Picture Recap

"Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and the pupil are located in the same individual." ~Koestler

As I continue to learn how to use my new computer, I have become the slowest blogger in the world! In an effort to keep this as a diary of our adventure, in the next couple of days I am going to attempt to re-cap our trip to the states in pictures. Please forgive the tedious nature of this post. Here we go!

Our first week in the States, we relaxed tons. We spent time playing with cousins, spending time with Grandma and Grandpa and even a trip to the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington!

Grandma and Grandpa were brave enough to take the grand boys (7 boys under 12) to Six Flags for Holiday in the Park. Aunt Amie and Uncle Bobby went along to help and the boys had a fantastic time! What great memories!

We enjoyed visits with dear friends in Dallas during the Christmas week. Although each visit was too brief, we each cherished the time together and our friendships with these families.

Christmas Morning at the Nicol's was fantastic! We'd gone to church the night before with an actually blizzard by Texas standards! Grandma prepared a delicious Christmas dinner and we were so thankful to be together. We woke to a beautiful White Christmas on the lake. The boys seemed more interested in the packages under the tree. I can't figure that out!

We surprised the boys with a trip to Disney and here they are opening their park tickets! Such a Sweet Surprise. It made me feel like a kid again to see the sparkle in their eyes. (A benefit of Scott's travel and work in Florida!)

On the 26th, we drove to Louisiana to see all of the FitzGeralds. Ethan was thrilled because Gramps promised him a "camping" trip that day. His very first one. It was freezing but he was not deterred. They learned all about gun safety, practiced their shot, and spent the night close to the lease. Unfortunately (or fortunately for Grandma N!), no shot was fired on the morning. Even though they had nothing to show for their hard work and preparation, Ethan was still in good spirits. I think Gramps was more disappointed that anyone.

Christopher became bored with Mims and I Sunday morning and asked to go down to the camp. The camp is Chris and Kim's lake house where we would all be heading later in the week. I knew Chris was headed out to pick up a hog to roast and so I called to see if he needed an 8 year old buddy for the day. Christopher had a day he'll never forget! He "hunted" wild hogs with his uncle Chris and although I have no pictures to share, I know his grin was from ear to ear all day long!

The Shreveport Independence Bowl hosted the Texas Aggies this year and so we tagged along with Chris and his crew to his tailgate party and then to the game. Chris cooks for a crowd and we all enjoyed the atmosphere. Scott and I are not the best Aggie fans (in terms of keeping up with the team and stats) but in spite of the outcome of the game, we loved showing the boys the spirit of "our team!" We even enjoyed a visit from Uncle Bobby, Aunt Amie, Drew and Whit at the tailgate party.

Who Dat??

Super Bowl 2010

Scott watched the Super Bowl live in Thailand at 6 am Monday morning at his hotel bar. The boys and I recorded it Sunday night late so that we could enjoy watching it together last night. Somehow, the boys managed to quiet their friends that wanted to tell them who'd won because we had the best time cheering on the underdog last night! What a treat to see my home team win this evasive title. And to do it with respect and grace! Go Saints!

Ethan was so fired up to go to school this morning with his saxophone to play "When the Saints Go Marching In" at Brass Group (sax players have been invited to accompany the brass group and he is loving it!).

Who Dat!

Holidays

We had such a fantastic time in America and it seems as if it was ages ago. Like years have past. Like I said before, we loved spending time with family and friends. We LOVED eating all of the comfort food we could get our hands on. And I loved shopping at familiar stores with American prices.

But sometimes it feels a bit surreal to travel "home for the holidays" when it is no longer your home. It's hard to describe the experience of being there. It's difficult to squeeze in all that you want to do. It was amazing to relax at the grandparent's houses. It was glorious to soak up all of the sunshine. It was blessed to break bread with dear friends. And yet, it is awkward at times for others to relate to our experiences of life abroad. And it was awkward to enjoy the conveniences of the wealthiest nation in the world. It is sometimes overwhelming.

We have gotten used to life from a different perspective and we are forever changed. The feelings we experience are very conflicting and it challenges us to examine our lives from every angle. And when the holidays were over, it was once again, hard to say good-bye. We did return, refreshed and renewed to face the Scottish winter and for that, I am thankful!

On a side note, I have a new computer that I am slowly learning to use. When I figure out how to post pictures I promise to do so! Cheers.

Hello? Anyone? Are you there?

We are back in Glasgow after a glorious trip to the States. We LOVED our time with all of our family and friends, we wished for more time with family and friends we saw, and friends we did not see. It is always the case.

Slowly we have made our way out of the jet-lag fog, back into school and work and out from under the broken pipe disaster that occurred while we were away. What a mess; but we are counting our blessings as we watch the news and realise that we have much to be thankful for.

I plan to post pictures and highlights as soon as I can. So if you are out there, and if you're willing to check back, please bear with me! Cheers.

Stranded in NYC

We'd planned on spending our 8 hour Newark layover in NYC but had a weather induced extension! When we fly to the states from Glasgow, we prefer the Newark route on our way south. We knew they'd canceled the mid-day flight to Dallas and so had planned to spend our 8 hour layover in the city. Seeing the sights at Christmastime. Quickly. What a treat.

Well, when we arrived at the Glasgow airport, we were told that our connecting flight to Dallas was canceled and that we'd need to spend the night somewhere and be back at the airport for a 6:45 am flight. Snowstorm. Big One. We had not checked the weather. Alrighty then! We googled hotels close to Newark and 2 came up with availability - the Days Inn and the W. I'm not too good to stay at the Days Inn but it is Christmas and well, we opted for the W. Boy am I glad we did!

The W Hoboken sits right on the Hudson, overlooking Manhattan. Bliss. Pure Bliss. We checked in, checked out this cool hotel and then headed into the city before we became too tired! The city was bustling. It was jam packed. It was cold, the snow was falling the the Christmas lights and decorations were all around. Really, what a treat. We didn't stay very long but were able to give the kids a taste of this glorious city at this wonderful time of the year. We saw the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, Skating Rink, Radio City Music Hall and all the people.

We look forward to taking our family back to this fabulous city soon. Merry Christmas to all!

Ho, Ho, Ho

Merry Christmas everyone!

I am sure, like the rest of you, we have been busy, busy, busy. Apologies for the delay in posting.

We've had school parties and shows, office parties, Christmas parties and all of the usual fun. The boys made gingerbread houses, cookies for Santa and decorated our house in good style.

Santa made a special trip to Glasgow for the Nicol family this year. He arrived with goodies for each boy and we've spent every free moment playing with our new toys. What a good guy Santa is!

We hope he's as good to you as he was to us! Merry Christmas to all!

From Jesus to Joseph in 5 years

Charlie Nicol graduated from Baby Jesus in the St. Lukes Church Nativity 2004 to Joseph in the Glasgow Academy Nativity this week. He was precious. And darling. And remembered his line "He is the most special baby in the whole world" brilliantly. Don't think we'll move onto Mary!