tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13566544161412893022024-03-06T00:48:40.571-08:00MacNicols in ScotlandThe Nicol Family has moved from Dallas, Texas to Glasgow, Scotland and this is a diary of our adventure!MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-56169611881035001112011-05-19T04:01:00.001-07:002011-05-19T04:14:02.507-07:00BoysAs the mother of three boys, I am always aware that I am one step away from a social services phone call. For example, this week, we have been to the ER 3 times. Twice for Christopher and once for Charlie. Looking over my shoulder as I type this!<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>Christopher ran into a poll while looking behind him last Thursday at school. The school nurse phoned and said that although his vitals were fine, she thought I should take him to the ER. And so we did. Wee brave soul. I've NEVER seen a bump like the one on his forehead. I forgot to take a photo of him (which I am sure he is thankful for) and the bump subsided within 36 hours. Mild concussion, discharged.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then Monday night, Charlie was playing just before bath time and fell and busted his eye open. I was on my way to a meeting when Ethan called and said, "Mom, you need to turn around. Charlie's had an accident, there is blood everywhere and Dad doesn't know where the hospital is!" And so, back to the Children's hospital we go. Another wee brave soul. Glued back together in no time. All while his big brothers rallied around his hospital bed.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZNkBoO5RxWudydF2UaDjwX9SX6mun2rsMmqunz5Uui5hJaPQcp4rnnrs9GSYVcQHfbfP-C4RN1UBk5VZn1aI9_7JfaFlcJXN7eHkaODOr6IakNyqhUOq7UHRB5BLNP5PZqWJGwHT8gk/s1600/IMG00010-20110516-2009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZNkBoO5RxWudydF2UaDjwX9SX6mun2rsMmqunz5Uui5hJaPQcp4rnnrs9GSYVcQHfbfP-C4RN1UBk5VZn1aI9_7JfaFlcJXN7eHkaODOr6IakNyqhUOq7UHRB5BLNP5PZqWJGwHT8gk/s320/IMG00010-20110516-2009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608383683810812514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqdnM2JNhg3bacHpkNZCsYvKyq7UdL4pfMdKHBcvf1VH8ABmw-jM0d-in0mCQmCldMyHnwKQnskMebiNTPlhSXE3SOBuRPM_TUfvJrJmxLi3FGSGLo1rNTtUk7d9M1ZWLr0-9FAj8DEU/s1600/IMG_8251.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqdnM2JNhg3bacHpkNZCsYvKyq7UdL4pfMdKHBcvf1VH8ABmw-jM0d-in0mCQmCldMyHnwKQnskMebiNTPlhSXE3SOBuRPM_TUfvJrJmxLi3FGSGLo1rNTtUk7d9M1ZWLr0-9FAj8DEU/s320/IMG_8251.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608383680156091746" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then Wednesday morning, Chris and I headed back to the ER because he's continued to have dizziness and headaches. And although, I figured it was just the lingering effects of his mild concussion; I selfishly did not want to be "that mom" that does not take her child and something horrible is wrong. None of us do, do we? Anyway, he is fine. Just taking it easy and wearing his "mild concussion" badge with honour.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Ethan is in the middle of S1 exams and we are trying to keep things as normal and gentle as possible around here! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be glad when this week is over.</div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-86413020776320883052011-03-28T11:25:00.000-07:002011-03-28T11:31:05.838-07:00Rest Stop ExtraordinaireI snapped this photo at a rest stop on the way to Manchester a few weeks ago. The Brits like to stop and smell the roses. Or have a coffee. Or eat a meal. Or take a nap. Or shop the bookstore. And it's all in one car park.<div><br /></div><div>And the restrooms are decent. Definitely a Welcome Break!</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUwFIQ9yFhe5ctL4JrtmmMj1Hf1ETL2RI3x_-55x4qVho9sD3CHW27pOBXTD99f0yenWZCdV6dgkRcdt4-Fm0N-07jmtlQtEjG6UeRGY03FVeQzK1o8GMlxpwCAOYt5JpxXl06g8pe_s/s320/IMG_7750x.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589199795591086146" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-74906131943280009492011-03-24T02:02:00.000-07:002011-03-24T10:14:37.566-07:00MusicOne of my favourite things about living in Glasgow is the access to live music. Glaswegians LOVE music, every type. While the radio stations tend to focus only on British Pop, this city hosts a constant stream of musicians from all over the world and across all genres.<div><br /></div><div>So far this year I've seen:</div><div><br /></div><div>Tom Jones. Seriously. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5g8z2Q22wTwZqDdoxUy7rdw54JHy4UP13XuE3-eUA9wo_qp5P0d42qaNXZ1UTKFaROJ1sglqc0bNZYDuIH2wbLrv2eh28q63x1VPbi022H6Im9RzaLtRf0athxNtUbLk7fs1iWSxnyzE/s1600/Unknown.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5g8z2Q22wTwZqDdoxUy7rdw54JHy4UP13XuE3-eUA9wo_qp5P0d42qaNXZ1UTKFaROJ1sglqc0bNZYDuIH2wbLrv2eh28q63x1VPbi022H6Im9RzaLtRf0athxNtUbLk7fs1iWSxnyzE/s320/Unknown.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587573020978384754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 183px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Streets. Who??</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxLlfNBikdE0koa5NQHvT3uXY4Tn58W4SzGIczoANwytoMkA4NfyrlSrIdgUQ4LV0LRbqxCEUAeXEDnegsuWUuMZ2DQF2HujoaHYBQRd5XWu8MTcTp40044V9knvjhOcpayFLkCHEdqg/s1600/Unknown3.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxLlfNBikdE0koa5NQHvT3uXY4Tn58W4SzGIczoANwytoMkA4NfyrlSrIdgUQ4LV0LRbqxCEUAeXEDnegsuWUuMZ2DQF2HujoaHYBQRd5XWu8MTcTp40044V9knvjhOcpayFLkCHEdqg/s320/Unknown3.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587573033513950482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 194px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>and Ray <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LaMontague</span>. Awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdufVkt1PHUUCJm6DRaR91NTVDe4kp86IhNdmYvLeP0wn2y7lFT_O7EaJNsRYDG1iovVBe7baSDIwOTwglziO8Sm3mmp704OtKQuom5x-daZK0U00EXpbGzDqla0WMavaaUbipGFE_v8/s1600/Unknown2.jpeg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdufVkt1PHUUCJm6DRaR91NTVDe4kp86IhNdmYvLeP0wn2y7lFT_O7EaJNsRYDG1iovVBe7baSDIwOTwglziO8Sm3mmp704OtKQuom5x-daZK0U00EXpbGzDqla0WMavaaUbipGFE_v8/s320/Unknown2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587573024372688450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 197px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Tom Jones was here as part of the Celtic Connections Festival in January and I went with a group of girls. Not because any of us are die hard fans but because, he seemed like a legend not to be missed. His new gospel album is not my favourite but you've got to give it to this old man, he's not lost his touch. His energy is inspiring. The gospel choir opening for him was outstanding!</div><div><br /></div><div>The Streets,(Mike Skinner) a British rapper, has a style of music that is not high on my playlist. Not much Rap in my music library. But we were up for anything and my friend Jo has a knack for finding gigs that will surprise and the Streets did not disappoint. It was a brilliant gig. He's a fantastic performer. It was True Glasgow. And boy did it make us feel OLD.</div><div><br /></div><div>And Ray <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LaMontague</span> might be one of the best live acts I've ever seen. He played the Concert Hall last month and since Scott was away on business, Ethan joined me for a fantastic night out. We were both blown away. Really, if you like his music and get an opportunity to see him, go. Awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is something and/or someone to see all the time. We could go to a gig every week and we would not scratch the surface of what's on offer. And for that, I am grateful! We love Glasgow.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-24952654697217746812011-02-20T06:31:00.000-08:002011-02-20T06:35:56.408-08:00The Tooth FairyOk, I've had enough. These boys of ours are getting too big, too fast. Charlie lost his first tooth this week and automatically, he seems 10 years older. I AM NOT READY.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxqS74mOG9BwGWpT0bXQineUX35qVO69Rz4rE0N07jOqsl6SLbGzpU9JUDizycmx_iJ3NaG7-v2_MpHjjBADFqy1dEjZLpIROkXM9KrhxFEnBQRUNCW2YXEZ0dkgG7bFG1taa3U2uUdo/s1600/IMG_7728.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxqS74mOG9BwGWpT0bXQineUX35qVO69Rz4rE0N07jOqsl6SLbGzpU9JUDizycmx_iJ3NaG7-v2_MpHjjBADFqy1dEjZLpIROkXM9KrhxFEnBQRUNCW2YXEZ0dkgG7bFG1taa3U2uUdo/s320/IMG_7728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575779975454766690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>He is so proud to be bigger and therefore like "the brothers"! And he questioned me about the Tooth Fairy in a way that made me squirm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's to the magic of childhood and lost teeth.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-35957454674860759322011-02-04T09:10:00.000-08:002011-02-04T10:27:10.500-08:00CopenhagenOne of the benefits of living in this part of the world is our close proximity to so many wonderful places to visit. Scott recently had a meeting in Denmark on a Friday morning so we took the opportunity for a little grown-up getaway. Copenhagen is the capital city of Denmark and is located on the islands of Zealand and Amager. It has a mixture of old European elegance and modern Danish design.<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKM7ZZ0Cd8FFBP4V0iYA9TbZ5b7UcIjnA11-gqJ0TDa058viJOvYdX3iq2AEDx99LVMYWeZEjlZ2V6XzaOIacGj96sSqdcrg9c9dFY0d8zuOzLsVYPjbCMy2alRifO8svBHh_jdqft9Y/s1600/IMG_7646.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKM7ZZ0Cd8FFBP4V0iYA9TbZ5b7UcIjnA11-gqJ0TDa058viJOvYdX3iq2AEDx99LVMYWeZEjlZ2V6XzaOIacGj96sSqdcrg9c9dFY0d8zuOzLsVYPjbCMy2alRifO8svBHh_jdqft9Y/s320/IMG_7646.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569890474920914594" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Scott and I walked and walked, visited many museums and coffee shops, had long, incredible meals and toured the palace and the bohemian neighbourhood of Christianshavn. There are no building regulations in this area and families build their homes out of whatever they can find. Most of the homes sit right on the canals and it was a very colourful part of the city! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIVe5CvPCfEJV4gf6t1VqE3fSM62gNH0hnAQqzEc7EKqCUXCFsAqJ_2pr7Wy7WukzIe-XO7mY53xzJAJwa1i2xjytibuxrXAJcv-YsAH7OuMg3611ptGgNeKM3DIiK32goahXl7MpFTg/s1600/IMG_7608.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIVe5CvPCfEJV4gf6t1VqE3fSM62gNH0hnAQqzEc7EKqCUXCFsAqJ_2pr7Wy7WukzIe-XO7mY53xzJAJwa1i2xjytibuxrXAJcv-YsAH7OuMg3611ptGgNeKM3DIiK32goahXl7MpFTg/s320/IMG_7608.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569890071440326978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpyr7GnEreW_MiOrInRvt9cVw3dYk88iKc7_EOdhMIljL0jPrvRUAmmjK9kzasQL3_ukfk1QZZNTiugtLOIKlT4ul0oQWc477vRXyF7fM67iBrbwZXrpldzEWbXjvtnKo8BwScc4lNHw/s1600/IMG_7601.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpyr7GnEreW_MiOrInRvt9cVw3dYk88iKc7_EOdhMIljL0jPrvRUAmmjK9kzasQL3_ukfk1QZZNTiugtLOIKlT4ul0oQWc477vRXyF7fM67iBrbwZXrpldzEWbXjvtnKo8BwScc4lNHw/s320/IMG_7601.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569890065460635346" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We also visited the modern museum called Louisiana. It is not named after my home state but rather after the former estate owner's 3 wives. Yes, they were all called Louise. Louisiana is located approx. 30 minutes north of Copenhagen and is set on a beautiful piece of property right on the water. Their current temporary exhibition showcases a group of American Walton Ford's watercolours and I found them absolutely amazing. His paints in the style of naturalist James Audubon. The museum is definitely worth a visit if you are ever in Denmark.</div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.louisiana.dk/dk/Service+Menu+Right/English</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNWwI6WWmrXXxIwqlbiuOJaz53KY2D16L-GjPkl16Ixhra7iGZ4swvm0z-RuNSgDDCE0FMVESPXQawdBXnysxdg1eoXUjFIdJ-VK88k01ReCws-DUGNU0jVDrVO5xhTCJ1WfQEzcHZ4g/s1600/IMG_7621.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNWwI6WWmrXXxIwqlbiuOJaz53KY2D16L-GjPkl16Ixhra7iGZ4swvm0z-RuNSgDDCE0FMVESPXQawdBXnysxdg1eoXUjFIdJ-VK88k01ReCws-DUGNU0jVDrVO5xhTCJ1WfQEzcHZ4g/s320/IMG_7621.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569890079570684498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCY6fGHtS70hSIDCcfLBINHG_txyNnkuMK_hpJR3J15TRM7neG1Kbs7_Rwp4zlRamqwx6V7rtbsm4CUFfjMqn9pBTjG_unc3C3dTVKnImV6pVlayZ5HI10So1G8LmyxM5hKE5aOc4ioc/s1600/IMG_7628.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCY6fGHtS70hSIDCcfLBINHG_txyNnkuMK_hpJR3J15TRM7neG1Kbs7_Rwp4zlRamqwx6V7rtbsm4CUFfjMqn9pBTjG_unc3C3dTVKnImV6pVlayZ5HI10So1G8LmyxM5hKE5aOc4ioc/s320/IMG_7628.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569890083059759090" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This sculpture is quite clever. It sits in the corner of this room overlooking the sea and when you are in the room, the windows create the illusion that you could climb those stairs and jump right in!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3sSFKPK9DQhWORZBjeMATDEpadL8bl_XrRIAu3GNLE5ZrZwi-F-Xcq_IH_8IWO7Ka4FjO7Z1xDg6DfMPnZYglwqqknxaGe4ncW58Z-5HDmg03VAQj3jFDLneZH5KRX4ec6YKQG4NkGg/s1600/IMG_7639.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3sSFKPK9DQhWORZBjeMATDEpadL8bl_XrRIAu3GNLE5ZrZwi-F-Xcq_IH_8IWO7Ka4FjO7Z1xDg6DfMPnZYglwqqknxaGe4ncW58Z-5HDmg03VAQj3jFDLneZH5KRX4ec6YKQG4NkGg/s320/IMG_7639.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569890472274309154" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Thatched roof out in the suburbs.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDlteooFomLHTWpitp8n_cgHbci5-nExHy8A_waC8C1Qi_jYY1LdjKi94TIyUnuqgX43Puyh3Ef7ecQ1TGoI3u7ih6m2J-QDEsJwSNN4ld8sPT06pPJ516f1N_QM06aI8G1zA-5e6dRU/s1600/IMG_7592.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDlteooFomLHTWpitp8n_cgHbci5-nExHy8A_waC8C1Qi_jYY1LdjKi94TIyUnuqgX43Puyh3Ef7ecQ1TGoI3u7ih6m2J-QDEsJwSNN4ld8sPT06pPJ516f1N_QM06aI8G1zA-5e6dRU/s320/IMG_7592.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569890064091381458" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And this little car would definitely be the way to travel as everything is SUPER expensive, petrol included.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a fantastic time away and a reminder that we need to continue to seize opportunities to see Europe while we are able!</div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-19000918297268837572011-01-31T02:06:00.000-08:002011-01-31T05:14:56.275-08:00January BluesWe had so much fun during the holidays that January hit us like a ton-o-bricks. And man do we have the January Blues! Thank goodness tomorrow is a new day and a new month!<br /><div><br /></div><div>Here's a not so quick re-cap of the FUN.</div><div><br /></div><div>First up, Santa visits Charlie at school. Yippee, yahoo! He enjoyed a game of musical chairs, pass the parcel and a disco while waiting for the Jolly Old Man. Charlie knows nothing of waiting in line at Northpark Mall or the Dallas Arboretum to see Santa. By golly, he comes to school during the Christmas party. Brilliant all around!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A4SvXYLCIOrcocA-4O0Kid6wEb8qrjzxBkQ5TpFKmLy9oFeMOx0a5mX2OU43ARXWH1uPbTAyNMEeVEpVwJ2WF_Fry9xaMynD3p9hH1Ce1IeEhvMfTZ0Lw060LsQbjEa7EQrAivXeqAc/s1600/IMG_7379.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A4SvXYLCIOrcocA-4O0Kid6wEb8qrjzxBkQ5TpFKmLy9oFeMOx0a5mX2OU43ARXWH1uPbTAyNMEeVEpVwJ2WF_Fry9xaMynD3p9hH1Ce1IeEhvMfTZ0Lw060LsQbjEa7EQrAivXeqAc/s320/IMG_7379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306093349476546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJNHii2UFPBvyYvpc71CrREri7IrLmvYdKRmbG3TuyrFix-1PNcZxptm4qR8O2vWBK_SKCcxqncktv4-EYE2OwaKFYPFOy9tbJXdrTSOeUzZvq9aw8CpBo3tCOlipHpIceNwqY-4jyD0/s1600/IMG_7386.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJNHii2UFPBvyYvpc71CrREri7IrLmvYdKRmbG3TuyrFix-1PNcZxptm4qR8O2vWBK_SKCcxqncktv4-EYE2OwaKFYPFOy9tbJXdrTSOeUzZvq9aw8CpBo3tCOlipHpIceNwqY-4jyD0/s320/IMG_7386.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306098487954722" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDlrnE_RLOztYUlAH0N_LkYdOAxLAAidI7k8qe49jg7oFQXbpHlPeE4s5WbOGgu8RISmrdO-lcqs37LAczpE1IitoddynL1JMNK_QS4N4QDicPQKATrXYVUQIwujj5lrtyYarqDzSeE0/s1600/IMG_7392.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDlrnE_RLOztYUlAH0N_LkYdOAxLAAidI7k8qe49jg7oFQXbpHlPeE4s5WbOGgu8RISmrdO-lcqs37LAczpE1IitoddynL1JMNK_QS4N4QDicPQKATrXYVUQIwujj5lrtyYarqDzSeE0/s320/IMG_7392.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306522171683042" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDlrnE_RLOztYUlAH0N_LkYdOAxLAAidI7k8qe49jg7oFQXbpHlPeE4s5WbOGgu8RISmrdO-lcqs37LAczpE1IitoddynL1JMNK_QS4N4QDicPQKATrXYVUQIwujj5lrtyYarqDzSeE0/s1600/IMG_7392.jpg"></a>Next, during one of our snowed in days, we ventured to the frozen pond around the corner for a little pond walking and bird/duck feeding. The boys thought this was EXCELLENT. (FYI..our school never closed but we did skip a few days as they were running a skeleton crew and left it up to the parents to turn up if it was safe to travel. They didn't have to say that to me twice!)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUtzSsp6B3292YfBOtyopO4Plo1ShcQKqCvm1VDE3dBr0sFAWVkJhNyuObo3le5pnAknbE_kTzgdBe3cXUZCnaAbG69a73w2_rOKb5aELcaSBznj8qdHaJk1Cz18Ry1px5qjuWaIb0Go/s1600/IMG_7229.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUtzSsp6B3292YfBOtyopO4Plo1ShcQKqCvm1VDE3dBr0sFAWVkJhNyuObo3le5pnAknbE_kTzgdBe3cXUZCnaAbG69a73w2_rOKb5aELcaSBznj8qdHaJk1Cz18Ry1px5qjuWaIb0Go/s320/IMG_7229.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306088557869410" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZK5LT9MFY4_42WoOVLo5Ni0HltuMDILNW8WRmt71Wc35gzsxxAhqMJbi-B5YfTbLQ5n4hjERN7x-hcxrKS8gtY5UFm8hPgeen2_8vT4WfN2LgbON2lHfVvUc8rTiAtgjs-y4Gf77yHOY/s1600/IMG_7222.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZK5LT9MFY4_42WoOVLo5Ni0HltuMDILNW8WRmt71Wc35gzsxxAhqMJbi-B5YfTbLQ5n4hjERN7x-hcxrKS8gtY5UFm8hPgeen2_8vT4WfN2LgbON2lHfVvUc8rTiAtgjs-y4Gf77yHOY/s320/IMG_7222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306085332049058" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then, we had a sweet surprise from Mims, she was kidnapping Gramps and coming to Scotland for Christmas! Right on. After a slight delay in Amsterdam due to the crazy snow, they made it to Glasgow and we hit the ground running. We went to Edinburgh for Cooking School for the boys and friends and a very civilized grown up lunch for the grown ups! It was delightful. Thanks Gramps!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttCCtP2_zKBDPPn8JrkRHdgnvLdqO-qoaFBHOcEkPw-O4j9Hc3E9nYJR8luPQkZ1VpWCMwixClH8HK27eTlnmlVbye3TugQlNNeB_J-Le79vC2QquLEfKQGh0b43Wm03f-Iz8gv6XNMU/s1600/DSC_0212.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttCCtP2_zKBDPPn8JrkRHdgnvLdqO-qoaFBHOcEkPw-O4j9Hc3E9nYJR8luPQkZ1VpWCMwixClH8HK27eTlnmlVbye3TugQlNNeB_J-Le79vC2QquLEfKQGh0b43Wm03f-Iz8gv6XNMU/s320/DSC_0212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568290123563209282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsucmR49AiEjZPuVeNoeMaHzSttZX0fG7724xzFJmfwyPOQW0C1km3nu45keCvszsCUIot2WOx8v9Wgd-pAZqOfSe5KT0bK6ZrQqG8NAln9eyXYq-MoKTmq99M626YGYUTQ3TibwzjKSE/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsucmR49AiEjZPuVeNoeMaHzSttZX0fG7724xzFJmfwyPOQW0C1km3nu45keCvszsCUIot2WOx8v9Wgd-pAZqOfSe5KT0bK6ZrQqG8NAln9eyXYq-MoKTmq99M626YGYUTQ3TibwzjKSE/s320/DSC_0222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568290147295193858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8_heIItgOf91DEWU61iz5V7mplsQL8W71EyB2q9NT3RJjuJsrcT1XLkPZMNCuJWEhWTldhBimTIyh_oAgBLJym725uuorBF-cu4_xo5lMQkQoomFknEAlkif7ObsJq9MMFBqf3dSDe4/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8_heIItgOf91DEWU61iz5V7mplsQL8W71EyB2q9NT3RJjuJsrcT1XLkPZMNCuJWEhWTldhBimTIyh_oAgBLJym725uuorBF-cu4_xo5lMQkQoomFknEAlkif7ObsJq9MMFBqf3dSDe4/s320/DSC_0215.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568290144287928674" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSMdda1AagbRJkKBwgO9N4lGm9dbNpeeS4ugG62mkbOJ1TDwv1HwFHzkJcLke51IOxEFu2U-h-DsuX0h2mnMB9M6iEZ0bvAEJERJCNemf3NfZFAjFu53B-lENwovR4LsFNaXkEfe2jlQ/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSMdda1AagbRJkKBwgO9N4lGm9dbNpeeS4ugG62mkbOJ1TDwv1HwFHzkJcLke51IOxEFu2U-h-DsuX0h2mnMB9M6iEZ0bvAEJERJCNemf3NfZFAjFu53B-lENwovR4LsFNaXkEfe2jlQ/s320/DSC_0214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568290136883601778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Next up, the boys finished school, Scott tied up things at work and Mims, Gramps and I did a little shopping and running around. We enjoyed lots of kitchen time together and then Mims and Gramps were a huge help preparing for our traditional last day of school cookie decorating party and lunch! Crazy and fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTJZw1ePDgtKvOWT-PbeDM35saisrOzbgD1dVZMsm5DbZzFixv0PaGbOW0gPp29xdeodcIjKHoF60wfigiA_24n1lTh0q9RqPFdrkrcF1F8qLiWmQw5_qp8GUseyDzw2TeDF7YIYqCJ0/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTJZw1ePDgtKvOWT-PbeDM35saisrOzbgD1dVZMsm5DbZzFixv0PaGbOW0gPp29xdeodcIjKHoF60wfigiA_24n1lTh0q9RqPFdrkrcF1F8qLiWmQw5_qp8GUseyDzw2TeDF7YIYqCJ0/s320/DSC_0236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568291123244914962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoBkK5DZWRalLHyCZgGEYOR_mmogE16fntC3bMbdGAo02mauACa9xXN8Aty-7IsERDk9XrL7S5EsFWAQNY522MO21VeSA-ce3lnTcguTdZ0NIDu11_exwDzbp4i2ZkLn_QCUo3jhefRs/s1600/DSC_0244.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGoBkK5DZWRalLHyCZgGEYOR_mmogE16fntC3bMbdGAo02mauACa9xXN8Aty-7IsERDk9XrL7S5EsFWAQNY522MO21VeSA-ce3lnTcguTdZ0NIDu11_exwDzbp4i2ZkLn_QCUo3jhefRs/s320/DSC_0244.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568291129835633842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0hsEGuCW9MKr1OhwqWQ2QeCgtl1fKqFwdlrndLO_tutw6AixL5Ee3POSsiUHy8-aYB-1YohVe_BlZIl5JFOBh5XvJNGjDHn-VP5iUKvhNppkYYryv9S9Q212WnWvH-eCUPwlp6-RdJo/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0hsEGuCW9MKr1OhwqWQ2QeCgtl1fKqFwdlrndLO_tutw6AixL5Ee3POSsiUHy8-aYB-1YohVe_BlZIl5JFOBh5XvJNGjDHn-VP5iUKvhNppkYYryv9S9Q212WnWvH-eCUPwlp6-RdJo/s320/DSC_0246.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568291132619553554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcF58l3YSg3wQuazNlbLisH6P7Ptf9CyCsapcdWGkz1_HD2dGP7Mx33c55NVp__-fJGvqgWx97qQs9a4zHLU9jXLmAbdaMgpCLBLlC8HLk5S6Q0mDPyyVCIzcs4z0Z3SB-Z9WWQLputwY/s1600/IMG_7396.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcF58l3YSg3wQuazNlbLisH6P7Ptf9CyCsapcdWGkz1_HD2dGP7Mx33c55NVp__-fJGvqgWx97qQs9a4zHLU9jXLmAbdaMgpCLBLlC8HLk5S6Q0mDPyyVCIzcs4z0Z3SB-Z9WWQLputwY/s320/IMG_7396.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306534123133986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnr-T3pLfVwJBMaELzsOKFlYJN1s7XfH6sbhI7cXL64p-4SwBR16D5YZspaJcc779ibcv471oDl2T7pAz1tP23EwzF606pbBlew4L-1by7w9Rqr_SHOMCFcIHbbdihtmJ6-QtoCeV2Rw/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnr-T3pLfVwJBMaELzsOKFlYJN1s7XfH6sbhI7cXL64p-4SwBR16D5YZspaJcc779ibcv471oDl2T7pAz1tP23EwzF606pbBlew4L-1by7w9Rqr_SHOMCFcIHbbdihtmJ6-QtoCeV2Rw/s320/DSC_0250.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568291137098977858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1VB64csRuXVaSrxWMOY1mlhS2wE0c1zwcHdXJ64q0bf-1eKB6F3NBr3lKPirODNkWJhmgwOHVXv-gZ5yt4q5GZbpVPje-0wq_eOOz68CrcmdUoPmxz6M1dR3J5yZIE55v8kn64HuTHc/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1VB64csRuXVaSrxWMOY1mlhS2wE0c1zwcHdXJ64q0bf-1eKB6F3NBr3lKPirODNkWJhmgwOHVXv-gZ5yt4q5GZbpVPje-0wq_eOOz68CrcmdUoPmxz6M1dR3J5yZIE55v8kn64HuTHc/s320/DSC_0252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568291140388896226" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEriKENuEe51viMCS2eZpM_Huvx3L2zPdcP8OieorCh8wh9TIqJgJVfO65WzW66wPMLAKvFdsymOeZhvWQldEWS7f2I1TB-ia6ils0lU7HAF0Au80VpImbos39jP2scxFp87f6pXS-jos/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEriKENuEe51viMCS2eZpM_Huvx3L2zPdcP8OieorCh8wh9TIqJgJVfO65WzW66wPMLAKvFdsymOeZhvWQldEWS7f2I1TB-ia6ils0lU7HAF0Au80VpImbos39jP2scxFp87f6pXS-jos/s320/DSC_0290.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568304613534714402" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIoL-aGbcyfIz808pYNptVTObzkUQvdkRL3uHNb2NUF6UO1TpREa0udc5CmnW9tDswasRZBEOfVCxGBysrMu8h2kr5BJieYuBuyZry7QjDQfZMLp2AYsoSDBHPp5hklbNqxDTh_6iryc/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIoL-aGbcyfIz808pYNptVTObzkUQvdkRL3uHNb2NUF6UO1TpREa0udc5CmnW9tDswasRZBEOfVCxGBysrMu8h2kr5BJieYuBuyZry7QjDQfZMLp2AYsoSDBHPp5hklbNqxDTh_6iryc/s320/DSC_0295.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568304617236696130" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuzu2rNeZF1GKzcCk-rn3Ls1O3rqmwN47xiPojnN4LTW_iKdNonZiJlypzuvbgR9KSmwKOe2vmAAm-gzn1ARjQwcd3SjnaNU4Z9EnSCwgWIZh2uoSSdM7PyLDoqQHJcFtr0XE66tCnm4/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuzu2rNeZF1GKzcCk-rn3Ls1O3rqmwN47xiPojnN4LTW_iKdNonZiJlypzuvbgR9KSmwKOe2vmAAm-gzn1ARjQwcd3SjnaNU4Z9EnSCwgWIZh2uoSSdM7PyLDoqQHJcFtr0XE66tCnm4/s320/DSC_0296.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568304622593177330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Finally with the boys out of school (on the 23rd), we spent the last few days before Christmas cooking and relaxing. We watched movies, went to the Pantomime (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantomime), and cooked and cooked!</div><div><br /></div><div>On Christmas Eve, Charlie was supposed to be Joesph in the church nativity but he was running a fever. With a little arm wrestling, Ethan kindly stepped in. Christopher played the role of one of the wisemen. We enjoyed the service, then home for neighborhood caroling, sprinkling of reindeer food, and finally a Christmas Eve Family Celebration!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6xafflFE3vGyZGY4AH_kF2HG0kFgOAFxZKvO4NDoX1PtW_JHPvygCI6kqIc8ivqliCMRV9Z8CmUH80EYUAwWA51MC1aVeZnGSga3G6AL4q8gGk56RxE4VidjXf0oCLv093e2R8dAx9I/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6xafflFE3vGyZGY4AH_kF2HG0kFgOAFxZKvO4NDoX1PtW_JHPvygCI6kqIc8ivqliCMRV9Z8CmUH80EYUAwWA51MC1aVeZnGSga3G6AL4q8gGk56RxE4VidjXf0oCLv093e2R8dAx9I/s320/DSC_0309.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568304633297807586" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-T8sWzsFLkzvFiLQksubtdLtHv4p_YpVANDYgA-e9UEEV9wOVm4gcznrv-Ev4R0f9XpPLTm6ZUkA4I8q0fovn9DRBu9BStApwtcB65IJKnTb9wB5nRo7B_0CgBss0lWmZEqbk4Hlenx0/s1600/DSC_0315.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-T8sWzsFLkzvFiLQksubtdLtHv4p_YpVANDYgA-e9UEEV9wOVm4gcznrv-Ev4R0f9XpPLTm6ZUkA4I8q0fovn9DRBu9BStApwtcB65IJKnTb9wB5nRo7B_0CgBss0lWmZEqbk4Hlenx0/s320/DSC_0315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568305076801590610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx0hfgPZwBZOpsAoLCx4hkC6V0PPpzUiuVDopGeZh9l9csHdMnrOpXi4aYzgNKrgLUdx-Fayw47Ps6vGaOkfOtJjMPHEMedReokFI3GS_uNLwJBJdHGV4kbIEB9ebdT1dJt4ctY-w5Lo/s1600/DSC_0319.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx0hfgPZwBZOpsAoLCx4hkC6V0PPpzUiuVDopGeZh9l9csHdMnrOpXi4aYzgNKrgLUdx-Fayw47Ps6vGaOkfOtJjMPHEMedReokFI3GS_uNLwJBJdHGV4kbIEB9ebdT1dJt4ctY-w5Lo/s320/DSC_0319.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568305081867450946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaSqfPvR24fH8PsoVi55TasG_f_EFlo-0A075hFMwlDhSgpjcg887MDtDIMIOTZAZkKE7FzUJu7owZcRkh-yg6hQYSrZS0mOSaUhm_on-wBkSImk1EANDb3vHHA1UA5UN3_zO8Um-YLA/s1600/DSC_0321.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaSqfPvR24fH8PsoVi55TasG_f_EFlo-0A075hFMwlDhSgpjcg887MDtDIMIOTZAZkKE7FzUJu7owZcRkh-yg6hQYSrZS0mOSaUhm_on-wBkSImk1EANDb3vHHA1UA5UN3_zO8Um-YLA/s320/DSC_0321.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568305087838271970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXsmOWspEOSWkYt1hcgbq0tYiqIdihzrXIIHSf0MOFGOvTDs2BXw5r5Qbxpk7wlSP32c47BJT9WvzamWKnkvJin6zP7XbVPznYeFiSC95ZqX2FctrqrTbKzPuEV6Zs3s5gHliRvz4gKM/s1600/DSC_0329.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXsmOWspEOSWkYt1hcgbq0tYiqIdihzrXIIHSf0MOFGOvTDs2BXw5r5Qbxpk7wlSP32c47BJT9WvzamWKnkvJin6zP7XbVPznYeFiSC95ZqX2FctrqrTbKzPuEV6Zs3s5gHliRvz4gKM/s320/DSC_0329.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568305089986300114" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoWwMOvLCf-7fNfw7jkZYTrNoTpm1702vR8-J991bSaYc_yihvMjvNxAVjcrwtIIkoRSuMxAiLrkysFWFo-rc4lKymNQTZdgFDqHMXXSVSt9jQmSSGDDLO2bOCFFV4hjj_VVBLJQVENU/s1600/IMG_7402.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDoWwMOvLCf-7fNfw7jkZYTrNoTpm1702vR8-J991bSaYc_yihvMjvNxAVjcrwtIIkoRSuMxAiLrkysFWFo-rc4lKymNQTZdgFDqHMXXSVSt9jQmSSGDDLO2bOCFFV4hjj_VVBLJQVENU/s320/IMG_7402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306956330747618" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wLAYeGS_fc7aenucmq8KkGpHo9FSBNV7OpcPfpYFYRhcQ3XSnEJwhN1PR-aXo0pQ_madu7e3CmATr5SPXcuOBih_Ivtuy3zSU6IAgmDQh35dz0ul49SAWtWbeVaarOKzIHxOZTAF3Uc/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wLAYeGS_fc7aenucmq8KkGpHo9FSBNV7OpcPfpYFYRhcQ3XSnEJwhN1PR-aXo0pQ_madu7e3CmATr5SPXcuOBih_Ivtuy3zSU6IAgmDQh35dz0ul49SAWtWbeVaarOKzIHxOZTAF3Uc/s320/DSC_0330.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568305097643671986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIFLxNfFtQCvpA58KCWHEIWgVbuSYlbYFk96kxxc-YGlYKTBnk6yE4fHIgEbuuQBnsQBoRCf3XwJi01NDoPl1jgk4aEsmXYd91ZunaLdlXZD2Q8R6Ca6-O-C1H6VYk0QR9pnAcu9iUcU/s1600/IMG_7403.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIFLxNfFtQCvpA58KCWHEIWgVbuSYlbYFk96kxxc-YGlYKTBnk6yE4fHIgEbuuQBnsQBoRCf3XwJi01NDoPl1jgk4aEsmXYd91ZunaLdlXZD2Q8R6Ca6-O-C1H6VYk0QR9pnAcu9iUcU/s320/IMG_7403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306960033995202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Christmas morning was full of excitement with the boys and full of way to much stuff! How did that happen?? Anyway, we are grateful and we all enjoyed a fun day with new treasures. And the Nicol Clan was especially grateful to have Mims and Gramps to share the day with.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrdQByuPMpjsX_u17jd-lOAtz9QFJW6_Upy8GY5bDA9QlSwWnF2mEvK6MgyFoGCdQyqc_JL-L-tSj9I6eDYNOJvbREowuiqSaOSGjxp3QY9iygqwdmg_9YF3x1wvpsxnKqKmImoUMEtQ/s1600/IMG_7410.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrdQByuPMpjsX_u17jd-lOAtz9QFJW6_Upy8GY5bDA9QlSwWnF2mEvK6MgyFoGCdQyqc_JL-L-tSj9I6eDYNOJvbREowuiqSaOSGjxp3QY9iygqwdmg_9YF3x1wvpsxnKqKmImoUMEtQ/s320/IMG_7410.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306962425376514" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOTypMF38QP1tn5ak58EibWUktYnHCmAgTtpZlKz_zIuP89EDVXQSo8cBFzfWnOp_gtIG7qhM7oQhi2teZzceRWKeK7uoNR1SQWTVRRrU1DJ7BlBTznFmc093P-Oo4OUuggmXsG0podw/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOTypMF38QP1tn5ak58EibWUktYnHCmAgTtpZlKz_zIuP89EDVXQSo8cBFzfWnOp_gtIG7qhM7oQhi2teZzceRWKeK7uoNR1SQWTVRRrU1DJ7BlBTznFmc093P-Oo4OUuggmXsG0podw/s320/DSC_0339.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306080286457554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVufPmulDeoCAgQtVEUDYHEixEFsgVzuZJ9fWkIJXhTEcdjlKWYCaWyaq-Sl0_MRSHILPDHAn9hygqI7TGTMiOOA2RC8zaCj9-0TMQHUAxziGidpXbTFijmsBRNX3_3Xq7cSENoyWCtfo/s1600/IMG_7433.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVufPmulDeoCAgQtVEUDYHEixEFsgVzuZJ9fWkIJXhTEcdjlKWYCaWyaq-Sl0_MRSHILPDHAn9hygqI7TGTMiOOA2RC8zaCj9-0TMQHUAxziGidpXbTFijmsBRNX3_3Xq7cSENoyWCtfo/s320/IMG_7433.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306962109845858" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruLDjLshDaawDy2nGB7z5v_thYF00YmcdoTZU1KRUiff0XDYcYbR8k3aUMEPb_qdwbEncEzzRJYtsnH_eAJ9nqrvpImn_RBBBiTpLMyWAImK1uWxlenWJqZszcfRPKLPLCEISeQ9lkEw/s1600/IMG_7440.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruLDjLshDaawDy2nGB7z5v_thYF00YmcdoTZU1KRUiff0XDYcYbR8k3aUMEPb_qdwbEncEzzRJYtsnH_eAJ9nqrvpImn_RBBBiTpLMyWAImK1uWxlenWJqZszcfRPKLPLCEISeQ9lkEw/s320/IMG_7440.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568306968098944930" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqxKH9WLc0PQv3P6_j-OrPNPwkWWJEPLYqjXhSczNqx0ifW3Y9PKPMgXWJPgh2FjqBm4T_qGIIU5gLvMepCN25Srj1lUoe3Y7OOcYvfEYq-4DBeafV2XMLzD5x_xHC5_duG5JbBy77i4/s1600/IMG_7444.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqxKH9WLc0PQv3P6_j-OrPNPwkWWJEPLYqjXhSczNqx0ifW3Y9PKPMgXWJPgh2FjqBm4T_qGIIU5gLvMepCN25Srj1lUoe3Y7OOcYvfEYq-4DBeafV2XMLzD5x_xHC5_duG5JbBy77i4/s320/IMG_7444.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568315675378726482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr0ZAw1Vu2jnVpWKBmMKlknzp6S14dMp31rvvtePjiv_BtsQyd0VtV9uNydD7fmhM5WepW36PtbndCZo-xAtofg3EWmsn7wh0LwnDv9z0psRxIo8woJp7TU5Ceu5SUu-mhKxZB0822pE/s1600/IMG_7443.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr0ZAw1Vu2jnVpWKBmMKlknzp6S14dMp31rvvtePjiv_BtsQyd0VtV9uNydD7fmhM5WepW36PtbndCZo-xAtofg3EWmsn7wh0LwnDv9z0psRxIo8woJp7TU5Ceu5SUu-mhKxZB0822pE/s320/IMG_7443.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568315670991539442" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ_F806otcAp0MhXognfqyxUksCjEtQXlDJlkzKHnn3X2KYpFmSobvlnC_5G-KDWLgWEJ3U0aeWd7WG6VkFn5tcMuQnvu_OuV_nlY5K4oLMEAm86ULQ-kOQTGdGwAvZkvhS98IuPvRbQ/s1600/IMG_7447.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJ_F806otcAp0MhXognfqyxUksCjEtQXlDJlkzKHnn3X2KYpFmSobvlnC_5G-KDWLgWEJ3U0aeWd7WG6VkFn5tcMuQnvu_OuV_nlY5K4oLMEAm86ULQ-kOQTGdGwAvZkvhS98IuPvRbQ/s320/IMG_7447.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568315678201385426" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mims and Gramps left bright and early Boxing Day and were thankfully not flying though Atlanta so they made it home safe and sound. Thank you again for coming to Scotland!</div><div><br /></div><div>My friend Vanessa and her son Adam planned to arrive in Glasgow Boxing Day night but they unfortunately were travelling though Atlanta. So, they were delayed by a day but made it on the 27th in time for the Edinburgh vs Glasgow Rugby Match! Yahoo! They were only here for 4 nights but boy did we cram in the fun. Rugby, Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, A pub Lunch, Museums, shopping, relaxing, game playing, movie watching and a party with friends. Vanessa and Adam, it was too short but we loved your visit! Thank you for coming.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw-Le7RGcoGwW3BCjO37jX4UhOSdyTK31g-C0Zl03hu2p7AImuG0uMnCbNFPaOQiP4tzNWThXTO7m9eKZKIrNxxHHqn7TWGGzDT1pwyIT0xmbddvmZA3hOSwrmy7K6MX6TDKWhLzwdzg/s1600/IMG_7452.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjw-Le7RGcoGwW3BCjO37jX4UhOSdyTK31g-C0Zl03hu2p7AImuG0uMnCbNFPaOQiP4tzNWThXTO7m9eKZKIrNxxHHqn7TWGGzDT1pwyIT0xmbddvmZA3hOSwrmy7K6MX6TDKWhLzwdzg/s320/IMG_7452.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568315686846599106" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2TnW0Xh2d_Vn3lWiqHFeDISLUxS9joM68RgdSdHBBxTWvxtfndEloVF1kKI_q3cEFlRxEZTuNq6x5InvvtKXlR30p0DMs5Hb2_R3n2_dT_sawHrIXVLH5zh3axKswUc3zaT4NhcT4ak/s1600/IMG_7449.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2TnW0Xh2d_Vn3lWiqHFeDISLUxS9joM68RgdSdHBBxTWvxtfndEloVF1kKI_q3cEFlRxEZTuNq6x5InvvtKXlR30p0DMs5Hb2_R3n2_dT_sawHrIXVLH5zh3axKswUc3zaT4NhcT4ak/s320/IMG_7449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568315681845868258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And last but not least, we had one last visitor. Harry Archibald Robert Watson stayed with the Nicol Clan for the first week in January and we kinda liked him. Harry is the 18 month old son of dear friends that were travelling to New Zealand for a wedding. They have 3 children and needed to divide and conquer for their 2 weeks away. And we were happy to take the littlest squirt for the first week. The boys were out of school on MTW. I don't remember what we did but it was full and fun. Then everyone went back to school and Harry went to stay with his Auntie on the weekend. Each of the boys has said they miss him! Having a baby around is pretty special.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWJA4KJ6OjSu__O1wYgy9JA8aF3uCUrCCM9hWX96wXqH3VamrcAgHe5jNqgBIjVu7BcHAO6Qle6O1l-oaGmUIWadCGjJNSbDB6DwyWzgqxD9Nm4kDH1OsyT9F-0rAdoGRMrr_vyzZeE0/s1600/IMG_7589.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWJA4KJ6OjSu__O1wYgy9JA8aF3uCUrCCM9hWX96wXqH3VamrcAgHe5jNqgBIjVu7BcHAO6Qle6O1l-oaGmUIWadCGjJNSbDB6DwyWzgqxD9Nm4kDH1OsyT9F-0rAdoGRMrr_vyzZeE0/s320/IMG_7589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568307526033521538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxpc5FKUq2mPzd9KraMSNdFknXZmk6KDCQJb335MOdyuWeraS0WLnDVtVPujt-o_ljZQ4AM_DtLwSBbgm4JitcQVy2ZP0wXx69YktCt9yybdhQZRg4f59Q-cAB11vaPVqD0E0D0Csnqw/s1600/IMG_7582.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxpc5FKUq2mPzd9KraMSNdFknXZmk6KDCQJb335MOdyuWeraS0WLnDVtVPujt-o_ljZQ4AM_DtLwSBbgm4JitcQVy2ZP0wXx69YktCt9yybdhQZRg4f59Q-cAB11vaPVqD0E0D0Csnqw/s320/IMG_7582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568307518005631986" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>PS. This is Harry's sister Georgia and she carpools with us to school so we were even lucky to have 2 of the Watson kiddos for short bursts. And Harry was slightly confused about why Grandma was picking up Georgia and dropping her off so much!</div><div><br /></div><div>So see, January, you never stood a chance! So long and farewell dark, wet, grey and blue days!</div><div><br /></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-9284363849492352022010-12-28T02:36:00.000-08:002010-12-30T02:23:24.249-08:00O Christmas TreeWe found a beauty this year! <div><br /></div><div>The boys started with their collectables from Mims and Gramps.</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhydIkwT1Hw3HdfD9ULQQy2UyrPKK37_UwVQWVpBodWjV7xjL3NhrDYMbftpOU78nKdwI6ANV4wjCWf06g8zlnAOmPAVNJRorRcMwDmheTWylJPTs7AUfhyupwN2gigW923O2T3JXwEWU/s320/IMG_7334.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555682426092175410" /></div><div>And Charlie took his role of chief decorator seriously.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsdPXO572t84YLSxyhDhpImexTupmqhc1DX5bIk-jWaNCFfarnmjsypeVG1WHnZfClglec8zPrF0UC8btMnESRRpf_XBfFO1fvlQ7COu4wDVWt2PFaGEeiaE_5sv3NOiW9LA4QdC9mzQ/s1600/IMG_7339_2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsdPXO572t84YLSxyhDhpImexTupmqhc1DX5bIk-jWaNCFfarnmjsypeVG1WHnZfClglec8zPrF0UC8btMnESRRpf_XBfFO1fvlQ7COu4wDVWt2PFaGEeiaE_5sv3NOiW9LA4QdC9mzQ/s320/IMG_7339_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555682428376649202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxukJURHs79xjZdJcMEkOvlF0T4kS2g-eucCwHPMmQNtsmKd4nard-YUsGUpVio6hnsXVq-TUzaHJgjBQijag-3OpJZavfAbjcueLOV-2ytTrG5pt7jMK3X-NTGZbS7Yjaq3BC7zTZ0j4/s1600/IMG_7349.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxukJURHs79xjZdJcMEkOvlF0T4kS2g-eucCwHPMmQNtsmKd4nard-YUsGUpVio6hnsXVq-TUzaHJgjBQijag-3OpJZavfAbjcueLOV-2ytTrG5pt7jMK3X-NTGZbS7Yjaq3BC7zTZ0j4/s320/IMG_7349.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555682430793465410" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1qDk2I3XloTUcTBD0peIL2T1D7fMF_TbDXgeY3UT3_oBI1Y8K_CBRqpyFKtoUQy3sKNJf99VIQBVALhbb5SUshuMpW42Y1yBAUCkf87xHvPrAd77OMex6T_C3serzZfT3ZAyCt7Hi60/s1600/IMG_7352.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1qDk2I3XloTUcTBD0peIL2T1D7fMF_TbDXgeY3UT3_oBI1Y8K_CBRqpyFKtoUQy3sKNJf99VIQBVALhbb5SUshuMpW42Y1yBAUCkf87xHvPrAd77OMex6T_C3serzZfT3ZAyCt7Hi60/s320/IMG_7352.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555682437914225522" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>Angus is just thankful to have his domain back.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZjB_W-8D6wSVwzkyiUnp7g2ddnhFe0iRuY7PsjRK18oA65nWt7dbQA9eAimJlZuNG6JmvkWU038bNV__pKj9RLxTrdxyp9kx03sIYfLsDHbezdhyphenhyphenJvQx-ZibP8O2RA1qiNsH_ic8UKc/s1600/IMG_7366.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZjB_W-8D6wSVwzkyiUnp7g2ddnhFe0iRuY7PsjRK18oA65nWt7dbQA9eAimJlZuNG6JmvkWU038bNV__pKj9RLxTrdxyp9kx03sIYfLsDHbezdhyphenhyphenJvQx-ZibP8O2RA1qiNsH_ic8UKc/s320/IMG_7366.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555682434506092146" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>I think this might be one of my favourite days of the year.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-83322947240032299082010-12-28T02:28:00.000-08:002010-12-29T09:49:01.941-08:00ScruffyCheck this out.<div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa5eOrFtVQk9lOYnVROEFjoncqDTQN5YqXfim_QJZWavC336_9B4T8C_ie7qxU8HqCYOZFijCOY9c_udXQZfuOmRyevumNZ9ywAe63WXqjYKtTc102hEpfOtwj4EubmtKQPmsCf-rvQ8/s320/IMG_7326.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555679689241798258" /></div><div>Is this one of the cutest puppies you've ever seen? We had the privilege of keeping 10 week old Scruffy for the weekend and man oh man, is he cute! The boys and I thoroughly enjoyed it. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5XaNoJSkUUvKnQsTVeeYpLVui_OmTbXnovWQubfndtVsQiwXk2WesEFprvkDYGFq32KL1d_m5rWrTaPCSp_BuB1AiP_geyQ72yDBJNTGdtRdGZoElG-D61NovYxhAP4UDqa3G9Gow7U/s1600/IMG_7301.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5XaNoJSkUUvKnQsTVeeYpLVui_OmTbXnovWQubfndtVsQiwXk2WesEFprvkDYGFq32KL1d_m5rWrTaPCSp_BuB1AiP_geyQ72yDBJNTGdtRdGZoElG-D61NovYxhAP4UDqa3G9Gow7U/s320/IMG_7301.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555679688346507890" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicKR2ICVogDV0kOVVamd0uwu6zxcNkKsuIlnldsah8V7GALQ9ulkBu3osFw2gCYjH474MI90-TenREOmE_vk8b8bbDwA_tY9x9rd9okoLRWH9u5UfB8FRh8F5vyf5V0fbw-B96UofGhY/s1600/IMG_7306.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicKR2ICVogDV0kOVVamd0uwu6zxcNkKsuIlnldsah8V7GALQ9ulkBu3osFw2gCYjH474MI90-TenREOmE_vk8b8bbDwA_tY9x9rd9okoLRWH9u5UfB8FRh8F5vyf5V0fbw-B96UofGhY/s320/IMG_7306.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555679689611314530" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl4Dno2nVGHoDmXFcFMRCvBbrFZCeUFxIlP-I1jJEPxUJQ11rPJ38OHJELT6OdeM9UsosvQtZznNuEVH5cXka1acANbR4p2Q8fGuU4ZklXGtV-BtM61ArSdgif2NEkCwrYEj8KQv-g6w/s1600/IMG_7307.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsl4Dno2nVGHoDmXFcFMRCvBbrFZCeUFxIlP-I1jJEPxUJQ11rPJ38OHJELT6OdeM9UsosvQtZznNuEVH5cXka1acANbR4p2Q8fGuU4ZklXGtV-BtM61ArSdgif2NEkCwrYEj8KQv-g6w/s320/IMG_7307.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555679698382772466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>I am not so sure about Scott or Angus!</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd3jEO55v3W6ay7nI7QJAy4ER514w6WY6culSc7jye7rYJsjbhuRh08lnfLOkiYQ6A6BX-9EO31cCo2QB7UMc5AS90EKfDp68fJbQ3Z-XpSPQbtmXwgzv_pJEtLbprPsiro_zHI9ugoo/s1600/IMG_7325.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd3jEO55v3W6ay7nI7QJAy4ER514w6WY6culSc7jye7rYJsjbhuRh08lnfLOkiYQ6A6BX-9EO31cCo2QB7UMc5AS90EKfDp68fJbQ3Z-XpSPQbtmXwgzv_pJEtLbprPsiro_zHI9ugoo/s320/IMG_7325.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555679710303228706" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-51578763917756192662010-12-28T01:24:00.000-08:002010-12-30T02:24:45.387-08:00Monachyle MohrFor our 15th Wedding Anniversary, Scott surprised me with a trip to this country house hotel for a landscape photography course.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRL6_8QrmLkj8F1nnjfSXC6R1_9yA6zMf3ob9DC7HMMXuoN7B7e-gP_Hra4eAchgaBdCxhoUJtDaL40AAVOemVZdK5dumSdAUACKDQBg2Pwzb3ogboGiwNcDH8KPvqiZCgvxaVIVZwyrI/s1600/IMG_7068.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRL6_8QrmLkj8F1nnjfSXC6R1_9yA6zMf3ob9DC7HMMXuoN7B7e-gP_Hra4eAchgaBdCxhoUJtDaL40AAVOemVZdK5dumSdAUACKDQBg2Pwzb3ogboGiwNcDH8KPvqiZCgvxaVIVZwyrI/s320/IMG_7068.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555673729433636866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><div>http://mhor.net/mhor/</div><div><br /></div><div>We traveled through the beautiful snowy hills northwest of Glasgow and ended up in this remote, winter wonderland. Situated on Loch Voil, Monachyle Mohr transports it's guests to another world. With 14 cleverly appointed rooms and one award winning chef, it is a boutique hotel like none other. Add to that an award winning professional photographer and it made for one of the most relaxing and rewarding getaways to date!<div><br /></div></div><div>We arrived early Sunday morning to start our course. We studied our camera and it's capabilities. We learned about exposure, composition, shutter speed and much more. After a delicious lunch, we began the practical work. With 3 other participants, we wandered out onto the hotel property in an effort to put our theory to practice. I think Scott is a natural and I am a slow learner! It was fun to practice though, especially with this stunning scenery.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VpWX1Ob5bDxDGzpY0u9rudImI2EPQCHZC5O-CyjyDB5J6WsMbeFmpTYKiinlSsdUgEFN5OmoSm9CpvRTNkflA84vFl6FL-BSIBPpAym-Hy9C_93EBEX5IQpk3YgEJt0KMQn0hxQIpPg/s1600/IMG_0780.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VpWX1Ob5bDxDGzpY0u9rudImI2EPQCHZC5O-CyjyDB5J6WsMbeFmpTYKiinlSsdUgEFN5OmoSm9CpvRTNkflA84vFl6FL-BSIBPpAym-Hy9C_93EBEX5IQpk3YgEJt0KMQn0hxQIpPg/s320/IMG_0780.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555673729064131970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlfGH0JxIVp_86F3qFiCu3xqgnPLV91Hr5J-Klzg-yFL8lJeoOhVaVkKldeAkZ0dVVYrBbQ9NmZ1GFW-SYpaJJ7IBIg8gw4-LtHPYJXmkzrrJPPrkcJU0sIDZouMxVJZepaK3Dzl2e6k/s1600/IMG_7208.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlfGH0JxIVp_86F3qFiCu3xqgnPLV91Hr5J-Klzg-yFL8lJeoOhVaVkKldeAkZ0dVVYrBbQ9NmZ1GFW-SYpaJJ7IBIg8gw4-LtHPYJXmkzrrJPPrkcJU0sIDZouMxVJZepaK3Dzl2e6k/s320/IMG_7208.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555673905224936226" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqKCEVPiC0gsmoTK39P6hFnbhWS5PjqxHmu4_RYWK6dwmACgv7OHb8x3JJNy7maAbagPOYGrc-vN-VI641t5CBh8OT6jmuuvkR0Guqea05e_rSRfZxfAbUxu-IcZyJ4BsoGYcU9kZX1M/s1600/IMG_7165.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqKCEVPiC0gsmoTK39P6hFnbhWS5PjqxHmu4_RYWK6dwmACgv7OHb8x3JJNy7maAbagPOYGrc-vN-VI641t5CBh8OT6jmuuvkR0Guqea05e_rSRfZxfAbUxu-IcZyJ4BsoGYcU9kZX1M/s320/IMG_7165.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555673860359085954" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5TVnvP8xwOA71VRUmhqWOPgurrmq_N6LQG0SI9TYA5SZRZUsylMKzzV6ciUU2sJZ_BPPSwOTKjxNDxO1z1q-zNWih1gOje5pth3HBXkfbmFYxonNftDld253gk3LqkI79Cc6hCv5jMw/s1600/IMG_7103_2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM5TVnvP8xwOA71VRUmhqWOPgurrmq_N6LQG0SI9TYA5SZRZUsylMKzzV6ciUU2sJZ_BPPSwOTKjxNDxO1z1q-zNWih1gOje5pth3HBXkfbmFYxonNftDld253gk3LqkI79Cc6hCv5jMw/s320/IMG_7103_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555673738888750482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvddnRhbfTjFM0F2-HWEbp5KOMaYOA5MHTHkvVHVhO_WaA1PJZeLWxUHlFuQDjt5LiI1uMMV-OJltaXC-JaICo_z_XVQlpartC4zn3pDu7YzcuhpVAin7uZYkuC2hzziMjhLHPQ9-KYQ/s1600/IMG_7090.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvddnRhbfTjFM0F2-HWEbp5KOMaYOA5MHTHkvVHVhO_WaA1PJZeLWxUHlFuQDjt5LiI1uMMV-OJltaXC-JaICo_z_XVQlpartC4zn3pDu7YzcuhpVAin7uZYkuC2hzziMjhLHPQ9-KYQ/s320/IMG_7090.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555673727959525234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We enjoyed drinks in the tiny bar after the days' work, and we shared a table with another couple on the course for dinner. It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The food is all local and the flavours were amazing.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning brought too much fog for a sunrise practical session so we headed back to the classroom shortly after breakfast. I think taking your camera off automatic takes lots and lots of practice. And lots and lots of time to delete all of the not so great photos off your camera!</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, our time was cut short on the second day because a snowstorm hit Glasgow and we received a call from the babysitter to say she could not make it to the school. And once we spoke to other parents back home, we decided we needed to get on the road. (Some of our friends were stuck on the motorway for 12 hours)</div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.heraldscotland.com:80/news/home-news/chaos-on-scotland-s-roads-as-blizzards-batter-country-1.1072840</div><div><br /></div><div>So the course did not end like we'd hoped and we missed our last practical session, but it certainly wet our appetite to learn more about our camera! But we cherished the 36 hours we did have. And we have a new favourite Scottish hotel. </div><div><br /></div><div>We made it home safe and sound. And the boys walked home from school after no one was able to collect them. NICE. </div><div><br /></div><div>Monachyle Mohr, we will be back!</div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-18500689231192606302010-12-18T01:35:00.000-08:002010-12-18T02:12:35.135-08:00Chris, Caitlin and Hannah in ScotlandThis post is long overdue. We had a fantastic visit with Chris, Caitlin and Hannah over the Thanksgiving week. The weather was so nice they began to doubt our stories and our moaning about the rain. I'll let the pictures speak for the week!<div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JOC2E_IJr8bl6cjipyB-Qo9sLUiTUpgFuxYCKCZVLa13KeO1up3CZ2BcVspj8vzUMABZgGRYdctoD2amm6IGY7_emVR80eFrIAOprLXgYYwPF6C6Y3a4GWsqmD3STRLMF4l9eIodGYo/s320/IMG_6865.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958708630082882" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO6Zff-3-2hks73vtVfS8hm6__fX7-s4xmFgnU7QmKuasR6yFWL3L0zTx8uSnfVtBrIYp63aX57rmuwIKC3uS-2zR4hl5ejH-FJi0Qm1xo9_Kl6Y48jB7t_1F87OYRtmriq6LyKvkIeQ/s320/IMG_6924.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958710803564146" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DrPNCQls6uP886seGvqN98LRHfo_qU1iSU6ZDtsQThnPw-Y3yoSbTJc7EyV6yEC-NN_qMFs-0DxBZvPZrDFZunX13tF1l8DOK_acHAN408rCqjfzQZMASnKzipa8e6I9_p89K2c-RYY/s1600/SDC10548.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DrPNCQls6uP886seGvqN98LRHfo_qU1iSU6ZDtsQThnPw-Y3yoSbTJc7EyV6yEC-NN_qMFs-0DxBZvPZrDFZunX13tF1l8DOK_acHAN408rCqjfzQZMASnKzipa8e6I9_p89K2c-RYY/s320/SDC10548.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959126346483026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAW6mLCrIWnmqWW1TTsEf_hU2O8XPSAMWmsMoEN-o47tqqoWWBtP-eoibJVCZtCzWWTLmltEvmob5b6Paa4fGA1rBUjFbA1GIjMZrD3OXHQzBmWHkrYhMa_pCz-M6Yrr9wGtMxZylD-Q/s1600/SDC10569.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAW6mLCrIWnmqWW1TTsEf_hU2O8XPSAMWmsMoEN-o47tqqoWWBtP-eoibJVCZtCzWWTLmltEvmob5b6Paa4fGA1rBUjFbA1GIjMZrD3OXHQzBmWHkrYhMa_pCz-M6Yrr9wGtMxZylD-Q/s320/SDC10569.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959130062973282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1DHQwgwwl4uNq0AP5LLWidsWFdjdoIDzDfU7OsxF60sDRz_1GdJGDkqdoyd0r21RDGgaD2n8PjV0BVAN99yxU7h1u5Pt1jz9pDXNligjaR3UWb2VKTaSL80Ke7bVlv_MB4938RMVpqA/s1600/SDC10555.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1DHQwgwwl4uNq0AP5LLWidsWFdjdoIDzDfU7OsxF60sDRz_1GdJGDkqdoyd0r21RDGgaD2n8PjV0BVAN99yxU7h1u5Pt1jz9pDXNligjaR3UWb2VKTaSL80Ke7bVlv_MB4938RMVpqA/s320/SDC10555.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959126666378754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 286px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWJdUqsAU5hENV8J52kPYXQBZ2SNzFowQQf25nIeVkK2jt3hPj27Z9Cm_BlTA3lwRdhRE6XyEiTOZ1kJmNPMctLj-PXkm0HjAFxAvHC2QOM2fGrKUfESKCxZv8fSXwnDJVh_JgDTtecA/s1600/SDC10575.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWJdUqsAU5hENV8J52kPYXQBZ2SNzFowQQf25nIeVkK2jt3hPj27Z9Cm_BlTA3lwRdhRE6XyEiTOZ1kJmNPMctLj-PXkm0HjAFxAvHC2QOM2fGrKUfESKCxZv8fSXwnDJVh_JgDTtecA/s320/SDC10575.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959137903139026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmakmbDmdovr1m7m1Q_iG7psjYqFuM64Kzhry_iKbvwAkWOsjW3Tm6Q8w_4LdgPkdsEKgt5b97cZbaaQpwRV72xEA7uus9sjWym9HZPGnjr-oPoQ3LIbiLH9IXaehguWmxerIB40Awvk/s1600/SDC10583.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmakmbDmdovr1m7m1Q_iG7psjYqFuM64Kzhry_iKbvwAkWOsjW3Tm6Q8w_4LdgPkdsEKgt5b97cZbaaQpwRV72xEA7uus9sjWym9HZPGnjr-oPoQ3LIbiLH9IXaehguWmxerIB40Awvk/s320/SDC10583.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959378092907602" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv17A5_9EY8AeAk5NSRhCztDdiCLf665ruwfRilU42Z5HdCBJOd3aH9jupDmFnt2CJtgCfAXakmSCEBRFwRCEvGqDeiP6JNjpHfMpRGZn9LqxWRwZQymeDXNi2BZ9K2DNcm1JBP0yra8/s1600/SDC10668.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv17A5_9EY8AeAk5NSRhCztDdiCLf665ruwfRilU42Z5HdCBJOd3aH9jupDmFnt2CJtgCfAXakmSCEBRFwRCEvGqDeiP6JNjpHfMpRGZn9LqxWRwZQymeDXNi2BZ9K2DNcm1JBP0yra8/s320/SDC10668.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959381614145506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqIBqVcXGWOdLXrlhzyZZVPNrl_CLu3uVfwMaQYBLOSSuvip_1HBJqv9tUXJApZyrCzmpfQz6wXUvaadpyjmjNip2fs7Rny8t0q9BC248fC04mIMP5lyDMYcZ9sYwV1WEgIU1zh6w1Hc/s1600/SDC10704.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLqIBqVcXGWOdLXrlhzyZZVPNrl_CLu3uVfwMaQYBLOSSuvip_1HBJqv9tUXJApZyrCzmpfQz6wXUvaadpyjmjNip2fs7Rny8t0q9BC248fC04mIMP5lyDMYcZ9sYwV1WEgIU1zh6w1Hc/s320/SDC10704.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959388170836946" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We enjoyed a beautiful day in St. Andrews touring the cathedral and castle ruins, flying kites on the beach and a long leisurely lunch. The boys skipped school that day so that they could come along.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CkHAPSyvJ9ncvAvhxa4-HvlVYLCgytH3IHwvLWID6VD1eRvxFpMYg_y04hxxgDCjY5ofNYHDwwAaiPd2FzUVLetGgnbj52abAhb9FgF1GvTYSBMkyUMjnAu7_HKEZ063qA9IChgo2NU/s1600/SDC10790.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CkHAPSyvJ9ncvAvhxa4-HvlVYLCgytH3IHwvLWID6VD1eRvxFpMYg_y04hxxgDCjY5ofNYHDwwAaiPd2FzUVLetGgnbj52abAhb9FgF1GvTYSBMkyUMjnAu7_HKEZ063qA9IChgo2NU/s320/SDC10790.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551960484703272674" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxahA8Z6FS-GYUyZ4b-0uAdDY9zdevgIq6cpNEknpvUV1e28jkmky0p9BvBgkcJlZBRKberjGWSnCkT2wbEgLHYweH06uePEbxhpfejmOH2QHmjrEMJa6rsgK6OZMo73SWWTHaQ9Ez20/s1600/SDC10794.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxahA8Z6FS-GYUyZ4b-0uAdDY9zdevgIq6cpNEknpvUV1e28jkmky0p9BvBgkcJlZBRKberjGWSnCkT2wbEgLHYweH06uePEbxhpfejmOH2QHmjrEMJa6rsgK6OZMo73SWWTHaQ9Ez20/s320/SDC10794.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959396325063538" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We toured the Glasgow School of Art and did a little shopping on the High Street. We passed this political protest which was interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugP1O85ca4KadkPyzdTVXgXPoTA5A3F8x2LFchhD9roQiHcgLQoIxaACK6v9w-sL3wtv2amuEurfMf9l0lAAskeU81gw93-KpVBHEycdr21X2sMySkpcV_igej77l4ngmDFBn6AGicOQ/s1600/IMG_6932.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugP1O85ca4KadkPyzdTVXgXPoTA5A3F8x2LFchhD9roQiHcgLQoIxaACK6v9w-sL3wtv2amuEurfMf9l0lAAskeU81gw93-KpVBHEycdr21X2sMySkpcV_igej77l4ngmDFBn6AGicOQ/s320/IMG_6932.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958717342205282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWGASfy1ZET5An3mcVTrXnaURhdwlSiprfrU3Iwrfcu5JNaewzDLeMO8b9CVHyDB8qAV2u13RDoRnEwJCMBH5XzIKq-MqbQJtZ6RS5GR78VCD-N_8M4ctEFcvUtucwfGK13OX1qG9CFs/s1600/IMG_6937.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWGASfy1ZET5An3mcVTrXnaURhdwlSiprfrU3Iwrfcu5JNaewzDLeMO8b9CVHyDB8qAV2u13RDoRnEwJCMBH5XzIKq-MqbQJtZ6RS5GR78VCD-N_8M4ctEFcvUtucwfGK13OX1qG9CFs/s320/IMG_6937.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958718745179330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW-e0C3LqHOcdilf0m1NG-dnRoFnb_aVIj1pJjq1pBTnsKzaT9G0q0S40qkSSkA-CYFctRCa0_0eHckWOhruHP9WlfL9g9dA6YfiYli869HZxpXebkMiRZwTmFRAKKDJXX8ie2uqL7g4/s1600/IMG_6944.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW-e0C3LqHOcdilf0m1NG-dnRoFnb_aVIj1pJjq1pBTnsKzaT9G0q0S40qkSSkA-CYFctRCa0_0eHckWOhruHP9WlfL9g9dA6YfiYli869HZxpXebkMiRZwTmFRAKKDJXX8ie2uqL7g4/s320/IMG_6944.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958726111437202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc31ZvAHtmrZolTKWbzmDyP0gpXWDghp37iUEYIBke2cveOvTqff4iyqQsWlQUKLdEZhDnrpXyWe4fk3GDcDoo1ZqEBXK7SxPfz9kVr8hp-A22hU5y49tBrzzraXYUbKtjdx38cOFAZU/s1600/IMG_6957.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc31ZvAHtmrZolTKWbzmDyP0gpXWDghp37iUEYIBke2cveOvTqff4iyqQsWlQUKLdEZhDnrpXyWe4fk3GDcDoo1ZqEBXK7SxPfz9kVr8hp-A22hU5y49tBrzzraXYUbKtjdx38cOFAZU/s320/IMG_6957.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958904198502258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qKfUxoyfQvmOPXtkCA8K2cvJqR_NRRQ24u6xxhS4ilDGzHN6NtjRTjvSDjuoeQeHSWkFXvICDFjsgOOkGsbocxroUXJDTBdZbye_AAkRpdnxpuKGQMQe6y38RCVK-xUrIFLoxU02zhU/s1600/IMG_6965.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qKfUxoyfQvmOPXtkCA8K2cvJqR_NRRQ24u6xxhS4ilDGzHN6NtjRTjvSDjuoeQeHSWkFXvICDFjsgOOkGsbocxroUXJDTBdZbye_AAkRpdnxpuKGQMQe6y38RCVK-xUrIFLoxU02zhU/s320/IMG_6965.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958916721193698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHGu8eA8QENoJYBU1PNs0xYFPdH8fYMn3cE7bJ9lvOnFkmlRIoDfPoqgQPR4PtVcsSR0z43bL4JsDq8U0G_0B3j2DnDuPzjFKYWvYwxEFrJ16DpKKK8fVcFyTqTomxorv9UCDt_t_C_0/s1600/IMG_6962.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHGu8eA8QENoJYBU1PNs0xYFPdH8fYMn3cE7bJ9lvOnFkmlRIoDfPoqgQPR4PtVcsSR0z43bL4JsDq8U0G_0B3j2DnDuPzjFKYWvYwxEFrJ16DpKKK8fVcFyTqTomxorv9UCDt_t_C_0/s320/IMG_6962.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958908925542546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Scott took another day off to join us for a tour of Loch Lomond, a cozy pub lunch and a distillery tour! It was a fantastic day.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVaVILgzMQeAEFAtaiRlw5vAjYX1nhB6udintqXgCln1XSdRsMEFhXl_u11tB_ADxJH0QaIqiGnFOfVq2poqXS8qolRJW8wRvi6XuzaNVDxIMEjrnCAuJC8Z5qiOhxq3wn88Qs8GF_pc/s1600/SDC10964.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVaVILgzMQeAEFAtaiRlw5vAjYX1nhB6udintqXgCln1XSdRsMEFhXl_u11tB_ADxJH0QaIqiGnFOfVq2poqXS8qolRJW8wRvi6XuzaNVDxIMEjrnCAuJC8Z5qiOhxq3wn88Qs8GF_pc/s320/SDC10964.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959492740460738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXbJY9-yZEfGqJAgGgKk4bdBscTnRcXKvPF_6z1gJZPKGLJT8XFCMHYuiowu8i3G_wFn7nh8VRjRaOcfb7ZUK4v5dI5rZjLII0EtVr8Ft9mr_MzHJIQUVmMglU9eIYIKosLzxIi_gvXg/s1600/IMG_6993.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXbJY9-yZEfGqJAgGgKk4bdBscTnRcXKvPF_6z1gJZPKGLJT8XFCMHYuiowu8i3G_wFn7nh8VRjRaOcfb7ZUK4v5dI5rZjLII0EtVr8Ft9mr_MzHJIQUVmMglU9eIYIKosLzxIi_gvXg/s320/IMG_6993.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959110597093330" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n80J7O9RQN7WEXeMYnz2z8Uypq_noIN78eFtIzAP_Yxkk74mm0uE05onam-Bx4PAYbD5T7mS3HIeW7PQZkNbdgx2mBuqy3Wdgw9-4DqcjXTSkhTAnLhxG2OaGNduUsRWKD0SSA2kkSs/s1600/IMG_6978.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n80J7O9RQN7WEXeMYnz2z8Uypq_noIN78eFtIzAP_Yxkk74mm0uE05onam-Bx4PAYbD5T7mS3HIeW7PQZkNbdgx2mBuqy3Wdgw9-4DqcjXTSkhTAnLhxG2OaGNduUsRWKD0SSA2kkSs/s320/IMG_6978.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958921545534418" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZZS4YDpSqvmN_CopurgknR3JID2Jk9carheKgXg06NcMycLW5fb4VkkLPeLrT6Z67szjCARjxKN0dDHNym97NmDeEvrRE8TbUlfAFVqDe4kHPc3IknQUDIZWXFmaPudPUW2AY_f7lgY/s1600/IMG_6952.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZZS4YDpSqvmN_CopurgknR3JID2Jk9carheKgXg06NcMycLW5fb4VkkLPeLrT6Z67szjCARjxKN0dDHNym97NmDeEvrRE8TbUlfAFVqDe4kHPc3IknQUDIZWXFmaPudPUW2AY_f7lgY/s320/IMG_6952.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551958906306552178" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZZS4YDpSqvmN_CopurgknR3JID2Jk9carheKgXg06NcMycLW5fb4VkkLPeLrT6Z67szjCARjxKN0dDHNym97NmDeEvrRE8TbUlfAFVqDe4kHPc3IknQUDIZWXFmaPudPUW2AY_f7lgY/s1600/IMG_6952.jpg"></a>And the last 2 days were spent in Edinburgh touring the Castle, Holyrood Palace, Walking the Royal Mile, Tucking in a few pubs along the way, visiting Camera Obscura, and a tour of the tunnels under the Royal Mile.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs63L5NF444fd3dneUdet2kQQFt5cn1z4ia59lBLxVElMK9NkAj0oEMFZ42DnJUrx4P63rW2GyL-QHiumJwrPMZWhsu_0da80KqbbsaHZMd66NwbHfEBHPqFEbanFNhxBqYBVkEueJz2c/s1600/SDC10891.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs63L5NF444fd3dneUdet2kQQFt5cn1z4ia59lBLxVElMK9NkAj0oEMFZ42DnJUrx4P63rW2GyL-QHiumJwrPMZWhsu_0da80KqbbsaHZMd66NwbHfEBHPqFEbanFNhxBqYBVkEueJz2c/s320/SDC10891.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551959493180928546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>We bribed the boys with a stop to the sweetie shop after a little shopping and this is what they picked! Nice.</div><div><br /></div><div>We crammed so much into our week that I am sure Caitlin and Hannah slept most of the way home. It was a brilliant week and we can't thank you guys enough for making the effort to visit! We miss you already. Cheers!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-74207430363864086472010-12-04T02:11:00.001-08:002010-12-04T02:50:53.432-08:00Thanksgiving 2010<div>We have much to be thankful for in 2010. Blessings too many to count. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGqMMbJOwrE8nR2zwAHvmKGD8FkyqYluUpxI1J9JQ79P67h-zJ7_uqDDYP7lyCNLFx4xCBPn9oWidsW1p059AlVwkTVT6SZmot0QGXRiCkEIoaNk_1VVh_ExhyhrxHXFFDt_o954pKuA/s1600/IMG_6815.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGqMMbJOwrE8nR2zwAHvmKGD8FkyqYluUpxI1J9JQ79P67h-zJ7_uqDDYP7lyCNLFx4xCBPn9oWidsW1p059AlVwkTVT6SZmot0QGXRiCkEIoaNk_1VVh_ExhyhrxHXFFDt_o954pKuA/s320/IMG_6815.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773011830857458" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Our second annual Thanksgiving Party (in Scotland) was on Sunday the 21st of November. The turkeys came from a farm in Southern England and the entertainment came in the form of 30 of our Scottish friends! And to top it off, my brother Chris and my nieces Caitlin and Hannah, arrived for their Scotland visit on that morning. Splendid!<div><br /></div><div>We picked them up at the airport at 7:30 and then hit the ground running to prepare for our afternoon feast. Poor Caitlin and Hannah, they must of thought I was crazy. </div><div><br /></div><div>We made the following: 2 20lb turkeys, 1 15 lb ham, 2 pans of cornbread dressing, roasted carrots, gravy, and our friends brought the rest: mashed potatoes, roasted parsnips, brussel sprouts, roasted pumpkin stuffed with spiced rice, green beans, cranberry sauce and sausages. The boys helped me prepare a pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and pecan pie. One friend brought a cheeseboard and the children decorated (with the help of Caitlin and Hannah) sugar cookies. It was definitely a feast for a king!</div><div><br /></div><div>We laughed, and ate, and drank, and danced, and played games and laughed and ate and drank some more! A fantastic day by all accounts!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1xMx8t33t8yhNZmW6r-hwdi7gcy_eqJcV4OXw85uFYpeAmTHrjRs8clab0xXCGYNGD_nvvUb45xr-9CEXFPvToGDLcN4if1_NRpvL8D7BX7N-lWHfl8MgZWd2mK6MEZOe7oVPNNLIr8/s1600/IMG_6816.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1xMx8t33t8yhNZmW6r-hwdi7gcy_eqJcV4OXw85uFYpeAmTHrjRs8clab0xXCGYNGD_nvvUb45xr-9CEXFPvToGDLcN4if1_NRpvL8D7BX7N-lWHfl8MgZWd2mK6MEZOe7oVPNNLIr8/s320/IMG_6816.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773012033008978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMpYDFLfta2_Qz1MzCnjox1yOKyiaMv2OSFGwJB_o0b2Jhh7WhAKiLOILLZBdprZkwLZN_QnrKfcNLYUIXTuBXzmTK5f0l-f0F4RytPOO0M1CoQPkYjdagb6Gbf9lJ9wWpu3_dntow2Q/s1600/IMG_6817.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMpYDFLfta2_Qz1MzCnjox1yOKyiaMv2OSFGwJB_o0b2Jhh7WhAKiLOILLZBdprZkwLZN_QnrKfcNLYUIXTuBXzmTK5f0l-f0F4RytPOO0M1CoQPkYjdagb6Gbf9lJ9wWpu3_dntow2Q/s320/IMG_6817.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773014269922450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94CNyKYr7Vgno9klusZU0TyLPh8suV3BtyeiDdj4mvTovqXX4pzpSXBQ0s6hu6Dj6vOwtFIuOR1m9zQ6nZ_CvIfI3GCYEqnfuDJKpHCz1a4Hlq5OrVyrvaBlyORpVjIrdVDh1n-FUaBo/s1600/IMG_6822.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94CNyKYr7Vgno9klusZU0TyLPh8suV3BtyeiDdj4mvTovqXX4pzpSXBQ0s6hu6Dj6vOwtFIuOR1m9zQ6nZ_CvIfI3GCYEqnfuDJKpHCz1a4Hlq5OrVyrvaBlyORpVjIrdVDh1n-FUaBo/s320/IMG_6822.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773028411843922" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyG4MHk2OAa3aGuhr21ZVk75VIYuli05WBUSj6K_zRttPFvG2EBdT12JqIkOv0FDU6wNxa15NCq2uOg7b5yGr7DVE7MBWMtCDuA3LOBPyQFMkpZiPZBQ6WmNJ24q25xupMY0sEjTHQag/s1600/IMG_6823.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyG4MHk2OAa3aGuhr21ZVk75VIYuli05WBUSj6K_zRttPFvG2EBdT12JqIkOv0FDU6wNxa15NCq2uOg7b5yGr7DVE7MBWMtCDuA3LOBPyQFMkpZiPZBQ6WmNJ24q25xupMY0sEjTHQag/s320/IMG_6823.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773279593992818" style="cursor: pointer; 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width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RerM-m5NoqcsWe-GdYoP2HYyMy2R39xaaTaH9fzOFhk0VGMYQaI7gXglUtoQXdevGzaCHQHmjaNVf_9neZs3IH-tHt-iCV_gkNrmr94lybVFOCRYYOyVhpw-SqF2boEh73KzEWVrOT8/s1600/IMG_6830.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RerM-m5NoqcsWe-GdYoP2HYyMy2R39xaaTaH9fzOFhk0VGMYQaI7gXglUtoQXdevGzaCHQHmjaNVf_9neZs3IH-tHt-iCV_gkNrmr94lybVFOCRYYOyVhpw-SqF2boEh73KzEWVrOT8/s320/IMG_6830.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773300797089202" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNYfWmf5MarcqCP00uEy3wC0TAoSuHZuxGElnZDvBvo_m1OdJ90boCkRlUgqG6F_OjH8l92yDVdyBATswjkD9YH_gcSqM48yX_s-UWeK4HLWWfcDixTYY2pRULjzLrS-BXsz35flYPVw/s1600/IMG_6832.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNYfWmf5MarcqCP00uEy3wC0TAoSuHZuxGElnZDvBvo_m1OdJ90boCkRlUgqG6F_OjH8l92yDVdyBATswjkD9YH_gcSqM48yX_s-UWeK4HLWWfcDixTYY2pRULjzLrS-BXsz35flYPVw/s320/IMG_6832.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773487952256594" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 295px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9njD2XB2-8GvXCE08t1CMKS0v5D_b5U6hLt2vycD4NVpZ7sSEfLoU7OvcFFcXrdtfY2pLG-ufkPQOw-uzT39RUVHAeBWNjZtd0lbzTZXA9fA2REJHLkJXCfWKdJRCm32ANDY__5QpURs/s1600/IMG_6836.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9njD2XB2-8GvXCE08t1CMKS0v5D_b5U6hLt2vycD4NVpZ7sSEfLoU7OvcFFcXrdtfY2pLG-ufkPQOw-uzT39RUVHAeBWNjZtd0lbzTZXA9fA2REJHLkJXCfWKdJRCm32ANDY__5QpURs/s320/IMG_6836.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773497626695138" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsSAdRo3DD3i4ctvhxRqf6VvWEpEExKLEObrhu4obTRUaU_Mr2gz1dYBO0bUbWRhBl4dTAefHMxWJax39wUQW9Nkbl2PwRfGwgWC6Rm7m5E9WlOcMM-C-PomrpwOaq_nxWtmipMSg11o/s1600/IMG_6838.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsSAdRo3DD3i4ctvhxRqf6VvWEpEExKLEObrhu4obTRUaU_Mr2gz1dYBO0bUbWRhBl4dTAefHMxWJax39wUQW9Nkbl2PwRfGwgWC6Rm7m5E9WlOcMM-C-PomrpwOaq_nxWtmipMSg11o/s320/IMG_6838.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773496736362706" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjEPUW7X1Z0ewJAnw5lRphnrKQuaXFPvI95jicQILxupFtZ-zfcKoNW5eo2hu4rWf5Pjdu6EZwrdpJ1m7rkctmnQU4haQrTPFUvjDxZ846PQQfaYI87rDYdXKl467_YE9qD2_OuQgw8I/s1600/IMG_6840.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjEPUW7X1Z0ewJAnw5lRphnrKQuaXFPvI95jicQILxupFtZ-zfcKoNW5eo2hu4rWf5Pjdu6EZwrdpJ1m7rkctmnQU4haQrTPFUvjDxZ846PQQfaYI87rDYdXKl467_YE9qD2_OuQgw8I/s320/IMG_6840.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773506056758914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnXI0oD7iFPfOjhRHYbom3gPZwrdKCiDAi_8jbwKqOQKV2b9e0iHyk0EjBRlGBbxGdRJGtM3Onv6GS9_fUv9fWcICxt-UFJIs60BLdF1mhGynjCPtd8vHmgy4OQZ3e1SEqOJQ2FtVmrk/s1600/IMG_6845.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnXI0oD7iFPfOjhRHYbom3gPZwrdKCiDAi_8jbwKqOQKV2b9e0iHyk0EjBRlGBbxGdRJGtM3Onv6GS9_fUv9fWcICxt-UFJIs60BLdF1mhGynjCPtd8vHmgy4OQZ3e1SEqOJQ2FtVmrk/s320/IMG_6845.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546773509161698498" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Thanksgiving to you! We count you among our many blessings!</div><div><br /></div></div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-42854943856275920492010-11-30T03:50:00.000-08:002010-11-30T04:01:38.042-08:00Let it Snow!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy1onVL8fOHN3eCJDSZjaAGfAgtFlgbJNhHts4HTvG2Hw15K9Izp2QWqZm2fC5alJOafj_Kju17wUgyTrHxOKewh8trveIKlomsMRllnBJyzY1gxQ5_c1khL4XExFAhc3QbHdGd0klRc/s1600/IMG_7012.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiy1onVL8fOHN3eCJDSZjaAGfAgtFlgbJNhHts4HTvG2Hw15K9Izp2QWqZm2fC5alJOafj_Kju17wUgyTrHxOKewh8trveIKlomsMRllnBJyzY1gxQ5_c1khL4XExFAhc3QbHdGd0klRc/s320/IMG_7012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545309718683742354" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Saturday morning we woke to a few inches of snow on the ground. As the day progressed, more and more fell and by Sunday lunchtime, Scotland was a winter wonderland. For those trying to travel, work, or get anywhere safely and on time, it has created havoc. For those of us avoiding the grey, cold, rainy days, it has been delightful! The boys played outside all day Sunday and we even built this crazy snowman with other parents in the hood! Muscles and all! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJbKpOhzaQaJ9cykNMjjdpwLt0LHBW7kpQlwzpoSE0nvxN4yGJRuc7kDhQw0e2YwwvYC4qqPylzbnkjks2lMtqf9XUH9ecVQkEGykp9-8X6WoudLRy9PsDVhVQH5DQ6WZSTDqb320QmI/s1600/IMG_7016.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJbKpOhzaQaJ9cykNMjjdpwLt0LHBW7kpQlwzpoSE0nvxN4yGJRuc7kDhQw0e2YwwvYC4qqPylzbnkjks2lMtqf9XUH9ecVQkEGykp9-8X6WoudLRy9PsDVhVQH5DQ6WZSTDqb320QmI/s320/IMG_7016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545309768072726194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjUD10L-nblfiJ2j6gLDRrR2pllkAAXK8r-BYg8iqAXopp8-EpzypAPEfTbyaxdeNcWDOlwfzoxhmPtGXEyO2tcaQ-UNPiwIU8ZNaOEIsMHQoUOMEGV0FKl9ubrZ28JCPOJ3V8X_NlOY/s1600/IMG_7014.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjUD10L-nblfiJ2j6gLDRrR2pllkAAXK8r-BYg8iqAXopp8-EpzypAPEfTbyaxdeNcWDOlwfzoxhmPtGXEyO2tcaQ-UNPiwIU8ZNaOEIsMHQoUOMEGV0FKl9ubrZ28JCPOJ3V8X_NlOY/s320/IMG_7014.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545309723411785842" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4L8X3ZXfRN0UTxO4KsO0ADbItr2IRPIKBUD-xGMBcS_pQyJfDZUdmnY1ElCVQgY4ZxtkqEFOLqV14FsunDnxS0TA7cXYpZdA8F_MGBrzfOoQEKHba2IFgq22_MER5yrOKWpEgeCpf2M/s320/IMG_7015.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545309762370367506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLgUOxlm_pZQMFCPIDSQ99RBewwhafIsh8h2EQ8-pSCe9oSrzW3tY4qnx0KTcu5d9SN4JoWoZWxKsj1QvTa1dryiidenBzirXhqP6vaijXD0xJV66-QZ9hSUPwjmvvDbHsY9Xn3Bxdu0/s1600/IMG_7029.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLgUOxlm_pZQMFCPIDSQ99RBewwhafIsh8h2EQ8-pSCe9oSrzW3tY4qnx0KTcu5d9SN4JoWoZWxKsj1QvTa1dryiidenBzirXhqP6vaijXD0xJV66-QZ9hSUPwjmvvDbHsY9Xn3Bxdu0/s320/IMG_7029.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545310992991261618" style="cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrxsqDsTK2VgfrCbnIk6h58-bAGESEjvXGhOiIF7hC24yX5PhbfOIfUxljETTi2-PCNjk6NUdWQpVFnpBONQospe0-bJFG_I4gEdjOhGYN18LjLEE9Cgfi6zmBP1XPxHoUAjxzTNqfCE/s1600/IMG_7033.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrxsqDsTK2VgfrCbnIk6h58-bAGESEjvXGhOiIF7hC24yX5PhbfOIfUxljETTi2-PCNjk6NUdWQpVFnpBONQospe0-bJFG_I4gEdjOhGYN18LjLEE9Cgfi6zmBP1XPxHoUAjxzTNqfCE/s320/IMG_7033.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545311004106547778" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjUD10L-nblfiJ2j6gLDRrR2pllkAAXK8r-BYg8iqAXopp8-EpzypAPEfTbyaxdeNcWDOlwfzoxhmPtGXEyO2tcaQ-UNPiwIU8ZNaOEIsMHQoUOMEGV0FKl9ubrZ28JCPOJ3V8X_NlOY/s1600/IMG_7014.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjUD10L-nblfiJ2j6gLDRrR2pllkAAXK8r-BYg8iqAXopp8-EpzypAPEfTbyaxdeNcWDOlwfzoxhmPtGXEyO2tcaQ-UNPiwIU8ZNaOEIsMHQoUOMEGV0FKl9ubrZ28JCPOJ3V8X_NlOY/s1600/IMG_7014.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomT-xTXB-4k_WjOF79_1KHkPNiVpqM1yqqf1ONG68JsPKQ4jtF9WbbBLsFBn0g0AyVPJETfj0Pg_YQEfzGsZ7Sq73xw6SkZhIcbzteWP73bhlIYyB4GRMOOsN7-pijsj7oHwp8DMJhwQ/s1600/IMG_7035.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomT-xTXB-4k_WjOF79_1KHkPNiVpqM1yqqf1ONG68JsPKQ4jtF9WbbBLsFBn0g0AyVPJETfj0Pg_YQEfzGsZ7Sq73xw6SkZhIcbzteWP73bhlIYyB4GRMOOsN7-pijsj7oHwp8DMJhwQ/s320/IMG_7035.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545311011911875042" style="cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Jj5GpldTqL3vkwEnnHjSol1nzfwSCTuk7UG4S-mt8ekaXzSzgCjlHKma99kFFnkXfOJ-yg0dj5VBNxTp3OBW_7drTzcyqkddA9G6ZapvCr4eUL5vROs5UjAbWxVLidM-kusZC5D22sE/s1600/IMG_7041.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Jj5GpldTqL3vkwEnnHjSol1nzfwSCTuk7UG4S-mt8ekaXzSzgCjlHKma99kFFnkXfOJ-yg0dj5VBNxTp3OBW_7drTzcyqkddA9G6ZapvCr4eUL5vROs5UjAbWxVLidM-kusZC5D22sE/s320/IMG_7041.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545311049010998434" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-47904937915451880682010-11-29T11:06:00.001-08:002010-12-04T02:13:19.354-08:00Cambridge, United Kingdom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP-YXTLtTfky8Tf_Pona4Z2hIQ4DkotalIWUL_JXICMk30rsX7IgeZ44PIAtbAK8eA-M5MacLK_60U9o-EnB7y_9tXr9rly0z7HsZT5hQEeyuqr8TbPgYJfrLDXjFXjTNGxl45tyQJ9Y/s1600/IMG_6683.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP-YXTLtTfky8Tf_Pona4Z2hIQ4DkotalIWUL_JXICMk30rsX7IgeZ44PIAtbAK8eA-M5MacLK_60U9o-EnB7y_9tXr9rly0z7HsZT5hQEeyuqr8TbPgYJfrLDXjFXjTNGxl45tyQJ9Y/s320/IMG_6683.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545057794341346594" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP-YXTLtTfky8Tf_Pona4Z2hIQ4DkotalIWUL_JXICMk30rsX7IgeZ44PIAtbAK8eA-M5MacLK_60U9o-EnB7y_9tXr9rly0z7HsZT5hQEeyuqr8TbPgYJfrLDXjFXjTNGxl45tyQJ9Y/s1600/IMG_6683.jpg"></a><br />I want to go back to school. I never knew there was a town quite like Cambridge. I shouldn't have been an Aggie. Did I just say that out loud? I know, I know. I wouldn't have met my husband, or the favourite girlfriends I mentioned in a previous post, but man, does Cambridge blow College Station out of the water.<div><br /></div><div>Ethan had a fencing tournament in Cambridge in early November and we took the opportunity to have a long weekend away as a family. It was delightful. And delicious. And simply brilliant.</div><div><br /></div><div>According to Wikipedia, Cambridge is the second oldest university in England (and the English speaking world) and the seventh oldest in the world. It is said that the university was founded by scholars in 1209 after they left Oxford following a debate with the townspeople. Academically, Cambridge ranks as one of the world's top universities and it regularly contends with Oxford for the top of the UK league tables. The University of Cambridge is made up of 31 colleges, each with it's own property and income. They are mostly diverse in their academia but give the students a smaller place to call home.</div><div><br /></div><div>The college buildings are magnificent and the property breathtaking. The town itself is centered around the colleges and therefore has a youthful vibrancy that is unmatched. Everyone is on foot or bike, going to and fro with a sense of relaxed urgency. The River Cam runs through the town and was once a means of transportation and commercial delivery for the colleges. We highly recommend a guided punting tour along the river where you will see the backs (great expanses of green park land) and many of the college buildings. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday we attended Evening Song at the Kings College Chapel and had the privilege of seeing their famous Boys Choir. It was worship like we'd never known. Again, breathtaking and spectacular.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, it was a weekend to remember. The fencing was fun and challenging for Ethan, with 40 boys in his age group. (In Scotland, he rarely has more than 15 in his age group at competitions) It encouraged him to travel to more events next year and we are hoping that they will be in towns as lovely as Cambridge!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpP-3FRuaZjTXYBOIvuqUWpkGcvn8iP74c4Sv090ExprVutaDl16Zh0LIW4TTEIIC-nVpzYOLaTOrarDzhFxfQzFqmVawXPfcyMOBcC56XNsY8Jt15-Fd_cngcrzIEpe2Uo03apfwXw_Q/s1600/IMG_6697.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpP-3FRuaZjTXYBOIvuqUWpkGcvn8iP74c4Sv090ExprVutaDl16Zh0LIW4TTEIIC-nVpzYOLaTOrarDzhFxfQzFqmVawXPfcyMOBcC56XNsY8Jt15-Fd_cngcrzIEpe2Uo03apfwXw_Q/s320/IMG_6697.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545057857358474690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWOb44tmR71ozcnaG-fJJt-LVqCYNJDvDB2xpj9luM9BARSgq8XoRaLyqrKJe8-2mhaSyPt7EQaaedZUujkY1bMJTryDVv0YZzOEUt7RZjzExbE8NdKA19laQFfJqVNaHarieDX8ZXYE/s1600/IMG_6690.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWOb44tmR71ozcnaG-fJJt-LVqCYNJDvDB2xpj9luM9BARSgq8XoRaLyqrKJe8-2mhaSyPt7EQaaedZUujkY1bMJTryDVv0YZzOEUt7RZjzExbE8NdKA19laQFfJqVNaHarieDX8ZXYE/s320/IMG_6690.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545057850794680034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4n2rEwsH4FcUDrK_t1BYzzVWq7zwLiuHNAyohtC8DHh_0g7FvL1u9nCF_Q-HCa5Dvcuf38CJNZz71yNINt3yaMIEsTsgsbbd3I1rpm7QBwyxSYqGrCKJGhwfovEAizBtu0ApM6ZThO0Q/s1600/IMG_6705.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4n2rEwsH4FcUDrK_t1BYzzVWq7zwLiuHNAyohtC8DHh_0g7FvL1u9nCF_Q-HCa5Dvcuf38CJNZz71yNINt3yaMIEsTsgsbbd3I1rpm7QBwyxSYqGrCKJGhwfovEAizBtu0ApM6ZThO0Q/s320/IMG_6705.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545058121342566562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike06x2jKdj7CVbLctQ5DZkAmtCfZL1SZB9bl7wOxK_0caAQM_kjZ28qz3VGJMrYSeBtngSXXwwmOAX0Wnj4bNWghXogPkmKUpbuqWSVermJitj-mmYPH8RHSglCp3rLm6yxNDgMu555A/s1600/IMG_6701.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEike06x2jKdj7CVbLctQ5DZkAmtCfZL1SZB9bl7wOxK_0caAQM_kjZ28qz3VGJMrYSeBtngSXXwwmOAX0Wnj4bNWghXogPkmKUpbuqWSVermJitj-mmYPH8RHSglCp3rLm6yxNDgMu555A/s320/IMG_6701.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545057867134416466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Sf4vhxo_fV0aRGVL0HBNA5T9Z-154ukeTIZ1BH_Qbrhd1QyT6KCfkfgLf1_UPQcr0LbnLoaH_mkEXItCmZk50eze9E_ZyhqH5Td1FGago_hvePIqj5FJNC-3M3eJjk_tiNYDBtrkVM/s1600/IMG_6684.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2Sf4vhxo_fV0aRGVL0HBNA5T9Z-154ukeTIZ1BH_Qbrhd1QyT6KCfkfgLf1_UPQcr0LbnLoaH_mkEXItCmZk50eze9E_ZyhqH5Td1FGago_hvePIqj5FJNC-3M3eJjk_tiNYDBtrkVM/s320/IMG_6684.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545057843537119314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU6i867SouywMlUaOasCDg-Bro6iwYv5wCKQHNBnYAjmZRAJHU39W8NaWdyAk0K1C6pJ0WSmOvWf_c-H7XJinuYUgrA8qZJljn5tTOgzP9FLgq-O86mLzC-2_ywGO5pFTxUy6wyAC-2w/s1600/IMG_6728.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU6i867SouywMlUaOasCDg-Bro6iwYv5wCKQHNBnYAjmZRAJHU39W8NaWdyAk0K1C6pJ0WSmOvWf_c-H7XJinuYUgrA8qZJljn5tTOgzP9FLgq-O86mLzC-2_ywGO5pFTxUy6wyAC-2w/s320/IMG_6728.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545058124561975682" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTG19cf63TJlDyOOq9HGfCjNkzxecPl6N-eO2fhPIEG6GUlQdyyYgXA-wY_7vYNbwhBG05CBnwNUHZyY1CohA2EsVCLpBefh0zgxaQufYL6nNKi5jEX7np2xXiENhCuqWZWiig40wS8o/s1600/IMG_6734.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTG19cf63TJlDyOOq9HGfCjNkzxecPl6N-eO2fhPIEG6GUlQdyyYgXA-wY_7vYNbwhBG05CBnwNUHZyY1CohA2EsVCLpBefh0zgxaQufYL6nNKi5jEX7np2xXiENhCuqWZWiig40wS8o/s320/IMG_6734.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545058135368856594" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_p1kLqep0lzu74Gb2zDxK8SGIYee2-oM0NKDBZR2b4JbyfNPc_TKPnts2n0Ml309gFxmTSbDCb8DdwCebL7mlJcj0bUlKLsz446b5-xl6N9S4ygfyhhBwsvpr6VywAKph0GJ3o2FPhA/s1600/IMG_6784.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_p1kLqep0lzu74Gb2zDxK8SGIYee2-oM0NKDBZR2b4JbyfNPc_TKPnts2n0Ml309gFxmTSbDCb8DdwCebL7mlJcj0bUlKLsz446b5-xl6N9S4ygfyhhBwsvpr6VywAKph0GJ3o2FPhA/s320/IMG_6784.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545058146993377234" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTX9br47P6xo4ZJJsOuHIcBAUT9DPROG0Dk0qTu6SJQt7uBQtpHaec2zB-9OhoYG5O5QYu4kLkyECUSCHwwE5qTQM6xjrOijhMrm8dSvFyf0O98BKgrKlfCvsK0YV_pXS187C8OaCHjBY/s1600/IMG_6783.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTX9br47P6xo4ZJJsOuHIcBAUT9DPROG0Dk0qTu6SJQt7uBQtpHaec2zB-9OhoYG5O5QYu4kLkyECUSCHwwE5qTQM6xjrOijhMrm8dSvFyf0O98BKgrKlfCvsK0YV_pXS187C8OaCHjBY/s320/IMG_6783.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545058144154479906" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-53696040154261685332010-11-12T23:31:00.000-08:002010-11-15T03:51:41.524-08:00Halloween 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV7uh8dzJD4hZu7vV5ePCCmbYsdP3M4Q08QTNXo1SWvkEMhbCRL2GtHFfIioaLMxWcpmSV3OLm3JUWqUOJtDgrd35MgxX3SQFjabzQDZQ2se8Nuhv6shkabjRVU_2S4wjW06zMdjgZ0w/s1600/IMG_6673.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV7uh8dzJD4hZu7vV5ePCCmbYsdP3M4Q08QTNXo1SWvkEMhbCRL2GtHFfIioaLMxWcpmSV3OLm3JUWqUOJtDgrd35MgxX3SQFjabzQDZQ2se8Nuhv6shkabjRVU_2S4wjW06zMdjgZ0w/s320/IMG_6673.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538933901497345266" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Charlie is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stormtrooper</span>, Ethan a rugby player and Christopher a bandit. (Ethan is looks hesitant, don't you think?? - he's grown out of this tradition but dressed up for a party) We went to a neighbourhood party and then did a small amount of trick or treating. In Scotland, you go in the house and the children tell a joke, sing a song or say a poem to entertain the homeowners. Charlie made up a new joke at every house and he had the adults in stitches! Wish I'd had a video camera. Happy Halloween!</div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-79200412706450449462010-11-12T23:24:00.000-08:002010-11-12T23:30:47.839-08:00Fall BreakWe had an unusual fall break this year with everyone going in different directions. Scott was traveling for work, Ethan went to York on a school music tour, Christopher went to Elie in Fife with a friend and Charlie and I held down the fort in Glasgow.<div><br /></div><div>Ethan's music tour included a performance in York Minster. Once in a lifetime! Oh how I wish I was invited to see this.<br /><div><br /></div><div>I have no pictures to make this post more interesting.But everyone had a fantastic time and it was nice to have a break.</div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-59794051042314945742010-11-12T22:59:00.000-08:002010-11-14T09:02:25.251-08:00Fresh AirThis dear green place is so delightful when the weather is nice. We recently went for a family ride through the forest and boy was it beautiful. The forest service does a great job of maintaining farm tracks for public use. There are countless areas to go for a ride.<div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbRkdZW2EPxg4ixg9yRzX1Q8d7L2Nk2OO_SrR-HecxlogcqccJKWsAcX_g2onMl5RyDdCP2iVta78wv06apWnWIt8yiza3DdC5S6_bGhyFxgWstzc6xM2E_HffFAbuhYlEzgNz-pTyrY/s1600/IMG_6629.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfbRkdZW2EPxg4ixg9yRzX1Q8d7L2Nk2OO_SrR-HecxlogcqccJKWsAcX_g2onMl5RyDdCP2iVta78wv06apWnWIt8yiza3DdC5S6_bGhyFxgWstzc6xM2E_HffFAbuhYlEzgNz-pTyrY/s320/IMG_6629.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538930411598486034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS9xn6D35NezV0qW9l5MSH6G3qqPNcOTqY3J4acrLw-8oyTE1ZsURO3q-sb6QHOgkkhoE4JJYdJRidhI5ITQFXiCNC5vjTfyrMJRQyWhHO23WlwrS-4FliOQv-apx8p7brseWHVJf_bo/s1600/IMG_6636.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS9xn6D35NezV0qW9l5MSH6G3qqPNcOTqY3J4acrLw-8oyTE1ZsURO3q-sb6QHOgkkhoE4JJYdJRidhI5ITQFXiCNC5vjTfyrMJRQyWhHO23WlwrS-4FliOQv-apx8p7brseWHVJf_bo/s320/IMG_6636.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538930412649402786" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEy13FSJxJkpsuLqQ_Xs1DNUMN9H1SPuamQNkZoFCGf0LX_Z0ULDbbiq6aXQPBP7qjB14Brv9vr7UeSOxPft563rJ4GMVRwmzxmZXcTd7rFL44i7C_8zbpVdJHVMz5rwgdbyWkWddCt5w/s1600/IMG_6641.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEy13FSJxJkpsuLqQ_Xs1DNUMN9H1SPuamQNkZoFCGf0LX_Z0ULDbbiq6aXQPBP7qjB14Brv9vr7UeSOxPft563rJ4GMVRwmzxmZXcTd7rFL44i7C_8zbpVdJHVMz5rwgdbyWkWddCt5w/s320/IMG_6641.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538930417242579954" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVe-kim3CJE3C6PYgsInaWEScVHHYUt46JphuRaRFHnr_ptbr98CgkBwcRlQAlqL9ovpFXOJl_4FMlsABaXSpdvqXiyCOycip63U-QeF5qePPPF5K8btqks1sDCp5uJBJfsd5be-SlW5w/s1600/IMG_6643.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVe-kim3CJE3C6PYgsInaWEScVHHYUt46JphuRaRFHnr_ptbr98CgkBwcRlQAlqL9ovpFXOJl_4FMlsABaXSpdvqXiyCOycip63U-QeF5qePPPF5K8btqks1sDCp5uJBJfsd5be-SlW5w/s320/IMG_6643.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538930423195506866" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Autumn was in the air and even though we were only 45 minutes from home, we might as well have been worlds away.</div><div><br /></div><div>*This is Scott 2 months post knee surgery. Wahoo!</div><div><br /></div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-75288382167861239012010-10-30T23:30:00.001-07:002010-11-12T22:59:39.347-08:00Confirmation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnlLpts4z0kQjq3eYbwe1hv3gStglLC8iuMBduCjVNS59ZJEMKFoxuO4Rj_sCrjVjGd9Y7OmxO2dgwVT75iAN4mDD-5k4c8mcFn0gbvTCD-fcOBDhVkEjHARHyyTMuMwsPpYF-c5gNnM/s1600/IMG_6557.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnlLpts4z0kQjq3eYbwe1hv3gStglLC8iuMBduCjVNS59ZJEMKFoxuO4Rj_sCrjVjGd9Y7OmxO2dgwVT75iAN4mDD-5k4c8mcFn0gbvTCD-fcOBDhVkEjHARHyyTMuMwsPpYF-c5gNnM/s320/IMG_6557.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534111147027102514" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf7HznnWsgCX9iRe1JT_vzOkt5acLHpuYgefaVKIHjUvVwBJAATh6ZvDHpRXEJmCwuzI4_6fw9fhhkV4B7i5g31z1Jxpphksvv9IeT9iHBl6bi_ujgdHw5xvBVkUY4LaTzOIeaJXHcO4/s1600/IMG_6554.jpg"></a><br />On the 5th of September, Ethan was confirmed at All Saints Episcopal Church, Bearsden, Scotland. He stood before his family and his church community to profess his faith and his willingness to dig deeper in his relationship with God. </div><div><br /></div><div>I know we are suppose to be humble, but this mama was PROUD. And tearful. I can remember my own confirmation so it seems surreal to me that Ethan is old enough to be confirmed. Our new bishop is extremely warm and he made the service one to remember.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ethan, you stand firmly in your faith when the world challenges you otherwise. You love others as Christ loves us and you always stand for the Truth. May God continue to bless you in this wonderful journey we call life.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHosegBsAeJokGxBncJ8VQ8c0YHGcXnonH1Q50zXCFy7Vk3ebVHpe-v_EthDo6GrOr5Ynm9Y0p5HZLQuBGFK1GqbHzqddxlK0uRLUQR25UIc0gYCItC34FQfkwj3XqUS1K2LBGSUxiyw/s1600/IMG_6576.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHosegBsAeJokGxBncJ8VQ8c0YHGcXnonH1Q50zXCFy7Vk3ebVHpe-v_EthDo6GrOr5Ynm9Y0p5HZLQuBGFK1GqbHzqddxlK0uRLUQR25UIc0gYCItC34FQfkwj3XqUS1K2LBGSUxiyw/s320/IMG_6576.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534111153958503090" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf7HznnWsgCX9iRe1JT_vzOkt5acLHpuYgefaVKIHjUvVwBJAATh6ZvDHpRXEJmCwuzI4_6fw9fhhkV4B7i5g31z1Jxpphksvv9IeT9iHBl6bi_ujgdHw5xvBVkUY4LaTzOIeaJXHcO4/s1600/IMG_6554.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinf7HznnWsgCX9iRe1JT_vzOkt5acLHpuYgefaVKIHjUvVwBJAATh6ZvDHpRXEJmCwuzI4_6fw9fhhkV4B7i5g31z1Jxpphksvv9IeT9iHBl6bi_ujgdHw5xvBVkUY4LaTzOIeaJXHcO4/s320/IMG_6554.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534111142763140114" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-1656311670897892362010-10-29T06:07:00.001-07:002010-10-29T22:46:19.449-07:00BirthdaysSo birthday season at our house is always busy. Because beginning on August 3rd, we have a birthday every two weeks until the first of October. So it's parties, cake, dinners, special outings, and more cake! Fun, fun and more fun! This year we even squeezed in one more special thing that I'll tell you about in my next post. But for now, it's the birthday pics!<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDHCOoCQVnwuAjrFa2ijpGBJD_m4ctvMr0WPx1t75oQIyrfJzLsTpBsFuh4a5RARO-rEikmO5EF-npy1TlCVyFVduLEsYBmSg9wPm7m1ESfEcAeU_VPoiyFLx3bPCCdxVbPAuG7NkvJE/s1600/IMG_6602.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDHCOoCQVnwuAjrFa2ijpGBJD_m4ctvMr0WPx1t75oQIyrfJzLsTpBsFuh4a5RARO-rEikmO5EF-npy1TlCVyFVduLEsYBmSg9wPm7m1ESfEcAeU_VPoiyFLx3bPCCdxVbPAuG7NkvJE/s320/IMG_6602.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533454741346696642" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I've already told you about how special Christopher's day was! Man, what a thrill to go to the Porsche races on your 9th birthday! We are so thankful it was such a fantastic day!</div><div><br /></div><div>Christopher, we are constantly amazed at you sweet boy. You are tender, funny, smart, intuitive, kind, sporty, hard working, an adoring little brother and a thoughtful big brother, and you are always there with a hug. The sparkle in your eyes could light up a room and we never tire of seeing your smile! We are so proud of you and we love you. Happy Happy 9th Birthday!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircyHY_gXB2ISDVlfls8YI7mHfkhSQb6AxkhIp3vqTKJxESlFX0N6mlyMmnvkh9gD52IDRccaJCfhqqwFXMvelGhJtH6I6DmZq6_vYCHnUoPW_m-EbYRNMH1C9cjSXT8_3CJ-dnZ00uVY/s1600/IMG_6609.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircyHY_gXB2ISDVlfls8YI7mHfkhSQb6AxkhIp3vqTKJxESlFX0N6mlyMmnvkh9gD52IDRccaJCfhqqwFXMvelGhJtH6I6DmZq6_vYCHnUoPW_m-EbYRNMH1C9cjSXT8_3CJ-dnZ00uVY/s320/IMG_6609.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533454747512221058" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I happened upon a box of Lucky Charms at Lupe's Deli and thought I would splurge for the 4 birthday boys (it was 12 dollars)! Even the big boy had breakfast that morning. And I was surprised to see that the box was not finished for at least a week. (Sometimes I think the idea of sugar cereal is better that the real thing!)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lYZpHQYmhZMq7mQUzIj8CghK3MBUQIDlnm0sNeDQWbsa-KBMxxitwUtyUDc5gcHlNNjKsBmQaDl8WW0TPUd0-N7Kf7szcdF9abAz_DTLnjANzPUcSuPIH9lhT9HzvFDu9eIJmlzMXuE/s1600/IMG_6615.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lYZpHQYmhZMq7mQUzIj8CghK3MBUQIDlnm0sNeDQWbsa-KBMxxitwUtyUDc5gcHlNNjKsBmQaDl8WW0TPUd0-N7Kf7szcdF9abAz_DTLnjANzPUcSuPIH9lhT9HzvFDu9eIJmlzMXuE/s320/IMG_6615.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533454755293901282" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizig5FVylaryn54e_gxe_T_R-0aeyAGIvcWqIS2wODmRRDwBRMQKoAuFuxL5Fvaj4TQMOTBXeHEpoEeZnSD2_C_jrHO6O89Gxg8_mXhypLd26nHIyWKr_CJZuO1bwZHiR4OLKzm7vT9zA/s320/IMG_6617.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533454759072210002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>And Ethan. How can it be? 12 YEARS OLD. Seriously, how can it be? We celebrated your birthday at Jamie Oliver's Italian Cafe and you loved it! You want to be a chef and so food and it's source and preparation are your passion. AND I LOVE sharing the kitchen with you! What a treat that is for this momma that spends most of her time preparing food!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ethan you are patient, kind, generous, smart, interesting, a leader, focused and you are a fantastic oldest brother! You are a good friend and a pleasure to be around. You are loved and we are so very proud of you too. Happy, happy 12th birthday!</div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-25353462812109163932010-10-26T08:58:00.000-07:002010-10-29T05:52:45.430-07:00Clan Nicol<div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hcpG61AsuAwh9TPrUyfOpWm9UaHKxp4Ab9orMDWnHEJ8T1roTO31pg0rxw0dIPkDFvci37BS9Jau7PiVRgKcphiLUXr0C-hOeLdkOXirs7X8rgbAtc7Oky0typU2bboAlDamsbNHvm8/s320/IMG_2234.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390843334134066" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>While the boys and I were in the USA this summer, Scott decided to do a little exploring. He'd recently learned that the Nicol Clan originated in the NW islands off the coast of Scotland; a place called the Outer Hebrides. It's remote, and a bit of a challenge to get to. But it was worth it and he did it on crutches!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWGIfppRB7PmQ9_o0HAlFg7jAWlYDMPFsnonKegbO4tltPkfnu0Hzys_EBQfBHGsZtM9Ug3JPJU5UIwarFHRykALawL7Ha4kIXVDOQlfiFHYLNEhAo4PAs4PxZAQvp68RqrnW2LfhORk/s1600/IMG_2169.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWGIfppRB7PmQ9_o0HAlFg7jAWlYDMPFsnonKegbO4tltPkfnu0Hzys_EBQfBHGsZtM9Ug3JPJU5UIwarFHRykALawL7Ha4kIXVDOQlfiFHYLNEhAo4PAs4PxZAQvp68RqrnW2LfhORk/s320/IMG_2169.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390850154328914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD6QWDyTxO2ircAGMiBTAH0E4u2TdPO8LypM6i5u7__XhkK7VoTIfsr5UfsDPsqGat2gVP8JoYdwP9jZnawuhZsAbSWKYlZALU79qtG933bcW72KJWtTo3ry_F2QgQc1rwy4f5f76mIw/s1600/IMG_2164.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD6QWDyTxO2ircAGMiBTAH0E4u2TdPO8LypM6i5u7__XhkK7VoTIfsr5UfsDPsqGat2gVP8JoYdwP9jZnawuhZsAbSWKYlZALU79qtG933bcW72KJWtTo3ry_F2QgQc1rwy4f5f76mIw/s320/IMG_2164.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390646148075314" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see from the pictures (which Scott says do not do the islands justice), the scenery is stunning. The beaches are wide, the ocean is clear, the grass is so vividly green and the houses/villages few and far between.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scott spent a long weekend driving around, taking in the sites, visiting with his pub mates and he also stopped in at the Nicolson Institute. Because this trip was last minute, he'd not done any research on his family tree and therefore did not find out much information about his specific family. Nevertheless, I think he enjoyed the time away and this is a part of Scotland that he highly recommends.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ggp1trM_7_6RV2E80Vhw9QLj0LfEkG68uyNRdvN5l2nUcv7JZyYMfznemwI6Tb7VSZb6jwtEL5NyWYj0pF0Y27afFVM3LBg2wx4FM-LfgyL_0hAg7tPitqZK6OjYtuaHTSb_NoI7qkk/s1600/IMG_2129.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ggp1trM_7_6RV2E80Vhw9QLj0LfEkG68uyNRdvN5l2nUcv7JZyYMfznemwI6Tb7VSZb6jwtEL5NyWYj0pF0Y27afFVM3LBg2wx4FM-LfgyL_0hAg7tPitqZK6OjYtuaHTSb_NoI7qkk/s320/IMG_2129.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390357655876002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GtjyilqZwbygzPyqhsP_w0XnbGM174sREDrV1AbIaWypnTt5ksoIaKf_lnJz4B7Wz9570r9zy9sneiL1I9dv172HAd-G4T2rqB7yCkJM7QMBOzfUdZDJeSscHOnFHq-KWR2SgRbw0Gk/s1600/IMG_2127.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_GtjyilqZwbygzPyqhsP_w0XnbGM174sREDrV1AbIaWypnTt5ksoIaKf_lnJz4B7Wz9570r9zy9sneiL1I9dv172HAd-G4T2rqB7yCkJM7QMBOzfUdZDJeSscHOnFHq-KWR2SgRbw0Gk/s320/IMG_2127.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390344887076626" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5UbhbJ7EwMRceeomp0wCte-_ji9MR1D8cI-UahRpYBYczmGD9sYM_8_t2UWEb9_dgpB2C7cDaVN3M21xeLXTCQWjdvBFEUvJBudrWU9_4oRud5qz2aVWa2TdlSkG41XKvwHdyREZzuE/s1600/IMG_2130.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5UbhbJ7EwMRceeomp0wCte-_ji9MR1D8cI-UahRpYBYczmGD9sYM_8_t2UWEb9_dgpB2C7cDaVN3M21xeLXTCQWjdvBFEUvJBudrWU9_4oRud5qz2aVWa2TdlSkG41XKvwHdyREZzuE/s320/IMG_2130.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390633244584482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>For more info on the Nicol Clan, see the following:</div><div>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_MacNeacail</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b235LQxeuTUiY43DdpbRAltxw7NfhmNLPZ9CR9aTZZ-Bm_F-cQfwUXX2Cc1DYTpV1VYxKmg3rF5aaXkZFDPe5HVLPaq2edpx53nFaspO7xTRlsYCcRaFFBs6SLfXSWYUlK-P3P3K6pI/s1600/DSC00613.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b235LQxeuTUiY43DdpbRAltxw7NfhmNLPZ9CR9aTZZ-Bm_F-cQfwUXX2Cc1DYTpV1VYxKmg3rF5aaXkZFDPe5HVLPaq2edpx53nFaspO7xTRlsYCcRaFFBs6SLfXSWYUlK-P3P3K6pI/s320/DSC00613.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390332161369874" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjerL5sI1brYEkIIj0AnE13Z-NsxUH28OmGd1y2whyphenhyphenOTeLOBMeI9Pc4A8fXtVCQ5oKNkuHVVhRGNzabkri8HfY3EZWRb1YAQUlhGe8kQWj6v_zbTZSQNuLi08Jc6ZJJIJ_PRS1y9uoOGM/s1600/IMG_2182.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjerL5sI1brYEkIIj0AnE13Z-NsxUH28OmGd1y2whyphenhyphenOTeLOBMeI9Pc4A8fXtVCQ5oKNkuHVVhRGNzabkri8HfY3EZWRb1YAQUlhGe8kQWj6v_zbTZSQNuLi08Jc6ZJJIJ_PRS1y9uoOGM/s320/IMG_2182.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532393535941526850" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.6px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4G4o2vCV1sxG3fskfk8kay83aY7EHQ7WX_Nu9Ucs_pN8YaW7ezVu6YkY_vuk3-yKt0T5UmVVNltNNAY1pOVrI3rfakoGb3rurkELDTRVXXLxu0yzw71ig2k9Lif1m0TIAPiiQ8m0fSDY/s1600/IMG_2201.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4G4o2vCV1sxG3fskfk8kay83aY7EHQ7WX_Nu9Ucs_pN8YaW7ezVu6YkY_vuk3-yKt0T5UmVVNltNNAY1pOVrI3rfakoGb3rurkELDTRVXXLxu0yzw71ig2k9Lif1m0TIAPiiQ8m0fSDY/s320/IMG_2201.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532393531996239362" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUHkWvlGIfc3NfaxlJe3PfB54kKIXBv38dnXYHhkIwiF0OF2jp83CTkAh24Mm8wWbBLoFwGjlXdDH6bTSttmGBDiEvj3LyJkhPBzf7RU5VGYJKxAaTmHcbg_tJeoSi6LSNGouugNBXNA/s1600/IMG_2246.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUHkWvlGIfc3NfaxlJe3PfB54kKIXBv38dnXYHhkIwiF0OF2jp83CTkAh24Mm8wWbBLoFwGjlXdDH6bTSttmGBDiEvj3LyJkhPBzf7RU5VGYJKxAaTmHcbg_tJeoSi6LSNGouugNBXNA/s320/IMG_2246.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390844838639858" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Y2P-YciwvwpE7r4MdI5no1zY4FE_yVM70Afq2phIf7tXTLCGPB0-BxCm-6_Pxfeu_EC8dfLx0ZGv4NYeaOIcUsTZEF38Z4Es9RkjlYWSrtwtczfQbBAsafu0T-FHHiUyx-wm-XhpHu8/s320/IMG_2175.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390651393225410" /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV6ci8ezUINpL07T566VwmUarVaraxIJzPUaDNbp7Ksgmipwbx7NnndtBM_qHys7RPsZwABGEHKnrkSKTRlG2-fABKzwxtkRzBJ3fgxwahkM6wtX5JpN7b0MssApGqXyPF89qLsJ6OFI/s1600/IMG_2155.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV6ci8ezUINpL07T566VwmUarVaraxIJzPUaDNbp7Ksgmipwbx7NnndtBM_qHys7RPsZwABGEHKnrkSKTRlG2-fABKzwxtkRzBJ3fgxwahkM6wtX5JpN7b0MssApGqXyPF89qLsJ6OFI/s320/IMG_2155.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390638805241138" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJFQfCGRKTuRcEV79xrx34CuwxhG1Ax_4hC8dErs491XDbezojSgCPlGaeBlg16qJhUnqUPD8dXJreMOXamIFxVpIZaSn2ZWpktzeUYGahtuSuDG_t3s4ezNnwlRZjDGMo6ftJ1gnKZQ/s1600/DSC00644.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJFQfCGRKTuRcEV79xrx34CuwxhG1Ax_4hC8dErs491XDbezojSgCPlGaeBlg16qJhUnqUPD8dXJreMOXamIFxVpIZaSn2ZWpktzeUYGahtuSuDG_t3s4ezNnwlRZjDGMo6ftJ1gnKZQ/s320/DSC00644.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390333592699090" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_xRCuOyV9uPLEmexVokwv2Z45Nq3s1OmlkcKFlBqj4Iy1vzN-Wm5nEp__UmO6aaf9Cqg9nlz09UsUFI1RBMSpZWSzrwbVfqEHGfuhQwDReTyEStFoyeU_R-rB3CS4azNqtURyC-_kOQ/s1600/DSC00601.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_xRCuOyV9uPLEmexVokwv2Z45Nq3s1OmlkcKFlBqj4Iy1vzN-Wm5nEp__UmO6aaf9Cqg9nlz09UsUFI1RBMSpZWSzrwbVfqEHGfuhQwDReTyEStFoyeU_R-rB3CS4azNqtURyC-_kOQ/s320/DSC00601.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532390327359886274" /></a><br /></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-44088117841752006512010-10-24T11:39:00.000-07:002010-10-26T10:04:19.519-07:00Best Birthday Ever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZFTYv_B1mVQW0fnoUNMCzfwjqtqV9wKTo8oORUK7IwoTc1u2bfgYGkMWRw58G0LYbh-3b0DmjmT47ahSrVt2cXr3v7aZHdTCldDU4flv5la8-gHRLTHN7fRwr6oIKY9gDXKzjq4sIv4/s1600/IMG_6539.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZFTYv_B1mVQW0fnoUNMCzfwjqtqV9wKTo8oORUK7IwoTc1u2bfgYGkMWRw58G0LYbh-3b0DmjmT47ahSrVt2cXr3v7aZHdTCldDU4flv5la8-gHRLTHN7fRwr6oIKY9gDXKzjq4sIv4/s320/IMG_6539.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531686188702429250" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8fgFIdTJ_6s_Xag78MW4-UKHPWGjHsZfYMvLE98NSMpGdXxYIOJwdV-j8mK6KpSzNnJrDkPyrmkVRtgj97LdQ0tTGhR7rVIpBYnhZAwmlYPlVz6HBCgtug2hTa1ytpFwyyiidWXpOt4/s1600/IMG_6500.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8fgFIdTJ_6s_Xag78MW4-UKHPWGjHsZfYMvLE98NSMpGdXxYIOJwdV-j8mK6KpSzNnJrDkPyrmkVRtgj97LdQ0tTGhR7rVIpBYnhZAwmlYPlVz6HBCgtug2hTa1ytpFwyyiidWXpOt4/s320/IMG_6500.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531686069265898258" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPpVTFyG572az-bdScsoVwug111wWoCNcLQ2i2q3I6GbOPPVQMT4tqGiQErgXFiEJ8tFt_vonmo70JIYqk3xV85SGWhyphenhyphen1q8OIkHhKCB_83QRSE2cxcH84QFv_2bxmgrtM_T_f1uavHQE/s1600/IMG_6484.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPpVTFyG572az-bdScsoVwug111wWoCNcLQ2i2q3I6GbOPPVQMT4tqGiQErgXFiEJ8tFt_vonmo70JIYqk3xV85SGWhyphenhyphen1q8OIkHhKCB_83QRSE2cxcH84QFv_2bxmgrtM_T_f1uavHQE/s320/IMG_6484.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531686054260093794" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM5cQ6vzOx0zZOeyXjTx6YJ9QU1adh_qBaTqOq80dKEByd4VLVnybPBXuoHOlh_kidwRwrflLTXCdhoyeoah1Gd0DGZPwRUbPuGXUsprXjtO04z2dZQd-dHz21TtdkYYGbeKatuU7Yyo/s1600/IMG_6451.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM5cQ6vzOx0zZOeyXjTx6YJ9QU1adh_qBaTqOq80dKEByd4VLVnybPBXuoHOlh_kidwRwrflLTXCdhoyeoah1Gd0DGZPwRUbPuGXUsprXjtO04z2dZQd-dHz21TtdkYYGbeKatuU7Yyo/s320/IMG_6451.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531685807633551650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlC8p9EOtBjJbaTusbQndQ-GZNYMxsqlkML-pwA1oicvpgzfxy3Q6EZpCURHrDFC8IgGz3rIJGUzg6i-fwJKMieILD60cbZJighwcGHPiNDSQw-Y3SR7k64WK61LzpXmeBiny2gOXY_8/s1600/IMG_6444.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlC8p9EOtBjJbaTusbQndQ-GZNYMxsqlkML-pwA1oicvpgzfxy3Q6EZpCURHrDFC8IgGz3rIJGUzg6i-fwJKMieILD60cbZJighwcGHPiNDSQw-Y3SR7k64WK61LzpXmeBiny2gOXY_8/s320/IMG_6444.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531685803616353250" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlC8p9EOtBjJbaTusbQndQ-GZNYMxsqlkML-pwA1oicvpgzfxy3Q6EZpCURHrDFC8IgGz3rIJGUzg6i-fwJKMieILD60cbZJighwcGHPiNDSQw-Y3SR7k64WK61LzpXmeBiny2gOXY_8/s1600/IMG_6444.jpg"></a><br />On Christopher's actual birthday, Scott took Chris and Ethan to a Porsche race that he'd been invited to by a vendor. Little did we know that this would prove to be such a family friendly day. The race car driver, George Richardson, is 18 years old. He is super friendly and he had all the time in the world for the boys. His little brother, Jack, is Ethan's age and is George's personal assistant. Christopher and Ethan spent lots of time with Jack while Scott was in the pits. What a cool job he has!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoy_rjtgf_XCCOqW80aWBq8clGj09AtgENnZ_IwvhQT0XAewJfnDBUN0UL1vsbi8t7ehj_MaDIRbOiQIIjKhnvIehqF0oy3hoj8DeGxufKCuWCv8PAiuReCQ6HZGJtiJ1ulJa5twST0E/s1600/IMG_6462.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoy_rjtgf_XCCOqW80aWBq8clGj09AtgENnZ_IwvhQT0XAewJfnDBUN0UL1vsbi8t7ehj_MaDIRbOiQIIjKhnvIehqF0oy3hoj8DeGxufKCuWCv8PAiuReCQ6HZGJtiJ1ulJa5twST0E/s320/IMG_6462.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531685814798943074" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px; " /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>The boys and Scott ate breakfast and lunch with George and his whole family and they were made to feel a part of the team. They had the opportunity to see every part of this sport and they couldn't have had a better day! Christopher told Scott at some point during the day, "this is the best birthday ever!!"</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-PqSvHHwZeEAvPTXbmMOWc3tX0MdzbcgZXrnoubRSKuZJ1OX8H59O29werElRAGjTPEcQD37Vjz491RmFX8X0cIC-xqNx1L7MKgDO0XL9oggDkyQdt21gNlcZfuXkoqYHToSgGvI4pQ/s1600/IMG_6518.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-PqSvHHwZeEAvPTXbmMOWc3tX0MdzbcgZXrnoubRSKuZJ1OX8H59O29werElRAGjTPEcQD37Vjz491RmFX8X0cIC-xqNx1L7MKgDO0XL9oggDkyQdt21gNlcZfuXkoqYHToSgGvI4pQ/s320/IMG_6518.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531686181642664882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 276px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6UL4v5kpfZxuIUGV5j5yQW2MfY65Nj4650teiU8VhMdTPR0xMG42LZeTOhCh1YjXV0hPN5JnaDZ-NvZ85b9OS72YnGtglZ9EQUHMYz8CxTSkdEAjZs0F4jhgvJZpO84TQEXtU3ileVk/s1600/IMG_6472.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6UL4v5kpfZxuIUGV5j5yQW2MfY65Nj4650teiU8VhMdTPR0xMG42LZeTOhCh1YjXV0hPN5JnaDZ-NvZ85b9OS72YnGtglZ9EQUHMYz8CxTSkdEAjZs0F4jhgvJZpO84TQEXtU3ileVk/s320/IMG_6472.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531685815156143970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOec8RKMQhf_JSUKjoglETone44QQkMx3FF6ko4c_TZ9an3-KVR2ut8PDPOfVctOQLFJNfpoe9vBJlwSLala9R1Sq-BpsPkl5E39-XvBbjutsOj-4WmpF_1dRREF1lXyU9o9XbTtu1gao/s1600/IMG_6491.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOec8RKMQhf_JSUKjoglETone44QQkMx3FF6ko4c_TZ9an3-KVR2ut8PDPOfVctOQLFJNfpoe9vBJlwSLala9R1Sq-BpsPkl5E39-XvBbjutsOj-4WmpF_1dRREF1lXyU9o9XbTtu1gao/s320/IMG_6491.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531686059090748994" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVFc6_8G88skwQxYGtcpAD4FUoFeu5LNxMbnD2SYxLxpkAwa67521j6iE01VD1BMSmIaMlgJ_DGg0dGoI7hza5XwEGYPRQTM0qHv3IBMyt-QS1bUgM5-HDwgf44HM6SmivnBIsuE_Ym0/s1600/IMG_6495.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVFc6_8G88skwQxYGtcpAD4FUoFeu5LNxMbnD2SYxLxpkAwa67521j6iE01VD1BMSmIaMlgJ_DGg0dGoI7hza5XwEGYPRQTM0qHv3IBMyt-QS1bUgM5-HDwgf44HM6SmivnBIsuE_Ym0/s320/IMG_6495.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531686064868927298" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 236px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>George sent the boys official shirts that he autographed and they are forever fans. Go #28 go!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln1KXZ-q458LUi9WXUJdO_rynO8Dle0OGspIi5GsgsucKH8XyPggmIoTscT5XqZl8dYz5-gFBoaV9DIeu77ZUmmbW7WWWY47GEBi9bJD6rukPCLtAeBnIEKnTgipMt3TtZiME3SbNI-A/s1600/IMG_6513.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln1KXZ-q458LUi9WXUJdO_rynO8Dle0OGspIi5GsgsucKH8XyPggmIoTscT5XqZl8dYz5-gFBoaV9DIeu77ZUmmbW7WWWY47GEBi9bJD6rukPCLtAeBnIEKnTgipMt3TtZiME3SbNI-A/s320/IMG_6513.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531686073437856274" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeDZeK6tFw_X25kHRJHXaNJbj2ww3kvm4IVrXJJotMLA0RqbPp7jcvjKc1dkdysC6rkhrji14umSIxYK8yScI0l4XR5cpyIiG4wamh5cPysM0Y5_-xDaU2Q_y5gx5xWoKiZDq7wd_I2w/s1600/IMG_6480.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeDZeK6tFw_X25kHRJHXaNJbj2ww3kvm4IVrXJJotMLA0RqbPp7jcvjKc1dkdysC6rkhrji14umSIxYK8yScI0l4XR5cpyIiG4wamh5cPysM0Y5_-xDaU2Q_y5gx5xWoKiZDq7wd_I2w/s320/IMG_6480.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531685817273640194" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-44353397591013231602010-10-24T05:42:00.000-07:002010-10-24T06:04:08.262-07:00School Days<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvSKTFx__7pFEvXgJUoHHi6aghVid0vNJKiMM2ydJBGZX-UCnt4HKucj8NSz9ng4TVclnpheRpckQCwAQFLWfUrV-bY-cnbiuevT6QnJ6jhuA5ER4Rf5hG8NnnRAiHceUXF0eOoaHVAU/s320/IMG_6405.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531594069612896002" /><div><br />Well, we are way past the first day of school for the 2010/2011 school year; so I guess better late than never with this post!<div><br /></div><div>Ethan started senior school this year and absolutely LOVES it. He loves the flexibility, the change of teachers and classes, the mix up of students in each class, the clubs (Debate Society, Cooking Club, Brass Group, Concert Band, and Sax Ensemble), and the sport. There is much expected of pupils in this school and he has risen to the task. Long may it continue! Ethan is also fencing 2 nights a week and so he stays very busy.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Christopher is in Prep 5 this year. Prep 5 is the year that the students from the other 2 campuses join the main campus and therefore the classes mix up and there are many new students. It is also the beginning of the second half of prep school when the children are given a little more responsibility. He continues to study hard and to develop his friendships. Prep 5 is also the year that required games begin and Chris was surprised at how much he likes rugby! He has joined the sports club, plays guitar and soccer after school. </div><div><br /></div><div>Charlie is in Prep 2. He has the same teacher that Ethan had our first year here and so that has been fun. (The teachers at the academy move around throughout the prep school from time to time) Charlie loves to do his homework and he concentrates very hard at school. He plays tennis after school and he loves having his "own" activity.</div><div><br /></div><div>This school has been such a blessing and we are thankful everyday for this foundation.</div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-37077465508025528622010-10-17T06:43:00.000-07:002010-10-20T08:47:27.922-07:00Scottish MacNicols<div>According to Wikipedia, an expatriate is "a person temporarily or permanently residing in country or culture other than that of the person's upbringing or legal residence." Expatriate - also known as "ex-pat."</div><div><br /></div><div>When Scott accepted the job in Scotland, people often asked how long it would be. His contract is open ended but we always replied "3 to 5 years." This was a stab in the dark really. We had/have no idea how long we'd live abroad.</div><div><br /></div>It's been three years. Three years of THIS adventure. Three years of learning, stretching, settling, expanding, laughing, crying, and LIVING. <div><br /></div><div>And it has flown by.</div><div><br /></div><div>This has been an experience of a lifetime. It has not been without challenges but we are definitely better for the opportunity. We have made life long friends, we have learned to jump in feet first, we have become flexible in a way that is only afforded to you when you move out of every comfort zone, and we have learned to rely on one another. We are closer as a family than we were 3 years ago. And for that, we are truly grateful.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." ~ Helen Keller</div><div><br /></div><div>The other night during dinner, we asked 4 questions about our experience and here are the answers:</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Things we've learned while living abroad:</i></b></div><div><ul><li>Even though the Scots speak English, it's a whole different culture!</li><li>The weather is rubbish, but you just get on with it</li><li>Try new food, or go hungry</li><li>Flexibility</li><li>Value experience vs. things</li><li>I can go anywhere in the world and make friends ~ people are people</li><li>It's fun and interesting to learn about other people and their day to day</li><li>Our worldview has matured</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Things we love about Scotland:</i></b></div><div><ul><li>Skate parks</li><li>Being able to travel more</li><li>Countryside 10 minutes from our door</li><li>The people and their humour</li><li>Artistic culture</li><li>Kinder to the environment than we were in Texas</li><li>Organic Farming - accessibility of local meat, dairy, fish and produce! EAT LOCAL.</li><li>Amazing School</li><li>City living - lots to do</li><li>Appreciation of the US from a different perspective</li><li>Fencing, rugby, tennis, European football, cricket</li><li>Wellies</li><li>Country Parks</li><li>Brilliant scenery around every bend</li><li>Old Architecture</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Things we find quirky about Scotland:</i></b></div><div><ul><li>Glaswegian accents</li><li>New slang</li><li>Swearing</li><li>Banking</li><li>Football that leads to crime</li><li>Really bad radio</li><li>European Appliances - especially lack of a disposal</li><li>Lack of interest in creature comforts</li><li>Stereotypical British Food - Yuk</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Things we miss in the USA:</i></b></div><div><ul><li>Family and friends</li><li>Missy</li><li>Mexican Food</li><li>Sunshine</li><li>More space</li><li>Baseball and American Football</li><li>BBQ in shorts and t-shirt, not woolly knickers</li><li>Customer service</li><li>Convenience</li></ul><div>As you can see, it has been quite a ride. Thank you for encouraging us and for coming along on the journey with us! Blessings flow.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>"A man who carries a cat by his tail learns something he can learn in no other way." ~ Mark Twain</div><div><br /></div><div>"Life must be understood backwards; but...it must be lived forward." ~ Soren Kierkegaard</div><div><br /></div><div>***Disclaimer: Get a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of wine; this slide show is ridiculously long. It was hard to edit 3 fabulous years into something manageable. We do not expect you to watch but wanted to preserve the memories for the boys.</div><div><br /></div><div><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZOlUgP2ZW3I?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZOlUgP2ZW3I?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-50252932558647599892010-10-17T06:13:00.001-07:002010-10-17T06:37:16.760-07:006 already? How can it be?Charlie turned 6 a few days after we returned from our summer holidays. Really, how can it be that our baby is 6 years old? We celebrated on the day with a visit to one of our favourite places, the Cairnie Fruit Farm. And then Charlie had mini golf party a few weeks later.<div><br /></div><div>Charlie, you are the exclamation point in our family. You are:</div><div><ul><li>Full of life</li><li>Clever beyond measure</li><li>Funnier than funny</li><li>Cute as can be</li><li>Charming</li><li>Tender hearted</li><li>a leader in your classroom</li><li>a good friend</li><li>and an adoring little brother!</li></ul></div><div>We all love you more than you know! Happy, Happy 6th Birthday.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS18bmizJ-kA6gCMFsh5D3IPmjeeeiGQz47DxE2Q7XUuV6Tmb-WAEeW9X0jDoyTQwqcdlYlOXfoPnFtx0hnEAVY2io9HlsxGPjSMDTVS893NZ_sgDC7E-iJrfOM_EMstcFCNhoqUv7Ok/s1600/IMG_6361.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZS18bmizJ-kA6gCMFsh5D3IPmjeeeiGQz47DxE2Q7XUuV6Tmb-WAEeW9X0jDoyTQwqcdlYlOXfoPnFtx0hnEAVY2io9HlsxGPjSMDTVS893NZ_sgDC7E-iJrfOM_EMstcFCNhoqUv7Ok/s320/IMG_6361.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529007185264940066" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Birthday Breakfast.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNbsSgVedwEbssLvG4TMhbGQ3PlaGHTcBs7bBExC8JI_-giuR8QLB6E2MsSQRqMet0hof-dC3KXTEzrvzrkXx5bYg_b344Vehy1OoBaAoAM0ouvNZWHFvOy6GQmp8u708PTNkv7jdBng/s1600/IMG_6369.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNbsSgVedwEbssLvG4TMhbGQ3PlaGHTcBs7bBExC8JI_-giuR8QLB6E2MsSQRqMet0hof-dC3KXTEzrvzrkXx5bYg_b344Vehy1OoBaAoAM0ouvNZWHFvOy6GQmp8u708PTNkv7jdBng/s320/IMG_6369.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529007332566093794" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO2lFsxc8pFLayRWM0eb6CaRAOHPpgUkWQRslPl5tq45WrciefmogRnxf4oV6bABpLZhse0oskHcoD1mIPYoUtDG8oMSYvOTcZxGAD5RV1bU0RoCqbZxMG1x1YkPzgmhamF-fPDGb3Zc/s1600/IMG_6367.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO2lFsxc8pFLayRWM0eb6CaRAOHPpgUkWQRslPl5tq45WrciefmogRnxf4oV6bABpLZhse0oskHcoD1mIPYoUtDG8oMSYvOTcZxGAD5RV1bU0RoCqbZxMG1x1YkPzgmhamF-fPDGb3Zc/s320/IMG_6367.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529007192681690338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3laIM8R-X6HEEAOUDX5Ogug70NJCrzLE9I2gPse7S1Q0k1_Y6flSUWgDQwEfNz9mbDlqHNlOb22sWrmtOVuknNknTOlu7B-prFrAw8t3mWHRMjqfI4x1E9AFc48KhYlUwjkOuo7bORlc/s1600/IMG_6374.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3laIM8R-X6HEEAOUDX5Ogug70NJCrzLE9I2gPse7S1Q0k1_Y6flSUWgDQwEfNz9mbDlqHNlOb22sWrmtOVuknNknTOlu7B-prFrAw8t3mWHRMjqfI4x1E9AFc48KhYlUwjkOuo7bORlc/s320/IMG_6374.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529007337545445650" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Cairnie Farm - picking strawberries and enjoying the outdoor park</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08v8dy0JgvnZ66fbbuvU2kRzubQeoUiYmruluS5-qW7c5bGih55C7TIa2l3KULiygfqEMtKpMJzUYT7QuOl7XU25KrgRn2wVakKHiOppHikV_aZUzrD0fxE-uXamtxdLVQwbjag55iQw/s1600/DSC00708.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08v8dy0JgvnZ66fbbuvU2kRzubQeoUiYmruluS5-qW7c5bGih55C7TIa2l3KULiygfqEMtKpMJzUYT7QuOl7XU25KrgRn2wVakKHiOppHikV_aZUzrD0fxE-uXamtxdLVQwbjag55iQw/s320/DSC00708.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529007172529948290" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCxaqv4sF5gsBf7GQ8mPtY0BnBn3ScSevItwbZTOo8pqSf2E5g2ZrqknWXs7eR5rEx-g3oXMwJRQeqkoOZ9vrKxKtcMcuQMg7BTBH_ExGlvSqM-VPUrw43M1m2KIqH4_ZZ_AFH9ovUTI/s1600/DSC00705.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCxaqv4sF5gsBf7GQ8mPtY0BnBn3ScSevItwbZTOo8pqSf2E5g2ZrqknWXs7eR5rEx-g3oXMwJRQeqkoOZ9vrKxKtcMcuQMg7BTBH_ExGlvSqM-VPUrw43M1m2KIqH4_ZZ_AFH9ovUTI/s320/DSC00705.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529007168040955666" style="cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqgnf4etr22CxUKbu51Qc2PJTU2anMQTIbBh0z4QBrkpqcKaLCsMkwNhr7UseDCz44EubIJfjcXlOEbpTasYeI2nWa6ISRT6eL8DtnHlGAMpcA5Hg8T_SQHnBCfovlA0EkRkxO9YevrE/s320/DSC00710.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529007180541230978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Great friends and a fun morning whacking the golf ball!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-39201469130565307192010-10-16T03:59:00.000-07:002010-10-16T10:28:18.344-07:00Nicol Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPdOd1ziAwbzUJsoaOIABeXIp-wRu4dDV9AnBDKi7N0luuGq_-apkKtoPNiu82A_Zi443kPklFyo89fYdnvpb20n-6cwjClhTiKxRCRKid1bJfgwybj1utiXxe2U4GvX9NXZw1RIKSd8/s1600/IMG_6303.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPdOd1ziAwbzUJsoaOIABeXIp-wRu4dDV9AnBDKi7N0luuGq_-apkKtoPNiu82A_Zi443kPklFyo89fYdnvpb20n-6cwjClhTiKxRCRKid1bJfgwybj1utiXxe2U4GvX9NXZw1RIKSd8/s320/IMG_6303.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528639464688114946" /></a><br /><br /><div>No trip to California would be complete without a visit with Great Grandma Nicol!<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>With tear filled eyes fter 2 fantastic weeks in Mammoth, we to the San Francisco Bay area for a visit with Great Grandma Nicol. Scott's paternal grandmother lives in Fairfield, California. And Fairfield is home to the Great American Jelly Belly! Yipee, Yahoo. Two treats in one day. GG Nicol and the Jelly Belly Factory.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_IVT26IplGgW6tuEgJA5bUF11dX4i1PGTHaPjP8x6_MMj9CGgDathYsDbkugPKAUEs1Tc5EE_pVNQmE5UhL-qT9PpGxzMr0Ba64dLm9Oq4BhMj85AWFc6DYJEs2m3orgJIPotWOKDQ8/s1600/images.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_IVT26IplGgW6tuEgJA5bUF11dX4i1PGTHaPjP8x6_MMj9CGgDathYsDbkugPKAUEs1Tc5EE_pVNQmE5UhL-qT9PpGxzMr0Ba64dLm9Oq4BhMj85AWFc6DYJEs2m3orgJIPotWOKDQ8/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528640056664520690" style="cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 285px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhLuo2kgCFiEP5W-dyaoMND06jo-iaaaMyXKucS0iHAfoAngcASTp_PWHsnec9AS6yQT1hplBVMTNx1STNM_hfJvjJCsFhiU2dFxI7M7aafUMBhbkkcFyopD3lM9L-4OIwlX_x9Ep11E/s1600/jelly+belly.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhLuo2kgCFiEP5W-dyaoMND06jo-iaaaMyXKucS0iHAfoAngcASTp_PWHsnec9AS6yQT1hplBVMTNx1STNM_hfJvjJCsFhiU2dFxI7M7aafUMBhbkkcFyopD3lM9L-4OIwlX_x9Ep11E/s320/jelly+belly.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528640049703090354" style="cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 177px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Scott dropped the boys and I off at Jelly Belly Lane so that he could have a quiet visit with Grandma before we arrived. And the boys and I toured the factory, which we highly recommend, and bought our fair share of the treats! Loaded up on sugar, we then went to Grandma's house for pizza and a visit. </div><div><br /></div><div>The boys always remember their visits to see her and to us, this time together is priceless. Scott measured the boys on the same door frame that he, his siblings and cousins were measured throughout the years. I love these simple family memories. And the boys love the tradition of the visit. Great Grandma and Aunt Mary Marcha, we look forward to our next trip to Fairfield.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWsxgyC-406jTPXfR2-PB-iOz5fWVXd3D6v1hdsA66JCzwUVw3_-h0AsdZEOZsrN6KAjnwKyH-8AamXWEAIcTVDXV7P4mmR5Gp0c_c0si9sOexzYR7pbRRpC1QItllE4C_9DvkPa3MPg/s1600/IMG_6292.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWsxgyC-406jTPXfR2-PB-iOz5fWVXd3D6v1hdsA66JCzwUVw3_-h0AsdZEOZsrN6KAjnwKyH-8AamXWEAIcTVDXV7P4mmR5Gp0c_c0si9sOexzYR7pbRRpC1QItllE4C_9DvkPa3MPg/s320/IMG_6292.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528639461017122738" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDyaPtxn1R0U_qDbFLcp-rkdTpdhN4mY5EkS72OgXM3QKD4mn7KY8BKquMQotvlKASI_XM3XuNl8Cq7yl9cMvujItMLVp_1b09cE8MoDew0KNbx79T_x_3CIUZgGvPZN0amx-aGYrOeE/s1600/IMG_6298.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDyaPtxn1R0U_qDbFLcp-rkdTpdhN4mY5EkS72OgXM3QKD4mn7KY8BKquMQotvlKASI_XM3XuNl8Cq7yl9cMvujItMLVp_1b09cE8MoDew0KNbx79T_x_3CIUZgGvPZN0amx-aGYrOeE/s320/IMG_6298.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528639467990920978" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next stop, Danville, CA. This is close to Scott's surgeon's house and to Aunt Alison and Uncle John. So we spent the night in a hotel, and woke the next morning to have quick visits with Dr. Ian, Aunt Alison and Uncle John. Dr. Ian said Scott looked great and therefore gave him the OK to travel back to Scotland. </div><div><br /></div><div>The boys also remember well their trips to see John and Alison. John always spoils them with tromps around his garden and Alison with treats galore. Such a fun time and a great tradition on our visits to California. Thank you again John and Alison. Now it's your turn to come and see us!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9YB5MMCgfNq00mklNC6eC233uwdZ6m6pa0IVxASeFfYQk2BWP2c_ofFiH3ILaI1FGwLX4LWS5w9VWCe5AX5rPB5yusGQ21EHyA3Mp7S9AfBTRiS3Rk8pz5MhNZjkyUle-vdI-E8aQx8/s1600/IMG_6326.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9YB5MMCgfNq00mklNC6eC233uwdZ6m6pa0IVxASeFfYQk2BWP2c_ofFiH3ILaI1FGwLX4LWS5w9VWCe5AX5rPB5yusGQ21EHyA3Mp7S9AfBTRiS3Rk8pz5MhNZjkyUle-vdI-E8aQx8/s320/IMG_6326.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528642553360501218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKpfbN_4lnGI66R56q7FzOllTe3r_ah0SmVfM4cvsqlNghsjkxvS_C9Nor3q0ZgEbVJ1MoXsp6s2F9T75n1d3KVGmJGeu7pnPjQ0ZbU0e5DCT79EBTL5hDHZnxobfrGFXyaIs3ArtYts/s1600/IMG_6323.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKpfbN_4lnGI66R56q7FzOllTe3r_ah0SmVfM4cvsqlNghsjkxvS_C9Nor3q0ZgEbVJ1MoXsp6s2F9T75n1d3KVGmJGeu7pnPjQ0ZbU0e5DCT79EBTL5hDHZnxobfrGFXyaIs3ArtYts/s320/IMG_6323.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528642550315492450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 236px; " /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenYnpQzesHT-sAwrpA0NP0Iw2u6dB4taNsSalZ4oO18lUcS5KBfvlp4YMQ0ek8od_Xb6WiDBSYUtRL1KhgT1gFFPH3uOZvgoD2Zu0igcfhn9bP5fJTBGMbwcENaDDbutqHWPjPsbGd_U/s320/IMG_6315.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528642544373592466" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Our last stop in the good ole USA, San Francisco. Always a crowd pleaser. Ethan had requested clam chowder in a bread bowl so that was our main mission for the afternoon. We had a terrific lunch at the pier and then headed to China Town. The sights, smells and crowds are always something to take in. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZysZ03hjj4myllFUnLi0iPkhMsXo_9c6Ar01gAOYh8uE0bO_FMbLvE8g56SfYPzOOPE9IKuEk9q3T9JaxqJYGCLzD2jDpy_KVaV6iOX7yl8kAFqVj8lyU6IF88I8o0_Tfxafn5tRYeok/s1600/IMG_6328.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZysZ03hjj4myllFUnLi0iPkhMsXo_9c6Ar01gAOYh8uE0bO_FMbLvE8g56SfYPzOOPE9IKuEk9q3T9JaxqJYGCLzD2jDpy_KVaV6iOX7yl8kAFqVj8lyU6IF88I8o0_Tfxafn5tRYeok/s320/IMG_6328.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528645441664043218" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5qvEUAPYfsjPPfUb69ahRKKEe4e1-1-Nh1zrHNESgIfteCVwb09CiFhG68PzMbqTevsIXfoWcGIkUrSyOnp7REYf-O25f_IZJt8DMlkyUW2hBp_5-m9-phs4OAV37F0XtPpQnO-c8UY/s1600/IMG_6333.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5qvEUAPYfsjPPfUb69ahRKKEe4e1-1-Nh1zrHNESgIfteCVwb09CiFhG68PzMbqTevsIXfoWcGIkUrSyOnp7REYf-O25f_IZJt8DMlkyUW2hBp_5-m9-phs4OAV37F0XtPpQnO-c8UY/s320/IMG_6333.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528645444594062050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45t6yvffaknScxwe2uGZNACZu4iViTM31QaEf35ocnMRFbqlVYKswZ0knsMZGl2ybeT-enbYvjkwYe_x2g4_SbPRhRVTrPgJYZoZ8B-8GUbeyP1z0Z4etUDxCW3e-SPVR8XhdR1KP6pM/s1600/IMG_6336.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45t6yvffaknScxwe2uGZNACZu4iViTM31QaEf35ocnMRFbqlVYKswZ0knsMZGl2ybeT-enbYvjkwYe_x2g4_SbPRhRVTrPgJYZoZ8B-8GUbeyP1z0Z4etUDxCW3e-SPVR8XhdR1KP6pM/s320/IMG_6336.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528645444903127074" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgwZ20Qa2DJvRs2b8dPQlRN1GbsTnOare_dj1QGEntaIxeAASI4T0srlDEvRpsm77hRh-QJVh0H8skU-PusZZEiLd1CuYgTQsa3_nt7k7n_uLTZtCmtPYzE3dmTBdiKnnwK3dV_1OZwg/s1600/IMG_6339.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgwZ20Qa2DJvRs2b8dPQlRN1GbsTnOare_dj1QGEntaIxeAASI4T0srlDEvRpsm77hRh-QJVh0H8skU-PusZZEiLd1CuYgTQsa3_nt7k7n_uLTZtCmtPYzE3dmTBdiKnnwK3dV_1OZwg/s320/IMG_6339.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528645450696406610" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Scott was such a trooper and the rest of us sure looked like dad/husband abusers as we dragged him all through the hilly neighbourhoods.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nyc0C6uUksTUAYZb3IxK9lf2Gmpd3GRzldE0as3td423Jq7SECTA-ziaP8NzWgRr2SlVh423svKBlYbqde5SzJQo4usinZ9binHtvp7RQNLH94s0JVjZHCYpqYh6STA7EpTtto5jBb4/s1600/museum.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nyc0C6uUksTUAYZb3IxK9lf2Gmpd3GRzldE0as3td423Jq7SECTA-ziaP8NzWgRr2SlVh423svKBlYbqde5SzJQo4usinZ9binHtvp7RQNLH94s0JVjZHCYpqYh6STA7EpTtto5jBb4/s320/museum.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528649175857917138" style="cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 137px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdhzDT9mrkpwYcBZ59c-OQuEl0AQLjtCiAuU-iJLHroqMoHErOj8hBoi6ZU-gaZnnBetArBvWvdPH2GpmzYbSaLsew5HMt9Rs2eCA1rkxwNHBQTbMQxOVTGAxdW-F-HsLID-I82IKZRE/s1600/images.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdhzDT9mrkpwYcBZ59c-OQuEl0AQLjtCiAuU-iJLHroqMoHErOj8hBoi6ZU-gaZnnBetArBvWvdPH2GpmzYbSaLsew5HMt9Rs2eCA1rkxwNHBQTbMQxOVTGAxdW-F-HsLID-I82IKZRE/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528649180806993426" style="cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 144px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After China Town, we stopped in at the Cable Car Museum. I found it fascinating and I think the children learned from it as well. It is always nice to learn how something works.......</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmJjAgsOypDd8co6gMWlrFt-hS_iILPx63nO892d2fkbjWAxpzO0jGDjD82k9KKk9xHVODXuz-tMRR1PP543rNstd3RrvkeVypOxGzy7O_jJkhMugbt-30SQE6GEY3N4SG3wwo4-jC5k/s1600/IMG_6344.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmJjAgsOypDd8co6gMWlrFt-hS_iILPx63nO892d2fkbjWAxpzO0jGDjD82k9KKk9xHVODXuz-tMRR1PP543rNstd3RrvkeVypOxGzy7O_jJkhMugbt-30SQE6GEY3N4SG3wwo4-jC5k/s320/IMG_6344.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528645460734283698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz-Y4oa1d6Om5cxtR-v66T3CUGl6FryenJ0udzC6MSItNLGqH5WiDzLnPRMtSdVqxdPXPuTOBAqpR8aO62-zaJ0dQxxqvr_m2rPmA0cxShiRTNDWpCXsx2YxZO6xvJ0mxaEYnqkiMyD4/s1600/IMG_6345.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz-Y4oa1d6Om5cxtR-v66T3CUGl6FryenJ0udzC6MSItNLGqH5WiDzLnPRMtSdVqxdPXPuTOBAqpR8aO62-zaJ0dQxxqvr_m2rPmA0cxShiRTNDWpCXsx2YxZO6xvJ0mxaEYnqkiMyD4/s320/IMG_6345.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528645702994146962" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>and then to immediately use it. It's well worth the stop if you are in SF. The cable cars are an institution!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz-Y4oa1d6Om5cxtR-v66T3CUGl6FryenJ0udzC6MSItNLGqH5WiDzLnPRMtSdVqxdPXPuTOBAqpR8aO62-zaJ0dQxxqvr_m2rPmA0cxShiRTNDWpCXsx2YxZO6xvJ0mxaEYnqkiMyD4/s1600/IMG_6345.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7U0K0nm7ccpcERycpJR9az8j9DWSnRkVTNObtOyoUYv_sTxQpBktGNkfkwSNaCeX6OOlmpOdZFXV6ccgOJwP9wh23a5DdF70Nau-f4TzMzfbOKKNjbiWO6onWO65R9-Mb0rPhvifQ6g/s1600/IMG_6356.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7U0K0nm7ccpcERycpJR9az8j9DWSnRkVTNObtOyoUYv_sTxQpBktGNkfkwSNaCeX6OOlmpOdZFXV6ccgOJwP9wh23a5DdF70Nau-f4TzMzfbOKKNjbiWO6onWO65R9-Mb0rPhvifQ6g/s320/IMG_6356.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528645705075893122" style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OL5skytLaUyc3gjd0dnWKDp_YG9N32PIVZRExA0hM7yqdLItKShJGc9eBgER6I3S0o2Psak5yMYtBl9pXPVA2NADW3R_nRQFWAwaN55JC72WFl2lqVuejCpG1b7zV4tKavyeiveYYNE/s1600/IMG_6357.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OL5skytLaUyc3gjd0dnWKDp_YG9N32PIVZRExA0hM7yqdLItKShJGc9eBgER6I3S0o2Psak5yMYtBl9pXPVA2NADW3R_nRQFWAwaN55JC72WFl2lqVuejCpG1b7zV4tKavyeiveYYNE/s320/IMG_6357.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528645712923788018" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/mechanical.html</div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the above link if you are curious about how the cars work. </div><div><br /></div><div>And to finish off our trip in SF, we met cousins Brett, Ashley and Janice for a seafood dinner. It was fun to catch up and we promise to let you pick the location for our next dinner! (wish I had photos from that night...)</div><div><br /></div><div>Next stop, Glasgow.</div><div> </div></div></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1356654416141289302.post-90589310006046864102010-10-15T07:40:00.000-07:002010-10-16T06:34:23.328-07:00On the Road Again3 days after Scott's surgery, with Scott loaded up on pain killers and stretched out on the back seat, we hit the road for Mammoth Lakes. Scott was anxious to get there. To see the boys. To smell the air. And to begin his recovery. We could think of no better place.<div><br /></div><div>And so it was, for the next 2 weeks. R & R at it's best. In our favourite place, together and forced to be relatively still.</div><div><br /></div><div>We fished, watched the boys at the skate park, flew kites, hit golf balls, built fires, mountain biked, kayaked, celebrated birthdays, climbed rocks and relaxed. Really relaxed. We also had the chance to see a bit of extended family. Mims' cousin Linda and her husband James (all the way from Louisiana) and Scott's cousins Judy, Larry, John and Wayne, Christine, Brady and Brooke.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scott began his physical therapy with a fantastic physiotherapy team in Mammoth. I was constantly amazed at his lack of complaint. Man did his exercises look sore!</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a fantastic vacation and we are truly grateful for that time together.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15894520" width="400" height="250" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/15894520">Untitled</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user4978007">Gwen Nicol</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p></span></div><div><br /></div>MacNicol Clanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07801415782683614181noreply@blogger.com0