Let it Snow!

While we were in the USA for the holidays, Glasgow had TONS of snow and cold weather. Like really cold we heard. Burst your pipes COLD. We've had snow off and on this winter and one morning in January, we woke to a beautiful covering in the garden. I was afraid that it would be gone by the afternoon so we built our snowman before school. And thank goodness we did, he was a pile of accessories by 4pm!

Oh but the joy of taking time to play in God's beautiful creation! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Disney 2010

We were blessed to spend 5 days at Disney World on our way home from Texas/Louisiana. Mims and Gramps came along for the ride and man did we have fun. We are not the "see everything, do everything in the park" kind of visitors but rather wanderers. We rented a house which gave us a little more space and allowed us to eat more meals away from the parks. Because you can only eat so much Disney Food. The weather was unusually cold, so we just took each day as it came.

Here are our Top Ten Memories from the trip:

10. Buzz Lightyear Ride at Magic Kingdom and Toy Story ride at Hollywood

9. Playing football (American and European) with Gramps in the field behind the house

8. Tea Cup ride at Magic Kingdom with Dad

7. It's a Small World Ride with everyone

6. Meeting every character spotted everywhere and getting their signatures (C & C)

5. Tower of Terror (maybe not the scary bits at the beginning but certainly the actual ride)

4. Star Wars Ride at Hollywood with everyone (and the Jedi Academy for Ethan and Charlie)

3. The Stunt Show at Hollywood

*tie*

3. Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom

2. Rockin Roller Coaster at Hollywood

1. Experiencing the "Magic" with 3 precious little boys

Cousin Christmas

This year we enjoyed multiple short visits with our boy cousins in Texas. It's always such a treat to be together. Thank you Amie, Bobby, Todd and Kyndal for your hospitality! Can't wait to see you all again soon.

Apple

Charlie is back to school today after 2 weeks off. The boys had a February mid-term break and then he caught Chicken Pox. And a bacterial infection to boot. Poor kid did not want to go back to school today.

Anyway, my point in telling you this is because not that we are "back to a normal schedule", I am back at the Apple store for my Personal Project time. When Scott bought me this little beauty of a computer for Christmas, he bought a one year subscription to Apple One on One. That means that I can come to this fabulous store for all sorts of training and One to One time with Apple wizards. I am learning lots and it's nice to have this "office" to come to so that I can learn. I love it. My boys think I am a GEEK!

Off to sort my photos...more to come soon from our trip to the States!

More Recap

Here goes.....more catching up.

We spent the majority of the New Year week relaxing at Shamrock Landing, Chris and Kim's lake house. All of the "workers" were going to the office during the day and so those of us not working were just hanging out. We ate too much, took long walks, drank a little and just relaxed together. It was splendid.

Chris and Kim had a chef come to prepare our Christmas Dinner which was such and treat and was so delicious!

We exchanged gifts and enjoyed Baby Florie.

We ventured to the Science Museum, celebrated the New Year, went for a boat ride and watched lots of American football.

Happy 2010!!!!!

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!