FALLAS

Fallas 2017

This was our third Fallas and it was bigger and better than ever before, even according to the news. There were record breaking crowds and no wonder! We were more than happy to return for its loud, colorful, artistic , tasty and bright qualities!

What was unique about our visit this time was the wonderful opportunity to be welcomed into our wonderful neighbors home as guests. The strange sense of "Going home" to the house next-door . 

The wonderfully welcoming arms of the family and being greeted with fresh bunellos and Spanish hot chocolate for breakfast!

Going to the church building that Paige was baptized at and meeting up with old ward members who were so happy to greet us and hug us and kiss us and some squeezed us again!

What a unique experience to do it all from the true Spanish view point (even though we just lived next door - the experience was completely different ) The explanation and heart felt love for this celebration by the Valencian families  touched our hearts in a new way!

Ahhh... Valencia!

Madrid

With our closest temple 15 hours away, we took the opportunity to visit the Madrid temple, just three hours from our destination of Valencia.

It is always beautiful day when you and your family are able to attend the temple together, but this was all kinds of beautiful in so many ways! 

Our evening was spend exploring Madrid with an old high school friend of Dan's who has started his own Madrid food tour company. I am sure we were a challenge for him with a request for no alcohol and no fish! Also Our lack of being impressed with really old things since we come from the land of the really old stuff, but he did a great job and we had a wonderful time.

He took us to visit the oldest restaurant in the world ( we didn't eat there) It was pretty cool to see this stove from the 1700's and how it is still in use!

He did a great job teaching us to like Spanish food which we have not been too big of fans of for quite a time! This was the best Pallea I have ever eaten! It was so good!

Churiso 

Always a favorite!

Supper yummy chicken/ pork broth!

It was a great evening and we enjoyed Madrid in a new way!

Mikajo visit

On the first night we invited Rosa from church to come teach us some authentic Italian cooking. It was quite an exercise in my ability to speak Italian for hours and complete a task with someone who speaks NO ENGLISH. Mikey and Becca had lots of questions for her and she had lots of instructions for us and I was the translator! Well it was worth it! That was some good food!

Eggplant Parmesan Neapolitan,  Fetching with pesto, Grilled marinated veggies, Bruschetta , marinated Olives! 

Anticipating this meal!

Rosa was great and allowed us to sample as we were cooking!

A hike up Vesuvius was not quite as planned. In the spring we get rain in the valley, but on the top of the volcano we had sleet and hail, fog and wind! We didn't actually get to the crater as the trail manger wouldn't allow us and told us that there was no way to see much ahead.

 

Spring in naples can also be very pretty!

We went to Capri as well! Such a beautiful island! We ate some good food and walked the island and saw the beautiful views!

Mikey and Becca went to Pompei with one of our friends from church and the weather was great and they had a good time!

Mikey and Becca are the first of anyone in my family who has ever come visit us over seas ever (all three times we have been stationed over seas) It was so fun to share with our loved ones our lives and adventures and it was so fun to have them here and enjoy the experiences together!

Love you guys! Come again!