They're coming from America...

Just one day after we came home from camp we were back at the airport to pick up Alexa's friend Kara. I think it was the highlight of Alexa's summer to finally get to hang out with one of her best friend's from home.

 The very next day my friend Jenn and her family came in from California. They weren't staying with us but we made arrangements to do some tours together. Jenn found a great Chocolate class at the Museo de Chocolate.

 below our kids with Jordan and Jake.

 Joe had made a new friend by the end of the day.

 After our fabulous morning class we navigated the public transportation system up to Tibidabo...metros, trams and funiculars...

And Alexa and Kara took the Obligatory Tibidabo Photo...

It's seemed like no sooner had we picked up Kara at the airport that we were dropping her off again. The visits go by so fast. And then a few days later the Glovers came to stay with us. We put on our tourguide hats and headed back into the city...

 Luckily, Gracia, one of Barcelona's neighborhoods, was having their Fiesta Major. It's their big street fair, and one of the best in the city, when all the streets compete against each other for bragging rights to the best decorated street. Here are a few of the examples...

 Some were clearly scarier than others...

 We had a great time just wandering around the city...

and hanging out by the port...

 Finding ways for the kids to have fun...

 And looking at ourselves from different perspectives (picture of reflection on building)

Candy by any other name still tastes as sweet...

 After we said goodbye to the Glovers, Mary Weinstein and her daughter Ali came to stay with us. Andrea had been in Paris with them the days the Glovers were with us. And it was one more time around the city.
We learned that it doesn't matter how many times you visit the beautiful landmarks here in Barcelona, each time has it's own discoveries and moments of laughter with friends.
And so August flew by...and school was around the corner with new friends and new teachers and a brand new building too.

playing catch up

 When we picked up the kids from camp in July. (Yeah July...I'm super behind in updating I know), we decided to stay the night in Salamanca again instead of our original plan which was to spend the weekend in Madrid. But when we changed our plans that left us with Sunday to fill. We'd already seen Salamanca and the kids were looking forward to getting on the road. On the way to pick them up Nick and I noticed the walled city off the highway and commented that it would be a nice place to visit. Avila, the signs said.  So Sunday morning we woke up, had breakfast and headed out to Avila, which is conveniently half way between Salamanca and Madrid, where we'd take our flight home.

 Avila (accent on the first A-I need to find a Spanish keyboard) is famous for it's brown granite walls, constructed in the 11th century and still standing today. Inside the walls are many shops and restaurants.

 a view from outside the city

 outside one of the churches, Nick thought it was funny to get a picture of the Lion's rear end.

 and more lion hijinks. You can take the boy out of Jersey...but you can't take the Jersey out of the boy

 and we walked a little on the top of the wall. Some of us a little less than others. That wall was high.

 We were walking around all day and I kept trying to think why Avila seemed so familiar to me. Then I saw a sign for St Teresa...and it dawned on me. St Teresa of Avila. One of the saints I had learned about when picking my confirmation name...and it was interesting to think of her life, one of contemplation and writing, existing within these very walls.  After a day well spent we boarded our flight back to Barcelona and a very busy August full of visitors...more on that soon.