Royal Ascot 09

Here are further attempts at catching up from my computer glitches in May & June. Before we came back to the US we had a rare opportunity to go to the Royal Ascot Races through Mike's work. It was AMAZING!!!! They always have races year round at Ascot, but it is Royal Ascot because the Queen comes every day for the week (or at least part of the royal family).

We had to dress up and wear hats - Mike had to rent a "day suit" basically a tux with tails, waistcoat and all. I felt like My Fair Lady or Holly-go-lightly. It was an amazing day and it was the nicest dress I've gotten myself in ages!!

We got to sit in a Royal Box - we arrived at 11AM, for Champagne and treats (Mike & I had sparkling water). Then we sat for lunch at our specific seats and were served a 6-7 course lunch - the main dish was beef wellington -

We also got to have a special view of the Royal Parade - the Queen arrives at 2pm each day of the race week to start off the races - there are 6 races - the first one started at 2:30. Her carriage stopped right in front of me and we were right next to her - then after the carriages rolled away they let us on the green and we were 6 feet from her - they didn't let us take photos on the green with her on it.


The Queen, Prince Andrew and either Princess Beatrice (who I think it is) or Princess Eugenie

This was the horse I bet 10 GBP on in the 3rd race and won!!! It was an American Horse, English Jockey, and owned by a Shiek

We also got another special tour - they took us to the "Inner ring" on the inside of the track by the finish line - where only photographers normally stand - to watch one of the races - it was sooooo incredibly quiet and then all of a sudden the horses run by right and the ground shakes. The horses are beautiful and just muscle and skin!

It truly was a wonderful day - we had gotten a sitter for the kids and they were excellent - we were there all day and it went soooo fast! They kept bringing food into our box as well it was unbelievable.

At the end of the race day they sing songs at the band stand - most people stay for it - it is a wonderful memory that I will hold dear to our UK stay for sure!!

End of school - June 09

This is my attempt to catch up - the last few weeks of school were very busy and emotional -

June goodbyes - one part of expat life is that each year brings quite a bit of movement. Our neighbors the McAuliffes are sadly for us moving back to New Jersey. They have been lifesavers on many levels for us. Mostly Donnie - who is Chandler's age - was the greatest addition to our family - he entertains our boys, was another brother to Tyler and he loved having a little sister - Tristan...

Since we're in CA we already had to say our goodbyes - it was so sad! But their legacy lives on - I may not be able to call Cathy on a whim to see if she has any Cream of Mushroom soup - or advice on EVERYTHING (she knows everything and everyone!!) but I am getting her Kitchen Aid!!



Tyler got an award at the end of the year as well - she received an academic award for Science. They only gave 2 awards per subject per grade. We were really proud of her this year. Tyler has done a great job!

Mike's parents and their friends the Laytons came in to visit us - they went on a Mediterranean cruise then came back to our place before going to Paris. We had a great time visiting with us and they went to so many great countries!


Ian also got in a good playdate before we left for our vacation as well. This is his friend Amy - she was moving back to Dallas-area. It was very cute - he wanted to have someone over and I was surprised when it was a girl!

This was the just a glimpse of our last few weeks of school....

I'm Still Here!!

I'm still here - we had a busy month in June - my computer was having a little sick spell so I've been waiting to get back to CA to have it looked at - it took all of 5 seconds for the Apple guys to tell me what was wrong and fix it (I could have gone in the UK but it requires US parts so they nicely recommended waiting till I got here).

Now I have one more step - getting more memory on it - so bare with me - and I'll be able to post some fun pictures from our busy month!

But we are back in the States and enjoying our time staying across the street from our house :)

I'll be back!!