Prades

Amidst a lot of the recent chaos (see the Year End Catch-Up post below), we've also managed to have a lot of fun.  At the beginning of the month we spent a four-day-weekend in a nearby village called Prades.  We went to a "camping," as they call it here.  It was cold and wonderful and it's highly likely that we'll return in the springtime someday.

 All of these little villages always have AMAZING squares.

Antics outside of the restaurant where we had a fantastic, Catalan countryside style meal.  And by fantastic I mean unrivaled goodness.  We might have to come back soon just for lunch.  As the saying goes and as James put it, "te pones las botas aqui."

 It's cold but we know how to have fun, plus we need to walk off some of the extra calories consumed.

Again, the same great square but now it's night time and everything is all lit up.  Christmas time here is so lovely.

All of these little rural places always seem to be equipped with fab parks, our "camping" had two plus a miniature petting zoo.

4-year-old tested and approved!

After playing at the park for a while we headed off for a hike.  The girls are pretty tough these days.  This hike was about 7k and we had no complaints!

We kept checking out the rocks that made up the whole valley.  They are all like little, polished circles because the whole valley used to be under water.  It's a pretty neat geological history the region has.  Later on in this same trip we toured one of the largest caves in the world but we weren't aloud to take any pictures.  I'd highly recommend it if you ever make it our our way.

 Anyway, back to our hike (again, notice the cool geologic features in the distance -- some of the best rock climbing in the world)...

 ...like I said, the rock was just fascinating.  In this pic you can see all the holes where each little, circular rock has fallen out.

 Quick break...

 ...in a cool mini-cave.

 Big-Sis helping Little-Sis just a bit.

 I told you it was cold!  Ice dancing and slip-sliding is always fun.

More Catalan style dinner and play in our mini-cabin.  Prades is in a great wine region so Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a little wine tourism, too.  Yummy!

 This was the view from our little front porch.

 Our "camping." It just seems so funny to me to call it that but, hey, "When in Rome..."

Last little bit of ballet practice on the front porch before heading back to BCN.  Aoife has been taking dance at a fantastic little school here that she loves and Aine will start at the same school, but a different class, in January.  Music and movement are coming very naturally to both of them and you can just see how happy their little hearts are when they dance and sing!  Also, if you look very closely at this shot you will notice that Aoife has lost her first little tooth!  Oh, my!

Stay tuned.  There'll be some Christmas travels and a visit with Grandma and Grandpa Stuhan coming soon!

Happy Holidays to one and all!  We love you!

J & M & A & A