Hogmanay 09

We started the trip by taking a train up - about a 3.5 hour train ride not bad. Beautiful countryside. That night we did the Torchlight parade - it's to kick-off the celebrations - well usually a torch is a flashlight - these were 3.5 foot wax sticks - it was amazing to see so many torches - I was sure someone's hair was going to catch fire! But it looked like they amazingly had things under control. Funnily I purchased 5 torches - luckily we went with friends - The Whiteheads - and they hadn't bought any yet so we shared with them!

On the bright side the torches certainly kept us warm!






We also went with our other friends The Hamberlins - so we were an imposing group - 19 of us! Restaurants didn't know what to do with us so we split up doing different activities and coming together - it was great fun.

Edinburgh is a beautiful city - my favorite thing was to do the night tour of Edinburgh Castle - it was actually a play and they had the history of the Monarchs or clans - I love when the castles 'come to life'.


They also had a carnaval and there was a super bungee ride - the men & Chandler all rode it - it flew them up so high - I have it on video - my blog still doesn't seem to like when I want to upload video - but I'll try again.

Edinburgh Castle

We are so lucky and this was a great trip - Happy New Year to all!

Merry Christmas!!

We had a really fun Christmas Eve - we had a few families over from church and we had a lovely dinner - there were about 28 of us but with people coming in & out. The kids then put on a Nativity for us so it was very fun.

Mike & I had everything wrapped early this year so it was an early night for us - probably a first in many many years. It's always worth seeing the kids open their presents - we tried hard to keep to a minimum this year and I think it worked - they seemed quite happy with what they all got and what Santa brought. We are so fortunate because our family sent things for the kids to open as well - my Aunties - Karen, Gina & Becca all sent things from the US and the Grands all sent their presents back with me when I went there in October so the kiddies had so many nice things!

We've been reminding the kids about how the Christmas season really is about giving and we are so blessed by all that we have and so grateful and thankful by it all. We hope you all have a wonderful season and are able to spend it with family or friends - we love being here but we miss our family during these special times....

Pre-party

Stars of the Nativity - Hamberlin kids, Whiteheads, Sterling Reece, & Crane Kids

Almost time for bed!

Good Morning! Merry Christmas!

Christmas "Lea"

Lucas the red nosed leaping reindeer

Cool anatomy book from Auntie Becca & Scott!

Tristy-Lu & her new Bitty Baby from Santa Claus

Abercrombie!
(Need I say more?!)

December

December is a good month - it's always hectic, crazy, frustrating at stores - but it is also all about celebration.

After our California friends went home I continued on my whirlwind month. My good friend Cathy - who was my neighbor here but went back to the States - flew in and we went with a bunch of other friends from the school/women's club to the German Christmas Markets - we went to Aachen, Cologne & Bruges on the way home - it was beautiful! We had so much fun - and did quite a bit of shopping!

Me & Cathy - Aachen

Cologne (Koln)

Hat ladies

Bruges, Belgium

I found this little treasure in Bruges - my new purse (for my birthday!) I have a great love for tulips - so when I saw this purse - I had to have it!

Tyler had her girl friends over before the Winter Dance...

We made Sugar Christmas Trees this year

My birthday was on the 13th my big bday (I turned 25 again) and I was given one of the very bests gifts - my kids were so cute - my birthday was Sunday so when we came home from church the kids 'wanted' to stay in their church clothes - what is that about!?

Well they put on a Winter Concert for me - I have it on video but - it's 10 mins long so couldn't download ...they did such a great job though - Tyler was on the piano, Cman - Clarinet, Ian - Trumpet & Lucas on the keyboard! They played Jingle Bells then did a solo each and then met up again with jingle bells - it was so special and I felt like they were the Von Trapp kids!

On Saturday Mike & I went in to London for lunch on Saturday and a little shopping we had such a nice day I loved it!

Now we're on the downward slide toward Christmas - so busy - but we're having some friends over for Christmas Eve since we're not going back to the States. It will be a bit quieter but Christmas is where your heart is and your heart is with your family after all don't you think?