock return. It was great fun having the flock to visit. What a great idea and fun too. We hope the flock returns! The picture of the blue tahoe shows why I sold our big blue suburban! We were up on the curb, pinned next to the tree and it took KG 15 minutes to find a suitable spot and then another 10 min to finagle or finesse her large American truck into the parking spot. It was worth a chuckle or two. We are continuing to enjoy our new friends, finding out how American we are and being treated so kindly by the Spanish. Hasta luego mi amigos y familia.

VMI Parents Weekend 2008

I had a terrific time with CAM at VMI! He is happy and succeeding as a Brother Rat. His year has gone on with much training, drilling, yelling and education. His classes are small and he gets much individual attention from his professors. I met many of his fellow rats and his dyke, who is a 1st class. They were all so very polite and seemed to actually like us parents. I met his other family from Virginia Beach who take care of him when we're not around for VMI events. T and John have been very kind and generous to C. They were a pleasure to be with at both pre-game and post-game tailgating. Their son has the same dyke as C. J is pictured with Clay in front of the tailgate tent and VMI banners; their big brother, D is between them. I met a bunch of parents too who were proud of their Keydet sons. What a great time the 3 days were. MLM and her friends came up for the football game and were glad they attend UVa. We won the football game which is a mixed blessing as a Rat because they have to do push ups for every point. The Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains were fabulous to be in at the turning of the leaves, my fav time in Virginia. I'm already planning our adventure next year when C is a 3rd Class and a true part of the Core. Go Keydets!

Londres Swim Meet

What a terrific time. Ryan Air is slow but gets us to our destination. We did London in a day, whirlwind... Big Bus Tours, Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower of London, Queens Jewels, Sherlock Holmes store, Beatles store - plane, bus, train, ferry, taxi, tube (Underground) all in a weekend. Crazy fun. We saw the musical Wicked, still pondering some of it's message; but thoroughly enjoyed the music, sets and costumes. Jersey Boys is the next musical I'd like to see. NJM LOVED Abbey Road. I was over-joyed to see that he is not the only crazy Beatles fan; many others were taking their shoes off for pictures there too. Abi enjoyed the London Eye scenery. We saw a couple get engaged, with champagne being served, in the pod next to us while riding high in the sky. What an idea! We hope to do some museums & other cathedrals next visit. We went to Lakenheath AFB for our swim meet and brought home 2 4th place ribbons in the 100 meter freestyle. Go swimmers! We finished off the weekend with a visit to a cathedral at Bury St. Edmunds and lunch at the Queen's Head pub for fish & chips. Wonderful trip. Cheerio!

Flowers, Trees & Dog

Nothing special occurring. Our family is adjusting. The dogs enjoy the back patio, the flowers are blooming and the view is still outstanding. The Lord provides for so many things that we take for granted. I walk the dogs after I walk AAM to school. We try to eat on the patio every evening to enjoy the sunset and weather. It is a time of family and relaxation. I'm sure that things will start to get very busy as the Christmas time approaches. This first weekend in October is the Rosario celebration in Rota and we're going to the coronation and parade. I've been told there is winter weather and winds soon.

Las Tinajas

We have found some good places to eat in the surrounding towns of Rota, Cadiz and Puerto. This is a new favorite venta (roadside restaurant). We had the favorite bruchette de la casa and the girls liked the bruchette de pollo, potata fritas and camerones. We have made some good friends that like to join us too. Food and smiles.

The Zoologica in Jerez

Amazing!!!! The pens are small but that allowed us to get up close and personal. The baboon did not like NJM and charged the plexiglass, which made me think 'ummm how old is that glass and will it hold?'. The hippo yawned, the baboon charged, we fed the elefante, watched the giraffes eat onions, the lions roared, the wolf snarled at Bill and the tigers paced and growled. What a great day! Thanks to our TomTom helping us find the zoo. Going at 5 pm was the time to go, every animal was up and moving. This will become a regular visiting spot for us. Enjoy the pictures...

First Day of School

Well, everyone is off and running. School started in Spain at DGF, UVa and VMI in Virginia. I have no pictures of M for her first day as a 4th year at UVa, but I'll remedy that when I return for Parents' Weekend in October. A loves Mr. Jayo, her homeroom teacher in her 6th grade class. It's her last year in Elementary School and she is class sharing like in Virginia. She's also loving Swim Team. Our first meet was a huge success. She won two of her heats.
It's been a big adjustment for N, 36 in the sophomore class. He says 'that was the number in his history class last year'. Band is a little disappointing, so he is trying to find another class out in Rota or Cadiz to supplement. He is in a neigborhood band that may have some gigs this year. We're trying to get him to play with the singers at church, they need the beat. He is also on the Swim Team: Rota Tiburones. He placed 2nd, in his age group, at the last meet! The 6 am practices are a struggle for him to enjoy/attend. We travel to Lakenheath England Sept 25-28 to compete, oh and sightsee too! London here we come! There is a Rock 'n Roll bus tour, perhaps some Beatles stops. C is loving VMI (go figure), his picture is from New Market (another Mom took, thanks). The cadets/rats travel to re-inact the charge at New Market during the Civil War where VMI was involved as a college. The Rats also read the VMI Pledge as a class. MLM met him there for the day and said it was awesome. He likes his classes and is a Modern Languages major. M is in her 4th year at UVa, finishing up her Art History Major and working toward her Major & Masters in Education. Two 4th year students, M a "senior 4th year" and C a "Rat 4th class". B and M are enjoying the neighbors, food, beaches, work and the back patio view.