Santander...sans Dr. Bender!

What a relaxing day the kids and I have had! Today was the first full day of ICCE - the reason we're here having this incredible adventure and I was a bit worried about being in a new city, where I didn't know the language well, without Chris...but today was fabulous! We missed Chris, but saw him a couple of times and enjoyed our adventures without him. We got up late (again...but Zoe and I didn't fall asleep until after 2am our time - the boys are adjusting to the time change much better than the girls) and headed down to breakfast. Hotel Hoyuela has an amazing spread for breakfast and I quickly drank two cups of coffee and filled some plates for the kids. After breakfast, we went on a walk to explore the beautiful gardens and parks on the way to the beach.

Then we spent some time at the playground that was taunting Zoe while we were watching the soccer game Sunday night. They had fun, burnt off some energy - and Zoe even got to practice her back hipcircles (Ms. Mary, aren't you proud?) - on the fabric covered wire play structure. Craziness!

Then we spent a bit of time on the beach. The water is REALLY cold, like Cayuga in June cold - it was more than my Florida kids could really deal with. They did have fun playing in the sand and making crop circles - thanks Pop Pop! Zack even asked a couple of groups of kids "Puedes Jugar?" (Can I play?) - unfortunately, one group shook their heads no, and another ignored him completely. Oye...there were tears and then I convinced him that maybe we were saying it wrong.

Around 2:30 we grabbed lunch at Pan & Company - kind of a mix between a Spanish Panera and Subway. All the music was American Top 40 - but everything else was in Spanish. I was quite a sight ordering...but I did it, and the kids finally got some chicken! They were really, really happy!

On our way back to our hotel we found this cool statue called "Hombres del Mar" - or Men of the Sea. Zack, Zoe and I are now on a hunt to find a copy for our house :)

When we got back to the hotel, the kids both took great two hour siestas, and when they woke up, Chris was back on a short break between his session and the evening's opening ceremonies...we got the fabulous news that althought the room was hotter than heck, his presentation went GREAT! We expected nothing less!

Now, we're waiting for Chris to return from opening ceremonies so we can go to dinner. We're thinking Paella tonight - but who knows what we'll find! XOXO, Benderz

de Espana! de Espana!

What a night to be in Spain! It is now just after midnight, everyone is tucked in their beds, and we can still hear the horns and shouts from the passing cars and pedestrians. What a game! The Spaniard at the front desk of our hotel recommended we try and get into an Irish tavern on the beach to watch the game...so we took a beautiful walk along the beach...

...and stopped to take a picture...

..and then headed into a tavern in which not only were we the only non-Spanish speaking people, but Zack and Zoe were the only ones there under 18. The natives were rowdy and ready for a futbol game!

Things got crazier as the night progressed - and we were thankful for a number of things...that Spain won, that we had on the right colors, and that Zack and Zoe had been appropriately trained at numerous crazy sporting events and tailgates. Although nothing could have prepared them for tonight, I can't say that they were really surprised by the madness either - which I consider a parenting success! This video was after one of the early goals... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGAaGyHyMo8&feature=youtu.be (for some reason I can't get the links to work, but I think if you cut and paste it might!) We all had a blast - and enjoyed more ham and tomato sandwiches for dinner and great cerveza!

On the walk home, I took this cool picture of the casino next door to our hotel. It was a pretty awesome night...we're all excited to see what the next few will bring.

Chris presents at the conference tomorrow...keep him in your thoughts! The Z's and I know he'll knock it out of the park...as for us, we'll be on the beach :) XOXO, Benderz ps...all the pictures from the trip will be up on our shutterfly site, www.benderz.shutterfly.com/action asap

Happy Birthday Ya Ya!

XOXO, Benderz

Day 2 - Madrid to Santander

The kids and I woke up this morning at 11am to Chris returning from his run :) He had run the streets of Madrid and Retiro Park...and since he knew we wouldn't make it before we had to leave, he took pictures!! Below are some of the shots he got while out on his run...

When Chris got back, we gathered up our stuff, put on our Spain shirts...

...and headed down to our included hotel breakfast. More ham, tomatoes, bread, cheese and some new yummy pastries. We got to eat right by the window - open to the outdoors. So fun!

It really was a super cool hotel...we recommend it to everyone traveling to Madrid!

Then it was time to get to our train. We stopped by a highly recommended pastry shop in Puerta del Sol on our way out of town...and left Zoe with the bags out front while we got some treats for the trip.

Then we hopped aboard a Metro...

...to get us to our Renfe train...

On our 4.5 hour train ride, we had time to read, eat our treats (so yummy!) and do some serious sightseeing out the window. So beautiful!

Upon arriving in Santander, we grabbed a taxi to take us to our hotel. Santander instantly felt more "us." More Hilton Head, less New York City - although truly, is unlike anyplace I've ever been before.

Hotel Hoyuela is awesome! We're looking forward to spending the next six nights here...

We're headed out to cheer on Spain in the Euros 2012 finals - planning to watch at a bar with the locals. I hope to add more later when everyone else is sleeping...for now, I'll leave you with the view from our room... XOXO, Benderz