Highlight of my European Adventure...

Well, I had a lot of great experiences on this trip. There was no question about that.

But, for those of you who know me well...some of my favorite things in life are:
1. A sunny day, about 75 degrees with a light breeze.
2. Music in the air.
3. The awe of the ocean and it's immense being.
4. Dining outside.
5. FOOD. Especially gourmet. Especially when - it's free!!! (It always tastes better!)
6. Laughter, lots of it!
7. Sharing with my great friends.
8. Of course, a fabulous hotel!

So, for that to all come together in one place, at one time, certainly made for one of my most memorable experiences - in where else, but BARCELONA, BABY!!!

Admittedly, we did not know when our next meal would be, or how much it would cost us on our frugal budget. To say we over-indulged would be slightly accurate! (PS I carried those cereal boxes until I got home!!)
This was Jenny's plate. I do not eat raw salmon!
Sauteed mushrooms, one of my fav's!
Can you tell we just got out of bed and ran down the hall to not miss breakfast!! But more importantly...look at the view!!! The spectacular location here in Barcelona, Spain!!
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What a picture perfect day in Barcelona! The deep blue sky, the perfect temperature, the sun on the Meditteranean. Enjoying a gourmet breakfast in the sun, overlooking this beautiful city!

THIS is the STUFF that dreams are made of! And I was living it, and breathing in the beauty of it all.

The spectacular views of the city, straight from our executive-level balcony on top of the hotel...





On to the next adventure...!!!!!

Dawn on the Meditteranean

This next entry is going to be interesting. I have to break it up, no wonder this has been such a daunting task. Why? For our full day in Barcelona, I took over 200 pictures. I have to choose the best of the best!

Once again, we had good intentions of getting up early to maximize our day in Espana. However, the late night Sangria and the executive hotel room had us sleeping in like babies. So, the picture above is sort of dawn-like. Okay, more like ten o'clock-ish. And the view from our room as I sighed. I knew there wouldn't be any more hotel experiences like this - not on this trip, anyway!

Today was June 1st. I had been in Europe since May 23rd. Look at all we had done 8 days! And we were off to new adventures.

Jenny and I repacked our meager belongings, noticed the time, and hurried down the hall to enjoy our complimentary executive-level breakfast. What we found is the next entry and array of photos...

2007!!!!!!

As I pause briefly to consider a new year...

I am so thankful for all the blessings of 2006. Many may say I deserve to look forward to a new year, a new day, a new start in 2007. That is all true. But look what 2006 brought me and my family:

January 1 - Brought the new year in with style at Disney World! Witnessed the best fireworks EVER, and shut the park down at 3 AM. What a memorable experience for Ian, Megan, and myself! Then, driving from Orlando to Heath in one looooonnnnnngggg day of driving. That was an experience!

March - I started blogging with a little help from my kind friend, Bill!!! Thanks for introducing me! Check out his blog, www.livefrompleasantchapeli.blogspot.com (there's your plug, Bill!)
March - spring break with the kids - a spontaneous trip with friends to Washington, DC! What better way to visit a place than with people that lived there (and has been a friend since kindergarten!) Thanks Steph!!!

May - Well, since I am still blogging about it...(oh boy, here is a New Year's Resolution - to FINISH blogging about Europe!!!) 2 1/2 weeks in Europe with my great friend Jen. A trip of a lifetime!!! Thanks Jen and thanks Mom for keeping my kids so I could have this opportunity!

June - my nephew, Aaron, graduated from high school!!!

July - My final days with Longaberger after 8 years. The start of something new! And, I got to have dinner with friends from high school I hadn't seen for 15+ years. Kristen, Sydney, Jon and Teresa, Steph and Jen. A fun evening at Easton!

August - A trip to Cedar Point with my kids and their friends, and an overnight stay at an indoor water park! What fun!

September, October, November, December - the many blessings of friends, small group, church family, and countless others, here to support me, and praying relentlessly. I am so very thankful and I don't even know how to express my deep gratitude for teaching me I don't have to go it alone.

And here we are! The start of something new. No matter the path, I have learned a lot this year and realized the many, many blessings that 2007 can bring. Not to mention, a few small resolutions, that may include (but not limited to) finishing European blogging, 10 lbs somewhere, and practicing my Mexican dialect, just for fun. :)

Here's to 2007!!!! (Odd-numbered years are always better...:)