October visit with my parents!

My parents made it out again!  It was not easy again for them, but they got on their last attempt before they were going to just go home!  We were so thankful that they made it out.  We all had a great time together.  We saw some beautiful sunsets and rainbows this time.  The weather was chilly this visit, and rainy, but with rainbows, you can't complain!  We visited the Yegada de Cartuja, horse farm and show.  And everyone enjoyed the day.  We played at the parks in the neighborhood when it wasn't raining.  And went bowling when it was raining!  We adults also took a night off, and went to Vejer for a little stroll and amazing dinner.

Lagos, Portugal, with a pitstop at La Rabida.

Columbus Day weekend this year, we did the patriotic thing and went to visit the place Christopher Columbus lived before his famous voyage.  We visited La Rabida, on our way to Portugal.  It turned out to be a great pitstop.  The kids were able to climb all over replicas of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. 

Then onto Lagos, Portugal.  We took in all the beautiful cliffside views and played in the sand at the beach.  We took a boat ride into the grottos, which was a lot of fun.  Mostly we relaxed and let the kids rest, as they weren't feeling great.  We made the most of it, and the kids even got McDonalds before the drive home.

Some people sleeping in a little nook.

The kids loved the jetted tub with bubbles, who wouldn't!

Our babysitter, Hannah, a Dama!

I am not completely sure what it means to be a Dama.  It is a local tradition in Rota, and girls represent the different areas, in a celebration of the Virgin Mary.  Hannah, our babysitter, represented the Navy base here.  We were able to go and see her during one of the parades!  She looked beautiful, and the kids enjoyed seeing her on the float!

The Virgin Mary statue in Rota.

Hannah Myers, our babysitter!