My Little Lucy Jane!!

Today is a VERY special day!! My little niece turns two!! She is the youngest of my nieces and nephews.. and I cannot believe she is soo big!! Where does the time go? I have not seen her since January... and man does she look different! She can talk, and my Sister says that she has A LOT of attutide. I cannot wait to see her!! The only way I have been able to talk to her is through Skype... so now she thinks her "Aunt Brit Brit" is a talking computer. Great. Here are some pictures I have of my little LJ as she has grown up!

The day she was born at the hospital!

Her Blessing Day!

All the Smitty Kids together before church one day. I am the luckiest Aunt in the ENTIRE world!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!!! AUNT BRIT BRIT LOVES YOU!!!!!!

Three New Adventures!!

Adventure Number One: I don't know if life could get any better. A couple of weeks ago we all went horseback riding... on the beach. It was amazing!! We went down on the shore and the horses were able to walk in the water. Two problems: #1 My horse WOULD NOT stop POOPING! #2 It was also TERRIFED of the water... and when a wave would crash, it would take off to the side. I thought we were both going to fall over. I haven't been on a horse in a long time.. but I would have to admit that I was impressed with myself. It was SO much fun!

We looked amazing in these helmets too! hahaha

Adventure Number Two: My host Dad rented a boat and we were able to go out in the ocean and look for dolphins! We were inbetween the coast of Africa and Spain. It was pretty incredible! Unfortunately we went on a super windy day so we weren't able to see any, but it was fun to be out on a boat!! Our boat driver anchored at an abondoned beach and we were able to get out and swim. The water was clear blue and there were fish all around!! We pulled out the binoculars and looked at the houses on the coast of Africa. I wanted to go over there so bad!! So close... but yet SOOO far away!! We had an amazing day!

Charles and I found a pirate ship and it was for sale!! We are going to save up and buy it!

There has not been a time where we haven't had visitors staying with us. This is one of my host Mom's close friends. She came with her family, and they were able to come on the boat with us. She spoke very little English, but she was so nice!! I have met so many amazing people since I have been over here in Europe. I love it!!!

Adventure Number Three: Jo and her boyfriend came down from Madrid to spend a few days in Cadiz. They were able to come see me one day when they were here!! I could NOT have been happier!! It was SOO good to see her! I thought the last time we were ever going to see eachother was in Madrid when I said bye to all the girls... I was WRONG. Man I love this girl! Thank you Jo for being such a good friend!! We had a fun day together!

The South of Spain!

Well, we have finally made it to the South! Actually we have been here for almost a month... I just stink at keeping up with my blog! My host Mom has a house in the South that she shares with all of her siblings. They used to come here every Summer when they were little, and the tradition just keeps on going. It is beautiful here and the weather is amazing!! Our house is up on a ledge, so we look down at everthing. We can see the mountains of Africa from the house... it is incredible!! They decided to put in a pool this year in the backyard... just my luck!! :D They started the day we got here, and they are already done! It has been soo nice!! I am so grateful for the experiences I have had here. It is going to be hard to go home, and back to real life!! My host Mom told me that she is adopting me and I am staying here forever... I wouldn't mind that too much. I am still loving it here!

Eating at a Pizzaria with Andrea (the housekeeper) and my three tiny ones!

Always have to have matching suits! I love them!

Beautiful Andrea and I. She only speaks Spanish... but understands a little English. When we hit a language barrier...we pull out my computer and use google translator haha!! Thank heavens for technology!! She is my only friend down here since we are in the middle of nowhere, and we have become really close. I have learned so much from her and we have had a lot of fun together!!

Little Ana

Georgie and her boyfriend came to visit the first week. It was fun to have someone to play with on the beach! I want her English accent SOO bad!

Love my life. Enough said. We have been to the beach every day! It never seems to get old. I have never built so many sand castles in my life... and I have never been buried so many times in my life. I am now a pro at boogie boarding, and I have learned to love tomatoes! They are so sweet and delicious here! The water is clear blue, and the weather hasn't been colder than 85 degrees. Perfect. One day it got up over 100... with the humidity here it was impossible to go outside and not melt. There are tons of mosquitos at night... but nothing that my bug spray can't handle! I love it!

Mirna.. a past nanny for my same family... came to visit for a week. We went out one night for dinner and took some fun pictures. It was fun to hang out with some girls my age for a night! I miss my friends in Madrid soo bad!! It is weird not being with them every single day! So far being in the South has been a dream. I got soo lucky with my host family and I feel so blessed to have experienced all that I have in the past 7 monts! I have 5 weeks left before I go back to the 801 so I am trying to give them my all... so hopefully I will be someone they never forget! Hope everyone has a good 24th of July! Wish I could see some fireworks!

Our last night together!

This was a super sad night.... I left to come to the South with my host family.. and all of my friends go back to their countries while I am gone :( When I get back to Madrid in August, I will be a lone ranger!! I had so much fun getting to know them, and I learned SOOO much from each of them. It was hard... but hopefully we can keep in touch. Life would be miserable without friends... I don't know what I would have done without them.

It is weird not having them around... but they will never be forgotten!! Love you girls!!! Thanks for EVERYTHING!!!!

The Zoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a confession to make... I think I am 20 going on 8. I was more excited to go to the zoo than the little kids that I nanny!! I LOVE it!!! Andrea (the housekeeper) and I got to take them the day before we headed South! The Madrid Zoo was ENORMOUS! I was in heaven.

We got to see the dolphin show!! How do they even train dolphins? It was amazing!

I have the best job. I love the kids I nanny!!!!

The White Party!

I have never been to a themed party before... but man was it fun!! My friend Jo's host parents had a party at their house and the dress code was to wear all white. Her host Mom invited Jo's friends as well. This was one of the last times that I was able to play with the girls and realizing that was pretty sad... but we had a fun time!!

Beautiful Elina and I

Jo and I!! I want her English accent soooo bad!! Love her!