girona S P A I N

First things first. 

Before sharing our adventures in Germany this week, I am going to finish highlighting the best of the Southern France trip we took two months ago. 

I can't believe it's been two months.

The beaches were the best. Next to the beaches, we did see some pretty amazing things.

 

Shortly after moving to Germany, we asked each of the big boys which country they wanted most to visit while living here.

Justin's response was Spain.

Ty chose Switzerland.

With Justin's time cut short, we purposefully chose to include Spain in this trip to at least get his feet in the Spanish-speaking country.

Looking on the map for a city that was close, I first found Barcelona. It was a three-hour drive from our house which would leave no time to see all that was there.

Closer to France is Girona, Spain or otherwise known as little Barcelona.

To my delight, I soon realized it was on Frommer's list of top 10 cities to visit in the world for 2012.

We had to see what it was all about.

The Girona Cathedral is absolutely breathtaking. Massive. Detailed. Astounding.

We've seen a few cathedrals in the last couple of years. I love them. The boys are not quite as impressed.

As long as Caden was able to go around listening to the little blips at each station around the grounds- he was fine.
 From the Cathedral, we walked down the surrounding streets known as The Call.

One of the best-preserved Jewish districts, the streets are narrow. Cobblestone is amazing.

It was a large Jewish settlement that was eventually expelled from Spain.

I couldn't help but wonder how it felt to be back in the times and the persecution they endured.

The boys {big and little} were restless, so we didn't stay long.   

 On our way home from Spain, we had to hit another beach. It helped motivate little people to cooperate through the morning if they knew they were getting to swim in the afternoon. 

Torreilles Plage, also rated excellent was not our favorite but definitely a spot where memories were made.

The water and view were beautiful.

The sand was listed as gritty and it was more natural and wild. With a rocky shore, it dropped off deep within a couple feet. Crazy deep which made me a little more nervous.

There were virtually no waves and the water was super clear.

It was rocky, not sandy- an attribute we would soon come to appreciate.

While swimming and goofing around wrestling with Coleman, Jim's wedding ring flicked off his finger into the water. 

At least five feet in depth, he couldn't immediately find his ring. He swam around looking and had Coleman and Caden on the search for it.

Before long, I got in {not much help} and our friend Ricky grabbed a set of goggles and started the hunt.

About that time, the big guys were back to shore, took the goggles from the little guys and started looking.

It was a full-on search for at least twenty minutes until Ricky came up with the ring.

We still have no idea how he found it. Partially covered with rocks, he only saw a little glimmer of shine and was able to pick it up. 

Had we been on any of other three beaches, there is no way it would have been found- they were far too sandy on the shoreline.

We both took our rings off for the remainder of the week.

I know I'm the mom but aren't they such good looking boys? I love them so much.