La Alhambra Palace

La Alhambra (Red Fortress) is a palace and fortress complex in Granada in southern Spain. It was built by the Moors (Muslims) during the 14th Century on a hilly terrace overlooking the city. It was reclaimed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492 when they finally won control back of Spain from the Muslims.
We went to see this palace with the Boyd's. We chose this time of year as this fortress and palace is the top tourist destination in Spain and the summer months are extremely crowded. We had no problems buying tickets and there were few people here relative to summer months. And the weather was perfect for touring!


A view of the Alhmabra grounds with some of the palace popping up through the trees. A very strategic position on the hill overlooking the city and camouflaged by many trees!


The hotel we stayed at the night before our tour. This hotel is just down the road from the palace entrance and we simply walked up the street to claim our tickets and enter the grounds! This hotel was beautiful and Moorish in design as well.


O and I exploring the hotel.

Patio de los Arrayenes. One of the famous areas of the Alhambra.

O and I looking at fish in the patio's reflecting pool.


O loved this area as there were many people, fountains, a reflecting pool and fish to keep her occupied.


Justin in front of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles the V's palace. Built onto the Alhambra palace in the 16th century.

John and Mary Ann inside Charles the V's palace.


The Alcazaba (citadel) of the Alhambra with a commanding view of the city.


All the Boyd's overlooking the palace grounds.


Justin and O enjoying a fountain.

Some Moorish architecture within the palace.


Couldn't resist a photo op in front of some gorgeous flowers.


Another example of the Moorish architecture. The ceiling in this room was incredible in person.


The portico and pool of the palace. More fish for O to look at.


A view of the countryside from the palace.


Washington Irving stayed in the palace and wrote "Tales of the Alhambra" in the 19th century. His writings helped re-introduce people to this palace and the tourist industry has boomed since.

Visit with the Boyd's

Justin's parents came to visit for almost a month and we had such a blast with them. Olivia loved playing games, reading books and having them around so much. And I can not thank them enough for all the help they gave me in finishing my hours faster for the internship I am doing by helping with Olivia! Here are some random pictures of some of October and November.


Olivia discovered all of her stuffed animals and surrounded herself with them one morning.


We took a morning trip to a local town, Jerez. Here Justin is picking forbidden fruit, aka oranges.


I am so happy to be in another church/castle/museum. You can never see enough of those in Europe.


The Alcazar in Jerez. It was a 12th century castle and fortress. We are posing "Ferris Bueller" style here.


The Boyd's in the Alcazar.

Olivia and I enjoying the Rota Gypsy Market.


Olivia had just finished on her tricycle when John came out with his afternoon tea. She asked to have her "coffee" (water) also and so they drank out of their mugs on the back patio together.


Olivia helping me water the flowers at dusk.


O enjoying a good picture book.

Halloween

Anyone who knows me knows I hate Halloween. I don't like dressing up and find the holiday to be a chore in general. It has only gotten slightly better now that I have a child. Well I had forgotten about getting a new costume for Olivia this year and realized too late that O has grown tremendously this year. We managed to squeeze her in the same costume as last year-a lady bug. But I promise next year I will do better for her when she is 3 years old.
Below are pics from Halloween on the base in Spain. It was psychotic. The Spanish were out before the scheduled time wandering and waiting for the Americans to come out with candy. Trick-or-Treating was scheduled for 6-8pm. We went over to our neighbor's home to hand out candy with them and some other friends. We had a combined total of 40 bags. We ran out of candy at 6:55pm...an hour before it was supposed to end. 40 bags. Gone. I have never in my life seen so many people out. That being said, it was an amazing experience. So fun and wonderful to interact with the Spanish military and their families (and many friends they brought with them). Next year it will be our turn to take O out and about.


Olivia as a super cool lady bug. She insisted on the sunglasses.


O practicing her trick-or-treating skills for next year. She just kept grabbing candy and putting it in her bag.


O is as amazed as we were at the crowds.


A small taste of our street when it started. That blue car on the left is our "Rota Beater." Everyone buys one when they get here as a get-around-the-base car. Others choose to buy old BMW's, Justin chose to buy a 1997 Peugeot Wagon. Awful.


Getting ready for the onslaught. Ben, the man on the carport roof, is the Public Affairs Officer for the base so he was up there getting good shots for the base facebook page and the local newspaper. My father-in-law John is already amazed by the crowds.


Just one phase of the crowds of people that came up. I said, "Uno por favor" ("one please") for a straight hour.

Olivia's favorite toy

Everyday, in the afternoon, Olivia heads outside, puts on her helmet and gets on her very favorite toy. She could be on this for hours if we let her. It's her new tricycle. We had been thinking of getting one for her in the summer and then her Aunt Sarah and Uncle Aaron asked if they could get it for her birthday. Win-win! We went to our Navy exchange and they had the classic red Radio Flyer tricycle that is perfect for her. We got it, put it together after we got home from Illinois, and presented it to her one afternoon when she got up from her nap. She was so happy when she saw it and hopped on it immediately. And had no problems wearing the helmet. She loves this tricycle and asks about 3-4 times a day to ride it on the back patio. She even learned very quickly how to pedal and turn!




She wasted no time.

Navy Ball

At the end of October, we attended the Navy Ball here in Rota. It was a great time and a chance to get all dolled up. Everyone wore dress uniform and Justin wore his Navy tuxedo. All the ladies wear floor length gowns. It was held at the Hotel Playa de La Luz on the beach. An awesome location as cocktail hour was at sunset.


A picture of the hotel.

Justin before we left. He feels like a double agent in his Navy tux.


Me and some friends in front of the elementary school waiting for the shuttle to take us to the hotel.


A pic of us at sunset during cocktail hour.


The boys. Leave it to the military men to stand in perfect formation in a picture.

Group shot with many of our friends here.


Me and my friend and neighbor Rachel.

Me and my other friend and neighbor Alicia. (Drew's mom if you have read previous posts.)


Tearing it up on the dance floor. This was nearing the end of the night.

October in Spain

When we got back from Illinois, we unfortunately had to say good-bye to one of our close friends. We met Jeff in July while he was on a deployment to Spain. We all quickly realized that we had a lot in common and really got along well. So much so that Jeff came over many nights a week after that for dinner and PS3 with Justin and stayed on the weekends with us as well. We nicknamed our guest room Jeff's room and joked that others had to get approval through him first to stay there. He also was a tremendous help to me by entertaining Olivia constantly and genuinely having fun with her. He really became my "manny." The very hard thing I have learned about the military is meeting great people, forging close friendships and then inevitably somebody leaving. Luckily, we all will meet up eventually in other places or we just plan on visiting each other when we can. I have posted some pics we took the night before Jeff left. We threw him a surprise going away party with some of our closest friends here. They loved Jeff as well.


Here is the crew we hang out with here in Rota. A GREAT group of people!! Living here has become very fun now. L-R: Riley, Jeff, the Tisdales (Ben, Rachel and baby Caroline), Jaime and Todd Kline (preggers with twins), the Boyds, the Olsens (Alicia and baby Claire, Andy and their son Drew).



Us and Jeff. Had to take a "family" picture. As you can see, O is very upset about him leaving.

O and her manny. Please excuse my daughter's pajamas. We had forgotten they had not taken a pic together yet and took this before she went to bed.

Justin is in a softball league on base so here is a shot of him at bat.


Getting ready for the pitch.

Kuna Wedding

The reason we went to Illinois in October was because of one of my greatest friend's weddings. Rachel Lukawski-Kuna was a wonderful woman I met in my sorority in college. We became close friends our junior and senior year and spent many hours together in the sorority house discussing our lives, our futures, etc...When we graduated from college we continued to be close as we both lived in Chicago. But there is more to why I love this woman. She introduced Justin and me our senior year. She knew we would be a good match (even though I was hesitant) and continued to push for us to hang out. She convinced me to ask Justin to one of our sorority functions and well....the rest is history! Both Justin and I have Rachel to thank for the marriage and families we both now have. In fact, Justin and Rachel have been longer friends than she and I have and represented us both when she stood up at our wedding. Unfortunately, both Rach and I have not been able to see each other in years due to work, moving, etc... so when she asked us to come to her wedding, we jumped at the chance to share in her day as she shared in ours! Lots of pics on this post!


The happy reunion after at least 4 years of not seeing each other.


The three Zeta amigos. All three of us spent many hours together talking and laughing in our rooms in the sorority house. Me, Rachel and Katie.


Going out on Friday night before the wedding. We all rented houses at the Galena resort where the reception was held. Jen, me and Katie.


The girl we have to thank for bringing Justin and me together.


Katie's husband Brian and Justin await the start of the ceremony...


as do me and Katie.


Justin and me at the reception.


Us and the Fultons at the reception.


Had to post this one. After the reception we all went back to one house to continue the celebration and Justin was playing the guitar to a song with badminton rackets we had found.


The boys rocking out to a song at the reception.


All the Zetas together for a picture with the beautiful bride!


A pose during the reception.


One of the greatest pics my friend sent me. This picture is a exactly how us three always are when we are together!!


Not sure what song it was but apparently we liked it!


Nearing the end of the night.