On a Boat

So technically we were on a ship, but try explaining that to a two year old.  After walking around Barcelona for a few days we finally arrived to our floating hotel the Norwegian Epic.  This was our first time on a NCL ship and we were instantly impressed by the decor, service, food and entertainment.  The only thing that I would change is that the kids club doesn't start until age three so there wasn't as much for P to do on this cruise.  

We walked around for what felt like forever until we found our room which was a fabulous balcony and then it was time for lunch and to explore the rest of the ship.

Watch out noodles P is going to get you.

Kids club

A few hours and drinks later we found the rest of our crew and it was on to the deck party.  Pirates on stilts, Sponge Bob on stage, balloons, dancing with Lindsey, what more could two little girls ask for?

Throughout the week we all found some kind of shenanigans to get into.  The little kids played in the kids splash zone while the big kids (Grant mostly) went down every slide at least a dozen or so times.

 There was also a little eating and drinking during our week abroad.

 There was also time for relaxing.

 Adelaide did have a rough time on the cruise because she got a nasty cold.  On the last night before the puking, fever and crying started A did get to go to the pirates night out.

 The best night by far had to be when we all went to see the Blue Man group and then had a little time out without the little kiddies.  I was expecting a short generic version of the show and I was wrong, it was loud, exciting and a full Vegas show.  The girls were really interested to start but eventually fell asleep.

 After the show it was time for a night away with the YaYa and Grr so that Mommy and Daddy had time to play.

 We thought that it would be fun to go to the ice bar and drink vodka drinks...that lasted a whole ten minutes.  Poor G was shaking from about minute one and the drinks were so stiff that we didn't have to drink too many.

So much more happened, but I couldn't capture all of the great dinners and company that we had.

 The view from our balcony.

 Sad little P on our last morning on the ship.  Time for another hotel stay and a little more Barcelona fun.

Barcelona Bound

This summer brought one last hoorah before it was time for little A to start school so to start the summer off we headed to Barcelona.  In true Gasbarro travel fashion it wasn't just our family of 4, 6 or 8 we upped it to 11 this year and it was awesome.  

On Thursday afternoon we headed to the airport for a stop in Atlanta and then went onto Barcelona.  The girls did the very best that they possibly could at their ripe ages of 1 and 4.  

 We arrived at the airport to find Lindsey, Rhonda and Steve hanging out waiting for their lost luggage and I'll go ahead and skip forward in our story and let you know that it was DAYS before their last piece of luggage arrived.  After our crew collected their bags we loaded into taxis and checked into the Hilton Diagonal which was pretty fab.

Executive floor balcony

After a short rest we ventured out to the beach for a little dinner and people watching.  A word of advise for anyone traveling to Europe with kids, keep in mind that there aren't multiple beds in your rooms and you will end up trying to fit your entire family into one bed.  Not a lot of sleep for Grant and I for the days leading to our cruise.

 On our second day in the Big B we jumped on a "bus with no lid" for a tour of the city.  There was incredible architecture and a lot of tacky tourist including our very own Linds.

someone is excited

Mike and Lindsey and their tourist gear.

 A majority of our day was spent in the La Sagrada Familia as there was a lot to see.  In all of our past travels we have gone to some interesting religious landmarks, but this is the first cathedral that hasn't scared or made me feel guilty.  The exterior tells the story of the Nativity and would make you believe it will also be a traditional interior.  After standing in a LONG line, you enter through the temporary doors and there it is...light, bright and beautiful.  I couldn't stop myself from taking a million pictures as it was nothing like I have ever seen before.

 After a few hours we did finally exit the building and went across the street for a long lunch as nothing on vacation with kids seems to be quick.  It was then time for a little vendor shopping and another ride on the bus.

 After a few bus stops we arrived at what was supposed to be the "must see" stop of the day, Gaudi Park.  As we were walking up the steep inclined street and letting a few cuss words slip we arrived at the most incredible park we had ever seen.  Gaudi's work is seen all over Barcelona, but this was the one place where I thought it had been captured the best.

A little didgeridoo playing in the park.

 At this point in the day we were melting from the heat so it was important that we had a little icy treat before jumping on the next bus.

 There were so many other incredible places, architectural wonders and pieces of art to see in Barcelona that I couldn't show you pictures of them all.

My favorite picture for the entire day.

Blogging Is Back

I really thought that I was going to officially give up on blogging and I had valid excuses...
1-I'm so far behind I will never catch up.
2-My computer died - Happy Birthday to me, my new MacBook arrived last week.
3-There seriously isn't time for this.
4-Does anyone really read this, is it worth the stress?

Now onto what has spurred this post, first of all my lovely husband casually makes comments here and there about checking the blog, but not seeing an update.  The second reason for wanting to pick up the writing again is a dedication to family.  Unfortunately we lost a beautiful family member this Fall and while at the funeral in Pittsburgh there were a few people who mentioned the blog and it made me remember that this blog isn't just for me.  I've documented most of the big events in our lives for the last five years and I've invited many people to share our stories with us.  I also don't want to look back a few years from now and regret not spending more time blogging especially since it is something that I can do while watching my trash tv.

Please stick with me as I attempt to catch up with our current happens.  I am going to pick up with our vacation in June and try to remember what happened where and when.

If only I could get a little help from my three sleeping beauties...

Too tired to put clothes on or finish her book. 

We Have a Graduate

Adelaide has officially graduated from VPK d we are so very proud of her.

1st day of VPK

Last day of VPK

 Adelaide has learned sight words, can count over 100 and has made a ton of friends at school.  We kept talking about graduation, but she had no idea what we were talking about until it was time to put her cap and gown on.  They had been practicing reading, songs and what to do on stage for weeks before graduation.
The kids came out, sat with their groups and went across the stage a few times to sing songs.  We were really excited when Adelaide was picked to read a page out of a book on stage and she did fabulously, but there was a crowning moment of the night.  Each child went across the stage and the school director asked what they wanted to be when they grew up and A's response was...a football player.  Yes, the smallest child in the class was the one who was going to grow up to be the athlete of the group.  Funny enough she is sticking with her plan so far this summer.
So after A was the entertainment for the evening with her occupation announcement she was also the child who was the loudest during all of the songs and made everyone laugh.  Yep, that's my kid.

This was the moment she announced her future occupation.

Off to kindergarten we go!!