Evan and Miguel

The four of them at the top.

…and after

Much cooler for the summer heat.

You make the caption…invent the best one and you win a small bottle of olive oil from Spain (if you live in Delaware, Ohio or Florida)!

The cousins and I…neat, but just not quite the same as being there.

My good friend Marjorie with her two daughters….we are sad that they just moved back to France.

Thanks to all our friends who sent gifts for Evan!

Evan and Ellie ended this year of school on June 19 with a program for the parents.
Evan with some classmates, ready for the play.

Evan was the narrator for their little play.

Ellie and her friend Evelyn were little pigs.

And Ellie’s class danced to a cute song.

Two groups whose paths happened to cross in Granada.

The girls group (left to right): Deborah, Holly and Rachel
And the guys: Dan, Dan, Matt & David (find them here for more on their adventures)

Rachel & Holly with our kids

Evan conquered one of the highest mountains in Spain with these guys.

Kevin’s aunt Verda and cousin Marilynn.

Just a couple of days later I opened the mailbox and there was the letter! I couldn’t believe it! I thanked God for being so good to our trusting Evan. And I was reminded to ask more and believe.

As you can see, the card went all the way to the Caribbean Island of Grenada before traveling to Granada, Spain.

…by Skype with some family members

…with a party at our house
Ellie with her friends Evelyn and Elisa

This morning before school…being 5 didn’t change the sometimes grumpy attitude

…with cupcakes at school
Singing their hearts out…especially brother. (Evan’s class joined us.)

Evelyn and Ellie

Some of Evan’s classmates

…with a trip to her favorite restaurant…McDonalds of course.

Enjoying tea and schawarmas

Evan and Kevin with our good friend Hadi

The street we live on with the entrance to our building being just behind Wendy’s head

Mom hanging out laundry

Dad & Mom enjoyed visiting Evan & Ellie’s school and meeting their teachers and some of their friends.
Ellie with her friend Evelyn

Evan with his friend Paco

Ellie’s classroom

Evan’s classroom

Here we are visiting the Alhambra, the Moorish palace and fortress complex in Granada.

My Dad, who has been a carpenter and builder his entire life, commented about the architecture, “I always thought I was a pretty good craftsman, but now I’m not so sure”.

A delicious meal at Pablo & Judi’s…rice and beans with Lizano sauce, chicken, fried platanos and salad with avocado and cilantro is hard to beat! Thanks Judi!

One morning we had breakfast at our friend’s café/hostel, where we stayed when we first arrived in Spain.
Our friend Margarita’s mother Matilde showing us all the different plants growing in her patio garden at the hostel where she also lives.

Ellie with her friend Elisa

Some special days for Evan and Ellie included activities like going to a favorite park, Carmen de los Martires…

…an open-air bus tour of the city…

…and a visit to their favorite place in the city, The Science Park. Here they are, ready to go.

Sunday, May 3 was Dia de la Cruz (Day of the Cross). After a worship time and food on the grill with our friends Pablo & Judi, we headed out to see the festivities.

Pablo & Judi

Decorated crosses are set up all over the city

Some children decorate their own crosses and display them along the streets, hoping for a small “donation” from admirers. We met Evan’s friend and classmate Paco transporting his cross to set up.

Babies, little girls, young women and even old women dress up in their gypsy dresses for the day to parade around the city. Ellie joined in on the fun this year.

Ellie with her new play glasses from Grandma. She informed us “now I’m just like Judi!”

Little girls in our neighborhood

Horses and riders parade through the streets

The guys all joined Kevin, Miguel and Luis in watching some Granada fútbol.
Evan and Miguel

Luis and Miguel

Pablo and Dad with matching heads:)