Trip to Wales

Hello friends:  

We spent the last three days exploring a different part of the UK... Wales!  What a beautiful country!  Our friends, the Matwicks live in the town of Rhosneigr on the Northwestern coast of Wales (just a ferry ride away from Dublin, to give you an idea of where it is).  Their house is pretty much on the beach, so it was just a beautiful spot to enjoy the sand and surf and play with the kiddos and their dog, Toby (Ellie would have loved it).  We spent some time on Saturday exploring Holyhead with its breathtaking ocean views and Roman ruins.  On Sunday, we took a little detour before we went home to see parts of Snowdonia.  We made a pit-stop in a quaint Welsh town called Betws-y-Coed and had lunch in Conwy.  Although we saw many castles while driving through Wales (said to have the most castles in the world), we actually went inside our first one in Conwy built by King Edward I.  We had a great time climbing up into the towers for some spectacular views.  The kiddos did really well considering it was about a five hour drive from home... I think they were happy to find their own beds again... Rest up... We make the trek across the channel to Brussels in just a couple of days!  Stay tuned!

Saturday in Cambridge/ Sunday in Tuddenham

These are some photos from the weekend.  We drove to the Park 'n Ride on Saturday and took the bus into Cambridge for the day.  We had a ball playing in the park, strolling the markets, shopping at some American stores (loved seeing a Baby Gap), and checking out a Science Festival at Cambridge University (Maggie received a personal demonstration from a scientist on how a mushroom gets its spots... Pretty cool).   We spent Mothering Sunday (the UK's version of Mother's Day) at home, visiting with friends, and playing in the neighborhood.  We've taken full advantage of having a duck pond and a playground just a short walk from our house.  The girls love the chance to wear their rain gear!

Week #8: Newlands

Dear friends,

I apologize for not updating this blog more, but seeing as we just got our Internet connection in the house, I've had a valid excuse for tardiness!  We have been busy to say the least settling into our new home.  It is just now, after three weeks, feeling like home!  Do not look too closely or you will still see boxes stacked in the downstairs study... Our last room to finish!  Needless to say, we've spent the better part of the last couple of weeks cleaning and settling into the house.  Maggie started preschool last week and seems to enjoy it.  She comes home filthy from playing hard, so she must be having fun!  Kelte and I have found a music class at the local library to attend while Maggie is at school, so that gives Kelte something to look forward to as well.  Luke is back to the grind, working a lot, but still managing to find time for his "honey-do" list.  As for me, I am slowly meeting new friends and just began a new Bible study.  I have also joined a Crud team, so I am back to my old tricks from Seymour!

Oxford/Stonehenge Weekend: 19 Feb

We spent the better part of the afternoon at the natural history museum.  We spent the morning though on the Meadow.  We kept saying how much Ellie would love this place.  The girls loved this wide open pasture on the water's edge of the Thames.  We may have to head back to Oxford, what a great college town.   Then we bedded down for the night at RAF Fairford and bowled a few pins (that is all Maggie talked about from the trip of course)!  The next morning we did everything Stonehenge on a pretty but cold day.  We went at a good time with few tourists and the girls did well, allowing Dad and Mum to listen to almost all of the tour.