Spain Day 11-Tuesday

Today was our last day in Spain. We went to this great beach in a little town called Bakio. It was a great way to end our time here. The weather was perfect and the sand was nice and the waves were fun. I think Jack's smile says it all.

Thanks Grandma Annie & Grandpa for a great time in Spain. We can't believe you have two more years to go, but if they go as fast as this past year I think we will make it!:) With the move to Southern Spain for my parents I think that another trip to Spain may be in our future....what do you say Rob? Only if you come next time we missed you too much to go without you again! Hasta pronto!

Spain Day 10 - Monday

Today we found ourselves taking a big hike up to an old church out on the rocks. It is a little fuzzy, but that is the church out behind them. It is right on the ocean and it was so beautiful.

We had to walk down a ways to this point and here we are at the bottom of the steps, just over 200 steps, up to the old church.

Jack was so excited to ring the bell at the top. He rang it a lot and I am sure a few people were wondering what was going on up there.

We watched the waves hit the rocks and there were some big waves that came in. The water was so blue it was gorgeous. Jack also loved watching all of the lizards run around.

We came back down the steps and Grandpa took Ellie & Jack to walk down on the rocks and look for fish and crabs. Cam and I hung out with Grandma in the shade and just enjoyed the ocean breeze.

I just thought this was a funny picture-don't you love that face Cameron is making?:)
It was a long way for the little kidos and for the most part Jack was ok, there was some whining at the end, but it was hot and steep. It was a beautiful view and it was a good hike for us all.

Spain Day 9 - Sunday

This afternoon we took a short drive up to the town of Loiola which is the home of the Sanctuary of Loyola. This was built over the birth place of St. Ignatius who was born here in the Basque country of Spain. It is the home of the Jesuit order of Catholic priests and is still an active seminary training for them today.

Jack inside his first Cathedral. I didn't think he noticed very much of it, it isn't huge, but then tonight when I was getting him in his pj's this is the conversation we had...
J- "Mom, did Mary die?"
H-"Mary who?"
J- "Jesus' Mommy."
H-"Yes she did die."
J-"That is sad."
H- "Well, don't be sad."
J- "Is she an angel?"
I think he did notice some of the things that were in the cathedral.

Here we are outside with the cathedral behind us.

Running outside under these very pretty tree lined walk ways.

Today while G&G went to church, I was basically pretty tired and they were only staying for one meeting today so we stayed home and made very cute plastic bead designs,

ate ice cream,

and played outside.

Here is a little fun video of Cam & Jack tonight. This is mostly for Daddy to see.

Spain Day 8 - Saturday

Today we spent a lot of time driving in the car. G&G had been asked to come speak at a Leon District Missionary activity and so we all decided to go along for the ride. It is a 3 hour drive one way but all 3 kids did awesome! One of my motivations for bringing my kids all the way to Spain was for them to see G&G doing their missionary work. I don't know what Jack will remember about this trip, and I know Cam won't remember, but I just hope that some small impression is being made in his mind.

Jack driving along with Grandpa. The drive was very pretty and it was fun for me to see more of the Northern Spain countryside. Our destination was the town of Leon. There is a small branch there and a missionary is the branch president right now. This small branch over the past eight months has gone from 15 members attending regularly to have 60 in the branch last Sunday. They have baptized 2 families as well as some other solid new members and have has some less active members of the church start attending again. It was fun to feel of the excitement in this city.

During the meeting Cam slept and stayed with Grandma while Jack, Ellie and I played at the park. They have a lot of very fun and different parks here.

Here is Cam enjoying the car ride. I know I have said this a few times, but this little one has been so great as I have toted him all over the place.
Only a few more days in Spain and we are going to try and make the most of them!

Spain Day 7 - Friday

Today was a good kind of take it easy day. We went down to Las Arenas, where the mission office is, so that Grandpa could pick something up and then Grandpa, Ellie, & Jack went out for an adventure while Grandma Annie, Cam, and I shopped around the stores in town. I will say that if I had a little girl I would be coming home with a suitcase full of adorable dresses!:) Grandpa and the kids went to this cool bridge in Las Arenas where you drive your car on and you can stand to the side and it takes you across the water without touching it. In the picture below you can kind of see how it rolls across the top support. I know I am not describing it properly but maybe you get the idea. They had a fun time with Grandpa and as with most adventures with him they ended with an ice cream treat!:)

Aren't they cute!:)

Spain Day 6 - Thursday

Today we found ourselves back at the Guggenheim but this time it was to run through the fountain. It was a beautiful gorgeous day and the kids just loved it.

Jack and Ellie are getting pretty wet and loving it! I guess it doesn't matter if you are in Bilbao Spain, or Bountiful Utah kids just love to play in water!

Cam just watched all the fun from the stroller. He did love the popsicle that I let him have earlier as you can see a lot of it on the front of his shirt!:)

Spain Day 5 - Wednesday

My day started with this cutie pie giving me some big smiles! I love starting my day with those big grins.

Then we were off to Las Arenas where the mission office is because it was being all packed up. Some things are going to the office in Malaga and a lot of other things are heading to Madrid to storage.

My Mom in what used to be her office.

This is a picture of the group that was going home, 12 missionaries. We all went out to lunch with them and then my parents always take them to this lookout where they can see most of Bilbao, it is fun.

After that we all went back to the mission home to relax. Jack played and played with the Elders and just loved every second of it. Here is Jack scoring a goal on Elder Ciccio, from Italy. They played so much with him that he came inside and just passed out!

We all had a very nice dinner and the kids and I watched a movie upstairs while they had their final testimony meeting. It was a fun day and fun to be a part of missionary life in a small way. All of the 12 elders and sisters going home were great and we wish them all the best!