Siesta blogging...again! Pictures from Magdalena

What I should do is start this blog with is a picture of Zack, Zoe and Chris all siesta-ing away in our hotel room as I type. It's 5:24 local time...we're planning a beach trip and some paella tonight - so they all better rest! This morning Chris got up and went for a run before his morning sessions...He ran down to Cabo Major...and since the family won't make it there, I'm sharing a few pics. As always, all the pics are up on our family shutterfly site... www.benderz.shutterfly.com

See the golf course Mr. Ken? Chris says it should be the next course you tackle! The kids and I did breakfast alone again and then came back up to the room to do some reading (still working towards those 100-hour reading trophies!). I think both of them were ready to sit in one place for a bit too. Because of his schedule for the day, Chris was able to join us on our afternoon trip to Magdalena. We had a blast - and I'm going to apologize in advance for all the pictures - we took so many great ones today!

We saw penguins, sea lions, ducks and possibly walrus...not really sure. But it was very laid back compared to an American zoo. It was actually free to enter!

Then we checked out an exhibit about the mapmaker who owned the Santa Maria (as in Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria) and Christopher Colon (aka Columbus). Pretty amazing ships (and a mermaid!)

Then we went to check out the Castle. Until the early 1930's, all of Magdalena was a summer house for the royal family of Spain. Now it's open to the public - and University classes are actually housed in the castle. (and Yay! Another family picture! Don't be surprised if you see this one on the Christmas card somewhere!)

And check out some of these views...

Yes, that is us out there...being careful I promise. Here's a couple more randoms from Magdalena...

And of course we found another playground...

With a crazy-nutso slide that went from cliff top to beach!

After making our way out of the park, we stopped for ham and potato omlette sandwiches and watched some paddle tennis on the beach. I will be flabergasted if we get out of Santander without paddles of our own...

We headed up some crazy stairs from beach to road...

...and that brings me to where we are currently, three passed out Benderz, and one blogging one. We are hopefully headed out for paella tonight. I promise to take lots of pictures. In the meantime, I leave you with one of my favorite pictures from today - although I truly can't explain why I love it. XOXO, Benderz