Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving in Barcelona

We decided to take another weekend getaway before baby Smiley #3 arrives in a little over one month! We took a short flight from Seville to Barcelona where we enjoyed a weekend of wonderful weather, world class architecture, great shopping, and 2 sleep deprived children!


Stop #1 on our tour was the Barcelona Cathedral. This building dates back to the 14th century and is in the heart of the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter). Tatum's favorite part were the white geese that they keep in the cloisters, which is a very old tradition.


Entrance to the Cathedral.


One of the many narrow corridors around the Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter.


Another narrow street in the Gothic Quarter where we sat found an excellent place to sit down for hot chocolate and churros. This was probably Tatum's highlight of the day and would have been Owen's, but he slept through it!


Taking a lunch break in the Eixample neighborhood. This is an area with many upscale shops and a high density collection of Barcelona's best Modernista buildings.


Lindsey and Tatum enjoying lunch (notice Tatum's missing tooth!).


Casa Mila "La Pedrera". This is a famous house in the Modernista style built by Gaudi.


The Temple Expiatori de la Sagradia Familia.
This is Europe's most unconventional church and is Gaudi's most famous work. Work on it began in 1883 and is still under construction with an estimated completion date aimed for 2026!


The Nativity Facade.
Technically this is where we exited, but it is the most complete part of the church and was finished in 1930. It has scenes of the Nativity and Christ's childhood.


Closer look at a scene on the Nativity Facade.


Inside la Sagrada Familia.


Inside La Sagrada Familia.


Beautiful windows inside the cathedral.


More views inside La Sagrada Familia.


Outside of the Passion Facade.
This is a more bleak side of the church with many sculpted fingers that are angular and sinister in appearance.


Views of The Passion Facade.


Tatum and Dad enjoying views from the city from one of the many vintage points in Monjuic.


Lindsey and Tatum doing the same!


Tatum and Owen enjoying the ride on the Teleferic de Montjuic.


View of Barcelona from the Teleferic with Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in the foreground. This contains Europe's finest collection of medieval frescoes and it was the main building in the 1929 International Exhibition.



Another view of the Museum.


Monument to Columbus at the bottom of Las Ramblas.


Las Ramblas.
This is a very famous street that is busy around the clock with newsstands, caged bird and flower stalls, tarot readers, musicians, mime artists, shops and anything else you can think of. The hardest part is not getting pick-pocketed!


Entrance to La Boqueria market along Los Ramblas.
This is considered to be one of the most spectacular food markets in Europe. We can testify that it was a zoo, but filled with great deals and got some fresh fruit and smoothies for bargains there.



Tatum patiently waiting for her smoothie.



More views of the many hallways in La Boqueria.


Inside Poble Espanyol.
This is an area in Montjuic that has replicas of buildings from many regions of Spain and demonstrates their architectural styles.


Owen "enjoying" Poble Espanyol.


The Romanesque Monastery of Sant Miquel in Poble Espanyol.

Monday, November 7, 2011

All Dogs go to Heaven...

Sadie Lynn - 11/09/02-11/04/11

...and that is where Sadie is now. Chasing balls and playing in the fields with Max, whom we said goodbye to just last December - exactly 11 months to the day. From the day we brought her home, December 22, 2002, Sadie was a tremendous source of joy for our family. She was also a trooper as she endured multiple moves over the course of her life and lots of sitting on, and being tugged on, by little ones. Unfortunately, and little to our knowing until just 3 weeks ago, she had become quite ill suffering from a brain tumor. After a tough last week we were left with the hard choice of having to say goodbye before we wanted to. Luckily she was in the wonderful care of family who cared for her full-time in her last two weeks carrying her when needed and providing her with all the love that she needed. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her but it is comforting to know that she is no longer in pain.

Sadie and Eli playing in the Chesapeake Bay in 2005


Sadie and Eli at Pemaquid Point in Maine in 2007


"Puppy Love" and Eli's first snow in Maine 2007


Tatum and Sadie posing for X-mas card pics in 2008

Tatum doing an outline of Sadie's paw in Norfolk, VA in 2010

Tatum and "her dog" on the deck in Norfolk, VA in fall 2010

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Weekend Trip to Seville



We decided to take a weekend trip to Seville as the rainy season draws closer (as well as the arrival of the baby) and travel will be less frequent. Seville is about an hour from our house and is the capital of our state, Andalusia. It is also the 3rd largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona. It is a beautiful city that has many magnificent architectural structures that remain from its "golden age" of the 1500's where it was the richest city in the most powerful country in the world at the time.


Tatum enjoying the city


El Catedral-Work on this Cathedral began in 1401 and it is the largest cathedral in Europe. It also has the Tomb of Christopher Columbus.


Puerta de la Asuncion at the Cathedral


The Main Entrance to the Cathedral "El Catedral"


Inside El Catedral

The tomb of Columbus.-this dates from the 1890's.


"La Giralda" viewed from the Patio de los Naranjos. This bell tower was originally finished in 1198, but the current top was finished in 1568 which replaces the original Muslim themes.


Closeup of La Giralda


Statue near the exit called Puerta del Perdon.


Torre del Oro. This was originally built in the 13th century to protect the port.


Statue El Cid by Anna Huntington


Inside Parque Maria Luisa on our carriage ride


La Plaza de Espana in Parque Maria Luisa


Part of the Plaza de Espana

Inside Real Alcazar. This Royal Residence was originally constructed in 1364 and is the oldest active royal residence in Europe. The scope of the gardens are massive and will take multiple visits to Seville to see!


Inside Alcazar at Patio de las Doncellas


Inside one of the many courtyards at Alcazar


Taking a break in Plaza de San Francisco


A picture from a week ago up in Chipiona. This is a small beach town a bit north of us that is on the Atlantic. This was Owen's first time walking on the beach!


Tatum and Owen showing us that we didn't need to spend as much money as we did on a double stroller!