Natalie's Family July & Aug 2016

The Portugal Family in Oviedo Spain

Bryn and Isa performed their dance all over the city, in many different times and locations.  I can't wait to see the video.

The hotel in Oviedo was a 5-star and it was classy.  The central veranda was enclosed by porticos and balconies.

Cool Lobby Shot

The Hotel de la Reconquista in Ovieda

Next stop was Ribadesella.  Beautiful setting with the Picos de Europa in the background.

Only in Spain can you afford an ocean front room during the peak season.  One morning Tom and I climbed the hill that you can see in the background.  The view was awesome of the mountains and sea.

Santillana del Mar.  Obviously I am getting a kick out of the panoramic feature on my phone.  Early morning is the best time to capture the scenes without tourists clogging it all up.

Pedestrian only, right?  Wrong.  Tom drove the oversized van down this street.  It was a nail biter but he managed (afterwards making it clear that we never do that to him again)

Just beautiful morning sunlight streaming through the old city

The church in Santillana del Mar

We all wish Tori was more amenable to taking pictures.  Luckily Bryn and Isa will accept bribes.

Thank goodness I have children who will humor me with card playing!

The most inviting beach we have ever visited.  Can you get an idea how wide the beach is?  Noja Spain and we stayed at the Maritime Ris Hotel.  Incredible low tide that leaves behind tide pools and seemingly unlimited walking.  We spent 4 glorious days here and wished we had longer.

Playing around in Tervuren Park

Aug 6 (Bryn) and Aug 8 (Tom).  Lucky ducks were able to celebrate BIG b.days together.  Bryn hit double digits and Tom hit retirement and 65!  

Girls Getaway to Budapest Hungary.  Lots of raspberry soup, walking, swimming and lounging at the thermal baths,  biking, and the mandatory non-stop card playing.  Fabulous and too short but grateful to have that time together.  Shout out to Noel and Tom for taking care of the famous 'gals'.
We took an overnight trip to Bonn all together as well.  No pictures but I want to remember that we went to the pool, rented bikes, ate at the Bier Garden, took the ferry to the Drakenburg and Drakenfels and had spaghetti ice cream.  That is Tom's 'happy place' and that is where we spent his 65th birthday!!!

Flower Carpet 2016.  I took this from a cafe.

Dang fabulous shot of the City Hall with the Flower Carpet.  Just sayin'

Last night on the Grand Place.  The end of the family visits for 2016.  "I never can say good-bye, no no no!"

Thank you Portugals for making the trip, for staying as long as you possibly could, for loving Belgium, for hanging out, for making memories!  I truly hated to see you go.