Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Daughtry

The band Daughtry came to the Naval Base we're stationed at as part of the USO and gave a free concert.  We decided it was a great opportunity to take Luke to his first concert!  We left the girls with a sitter and headed out.  He was really really excited, but didn't know what to expect.  He'd heard their songs on the radio, but wasn't prepared for how cool a live show can be.

The concert was in an airplane hanger and a lot of people brought kids, he saw a few boys from cub scouts and he was in heaven.  They ended up in the front row!  Crazy kids!

I'm not a huge Daughtry follower, but I know their music from the radio and thought they put on a really great show.  They were so kind and appreciative towards the troops.  I loved that their performance was extremely clean and family friendly too.  Overall the night was a huge success.  Luke still talks about the concert.  I'm so happy that Trent and I were able to share this experience with him.

















Thursday, November 24, 2011

Girls, Girls, Girls

Whoa, have we ever been busy!  We've had a beauty shop, fashion show & art exhibit at our house this week....

BEAUTY SHOP
The girls with Judy's daughter Emma.  When they come over to play, the momma's get to gab and they disappear, not a bad trade!!





ART SHOW
I had an empty box laying around the house and the girls decided it was high time someone did something with it.....
Carley's madd art skillz are emerging!
This was drawn and decorated by both girls.
i had to take this picture of how carley draws people.  she draws them the same every time.  those arms and hands just slay me...they're so cute!  These days she's added very, very long hair to her people drawings, also super cute.
Emry drew this cat.  She's growing up to be a very talented artist!

FASHION SHOW

Emma was over again and this time the girlies decided to have a fashion show.  Emry & Carley were the talent.  Emma was the director and I was the photographer.  So cute that they put it all together!










Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Foggy am at the Bullring

When I looked out the window this morning I saw that it was foggy.  I've been waiting for a foggy morning, so as we left the house to take the kids to school I grabbed my camera.  After drop off I headed straight downtown to the bullring for a few pictures.  It's a very cool building.  I don't have any plans on taking the kids to see a fight, but Trent and I are going to go this next fall.  This year is going to be special because the area is celebrating it's sesquicentennial or something and the King & Queen will be coming to a bullfight....it's all the buzz!





a bit of protesting....not everyone likes this national tradition




Friday, November 18, 2011

There Is No Escape

I assumed that by moving to Spain I would be getting a reprieve from some places in the states that drive me crazy....by this I mean Chuck E Cheese.  I didn't imagine that I'd still have to put up with this school fundraiser/birthday party hot spot.  Guess again!  I was so stupid!  Of course they have something similar here.  It's called Handy Pandy, and it's like Chuck E Cheeses on steroids!

-The familiar mouse mascot has been replaced by an over sized ant.

-The carnival type games for prize tickets have been replaced by free electronic games only.

-The loud background music at Chuck E Cheese has been replaced by extremely, obnoxiously loud music at Handy Pandy.  The music was so loud that you could hardly talk to the person next to you.

-When they spoke over the loud speaker, the sound was so distorted it reminded me of a peanuts cartoon.

-The kids weren't served the traditional greasy pizza you get in the states.  Nope.  At Handy Pandy you get a meat or nutella sandwich.  You might be thinking, "Oh how wonderful, a healthy alternative."  Don't kid yourself.  The meat sandwich is simply white bread with a slice of ham inside.  The kids didn't even touch them!   And on the side you get ham flavored ruffles!!  Seriously, Ham flavored!  Ham is like the be all end all here in Spain.  It should be the countries national food, or at least its own food group here.  I've eaten these chips, just had to try them.  They're not too bad if you have something in your stomach already....but if you try them on an empty one, watch out!

-The gift giving portion was insane.  The kids sit around a table and chant for the birthday child to go faster.  It was disturbing for me to watch.  The girl unwrapped gifts and threw them aside for the next so fast that no one had any clue who had given it or what it was.  I'd say 12 kids were at the party and the gift unwrapping portion took maybe 1.5 minutes...maybe.

-The icing on the cake was the alcohol present!  They had a full bar and the parents were totally taking part!  I couldn't help but wonder who was driving these poor kids home???   I could be wrong, but I don't remember alcohol being available at Chuck E Cheese in the states?  Anyone know for sure?  It's crazy!





BUT, with all that said.  The girls had a blast just like kids do at Chuck E Cheese.  So I guess I'd better just hurry up and deal with it!







Sunday, November 13, 2011

Ooh la la...our trip to Paris! - Day 4

Our last morning & breakfast...already....can't we stay longer?

We still had one major site to see before our plane left in the evening.  We headed to the Louvre for a morning with some of the greatest artists this world has ever known.  We only saw a very small portion of the Louvre and we weren't disappointed at all.  Trent could have stayed all day and in hindsight should have gone here yesterday too. 



It was difficult to navigate the Louvre.  The museum is so massive and the map isn't very clear.  You'd think they'd be able to figure out a better one at such a tourist attraction, but oh well.

The museum is actually a collection of palaces and ornate buildings that once housed France's royalty.  The buildings are connected to each other by grand galleries so it feels like one cohesive building that goes on and on for miles.  And today on those miles and miles of walls are showcased great works of art.
The architecture in the buildings was beautiful.



Ooh, Vermeer.  I really like his work and the colors he uses.





Psyche Revived by Cupid's kiss - Antonia Canova
This sculpture was so delicate and intricately carved that their flesh looks like it should be soft to the touch.  You can feel the emotion in their embrace.  Such talent like you would not believe!
winged victories final resting place
It was neat to see working artists all over the museum.  They just went about business as usual while hordes of people gawked over their shoulders.  Personally I don't know how they do it...would drive me up the wall!

Seasons - Arcimboldo.  love these, thought they were just so fun!



Mona, Mona, Mona...makes me want to channel my inner Tony Danza and say, "Moooona!" (yes, i really did just date myself and mention Who's the Boss on my blog!)  It was so crowded by her that we did not linger.  I am getting crotchety in my old age, I'm so turned off by large crowds of rude people!
I'm not an artist, but I appreciate it and love to look at it.  I smile when I see this picture, it makes me happy to see artists in action.  I really admire them and their talent.
Venus De Milo
One of my favorite paintings the artist is Jacques-Louis David.  I could stare at it for hours, I think everything about it is beautiful.
In reality, even though we spent a few hours here, we didn't see very much, only highlighted a few things that were in close proximity to one another.  The Louvre deserves a few more days wanderings to do it justice.  Hopefully we can do this someday.



We took a leisurely stroll down The Tuileries Garden and I enjoyed a delicious crepe at the cutest cafe on the park!



We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping for souvenirs.  Trent and I tried to track down the art gallery of our friend's brother, but were unsuccessful.  We should have googled it first, but the cabbie said he knew where he was going.  We totally got hosed and missed out on seeing something cool.  We'll have to put this on the list to try again for next time.

For dinner we walked the Rue Clare.  Such a beautiful street filled with all sorts of delicious shops and eateries.  I indulged in another crepe.  Hey, don't judge!  I was on vacation and couldn't resist!  We picked a few things out at a take out deli.  The food was warm and good!  Cool way to have take out.  Then it was time for Trent and I to take our leave.  Liz and Mom were headed out in the morning too.  We had such a lovely trip.  Thanks for letting me invite myself...and then Trent on your trip Liz & Mom!!!   Let's do it again sometime.

our last view of Paris before getting on the metro to the airport

Dear Paris, 

We'll Be Back!!

Sincerely, 
Trent & Millie Price

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