Spain - Day 2 - Barcelona and Sitges

Amazing 2nd day in Spain. Today we started with a mission to experience the Spaniard breakfast of churros and chocolate. We woke up a bit late but headed out from our apartment towards Las Ramblas and the famous La Pallaresa. We made it in the nick of time but missed all the churros. We still enjoyed our croissants, chocolate, and coffee - just in the nick of time - as the restaurant closes up at 1 pm.





We then headed to our pals home in Castelldefels, a beautiful home that overlooks the sea.



And then we headed to the resort town of Sitges. We enjoyed an amazing meal at Pic Nic with 3 types of Paella and some amazing tapas.





While in Sitges, the kids enjoyed time playing on the beach, and we enjoyed exploring the jetty of rocks and venturing through the quaint town with tiny avenues. What a fun adventure with our pals.

Spring Break in Espana - Day 1

The Pergandes are so excited for their Spain adventure. The Pergandes left Minneapolis headed for Barcelona. We started our travel adventures with our traditional stop at the Delta Sky Club for a cocktail toast and some snacks.



We started with an 8 hour flight to Amsterdam. Canyon decided to watch 5 movies and not sleep. When we got to Amsterdam, the boys were pooped and we all took some siestas on the airport benches.



And then we arrived in Barcelona!!! Our pals, the Francos, live in Barcelona. They picked us up from the airport and took us to the apartment we are renting in Eixample, which is the core of the city's nervous system. We walked along Rambla de Catalunya and Passeig De Gracia to enjoy our first tapas adventure as a family at Trotamundo Tapas. They helped us enjoy some of the traditional favorites like patates braves (fried potatoes with spicy sauce and aioli sauce), Pa amb Tomaquet (bread topped with garlic, tomato, and olive oil), mussels, and calamari (both grilled and fried). Such a yummy start to our Spanish adventure!



On our way home we caught our first glimpse of one of Gaudi's masterpieces along Passeig De Gracia.



The kids enjoyed climbing on top of the Spanish mailboxes.



And Ron is in heaven as he can play his guitar on our elegant balcony overlooking the beautiful streets of Eixample. A great start to our trip!

March Memories

Although Mom is on sabbatical and I should have more time to update the blog, I have not been very good at capturing and recording our memories. Here are a couple of excerpts from the Pergande March adventures.

Our annual trip to the boys high school state hockey tournament where thousands of kids and parents skip school/work to watch the high school teams play hockey at the Xcel Energy Center. This only happens in MN.


Trisha and pal Sara have fun at the Kings of Leon concert at the Target Center.


Presley and pal Taylor at the annual Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast.


Chef Presley making some delicious skillet cookies.


Trisha runs the Get Lucky 7K with pals to celebrate. St. Patty's day and spring.


Presley dressing up for St. Patty's day in Aunt Kimmy's special St. Patty's day gifts.


Ron visiting with Aunt Rose on his latest trip to Chicago.

10UA Season Comes to An End

The winter hockey seasons have now ended. Presley had a fun season. She grew stronger as a player and had a blast with her team mates. The team ended on a high note, coming in 2nd place in the year end tournament. The girls celebrated with a trip to Dairy Queen. The end of season party was at Tuttles Bowling, which officially ended Mom's duty as team manager. Now comes spring hockey....

End of Season Tournament


Another Dairy Queen Adventure


End of Season Party with Coach Scott

President's Day Weekend

The Pergandes family headed up to Brainerd, MN for President's Day Weekend for a weekend full of Peewee Hockey. The boys started strong with a win against Duluth East. However, with 3 minutes to go in the game, Canyon came off the ice because he had slashed his leg (most likely from another skate). We quickly ventured to a local urgent care to receive 7 stitches. Ouch! Canyon was off the ice for a week (and out of the hotel pool). A mild bummer to an otherwise fun weekend.





After we came home, Mom headed to Red Wing to see Aunt Colleen who was visiting from Michigan. Great visit with Colleen, Great Granny, Brandon, and Cecelia. Nice chats and even a selfie with 4 generations of Kohls girls.



This week also highlighted the reality that our kids are now Minnesotans. We let Presley play hookie on Thursday afternoon after President's Day to go watch the Eden Prairie girls varsity hockey team play in the state tournament at the Xcel Center with some of her team mates. Only in Minnesota!

Peewee AA Pasta Party

We co-hosted a pasta and sledding party for Canyon's hockey team at our house. We fed 24 kids (and 30 parents and coaches). Everyone had a blast sledding, playing knee hockey, dancing, and playing in the basement. The kids and the parents were well behaved and the house held up well. We even had a chance to have a grand singing of happy birthday to Canyon and Presley. Fun night!!

Feeding the masses...


Gathering round the table..


Getting ready to sing happy birthday to Canyon and Presley...


Interview show in the basement...


Mommy dance party...

Grandpa Jim's 70th Birthday Celebration

The first weekend of February, Mom flew to California to celebrate her dad's birthday with all the sisters. We had an awesome weekend pack filled with fun dinners and lunches, pedicures and massages, dominoes playing, softball watching, boyfriend meeting, exercising, and academy nominated movie watching. We topped off the weekend with our last night at the Cirque Du Soleil show on Santa Monica Pier and a dinner to celebrate Dad's 70th birthday. Fun weekend!!



While Mom was away, Presley, Canyon and Day stayed active as well. Presley's hockey team volunteered at Feed My Starving Children to give time to the cause of hunger! And Canyon's hockey team had a tournament in White Bear Lake.