Daytrip to Malaga

It recently hit us that our time is running out in Spain and we need to make the most of it!  We decided to take an overnight trip to the city of Malaga, which is a coastal city two and a half hours from us on the Mediterranean side of Spain.  We haven't heard many people speak of it one way or the other, however, it was a pleasant surprise.  It had ancient Moorish ruins, a vibrant downtown, and a Dunkin Donuts! 

Tatum relaxing in front of the Roman Forum

Tatum and my gray hair outside of the Roman Forum (Lindsey got a lot of laughs out of the grays)

The front of the Cathedral in Malaga

The view while walking the streets at night by our hotel

Palm trees and 60 degree weather at 10:00 a.m.

Walking the perimeter of the Alcazaba and looking for the entrance!

Finally, we found the entrance

Tatum posing on the walls of the ancient Moorish palace

Owen awkwardly posing in his shirt that is clearly for Christmas!

The Alcazaba

Tatum doing more posing

Lindsey and the 2 girls (MJ is in there)

Lindsey and MJ

Classic Moorish arches

Owen and MJ exhausted on the drive back to Rota

Winter in Prague

We had the chance to travel to Prague recently with our friends from work.  It was a very mixed group-us and the 3 kids, 2 childless couples, and our friend's grandparents!  Overall, it was a very nice balance of people and our friends probably will remain childless for years to come.  Prague itself was a wonderful city.  It was hardly touched during WWII and for a city that is 1,100 years old, it has remained remarkably well preserved and is one of the most beautiful (and COLD) places that we have traveled to while in Europe.

A wonderful image right out of our hotel!

Looking at our hotel from the Charles Bridge

Crossing the Charles Bridge at dusk

Old Town Square at night

The Astronomical Clock (Orloj) on Old Town Square

Lindsey enjoying the cold weather

Tatum and her map

MJ giving us the stink eye for being cold

Owen assaulting Tatum on our train ride to Pilsen for a brewery tour

Yummy!

St. Vitus Cathedral at the Prague Castle

Owen's 2 favorite things in 1 statue: horses and dragons!

Semi-Family picture at Old Town Square (MJ and Owen were sleeping in the Bumbleride)

Proof that we didn't just omit Owen from the picture because he won't smile

Walking across the Charles Bridge in the snow.  We are glad that it snowed our last day!

Looking back towards our hotel on the Charles Bridge

Tatum catching snow flakes

The Jewish cemetery.  There was a moving exhibit above the Holocaust memorial here which displayed artwork by children that were prisoners in the concentration camps of WWII and also listed their fate.  It was sad to see pictures by children Tatum's age that did not live....

Checking in on Tatum at Escuela

Lindsey and I really have no idea what Tatum does in school every day or how she is doing.  She has been telling us that she learns the same thing every day for the past 6 months, which is "about Mamut (Mammoth)".  We decided it was best to go and meet with her teacher and we were pleasantly surprised to find that Tatum essentially understands all instructions given to her in Spanish (her teacher does not speak English) and she is able to communicate reasonably well with her teacher and classmates. 

Tatum showing off in her classroom before we speak with her teacher

Owen and Tatum walking to the car after the meeting

The courtyard at Tatum's school

Apparently, the do spend a lot of time learning about Mamut! 

Madeline vs. Cake

Today we partook in the traditional 1st Birthday event of having Madeline sink her hands and teeth into her very own birthday cake.  Much to our surprise, Madeline licked a little bit here and there and then nibbled on some cake when daddy offered it to her via a fork.  This is the same girl who spits out her food when she is done (often half-chewed) and/or throws it on the floor when she does not feel like eating anymore (I guess we are lucky that she did not do the same with the cake).  Admittedly, it was questionable that this would be a successful event as she cried hysterically throughout the singing of "Happy Birthday" and did not calm down until the cake was placed in front of her.

 

Overall it was a fun afternoon with our friends celebrating Madeline's Birthday and it was a great excuse to get baking!

Mmm...

Kit Kat Cupcakes for the kids

 Kit Kat Cake

Happy Birthday Madeline!

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Girl!

Ringing in the New Year in Edinburgh, Scotland

 We decided to end 2012, and ring in 2013, with a short, but fun-filled trip to "Edinburrah" (as the locals call it) for their annual Hogmanay festival (http://www.edinburghshogmanay.com/).  It was a bit chilly and the short daytime hours made it seem colder as it was dark and windy by 4:30 pm, but we managed to enjoy some good food, ride some rides, hit up some Starbucks, and tour the castle in our short 2-days and 3 nights.  Edinburgh devotes great attention to the Holiday season with the Hogmanay celebration as well as they have a winter wonderland (http://www.edinburghschristmas.com/) that lasts from around Thanksgiving until Three King's Day on January 6th.  The city was very alive and it was nice (and a bit refreshing) to be in a country in which English is spoken.  Since we (Mike and Lindsey) traveled to Edinburgh in August 2004 it was neat to visit this city again and to see some of the same sights - one would not deny though that our wonderful and always sometimes well behaved children made this a very different trip!