Going Home

Nat and Mac in the airport

This trip was amazing. Eleven days with my family wasn't long enough. They helped so much with Mac and made the trip perfect.Thanks to them I have been going through family withdrawals since being home.

Goodbye Spain, hello Rome

After spending a week in Spain we made our way to Rome. While we were there we stayed in a nunnery across the way from the Vatican. The rooms had nothing but a bed, a desk and prayer chairs. Since we were only in Rome for three days we didn't have much time to lay around in our rooms anyway. The first night we got there we roamed the streets and ate pizza. Just talking about the food makes me hungry. I have never tasted better food in my life. It was a huge contrast from the food in Spain.

The following day we got to go to church. This was our third attempt to find a LDS Church in Europe. Two years ago we were in Switzerland and looked for hours but never found it. Then had the same experience in Malaga. So we decided not to waste precious hours in Rome and got a taxi instead. Later we headed over to the coliseum. Very cool. That same day we saw the Forum and many more cathedrals. Along the way we ate more good food and plenty of Gelatto.

The following day we spent in the Vatican. I loved it. After, we walked the streets and ran into more cathedrals and famous sculptures. There's something to see around every corner.

In front of the Vatican at night

inside the Coleseum

Family pic outside the Coliseum

Inside St. Peter's Cathedral. I was currently feeding Mac outside. I found it funny that they wouldn't let me feed Mac on the church premisisse. Even though I was totally covered, I had to leave.

I have no idea who this Lady is but the Asian ladies loved him.

Ryan, Roo and Mac in the Pantheon.

Girls and Mac in the Pantheon.

Scott, Mac and Dave taking a break form all the walking.

Walking through the Jewish ghetto

Beach Babe

The boys

Drew trying to take a nap with Mac

Sporting the cool shades

Grandma and Mac hanging out on the beach

Mac's not so sure about the sand

First time in the Mediterranean Ocean. It was super cold and he really didn't care for it

Mac with his Aunties on a walk

Mac gives the best kisses

You can never have too much sun block

The Spanish Life

Whenever I wasn't looking someone in my family fed Mac gelatto.

As you can see he loved it. He didn't take his eyes off of it.

While we were there, Marbella celebrated a holiday (we don't now which one).We went down town, ate some interesting food and watched the people dance. Check out the Flamingo dresses.

The food in Spain really wasn't good. Drew, Nat and Roo ordered Tomato soup and a ham sandwich. What they got was some kind of tomato paste on their sandwich with what looked somewhat like ham. It was pretty gross. Thank goodness for McDonald's.

Seville

Seville, the fourth largest city in Spain, home of Christopher Columbus' tomb. We didn't see much in Seville, we spent most our time in the Cathedral. It is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world. It was absolutely beautiful.

Mac and Drew in the bell tower

Christopher Columbus' tomb


In front of the Cathedral



Mac loves his uncle Dave

Mom and dad
Mac and Grandma in front of the Cathedral

Making our way up the bell tower.

Monkeys

The Rock of Gibraltar was one of my favorite places we visited. We were all expecting a small rock but instead we got a small country that is part of Britain. It was weird going from hearing Spanish and then walking a couple of feet and hearing English accents.
First thing we did was get on a little tour bus and made our way up the rock. Our first stop was the caves of Gibraltar. Right when we got out of the car we saw monkey's. This was weird because we have never seen monkey's in the wild. My dad thought it would be fun to feed them. Before he could get the peanuts out of the bag a monkey (a big one) jumped up on him. We all started screaming, "Drop the bag." Thankfully he did and the monkey jumped off of him.
As we made our way in the van to our next stop the tour guide thought it would be funny to let the monkeys in the car. Again we all started screaming including Mac. They ran through the van getting into our bags and finally making their way out.

There were monkeys everywhere. The monkey on top of the car jumped on me. I freaked out. I was not expecting it and the monkey stunk. Our tour guide came over and got him off of me. I had dirty paw marks all over my shirt. Everyone but me and my mom got pictures of the monkeys on them. I kept Mac as far as I could from them.

Ronda

Next stop Ronda. The white city on the hill. All the buildings in Ronda are white, it's very Mediterranean looking. We spent the day walking through Ronda's quaint streets and visiting the oldest bull fighting ring in Spain. I wanted to see a bull fight until I found out what happens at them. I thought the matador just danced around the ring waving a red blanket trying not to get killed. Boy was I wrong. They actually kill the bulls and not just one up to six. So, we didn't see one but we did go to a bull fighting museum. It was fun to learn about one of Spain's strongest traditions.