Ole!! (Olay)

So back in the states we remember the fun bars with the volleyball pits that you could partake in after dinner and drinks.. here in Spain at this resturant they have a bull ring where one could fight a bull!!!

Every month we have what's called a "Hail and Farewell"  This is where the new people to the command are recognized and where we say goodbye to the one's that are leaving. Every month they're held at a new venue and sometimes on base and sometimes off.  This month was held off base at  Bar Jamon http://www.barjamon.com/   The evening started with tapas and drinks for an hour and a half and then they annouced that it was time to fight a bull! 

We were informed that it was a baby bull, so how bad could this be. When we walked out from the resturant to the bull ring the first thing we saw was an ambulance parked out side the ring, JUST in case we needed assistance.  The next thing that we saw was a wagon that began to shake and a bull came charging out of it. This "baby" bull weighed about 300 lbs and looked like it ate the "baby" bull!  We were informed that there would be training on fighting a bull. Turns out the training consisted of us watching the Spanish fight a bull and we were to observe and learn!  Then one was certified and ready to go!

Andy of course jumped right in!  Andy did great and I would have to say I was impressed as my heart raced from the side.  The only thing that I wasn't impressed with was when he was holding the madadors cape after the bull charged it.. the cape dropped and the bull stood on it. So picture this, the cape (which side tracks the bull) and now it's the bull and Andy standing in the ring... ALONE. So Andy then BENDS OVER to pick the cape up!!  As the crowd gasps for air the spanish traners jump in and Andy's turn is over....

It was a great experiece and hopefully Andy has checked this box!

Andy and Justin preparing themselves...and going through the intense training.. oh wait there was no training....

The focussed bull fighter

Ole!!!

First Step!

Ok so it's not a picture of Claire taking her first step as the camera was no where near, but it's a new picture of her...

So today I was talking to my sister on the phone and telling her how Claire is close to taking a step and with in a few hours (Claire was waiting for dad to come home..) she stood up and took a step to Andy!!!  Then she froze and laughed!!!  She stood up a few more times and took one step so we'll see what tomorrow brings! The little Claire Bear turned nine months yesterday as well!!!  Drew was large and in charge walking at 10 months so we may be in for it!!

 Drew also witnessed Claire taking a step and he wasn't as amused.... his favorite stage of Claire is when she would sit in a swing... not doing anything...and he had all of the attention and didn't have to protect all of his toys:)

Canary Islands

This past long weekend we took a vacation to the Canary Islands. We went to the island of Tenerife about a two hour plane ride from here.  It was such a relaxing vacation and the kiddos loved being able to play in the warm weather in the water!

We lucked out with a sweet hotel room.  Off of the living area were two seperate bedrooms, and seperate baths.  The kids loved taking a bath in the big tub! 

Loro Parque

On one of the mornings we went to Loro Parque.  It was a beautiful park designed a lot like Sea World.  It was so cute to see the excitement in the kids eyes looking at the animals!  Claire was ready for another sunny day!

The park had an awesome kids area where Drew and Claire could go wild.  Luckly the spanish sleep till 11am, so we had the park pretty much to ourselves as we were there right when they opened.  (We're still working on the kids sleeping till 11am...)

After time spent playing a snack was much needed...

Drew taking a closer look at the dolphins

Claire Bear enjoyed crowd wathcing!!

"Where now dada!!"

Drew having a pep talk with Claire about being careful in the water!

"Ugh... my days are so tough!"

Warming Claire up after time in the pool

Drew taking a break

I love this picture... This explains Calire all day long...looking to see what Drew is going to do next!

Thanks aunt Ali for my cute V-Day pajamas!! AND for the awesome shaving kit for Drew.  Mommy had to hide it as Drew was shaving his face several times a day!!!

Our last day of vacation and everyone was beat!! 

Drew and the woman of his life (besides his mother) his neighbor freind Liv hanging out!

8 Months!

 

Claire is now eight months old and the time is going by way too fast!!  She is such a happy baby and I swear she wakes up laughing and goes to bed with a smile on her face. Claire is all over the place and crawls all around the house, pulls herself up on anything and will go from one object to the next.  We have a feeling that we will have a walking girl on our hands soon. 

With Drew we really didn't have to baby proof anything.  He would be content with toys on the floor and really didn't go exploring around the house.  We now have payback with Claire...  One of her favorite rooms is the bathroom! 

Music Class

listening to directions closely

On Thursdays I started taking the kiddos to music class on base. It's really nice as I get one on one time with both Drew and Claire.  Claire really enjoyed music class and all the other little friends in the class!

Sevilla

Today we took advantage of the nice weather and went to Sevilla, a town a little over an hour from where we live.  It was a gorgeous day.

A Moorish Fort in the town center

This is the third largest church in the world, and Christopher Columbus tomb is barried here!

Drew trying to catch the birds!  He would get really close to one and then they would fly off and he would yell "Oh , I just missed"!

Planted Spring Flowers!

On Friday we went to the plant store out in town and bought Drew and Claire each their own pot and flowers to plant and watch grow this spring.  Drew helped Claire out with planting her's... and will probably be in charge of watering them for her!  We'll keep you posted on how they grow!!

Tub Tub Time

Tub Tub Time became 100% easier at our house a little over a month ago when we started to put Claire and Drew in the tub together!  Claire is very entertained with Drew's crazy.. fearless.. swimming skills during tub time!

Claire enjoying the swing outside our house!  (Thanks Laura)!!

Toy Story 2

So.. Drew watched Toy Story 2 for the first time a little over a month ago and LOVED it!   If he could he would put this movie on repeat and watch it ALL DAY!  I found the doll Woody from Toy Story 2 and thought this would be the perfect motivation for Drew to be 100% potty trained and  it worked! This past weekend Drew mastered the toilet and can officially say no more diapers at our house.  After having Woody on the fridge for a month we were able to take him out of the box and celebrate Drew's accomplishment.  The first thing that Drew said when we took him out of the box was "PAINT HIS EYES... PAINT HIS EYES AND BOOTS"!!!  For those of you that havn't seen the movie they have to fix woody in the movie by doing this and Drew thought that he needed to do that right away as well!!!  It cracked us up and he was VERY focussed during this!!

Big New's @ The Olsen Casa!!!

A little over a week ago Andy had Claire on a blanket outside playing... She managed on her OWN to stand up on him out there.  That was just the start as she then started to pull her self up on everything.  She then mastered that and figured while she was on all fours that she could move... this little seven month old did it a little backwards and I would say early!  She now crawls all around the house looking for that brother of hers and insists on standing! 

Drew also has BIG news... he now wear BIG BOY underwear!!!!!  I don't know who is happier Drew or Mommy!!!!  This all started last weekend and he can even wear underwear for naps and all night! 

So the other day Drew yelled to me "Mom gloves are on"... I had no idea what he was talking about and was worried what the hec he could be doing...  I guess in the day care here on base that he will attend every so often they will wear gloves when in the toilet area and empting the toilets!  So Drew put a pair of socks on his hand and would empty his own toilet!!!!  I decided this was very handy, but probably not the most clean way!  We now use the BIG toilet and have graduated out of the small one where gloves are required!!

Welcome Aaron and Christa!!!

On the 17th of December the kiddos and us jumped on a four hour train ride to Madrid to meet up with Andy's brother (identical twin so I don't confuse you in pictures!) and his wife Christa. We spent two nights in Madrid and it was great.  We were able to visit Christmas markets, museums (where we viewed original paintings from Picasso) and great food!  We then took the train back south and continued our vacation with them for two weeks.

We took this picture from our backyard and this was the storm that followed us EVERYWHERE we went!!!  It wasn't always raining.... sometimes just lightning...thunder, annoying light mist, or a down pour!

We did escape from the rain a few times, we took a guided day trip to Morroco for the day.  It was a great experience and a beautiful country.

We were told that pick-pocketing was an issue there.  So Aaron borrowed a PURSE of mine and turned it into a hidden "fanny pack"  it amused us all day long:)

We escaped the rain again and took a trip to Gibraltar.  It was sooo beautiful there.  From this cliff you can see Africa in the distance and Spain in the foreground. 

We took a guided bus tour up the rock and at one of the stops their were monkeys!  The monkey's just roam around!  We were all taking turns having the monkeys sit on us (with our guids help).  We all had just cute little monkies on our shoulder and then out of no where the KING monkey jumped on Christa!

They would try to come in your car looking for food!  Drew thought his was great and was able to feed them some M&M's! 

For a few days we went to Portugal.  We toured many towns and went to the south western tip of the Iberien Pennisula. 

The markets were up and running in the evening and it really made it feel like the holidays!

Andy's brother and sister-in-law, Christa, in Portugal.

A look from our hotel room down

OK so it's not a crime seen, but close... .In our hotel their was a bright white rug in the sitting area.  As soon as we walked into our room  Andy told Drew that we could not eat over the rug. Drew did great and was EXTRA careful .  Our last night there we were all sitting around having some wine. Andy had just poured a nice glass full and knocked it over!!!! 

Thank you sooooooo much Aaron and Christa for coming out to Spain to visit us!  We had such a great time with you and loved never having a dull moment!!!  We love and miss you!!