Happy Sant Joan's Day!

Monday was a major holiday here in Spain: Sant Joan's Day

The festivities really began Sunday evening as everyone shot fireworks off....all night long. 

Nick woke up and said, "Did you hear WWII going on out there all night?"

Fun stuff.

Monday we joined a few different families from the 2nd ward for a full day of fun.

We drove to the remnats of a castle. The views from here were spectacular. Especially of Monsterrat Mountain.

Los Chicos....and us :)

We were only about a half hour outisde of Barcelona,

but had fully entered Cava country!

Cava is Spanish champagne. There were vineyards in every direction.

We went to a 400 year old Spanish house (it belonged to the mother of a ward member).

She was/is an artist (painting and carpet tapestries), and it was so amazing to look around her antique house at her collections and studios.

Here you can see the original stone floor of the home.

There were pitchforks from every era. 

And of course, we celebrated true Spanish style with PAELLA!

Paella is a famous rice dish. It can be made with vegetables, chicken, or any type of meat really.

But if you a true Spaniard - you make it chalk full of seafood!

This is Paella in it's early stages. Look at all the squid!

The Paella they made for us had squid, muscles, and prawns.

And we are not talking about shelled, cleaned out seafood here.

We are talking the full animal here: legs, antennas, eyeballs...everything.

I was asked to bring dessert. 

We had some famous cakes that are typical for Sant Joans Day,

but my Mint Brownies were a huge hit! The chicos devoured them!!

Afterwards,

Nick and I took a little stroll together. ..

It was a gorgeous day!

Full of Spanish culture, amazing company, beautiful weather, and enough seafood to last us a lifetime :)

We have been and seen some really cool things here in Spain - but the people and the friends we have made here are our greatest treasures.

(Montserrat in the background)