Fiesta Mayor de Gracia & Joan's Birthday Party

Hola!! Sorry I'm a little behind on the photos! Brian came home on the 11th, we had a nice week with him home, and then Terry, Deb & Spencer Lauver came to visit from the 17th-24th. I have a ton of pictures from our fun week with them, so this posting is just of the first week that Brian was home. I'll post photos from our time with the Lauver's sometime this week.
The first night Brian was home we packed up the beach chairs, some snacks, the Chronicles of Narnia and a flashlight and headed to the beach! The kids and I had been out there with Tarheel late one night and it was just beautiful. So they wanted to surprise Brian with a late night trip to one of the rock islands. They blind-folded him and he was very surprised until we needed his help getting everything up on the island. Ha!
We also had time that week for some bike-riding, which was great! There is another movie posted below of Luke riding bike and you'll be able to see the progress that he is making!
On Friday the 15th we went into Barcelona on the train to see Fiesta Mayor de Gracia. Gracia is a neighborhood in Barcelona with pretty tree-lined streets, and this was the start of their Fiesta Mayor celebration. They are known for the way they decorate their streets. The first thing we encountered was rides for the kids. Luke & Caroline rode the train.
And Jackson drove the fire truck.
The first decorated street we found had an aquarium theme! It was so cute, the kids really liked it.
We then came upon a plaza where there was a band drumming, and the giants and officials were watching.
Here is the band performing.
Another street had a series of paper mache people doing dances...
and the traditional tower of people.
Here is a street decorated as a cave.
A street with a craft/sewing theme!
Another decorated street with a huge long table of people eating lunch right in the middle of it.
One last street before heading home.

When Josep & Teresa mentioned wanting to make a Lightning McQueen pinata for Joan's birthday party, I sort of volunteered Brian's services. :) So he spent the week working on a Lightning McQueen masterpiece.
He turned out great!!!
The following day (Saturday the 16th) was Joan's 3rd birthday party! It was held at the mountain home of Josep's parents. Luke remembered the futbol game and wanted to play with whoever was willing!
Jackson and Joan enjoying the popcorn.
Joan opening his gifts. He LOVES to play with Luke's Thomas trains when he is at our house, so we got him some trains, and his one Grandma bought him a wooden set of track and trains.

Luke had fun helping to set up a cool track!
Joan's birthday cake...it was yummy!
And here come Lightning!! Jackson taking his turn.
Joan taking his turn.
And finally, candy!!! It was a very fun birthday party, and a great week with Brian home.

This week with the Lauver's we covered Barcelona, Sitges, Carcassonne-France, Andorra, and Fiesta Mayor in Sitges! I have some great pictures to post from all of these and will have them up sometime this week.

Hope you are all healthy and well, lots of love to you all!
Tonya