Barcelona Beckoned . . .

Last year we were in Barcelona for a few weeks and Renae enjoyed the beach as much as a 9 month old can. This year though . . . this year was different.


Jesse decided at the last minute to NOT teach Renae how to swim the hard way.



Renae running from the waves.

We were only there for a few days and went to the beach one afternoon. The previous night, we'd taken a walk to the beach and let Renae experience the sand and waves. With all of her clothes on she loved it. Even when she got totally soaked and we stripped her down to her diaper, Renae loved letting the waves crash over her little feet, and then running away from the. However this afternoon that we went, she seemed to be scared. Perhaps we should have let her go to the beach in her clothes . . .


She didn't mind being in the water if she was with her Daddy.



"Are you sure I'm safe up here??"




But when Jesse went out by himself, she seemed worried and would say, "Daddy! Daddy!" I assured her that Daddy would be ok and was an excellent swimmer.



Playing in the sand . . . it lasted about 5 minutes.



My two "fishies."

Renae with the beach bum.

This was taken after the end of the infamous heat exhaustion day. One suppository and multiple force feedings of liquids later. . . Renae felt better and we got her out of the room and into the cool evening breeze. Although we were only out for a little bit, when we walked in the door to our room, she said, "Sleepy . . ." And walked straight to her bed, climbed in and laid down with her blanket. Our little fish was beat.

Everybody Needs a Friend . . .

Jesse has been blessed with a really good friend here in Spain.


And I'm not talking about the ice cream . . . .



I'm talking about Fede. He's appeared on the blog before.

On Friday night we had a girl staying with us overnight so we jumped at the opportunity to have her watch Renae so we could go out with Fede and my good friend Tep. She looks like a Spaniard . . . she speaks just like a Spaniard . . . but she's not one. She's been such a blessing to me.


We went out to our favorite Spanish restaurant and then enjoyed some amazing ice cream. It was so nice to be out late enough that we caught the very last train on our metro line!

The next day was another Spanish holiday, so Fede invited us all to visit a small town about 40 minutes away. We headed out with some of his co-workers.

This used to be a summer palace for the King and Queen.

We're thinking about purchasing it for ourselves . . . .

Besides endless gardens, the palace also had a waterfall and river flowing right next to it.

Jesse, Renae and Tio Fede.

Renae seemed to want to be with Mommy and Daddy's friends rather than Mommy and Daddy . . .

The group at the main entrance.

Renae enjoys wearing Jesse's sunglasses. If I looked that cute I'd wear them too.

"Excuse me, is my table ready?"

For lunch we went to another small town and ate a nice relaxing meal in the plaza mayor. This plaza was so different than Madrid's. It had a more rustic and authentic Spanish feel to it.

Besides the crane . . . . it was like walking back in time.

Jesse enjoying the meal.

Renae seriously loves her Tio Fede . . . .

Segovia

There are a few ways you can see the massive ancient Roman aqua ducts . . .


This way . . .


This way . . .


Or from way above . . .


Or even looking this way . .


But the best way is like this! (Masson's always make a picture better right?)

Segovia is home to a very old castle. I'm reminded of how old the place is and that I shouldn't touch anything by this very old knight.

Renae needed to confess some stuff at the castle's chapel.


Us coming DOWN the 152 stairs we'd previously climbed UP.


The view was worth it.


Cathedral where Christopher Columbus was commissioned by the King and Queen. (I think . . )


Daddy carries Renae at the end of a long day.

Roma . . .

I'm finally posting some pictures from our trip to Roma. Rome was a cool (not literally-it was really hot while we were there!) place to visit. I had been there once before, but it was Jesse's first time. After our meeting, we stayed a few extra days so we could see the sites, enjoy time with our friends, and swim! It doesn't get much better than this.


Renae enjoying the pool at our hotel.



The pool was sooo nice to go to since Rome was soooo hot!



Jesse listening to the audio guide at the coliseum..






I'm pretending I'm there with my brother Scott since he had just been to Rome a few months before. I'm a nerd and want to photo-shop him in.







Who could have done such a thing on such an old building?
I think I know who could have done it . . .



Gelatto!!!!!! Soooooooooo gooooooooood.



Yes. We are maturing a lot here.



Jesse calls this picture "Popes in Training."



St. Peter's square or whatever it's called.



Jesse felt the need to confess at St. Peter's.



At the forum.



Outside view of the coliseum.



This arch is famous. But I don't remember the name.



We had some REALLY good pizza while we were there.



And we made a stop at the Vatican too.