Barcelona!

We went to Barcelona over President's Day Weekend which was amazing. The architecture was spectacular and different from any we have seen. The tapas were delicious and the Sangria was how I had hoped it would taste. :)

Sagrada Familia at night

Sagrada Familia. This church began construction in 1982 and is anticipated to be done in 2026! It was opened in 2010 and is the most amazing sight to see. It was designed by famous architect, Gaudi, from Spain.

Inside the Sagrada Familia

The architecture inside is as amazing as the outside

the ceiling

Church still taking place under Sagrada Familia

View from a bridge up high on Sagrada Familia

Taking stairs back down to the bottom!

Stair case going down!

Taking a quick photo from a open spot on the way down

Outside Sagrada Familia

Park Guell

Cute parrot :)

A building designed by Gaudi

La Rambla is the main street in Barcelona for shopping, eating, and walking around.

A Tapas Bar

Street performer :)

Spanish Sangria...mmmmmm

An old Gothic Church we walked by, notice the gargoyles  

Tapas and Sangria!

Paella for dinner

At the Market

Gene found a shaving shop, his biggest hobby is collecting vintage shaving things :)

Spanish Churros

Architecture by Gaudi

February 19, 2013

On February 19, 2013 Mt. Etna decided to have a pretty good size eruption around 5am. Unfortunately, this is the one morning we were so tired we went into work late. We missed it! But we got some pretty awesome photos from some friends. After this, Mt. Etna erupted the next two mornings. Maybe a big one is coming?? For those who don't know, Mt. Etna is one of the worlds most active volcano's and almost reaches 11,000 ft. In 1981 there was a large eruption which just missed destroying a town because the lava was moving so fast. But in 1928 it destroyed the town of Mascali. Etna is always full of surprises and I hope to get some good photos before we leave this year!

from a friends back yard!

I took this photo the next day near the town of Motta Sant'Anastasia. You can see part of the lava flow on the upper right side. 

I took this photo near the base the next morning.

Mt. Etna

This past weekend we went up on Mt. Etna with some friends to go sledding. It was much colder and windier than expected. The snow started coming down pretty hard so we had to leave sooner than expected so we wouldn't get stuck in the snow. Next time we will try snowboarding, we just have to rent the equipment in advance.

Stripes and his brother Tiny

our home <3

Aci Trezza

going to Mt. Etna

girls road trip!! 

beautiful view of Sicilia

going up the mountain

lots of snow!

lava rocks covered in snow

I wasn't quite expecting the wind...brrrrr

Me and Liz <3

Gene going down the hill

fun!

Liz and Julio

the boys

the snow was coming down at this point!

the girls <3

getting out before we got snowed in

Misc.

Our Italian porch kitten, Tiny, is now officially our indoor kitty! We started having him spend the night inside and he was perfect. We then litter box trained him which was a challenge for some reason?? But the last step was to have him neutered and Saturday the Vet picked him up and brought him back after the procedure. Now he can stay inside with Stripes :)

very tired from his procedure

Me and Liz wearing our new beanies for Mt. Etna :) 

Stripes is still #1 <3