Last year, as part of donating to the school our kids go to, we had bought tickets to a special weekend event over Fallen Leaf Lake near Lake Tahoe. 

When the time came it wasn’t the ideal weekend but of course we went anyway. The kids had a blast. Nathaniel made bread with his friends.

There were many many animals as part of an evening event. 

look at this porcupine?!

and a baby mountain lion.

Jake and I woke up at 5:45 and were able to see the sun come up. It was magical.

The colors were amazing.

there were several different kinds of boats but the second day was super windy so the kids could only do the pedal boats.

I don’t even have one photo of David because he was with his friends the whole time.

The weather was cold but really beautiful.

on the first day, Jake went sailing.

while I read Hank Green’s book and relaxed. We got there 5 hours before everyone else. 

and it was the best idea since it turned out to be the most beautiful day.

I couldn’t stop taking photos the whole weekend.

There was just so much beauty. 

i even brought my large camera so not everything would just be phone photos.

here’s me listening to my book.

and jake still sailing.

and the little boy.

the love of my life.

in the evening, there was a lovely fire, smores, singing and more. I am so grateful we went to this event. The kids had a wonderful time, we barely saw them all weekend, and Jake and I also had a wonderful time. Here’s to doing it again next year.

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Stories from 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018here.

I am so grateful that we got to spend several days in Barcelona. This will be the last of my installments about our vacation and Barcelona. 

more on La Sagrada Familia. 

the doors were magnificent.

so much detail

some parts so modern and others so detailed and classical.

and these stunning doors.

they blew me away.

but of course my favorite was the light. 

i couldn’t stop taking photos of the stained glass windows. 

look at that amazing light.

can’t you almost feel it?.

i could have sat there all day.

it still gives me chills.

Then we went to this fountain and music show, it lasted two hours and was amazing.

light, water and music, what more can we ask for?

here’s the before with everyone waiting.

we took the subway there 🙂

on our last day we saw some street art. 

on our last morning we went to this awesome maze. 

the kids had a lot of fun.

and then we went home to pack and we were grateful for a full vacation and for finally being ready to go home to our own beds. so grateful for this incredible vacation.

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Stories from 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018here.

Our next stop in Barcelona was at he climbing gym. 

The boys climbed while I read.

it was fun to see them in action.

i wanted more Gaudi but the boys were done so they kindly let me do this one on my own.

the inside of this house is breathtaking.

all the glass and light.

all the color.

i loved the blue.

i can’t even imagine living in this house.

i took thousands of photos.

loved the tiles.

this is the roof.

and one more on my way down.

the boys waited next door and had some juice + chocolate.

so here’s part two of our adventures in Barcelona. more next time 🙂

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Stories from 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018here.

We drove to the last town in France, Perpignan, and took the super fast train to Girona. 

I’d seen this photo but seeing it in person was so much more beautiful.

isn’t it magnificent?

some interesting statues.

nathaniel loved this one store and spent 45 mins there

we loved the streets and noticed all the flags everywhere.

not sure if this is a real person.

i loved these stairs too! 

we could have taken the super fast train right to barcelona which would mean we’d miss this.

and this!

so i am glad we did go to Girona and see this small but beautiful town. 

And next we come to the last part of our trip, Barcelona, which was my very favorite part!

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Stories from 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018here.

On the way back from St. Tropez, we decided to stop at Cannes. I had read that it was not as interesting and it was getting darker but we went anyway.

We were so glad we did. In fact, it turned out to be Jake’s favorite part of the trip.

we walked around the beautiful beach.

and I snapped a million photos.

we saw a ferris wheel and decided we had to get on!

it was fantastic, right at sunset.

it was very beautiful in Cannes. 

we didn’t do shopping but still went to the main street.

but the beach was so much better.

The next morning, we were on our way to Montpellier so we stopped by Aix-en-Provence, which I loved.

This city is so very beautiful and old and lovely.

Full of fountains.

and these stunning buildings.

I just loved the feel of the whole city. It was so delightful and warm.

And of course I took photos of all the windows.

this is one of my favorites.

isn’t it magnificent.

we then moved on to Marseilles but I love love loved Aix and here’s to being able to go back one day!

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Stories from 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018here.

After our day and a half in Rome, we rented a car and drove north to this little town called Forte dei Marmi where we met up with my family to celebrate my dad’s 75th birthday.

My amazing sister had done an incredible amount of work to make the day special for my dad. We call him opapa so she made custom shirts so we all had shirts that said who we were in relation to my dad.

and then the back said 75th birthday.

the three of us.

my mom and dad with all the grandkids.

she had setup games for us to play on the beach.

there was much laughing 

and joy

my parents were super game to play along.

afterwards she got us all white shirts and a whole bunch of props to take photos with.

and everyone was happy to play along.

here’s my special sister and her amazing family.

without whom none of this would be possible. She also got custom towels made, custom chocolates, hazelnuts and many other small and big touches. It was a wonderful few days with the people who are most special in my life.

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Stories from 2018 is a year-long project for 2018. You can read more about my projects for 2018here.