We were so fortunate in November to be surrounded by family as we went into the holiday season. My parents came to visit Spain, and Kat and Sara met up with us as well! We missed Erin, Brin, and the kids, but it was still so wonderful to have so much of the family together.
I have missed my parents so much. Being across an ocean from them seems so much further away than even the distance between California and Texas. I was so excited to share our life in Spain with them and get in as many hugs as possible.
How do I describe how much my parents mean to me? They have given me everything – a solid start to life, continual guidance as I grew up, and a friendship as an adult. Their care and love for me overwhelms me and makes me tear up. I don’t think I say it enough, but my parents are incredible people. I love you, Mom and Dad!
As a change of pace on the blog, I have recorded our trip with a series of haikus and photos capturing the highlights of our trip.
Granada
Thanksgiving dinner
No turkey or pumpkin pie
Just tajine couscous
Kat is last minute
Lucky to see her so much
We love this globber
Houston to Frankfurt
Barca, Malaga, then bus
Family together
Alhambra Palace
Lush gardens and colored tile
Backdrop of mountains
Albayzin barrio
Whitewashed walls with orange rooftops
But it is uphill
Mother and Father
Two of my favorite people
I’ll love you always
Sisters together
I love laughing lots with you
You know my soul well
Eggplant with honey
Crispy, sweet, unexpected
Mom’s top tapa choice
Women drink in caves
Rumor is gypsies live here
Where real talk happens
White hill towns
Family road trip
Just have to find the rental
To drive white hill towns
Ronda bridge so tall
Joining village over gorge
Such a feat of stone
Grant climbs Zahara
We sit on ledge for sunset
Golden streams of light
Seville
Seville riverfront
Blue water, colorful walls
Sometimes we goof off
Placa Espanya
Surprisingly beautiful
Homage to all towns
Mosque turned cathedral
Columbus is buried here
Or so they would claim
Orange trees in the street
Sometimes feels like Morocco
But with better wine
Flamenco is danced
Or rather shouted or screamed
By their fast, loud feet
We enjoy looking
Shopping El Corte Ingles
As we exchange notes
Real Alcazar
Grant got us in with a hack
Wandered the gardens
Madrid
Capital city
Madrid is dressed for Christmas
There are scary goats
Outside the bullring
We have fun with photographs
Those Americans
The Prado Museum
Awe-inspiring art for all
Wow it is so big
Reina Sofia
Perfect for mom and daughter
So blessed for this time
Segway tour through parks
Off roading and spiraling
That’s guy time for you
Barcelona
Finally Barca
Got to show off Gracia
It’s kind of hipster
Small Italian place
Da Greco was a true treat
Chock full of pasta
Gaudi’s masterpiece
Sagrada Familia
Such engineering
Christmas marketplace
Bon Nadal in Catalan
Stacks of smiling logs
Mom takes care of us
Brings us presents and decor
Like Santa was here
Love having you here
It’s the best Christmas present
Thank God for FaceTime
