Merry Christmas

Santa made it to Spain - Merry Christmas to all!

Donkey Polo

Yes, you read it right, Donkey Polo: a fun-filled, and comfortable uncomfortable (due to the lack of a saddle), tradition here in Spain in which you ride on a donkey and play polo with a broom stick.  It is a good time had by all who play because you cannot help but laugh while you ride around on an ass (no pun intended) and swat at balls all while moving at about the speed of a turtle.

Christmas at Cristobal Colon

Just prior to beginning winter break, Tatum's school held their annual Navidad program.  While we are not able to understand much of what everything that is said, it was still fun to see Tatum perform with her class.  After the program ended everyone piled outside while the kids ate homemade goodies baked by us parents.  We were told that the "American" treats were loved by all and they were not kidding, our cupcakes were gone in about 30 seconds - at least the kids enjoyed them!

Christmas Markets in Southern Germany and Austria

We recently took a trip to Germany and Austria in order to tour the infamous Christmas markets.  We based ourselves out of Edelweiss in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany where we originally visited in October 2011 with our good friends, Josh and Rebecca Arthur.  Coincidentally, our trips to markets overlapped for a day and we were able to start our trip by meeting them for lunch in Munich followed by touring their Christmas market in the Marienplatz.  After this, we headed south into the Bavarian Alps where we did day trips to the Austrian cities of Innsbruck and Salzburg.

11 months and growing!

It is hard to believe that in one short month this cutie will be 1 - we love you MJ!

Santa arrives in Spain...

via Helicopter!  Why not?  Although it is not as traditional as a reindeer-led sleigh, it was still fun to watch Santa fly in and make his annual debut here in Rota.

Madeline braving the mid-40 degree temperature

Getting closer...

closer...

here comes Santa and his elves!

A walk around town...

Here are a few shots from our leisurely stroll around town on Saturday:

Tatum takes the lead!

Cinderella Ball 2012

Saturday was the 3rd annual Cinderella Ball here in Rota, a night of fun for dad's and their little princesses.  While Tatum was able to go, Madeline had to stay home and get to bed on time.  The night is spent dancing, enjoying carriage rides (i.e. mule-drawn carriage rides), eating cupcakes, and enjoying a visit from Princess Tiana and Cinderella.  'Twas a night of fun for all! 

Goodbye Sweet Eli

Eli aka "Eden Double-O-Seven"

8/8/04 - 11/15/12

After a very short, but brave, battle with cancer, we had to say goodbye to Eli.  Although he often drove us crazy and he kept us on our toes at all times we loved him so much and the love and affection that he had for us could not be matched.  He was a fantastic dog who will be greatly missed however we find comfort in knowing that he and Sadie are together again in Heaven.

10 months old

  

Our blue-eyed baby girl - she keeps us on our toes every day!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from our clan to yours!

Tatum's 5th Birthday Celebration

After a whirlwind, but great, trip to Rome we returned home just in time to begin the celebration of Tatum's 5th Birthday!  How she is already 5 we do not know?!  We began the Birthday celebrating with a party for Tatum and her friends at Divertilandia, a local indoor-gym type place where the kids played and worked up a big sweat while the adults chatted and had some beverages. 

The requested "Princess Castle Cake"

After her Birthday party, Tatum had a small celebration at school followed by cake and ice cream at home on her actual Birthday, Wednesday.  Here's to hoping for a fabulous year to come - we love you Tatum!

Dressing up with Kelsey and Alyssa who came over for cake

Columbus Day in Rome

What seemed like far in the future came and went in the blink of an eye: our trip to Rome with Grandma Liz.  We enjoyed a fast-paced and fun-filled 96-hours in the "Eternal City" touring all the top sights, enjoying some great food and wine, and sneaking in quality family time with Grandma.  We arrived on Friday afternoon and quickly hit the ground running until we said our goodbyes and boarded the plane home on Monday.  Our hotel, Hotel Alimandi Vaticano (http://www.alimandivaticanohotel.com/), was located directly across the street from the entrance to the Vatican museums which made our 0800 am meet-up for our Saturday morning Vatican tour just perfect.  Overall it was a great trip and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Rome; being able to see so much history through our own eyes is an amazing opportunity.

Inside the Vatican

One of Raphael's Rooms in the Vatican

Michelangelo's "The Last Judgement" in the Sistine Chapel

St. Peter's Square

The Pieta by Michelangelo

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Tartufo - a chocolate ice cream truffle with a cherry and whipped cream - yum!

A mullet that Mike needed to get a picture of (oddly enough, we saw this man 3 more times over the next 2 days!)

Inside the Pantheon

Exterior of the Pantheon

Enjoying the Roman Colosseum

Sibling love at its best!

The Roman Forum

The only original remaining door

The Trevi Fountain

The WAY TOO CROWDED Spanish Steps