HaPpY HaLlOwEeN

I would have to say that Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays... I love everything about Halloween!!  This year we went to a Halloween party at our friend Millie and Trent's house for dinner and trick-or-treating.

Prior to heading to Millie's, we went to Heather's to make our treats to bring and get ready for the party.

Our contribution to the party was 'dirt' pudding and Frankenstein heads.  

The kids looked so cute!!

Aydin wanted to be an 'old school' ghost.

Morgan went as Clawdeen- a Monster High Girl and

Liam was the cutest Spiderman out there!!

Morgan and Kailey

The kids prior to going to the party: Eathan, Kailey, Morgan, Aydin, Cade, and Liam.

The fantastic and creative dinner:

Aydin and his friend Luke

Carving Pumpkins

Tonight we carved pumpkins... and loved every minute.  The kids each had their own pumpkin and did everything themselves!!  Steve helped with Liams... but Liam loved taking all the insides out just as much as the older two did.

Got futbol?

Today was Aydins first futbol game (jamboree) of the season.  They played 2 20 minute games and Aydin played in all but a few minutes of the two games combined.  He did great!  They have him playing mid and defense so it is a learning experience for him... he was been playing forward in Florida. 

I am so excited to see him play this season and cannot wait to watch him grow in the sport! 

He has an amazing coach who is willing to work with him even though Aydin never knows what he is telling him to do on the field.  Hopefully by the end of the season, he will understand what they are saying out there.

 

 

Welcome HOME Ecko!!

Today is the day everyone in the family has been waiting for... Ecko is finally moving to Spain!

 

Due to our crazy schedule this summer with the move out of the Florida house, trip to California, Steve coming home from Afghanistan, and then our move to Spain the dog was living with Steve's mom (the Saint) until we were finally settled and the weather was cooperative enough to fly him over.  Steve's mom has been taking great care of Ecko this summer and we could not be more grateful for all she has done for us. 

 

 

I swear it would have been easier to get someone else's child into the country, walk on water, move mountains than it is to ship a dog (that is OURS) back to us.  With many days of changing plans, finding vets, multiple phone calls, and driving to Boston... Susan finally was able to put Ecko on a plane and get him to us.

 

Steve and Morgan drove to Madrid last night so they will know where to go and not have to drive the 6 hours there and back in one day.  Morgan was so excited to have Ecko back, she did not even want to wait one more day for him so she was thrilled to take the road trip with Steve.  I was just happy they had bonding time..

 

He is coming home...

 

Steve took my VW Golf and in doing so- this is how the car looked on the way home:

the crate took up every inch of the back (and that is with all of the seats down...).  Ecko does not LAY down ever on road trips... he sat just like that the whole 6 hours home.

 

Aydin made this sign for Ecko

 

So happy to be home....and in Steve's lap.

 

 

Susan- saying THANK YOU is not enough to express how grateful we are for everything!  

Horse lessons

For as long as I can remember, Morgan has been dying to learn how to ride a horse. 

While living in Spain, her dreams have finally been able to come true.  We have singed Morgan up for riding lessons... and she LOVES it.  We take her to a Spanish horse breeder and is learning everything from how to feel comfortable on a horse, how to feel the horses movements, how to balance and properly sit on a horse and so much more. 

The first two lessons she was lead the whole time by Sarah Jane (trainer) and tonight... she was finally able to hold the reins herself.  I was SO happy and excited for her. 

Liam, Cade and a fire truck

Today Liam and I met up with our favorite people to play with and went to story time on base.  They had the fire dog come and read to the kids (with the help of the fire fighter) and then they got to go in the fire truck.  The boys LOVED it.

Cade and Liam are partners in crime... I have met my match with these two... getting them to look at the camera at the same time will probably not ever happen but they are too cute when they are together!

In honor of...

To celebrate Christopher Columbus Day we decided to visit the place where it all began; La Rabida, Spain.  Today we drove about 2 hours north to a little town that was full of history.   

We started our day by visiting the starting point of it all: Where Columbus stayed for 2 years prior to leaving Spain, dreamt of crossing the ocean, waited for King Ferdinarnd and Queen Isabella to fund his voyage, and where he prayed before his travels began. 

Monasterio de Santa Maria de la Rabida

It was in this room where:

"The initial discussions between Columbus and Father Marcheng took place in the XVth century. 

This room is called "The Bethlehem or Cradle of America"." 

In this room:

"The Ancient rectory of the monks, XVth century. Columbus and his son Diego ate here. The crucifix is of the XIIIth century".

(That is insane that we were sitting in a room where Columbus ate prior to finding the Americas... and how amazing it was to see the crucifix from the 13th century!!)

The rooms of the monks (and one of which Columbus stayed in).

"The Chapter House, where Columbus, Father Marcheng, Father Juan Perez, the Pizon brothers, Garci-Fernandez, and others held their final discussions"

This was may favorite room of the whole monastery.  

This was just one corner- but the whole room was lined with flags from each country Columbus sailed to... including a box under filled with soil from each country!!  How cool is that?!  

From here we went to where Columbus and crew departed Spain and set sail for the Americas.  I was in shock when we arrived and saw the exact replicas of the ships they traveled in.... they are SO SMALL!! 

 Nina, Santa Maria, and Pinta

 

The Santa Maria was captained by Christoper Columbus and was the largest of the three ships.  It was about 36 meters long. 

The Pinta and Nina were small caravels measuring about 15-20 meters long.   

 

On the Santa Maria 

 

Front of the Pinta or Nina (I am not sure.. they are both small!!)

 

Inside the Santa Maria

Santa Maria

 

 

What a great day trip... one place I am happy to have visited!