Semana Santa

The week before Easter is called Semana Santa in Spain. It is probably the biggest holiday week here - along with Christmas and the August vacation time (they are really really serious about their holidays here :-) ) This year, Jason's mom & stepdad, Vicky & Dave, came to see us. Yes, that's right! Vicky is doing very very well and has been given a clear bill of health! The brain tumor is gone and she doesn't even have to go back to that doctor for many years because the surgery was so successful. She has some small side effects from the surgery and tumor, but for the most part, she is totally better and pain free. Even the cancer possibility that was showing up in her blood work is completely gone. It was so wonderful to have them here and have her health be so good. Actually, it was a little hard to believe how scary & sad the last time we were together was in contrast! We are so grateful that God has protected her life & her health and that it is all a memory.

We had a wonderful week with the 2 of them. Katie enjoyed having her Nana & Papa here to play with and they played dogs and ponies for hours :-). Of course we showed them the downtown area and went to Toledo to see the cathedral & shop for a day too. They also got to go to church with us so they could see where we worship & meet some of our new friends.




One day, we took advantage of the beautiful spring weather and went down for a picnic in the Parque Retiro. This park is one of our favorite places in Madrid and it was really beautiful with the spring flowers and newly leafing trees. We got to see the Crystal Palace and enjoy an ice cream and a coffee in one of the outdoor cafes. (our favorite people watching place!) Here also is Katie being a statue on an empty statue pedestal :-).

We also took a day trip to Segovia. Last October, when I went to London with my friend Tracy, Jason & Katie had found a really neat place called La Granja that is only 15 minutes from Segovia. We had not had a chance to go back there. So on our way to Segovia, we stopped by. La Granja means the Farm, but it is actually a country palace and gardens, similar to Versailles in France. It is absolutely gorgeous! Since it is farther north than we are, the trees were just barely beginning to leaf out - I think it would be even more gorgeous in a couple of weeks. And we hope to go back sometime to see the fountains in action. Outside the palace, they have these enormous trees, that we found out are actually American redwood trees. So that makes them even cooler :-). We also found an amazing chocoleteria right next to the palace. Hot chocolate here in Spain is so thick your spoon almost stands up straight in it. :-) Super yummy.

Segovia was fabulous as always. We saw the castle and hiked all the way up to see the view of the cathedral and the town. Segovia is over the pass over the Sierra Nevada mountains, the ones we can see from our area. The snow on the mountains was really pretty to see from that side too!

BTW- we figured out that this trip made Jason & Katie's 6th time to go to Segovia. I have been there 4 times. :-) Yes, we like it that much! (not all of those times were with visitors!) This time we found a new fabulous restaurant - yet another reason to go back. So come see us, and we'll take you there too :-)

We had such a good week with Mom & Dave and were so thankful to have so much time to spend together to show them our world!