Andalucia

Andalusia - the term for the Southern region of Spain (Like a State).  The culture is much different in Andalusia than the rest of Spain.  They are much more laid back and generally happy go lucky people.  They love their beaches in the summer and to wear boots and scarfs in the winter.  They know how to party, eat, and stay up late.  But most importantly they know how to love, not just each other, but they are very passionate people whether it be sports (Football is the only sport), food, bull fighting (or against it), or their local bar with tapas.  You can really get these people riled up about these topics.

We have settled into our daily routines and made friends with both expats (none from the states) and locals.  I think our favorite past time is just being together and enjoying our yard.  Jimmy and I love watching the kids just play in the yard. Clara loves trying to keep up with the older two out there, but her favorite thing is when the neighborhood cats come and play with her. Landon loves practicing soccer in the yard and can't wait for the swimming pool to warm up (he tried swimming last week and came out of the pool as fast as he jumped in!).  Emma loves playing with Clara and the cats, she will bring her Barbies out to play with them sometimes too.   We are enjoying our family time together and our "field trips" as Emma calls them.  We are trying to educate the kids with culture and go to different places often.  We've seen so much within just an hour's drive from our house.  We've only taken one trip over an hour and that was to go see the Dancing Horses of Jerez.  The next two things we are really looking forward to are a little warmer weather (It has froze every night this week and these houses were made for the summers not the winters) and my parents coming at the end of March! 

Here are some pictures of our last two "field trips" enjoy.

Castle in Niebla

Niebla's walled enclosure originated in the Roman period, although it was the Arabs who gave it its present appearance. 

There is a modern city within the castle walls, the castle itself was pretty amazing how well it was preserved.

Here's the kids right out front of the castle walls.

Landon with a cannon 

This was at the place where you enter the castle.  Love the red brick ceiling. 

Entering the castle grounds.

This symbol is posted everywhere around the castle. 

I loved this wagon wheel the moment I saw it.

What a great photo spot.

Looking for water down the water well. 

The Dungeons.

It was a bit creepy down there.  They had actual torture

devices they used, skeletons, and music creepy Halloween type

music.  The kids were a little scared at first. 

Over all it was neat to see, but definitely a bit eerie.

A view from the top.  You could go up to the top of the wall and walk around.

Beautiful panoramic views.

Mazagon Beach

We've been to this beach once before in the summer.  It is beautiful here, lots of sea shells.  We enjoyed this winter trip as well, but we weren't really prepared for it.  Next time we'll take a change of clothes for the kids.  They splashed around in the water, got a little wet, but we left way earlier than they wanted too, only because we didn't want to make the hour drive home with soaking wet kids.

They were so cute walking together.

Loved the rippled effect in the sand. 

This picture says so much about this boy.  He is energetic to the max, and probably would have been waist deep in the water if we would have let him.

She loved just watching the waves.

Four Paths of our Foot Prints

Live, Laugh, Love.