More of Ash!!

Having a few tapas with a castle right behind us... I LOVE SPAIN!!!

Out on the boat with our spanish friends in Rota

On our night out Claire made friends with another spanish girl while we ate some tapas.  They had a blast running around together

One of our favorite beaches in Puerto Shery

Drew called it before we even left the house, "I sit by Ashleigh"!!

The last ten minutes of the train ride they thought it would be a good idea to take a nap

Claire went right to bed..

The view of the water walk way

I was a little jealous of Claire as she road in her stroller in her undies!  Her dress felt heavy in the hot heat so her dream came true and I told her she could take it off!  (she would choose to be in her undies all day and everyday... I hope this phase doesn't last long)!

First Day of School!

Today Drew started his first day of Pre-K here on base.  Last week Drew and I attended an in-doc where he met his teachers and saw his class room.  When today FINALLY came he couldn't have been more excited!  His class only has thirteen other children in it (which I LOVE). 

Claire also thought it was her first day of school as well!

2nd year of our airplane back pack!

"Don't worry Claire, I'll be home in three hours..."

And then Drew picked Claire up and started swining her around...

And then fell.. in the dirt and grass.. with their school clothes on...

And a pyramid was built....

Just a normal photo shoot.... I really don't have just a normal photo.. EVER!!!

When one first walks into the school there is a water fountain.  I did not miss school all summer long.. why.. right when we enter the bulding Claire needs a drink for ten minutes... the stairs are always wet... tons of kiddos are on it... and so it begins again...

In front of his new room!

Mommy was more sad then Drew, he was ready to PLAY!!!

It was really nice to have a morning with just Claire and for me to only keep up with one on their bike!!

Ashleigh Visit's Spain

Two weeks ago my AWESOME friend since first grade came to Spain to visit us!  Hat's off to Ashleigh as has visited the Olsen's at every duty station so far, INCLUDING ICELAND!!!  I had to fight for her attention though as Drew and Claire loved her!

One of the nights we went to a bull fight in Puerto

Our seats were great and right next to the judges.  Sitting in the seats that we had, the matador was always facing us!

Drew showing his muscles as we were at the top of Gibraltar!

I took Ash to my favorite salon, where she had her hair done!

Ashleigh was able to spend close to two weeks with us here!  Andy and I said how relaxing it was to have a guest that long as we were able to have down days as well.  It truly was awesome to have Ashleigh here and never a dull moment!

Missing Brian

Today in the car Drew, Claire, and I were talking about how their will be a hurricane near Brian’s house this weekend.  Drew says, “Mom, I miss Brain.  Do you know what I do though.. I close my eyes and I can see him.”  I then looked in my mirror and he had his eyes shut really tight in his car seat.  Drew then says with his eyes closed, “Look theirs Brian and he’s throwing a frisbee to Jack (Brain’s dog)”.  Drew has always just been in love with uncle Brain and this melted my heart!

Pool Days

The Naval base here in Rota, has a lot of great features one of them being the awesome pool and we've  taken advantage of it!  Drew now can swim alone and of course Claire seeing Drew in the big pool is now also finished with the "baby" pool. 

Kiddos and friends making silly faces and jumping in

Drew and Claire LOVE holding hands and then jumping.  Everytime they come up from the water their both laughing so hard!  SO cute!

Claire we have to say really does amaze us with her swimming ability for just turning two!  Claire can now swim ALONE  for a good distance in the pool!!

El Palmar Beach

Over the weekend we went with our fun friends on a beach surfing outing.  Both Andy and our friend Jeff are big surfers, so they were in heaven. Maureen and I were in heaven as the kiddos played all day so well just running in the waves and playing in the sand.  I'm not sure how many times I've said it this summer.. beach days are getting easier  (with two small kiddos) and actually RELAXING!!!!  I heart summer!

Claire loves her pirate table and has learned it's so much easier and cooler to sit in the ship!

I don't even need to write anything for this....

So I seriously went outside for two seconds to grab something out of the car.  When I came in I heard Drew yelling.. "MOM come look at Claire".  Claire had reached the sunscreen (which she loves to help put on..) and nicely applied it all over her face and then the floor.  This was one of the moments when the parent has to be "serious" and then I turned my head to laugh!