A Quick Preface:
2024 was a year defined by movement, transition, and the thrill of the unknown. Before we dive into what’s next, I wanted to share a quick look back at the journey that brought us to today.
For those of you who aren’t aware, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our beloved community in Mexico. But before settling back down, we took on the challenge of a lifetime: a cycling adventure across South Korea and Japan. You can read more about our trip here.
Pedaling through East Asia gave us a lot of time to reflect on what “home” really means, which made our arrival in Spain even more special. In the summer of 2024, we decided to take a break from riding and officially began calling Spain “home.” It has been a year of massive adjustments and even bigger excitement. Amber has volunteered to write the blog again this year, so please enjoy the time and love she has put into this review.
January 2025:
We brought in the new year 2025 in Spain. Every year, we’ve usually traveled for Christmas / New Years because that’s when we’d get the most time off from work, so it just made sense to go somewhere. But this year, we stayed in Oviedo, and it felt good to wake up in our own beds and bring in the new year and celebrate Christmas at “home.”
Christmas was wonderful. The boys played for days with their new toys, It honestly felt like a mini vacation for us because they were so happily occupied! Watching them dive into their little worlds of imagination was such a simple joy. It was one of those rare, slow-paced moments that felt like a deep breath after the holiday chaos.
Oh, and this year I turned 39, my last year in my 30s! 🙈 I remember thinking 40 was so old… eek, does this mean I’m old now? (I’m not sure I’m ready to answer that one yet!)
February:
In February, I had the chance to volunteer in Maverick’s classroom, and it was one of my favorite moments this year. I created a fine motor and emotional regulation workshop for his class, and it was such a joy to blend my professional passion with my mom life.
I also got to educate his teacher about occupational therapy, what it is, why it matters, and how to include all kids in classroom activities in meaningful ways. Seeing the kids light up as they engaged with the activities reminded me exactly why I love this work.
March:
March was full of firsts and celebrations! Ben took a quick trip to Barcelona to visit his friend Wangkai during the Carnival break, a much-needed mini getaway.
He made it back just in time to cheer on Maverick at his first duathlon race! Maverick had so much fun participating and can’t wait to do another one. It was so special watching him cross that finish line, proud and glowing.
After months of studying, Ben finally passed his Spanish driver’s license test! If you’ve ever gone through that process, you know, it’s no joke. Between the tricky written exam, endless studying, and the precise Spanish language comprehension required for the driving test, it’s an intense process. We were all so proud (and relieved!) when he passed.
Maverick also had his first bike trials competition this month. It was a chilly day with light flurries in the air, one of those moments that really makes you appreciate a warm coat and hot cocoa. Mason was bundled up and cheering on his big brother the whole time, and it melted my heart watching them support each other.
At the end of the month I helped volunteer at for Mason’s class creating under the sea creatures for his class unit! It was fun meeting other moms and struggling through my Spanish 😅
April
In April, we had a full week off from school, so we took a road trip to Girona, one of the most epic places in the world for cycling. We met a fellow cyclist who actually builds his own bicycles (https://www.greenrockadventure.com) and generously offered to lend us a few bikes for the day. We rode all the way to the Mediterranean coast, soaking in the sunshine and views. It was an unforgettable day, and his kindness made it even more special.
Back home, I volunteered again in Mason’s class. I read a story in English and then led a fun fine motor activity. Mason was so proud to have me there, he couldn’t stop smiling, and I loved watching him take on the role of my little helper. Those are the moments that fill me up.
May
We kicked off May with a bikepacking overnight trip with the boys! It felt amazing to be on our bikes again, surrounded by stunning scenery. We left from our front door and set off on a mini adventure, staying overnight in a rock climbers’ hostel. The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever, bunk beds, new friends, and travelers from all over the world. The rides were challenging, with steep climbs and high elevation, some tears, but the boys pushed through and were so proud of themselves. It was the perfect mix of hard work and joy.
Each month, we’ve also been hosting cyclists and motorcyclists from around the world who stop by on their own journeys. It keeps the spirit of adventure alive for all of us. The boys love hearing their stories, asking questions, and learning about kindness, generosity, and curiosity through these connections. This month, we hosted a cyclist from Germany and a motorcyclist from Korea! The boys were so excited to practice the few Korean phrases they remembered from our cycling trip there, it was such a fun exchange.
Mason and Ben joined a group bicycle ride through our city, celebrating human powered transportation, and Mason earned a medal!
It was also an interesting month for school, the teachers in our region went on strike, which created a lot of uncertainty. Some days, classes were canceled last-minute or teachers wouldn’t show up, so learning was sporadic. It gave us a new appreciation for how hard teachers work and how much structure means for kids.
We ended the month on a high note with a visit from Ben’s sister, Abby, and our nephew, Levi! The boys loved playing with their cousin, and it was so nice to catch up with family. Having familiar faces from home always fills our hearts.
June:
June brought sunshine and familiar faces! Our dear friends Haley and David, who we’ve known for over 20 years, came to visit. They’ve traveled to Spain several times but had never been to Asturias, so it was fun showing them around our little corner of the world. We spent our days exploring, laughing, and sneaking in mini adventures together.
The teachers’ strike continued on and off through the end of the school year, which made for some strange weeks. Some days, the boys would just play at school instead of having lessons, so we decided to homeschool them here and there. It turned out to be a sweet little rhythm, slower days, nature walks, and learning through life.
School officially ended on a Friday, and by Saturday, we were already on a flight to New Hampshire to visit family! It’s always so special going home. We’re so grateful that both of our families live close to each other, it makes visiting feel easy and full. Two weeks always fly by too quickly, but we managed to see everyone and soak up as much family time as possible.
July
After two wonderful weeks in New Hampshire, we flew back to Spain just long enough to repack our bags and prepare for our summer adventure! We arrived on a Wednesday, and by Saturday, we were on the road again, this time driving to France!
Ben’s mom joined us for the first two weeks of the trip, and it was so lovely having her along. The boys adored having their Mémère with them and we definitely indulged in way too many croissants!
We were able to catch a stage of the Tour de France! It was so exciting, Ben and I saw it once before, back in 2012, but this year was extra special because we got to share the memory with the boys and Mémère. Watching the riders prepare to ride, feeling the energy of the crowd, and seeing the boys’ faces light up… it was such a core memory moment for our family. It was the perfect start to our own Slavin Tour De France cycling trip!
On July 22, we started our own Tour de France in Bordeaux and followed the coast north along the Euro Velo 1 route. We quickly learned why most riders cycled south along the coast, as we were constantly battling headwinds. But when the temperature climbed it was nice to be near the water and with lots of campgrounds, the kids were happy playing and swimming.
August
Eventually we hit Nantes and decided to go inland along the Loire River valley and the Euro Velo 6 route. We had enjoyed the coast but we wanted to get away from all the holiday tourism and enjoy some quieter cycling along the river and canals. It was here that Mason started cycling solo for longer stretches. We loved seeing his stoic pride, new found freedom, and cycling confidence.
We also celebrated Mason’s fifth birthday while riding on the road! He woke up to a tent filled with balloons and a scavenger hunt waiting for him. We had cake for breakfast, which was an absolute treat and he loved it. We even tied balloons to his bicycle so he could feel extra special all day long. We made sure our campground had animals and a pool so he could enjoy all his favorite things. It was a simple and joyful birthday, full of adventure and smiles.
Unfortunately, the end of month took a scary turn when Maverick came down with a rash all over his legs and arms. Ben spent the night with him in the hospital while Mason and I stayed back at the campground. At first, doctors were concerned it might be a tick borne illness, which was terrifying to even consider. They said to keep an eye on it while they ran tests for Lyme disease.
After a few days passed, his rash still wasn’t improving, so we headed to a larger pediatric hospital to get more care. With rain in the forecast for the entire next week and Maverick still uncomfortable, we made the difficult decision to end our tour early. Not how we ever imagined wrapping up our adventure, but we were grateful to put our focus where it mattered most: making sure Maverick was okay and not having to push through cold, rainy riding conditions.
The doctors seemed confident that it was a mostly harmless reaction likely from another type of bug. Lyme testing results came back a week later as negative (and we retested for antibodies after several weeks and those results were also negative).
After getting back from the hospital, we made a plan. Ben woke up super early and took the train from Tours to Bordeaux to pick up our van. By noon he was headed north to come pick us up. Four hours later he arrived in Tours and we began our driving journey back toward Spain. We spent the last few days of summer back in Spain soaking in the sunshine, relaxing, and getting ready for the new school year.
September
In September, the boys started their second year of school here in Spain. We love the school, and we’re so glad the boys love it too!
This year they have a lot of after-school activities, honestly, they would do even more if we let them and there were enough hours in the week! Combined, they’re doing music class, soccer, badminton, chess, robotics, basketball, trials biking, swimming, and Chinese lessons. 😅 Luckily, most of these activities are held right at their school, so we don’t have to spend every evening driving them all over town.
We also celebrated Mason’s birthday with his classmates when he got back to school! He was absolutely thrilled to finally have a party with his friends. All the kids dressed up as superheroes and princesses, it was adorable and such a special day for him.
We also had Ben’s step-sister visit in September. It was nice to see a familiar face and to show her around our new home.
Another exciting (and huge!) accomplishment in September was that, after many months of studying, I passed my driving test!! There was definitely a lot of time and dedication that went into learning including memorizing so many Spanish driving phrases, so I am very happy that’s finally behind me!
October
By October, we were fully settled into the school and activity routine. We had a four-day weekend, so we decided to take a mini vacation in León. We spent the weekend exploring a new city, admiring beautiful churches, castles, and searching for every skatepark and pump track we could find. It was such a fun little adventure!
Another exciting and huge accomplishment that happened in October, Maverick completed his very first running race! He absolutely loved it and can’t wait to do another one again soon. The thrill, the excitement, and the movement lit him up from start to finish. We were all so proud watching him cross that finish line with the biggest smile on his face!
And because life here has us surrounded by Spanish all day, every day, I finally started Spanish lessons! I’m really excited to build more confidence and become even more fluent. I want to be able to help the kids with their homework better and let’s be honest, also make sure they’re not out there saying any sneaky bad words that I don’t catch. 😅 It feels good to be learning right alongside them!
In October, some exciting opportunities presented themselves! Ben and I had the chance to introduce SnapType to a local occupational therapy and speech clinic here in Spain. It was so wonderful to connect with local therapists and learn more about how they practice. They absolutely loved SnapType and could immediately see how helpful it would be for many of their students and clients.
A few days later, they reached out again with a special request. They were working with a young patient from Ukraine who didn’t speak Spanish, but did speak English, and they asked if I could come assist during a session. Because of my experience working in sensory clinics and the bonus of speaking English they valued my insight and wanted to learn as much as they could.
The hour-long session with the little boy went amazing! They told me it was the best session they had ever seen with him, he was so engaged and involved the entire time. It truly made my heart so happy to see him thriving.
Afterward, I wrote up a detailed observation of the visit and shared strategies and suggestions to continue supporting his growth. The therapists were incredibly appreciative, and I’m thrilled to know the experience made such a positive impact. They’ve invited me to return whenever I’m able to help, and I’m excited to continue building these connections within the local therapy community.
All around, it was such a rewarding experience, and I’m grateful for the chance to make a difference, even in a small way here in our new home.
November
Starting off the month with more movement and adventure, we had another long weekend off from school so of course, we packed up the car and took a quick road trip to A Coruña and Santiago de Compostela! The later is the famous ending point of the Camino de Santiago, and it was so special to explore a place that holds so much meaning for many people.
We had a blast wandering through two new cities, searching out every pump track and skatepark we could find (because that is always top priority for us 😄). But the true highlight was standing in front of the grand cathedral in Santiago and soaking in the joy and energy of all the hikers who had just completed their long pilgrimage. You could literally feel the pride and emotion in the air, it was such a beautiful experience to witness.
Next up, a totally spontaneous adventure! Ben and Mason took a fun last-minute trip to Rome. Since Mason is learning all about ancient Rome in school right now, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
We’ve been really intentional about creating special one-on-one time with each of the boys so they both feel seen and celebrated. So this became the perfect daddy-son getaway for Ben and Mason. They went on a Vespa side-car ride through the busy streets of Rome, which was definitely a thrill! They toured the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Pantheon among others — taking in all the stunning architecture, incredible history, and larger-than-life landmarks they had only seen in books before. It was such a magical experience for Mason to connect what he’s been learning in school with the real world right in front of him!
Meanwhile back at home, while I soaked up some extra quality time with Maverick. It was such a wonderful reminder of how meaningful those individual moments can be.
Then we were so lucky to have our friend J come visit from New Hampshire, fresh off completing the Camino de Santiago hiking trail! It was fun hearing his stories and catching up. We spent Thanksgiving together enjoying delicious tacos (a very on-brand holiday meal for us 😄) and soaking up good company and gratitude. It was the perfect, cozy way to end the month.
Wrapping up November, Maverick (and Ben!) competed in another trials competition. Despite the rain, it was a good time. Maverick rode well. Meanwhile, Ben was exceptional, placing 2nd in the masters category, and receiving a huge silver trophy! It was an incredible achievement for him since he hasn’t ridden trials in 20 years. Oh, it should also be noted that there were only two people in his category…
December
December began with a visit from my mom, something we had been looking forward to for months. We hadn’t seen her since the summertime, so having her here with us felt especially meaningful. We spent our days exploring Oviedo together and took a few trips to nearby coastal towns, soaking in the charm of the fishing villages and the beauty of the beaches. It was the kind of slow, quality time that fills your cup in the best way.
With Maverick’s birthday falling just two days before Christmas, we decided to celebrate early with his classmates so everyone could attend. It turned out to be the perfect choice. He had the most wonderful time celebrating his 7th birthday, surrounded by his school friends, laughter, and so much excitement. Watching him feel so loved and celebrated was one of the highlights of the month.
The school bell rang on Friday, signaling the start of a glorious two-and-a-half-week break and giving us the perfect opportunity to go exploring.
We didn’t waste a single second, and Saturday morning wake up was 5 am and we were on a flight heading down to Granada, Spain.
We spent our time wandering through the center of the city, where the streets and alleyways are so incredibly pretty and quaint. Our days were filled with culture and discovery as we watched a passionate flamenco dance, explored the Alhambra, and spent time at the children’s museum.
The most special part of the trip, however, was making a very specific dream a reality. For both his birthday and Christmas, Maverick’s one big wish was for it to snow, so we made sure to head up to the mountains just an hour away from Granada to make that wish come true. While it was a bit rainy down in the city, the weather made for a beautiful, snowy wonderland up in the peaks.
After a week in Granada, we moved on to spend the remainder of our Christmas holiday in Málaga, where the transition has been wonderful.
The weather here is so comfortable that we have spent our days walking around easily in just our sweatshirts. We were able to rent bicycles one day and explored the city which we all enjoyed a lot. We have loved enjoying the atmosphere of the old town, indulging in a huge variety of different cuisines, and doing our best to keep the kids busy and entertained. As I sit here finishing this blog, Ben is out at the playground with the boys, and I am struck by the fact that when we wake up tomorrow, it will be a brand new year.
We are looking forward to a year of new adventures, fresh changes, further learnings, and continued growth. We hope you all continue to stay healthy, adventurous, and curious throughout the coming year. We miss you all so much and truly hope to see you here in Spain for a visit soon.
A Few More Miles 