Edinburgh

We made our first trip to the north while Brian's parents were here to visit. We made the 3 hour drive to Edinburgh and saw some of the most beautiful scenery along the way. The last part of the trip was right along the North Sea and we saw several castles and ruins near the road. We also got to experience the ocean 'breeze' that almost blew us over, with a little rain and cold air as well. We really lucked out with weather, as sun in November is very rare! In our short time there, we saw as much of the city as we could. We walked the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse. We made a trip to The Hard Rock Cafe for some American food, ate and drank at many pubs (at which some of us tried Haggis) and did some shopping!!

London Town

We made our first of what I hope are many trips down to London--it was amazing! The Aylor family came for their tour of Europe and we joined them in London. It was so great to see all of the sights we had always seen in pictures. Our first planned event was to experience Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and we even took the time to get insider tips on where to be to get the best views. Five minutes before everything got started, one of the guards yelled,"if you are here for the changing of the guards, it has been cancelled due to a race going on near the castle grounds." Great! We hoped this was not a sign of things to come! We began to walk through the most beautiful park I have ever seen, St. James Park, and caught our first glimpse of Big Ben.

We then headed to the pub recommended by a Rick Steves travel guide and were able to sit in the seats that Charles Dickens and Dr. Samuel Johnson once frequented! The rest of the afternoon I spent in the park again while Ella napped and the others visited the Winston Churchill Museum and War Cabinet Rooms.

The next day was spent mostly in the Tower of London, under the careful watch of our 'Beefeater' Tour Guide. It was fascinating to learn how people were punished in the 'old days'!! After seeing the Crown Jewels I decided that I definitely need a bigger diamond ring, royalty must have very strong necks. Sorry no pictures are included, we would have been next on the execution block for snapping photos!

I always knew London had many sights to see, but I think we would need to spend a month there to see it all. We only made a dent!

Trip to the Beach

With the 3-day weekend we decided to venture out a little farther than usual and take a day trip to Whitby, an historic town on the north-east coast of England. We spent a majority of the day walking the grounds of St. Mary's Church and the Whitby Abbey ruins, which required the climbing of 199 steps.

We also spent a little time on the beach, even though it was only 65 degrees and about to rain (oh, England!) and learned that Ella hates sand!!! It was a great trip otherwise and we plan on spending a lot more time at the coast, on the 3 days of summer that we have here!

German Vacation

Conferences in Germany, does it get any better?? Brian had a conference to attend at Edelweiss Resort in Garmisch, Germany so Ella and I decided to tag along and enjoy the ride. Seeing the views from the top of the Zugspitze (highest peak of the Bavarian Alps) and exploring the Partnach Gorge were among a few of the highlights.

We spent the first few days with Jason, Andrea and Marie as they made the trip since we were so close. Having German speakers with you makes for a much better experience!! The girls loved playing with each other, there were a few eyes poked and a few hairs pulled, but overall they loved it! We had to make a stop in Munich so Brian could visit his Mecca--The Hofbrauhaus!! We each had plenty of good German beer and pretzels--which Ella loved as well!

Brian will be attending another conference in October, but I don't think Ella and I are invited. :(

Let the travels begin...

We are finally getting settled and used to our new surroundings--our furniture has arrived and we have begun exploring the area around us. We made a short trip to Ripley, a local town with a beautiful castle and grounds to explore. Now that Ella is completely mobile she enjoyed being able to run around and see all of the animals grazing the gardens. We had our first of many tastes of Ripley's World Famous Ice Cream, Ella was a big fan!! The castle grounds hosts many outdoor theater companies and we plan on becoming regulars at the picnic matinees.

Our next adventure took us to York, a historic walled city with a beautiful cathedral, York Minster. We could not have asked for better weather that day, which we have learned is not common here!! We spent several hours exploring the beautiful city and sipping drinks at the pubs! There is so much more to see in the city and I am sure we will make many trips to explore it all.

We have unpacked and are really enjoying our new house, we have plenty of room and are ready to begin entertaining and showing guests around this beautiful area of the world! We hope to see each of you very soon!

Jolly Old England!!

We made the big trip and have arrived safely in England, and boy is it chilly!! Our first purchase was coats for the family! We are slowly adjusting to the jet lag, Ella is taking more time unfortunately. Our first goal is to find a house so that we can get out of the small hotel room, it is pretty crowded and laying on the floor in a dark room while Ella falls asleep is getting old really quickly. Then we need to get a car so that we can attempt driving on the other side of the road--I think it will be trickier than it looks!

We hope to get settled soon so that we can start welcoming guests--you are welcome to come and see us anytime!!

He's Back!

After more than five flights over three days and about four hours of sleep, Brian is home! It was a wonderful reunion as many friends and coworkers came out to welcome him back. Ella was not real thrilled with all of the excitement, but is warming up to her silly daddy quickly. Thank you to everyone for your prayers during Brian's deployment, he has many stories to share with everyone.

YEA!!!

I am trying not to get too excited, but Brian has made the first flight of the LONG trip home!! If all goes as scheduled he will be home on Sunday!! He must have sucked up to the right people! I can't wait to see him and Ella is finally getting close to walking on her own--maybe she will walk into her Daddy's arms!

The End is Near, Hopefully!!

Good thing we decided not to buy the plane tickets to England until Brian sets foot on the ground in Mississippi; he has been delayed :( It is frustrating not knowing when he will be getting back, I had my countdown down to the minute! His last few weeks have been eventful though, Toby Keith made the trip and had a concert. Brian was chosen to take several of the patients to it so he got great seats!

Ella is still holding off on learning how to walk, Brian says that she is waiting for him to be home--I sure hope so!! I have told her that I will not send her walker to Kindergarten! I know it will happen, I think she knows it is frustrating me and she likes that. I bet she walks when I am not looking--kids!!

The big move is getting closer and closer--Jason has already started planning trips for us! I hope Brian has accumulated a lot of leave! Start planning your visits now, our calendar may fill up quickly! We hope to see you all soon.

It's Official!

Well, the first shipment is on its way to England so I guess we are going too!! The movers came today to take 'the basics' that will be there when we arrive so we don't have to live like animals!! It is really hard to decide what you want to be without on each end of the move. Hopefully I made the right choice--too late now! Our VISAS have been approved so there is nothing holding us back from the jump across the pond. Unfortunately we have made the decision not to take the dog with us, the cost and the stress on her were going to be too much. She will spend the time we are away with her Uncle Brent and her cousins Abby and Blue--she will be very happy!

Each day brings us closer and closer to our reunion with Brian--I feel like a child waiting for Christmas morning to come--and it is making me crazy, I guess I am impatient!! It will be so good to have him back in our lives.

One Month and Counting...

Well, Brian's replacement should be there in a month and that means that his trip home will begin soon after!! I cannot wait! I might just camp out at the airport a few days in advance to make sure I don't miss it. I think his favorite memory of this whole experience will be getting to meet and spend an evening with three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War. He was honored to meet them.

Medal of Honor Recipients

Ella continues to amaze me each day with all that she is learning--and make me crazy with her refusal to learn to walk!! 'Why walk when someone will carry you?' She can say dog, tree, no and tickle. She can say mama and dada but doesn't do it when I ask!! Is she a teenager already?

The arrangements for the move to England have begun, the test will be getting the dog there--the 'Pet Embargo', which protects them from traveling when it gets too warm, begins 5 days before we leave--of course! Just as long as I don't mess up something on this end and we all make it together! Brian and I both love calling the British, you just want to give them a hug, they are the nicest people. I hope we have the same to say when we live among them!

What a month!

Well, we have all survived another year of our family's 'March Madness'--barely! The 11 hour drive home was not as bad as it could have been, but I will not say it was enjoyable. It was wonderful to be with family though. It really made me miss Brian, it is sad to say that you do not realize how much you need someone until they are not there. Ella's 1st Birthday was celebrated by many--we have amazing friends and family. Thank you to all of you who helped and came to celebrate with us!

The Birthday Girl!

The month's next activity was Brent and Casey's wedding--it was a great time for all--Ella danced all night! It was wonderful to see all of our extended family and friends who have moved away. There is never enough time to see everyone. Jason, Andrea and Marie came from Germany for the wedding and brought Andrea's parents for their first trip to the US. Her father practiced important English phrases for the trip, such as 'Two Margaritas, Please!'

Brian's deployment has brought him close to many important people, he had the opportunity to see Vice President Dick Cheney speak to the troops and reported that it was awesome. He continues to send Ella videos of him reading books to her, which she loves. He told me today that he got the name of the person who will be replacing him and that makes the end seem a little closer! We are very ready for him to come home!

Texas, Here We Come!!

Ella and I are about to embark on our first car trip together as we head home to Texas for 'March Madness'! There are five birthdays, including Ella's 1st, and a wedding--my brother Brent is getting married!! As much as I am NOT looking forward to the 11 hour drive, I cannot wait to get there. I am hoping that the month flies by and we will be that much closer to Brian coming home.

Brian has sent me an email titled 'I live for Saturday at 1700' which has several pictures attached of him and several others on the roof of the hospital smoking Cuban cigars and drinking (non-alcoholic) beer--I thought he was supposed to be working =)!! I am glad that he gets to relax and hopefully forget where he is for an hour or so.

Iraqi Roof Party!

Another Year Gone, How Did That Happen?

I cannot believe that I have started to plan Ella's 1st Birthday Party!! What a year! :) Where do I even begin? The commerical is right, 'Having a baby changes everything.' But, it is definiely for the better. Each day with Ella is a learning experience, she teaches me more than I could ever teach her. It is hard with Brian being gone to try and remember to tell him everything she has done each day. It is so wonderful to sit and watch her discover something new, watching her eyes light up. I feel blessed that she has had such a healthy first year, as she just had her first fever yesterday. I can only pray that the rest of her life will be the same!

Brian is doing well, ONE MONTH DOWN!! We are both counting the days until Ella (and I) runs into his arms at the airport! He keeps telling me, 'something very interesting happened today, but I can't tell you about it'--it makes me crazy. I am sure he will have days worth of stories to tell when he gets back. I will be so happy to have an adult to talk to that I probably won't want to listen! :)

Brian was able to meet the Asst. Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs

Two of my best friends from home (Angela & Lyndee) came to visit last weekend, it was the first time since I can remember that we had more time than just a quick lunch together--it was such a wonderful time! Ella loved having more playmates than just mom and mom enjoyed the break!!

Lyndee, Angela, Ella & I

It won't be long until we begin our trip home to Texas for the month of March--birthdays and a wedding, put your party hats on! :)

Back into the Swing of Things. . .

Well, Ella and I have adjusted well to life on our own and try to keep ourselves as busy as possible--which is not hard to do with her around! She is a super-fast crawler (I haven't lost her, yet) and keeps me on my toes. She is pulling herself up onto everything, but hasn't mastered the balance required to stand alone yet. She loves to clap at all of the new things she can do and to any song that she might hear from a toy or on the TV. I am keeping busy with scrapbooking and cleaning up after Ella and the other wives from the Med Group love to watch Ella and give mom a break!!

Brian is doing well, just completely exhausted--apparently it is not easy to get a good night's sleep with jets taking off overhead. He also tries to keep himself as busy as possible to make the days go by as quickly as possible. He has even had a chance to volunteer on the Hero's Highway--where they bring in the wounded soldiers on the helicopters. It has been really nice to get to talk to him everyday since he has arrived in Iraq. It almost makes it seem like he isn't really there!

Hero's Highway

We hope all is well with you and we hope to see each of you very soon!
Brian, Anne & Ella

2008--Here We Go!!

Brian and I rang in the new year separated by the Atlantic Ocean as Ella and I spent time with Jason, Andrea and the new baby, Marie in Germany. The trip was eventful to say the least--traveling with an infant makes for an interesting time! (Delta Airlines will have to work pretty hard to earn my business again!)

Our niece, Marie Lindbloom

Brian left for Iraq on Saturday, January 5th and made it safely to the base. Your prayers for him and the rest of the troops are greatly appereciated. Ella and I are doing well, our family here at Columbus AFB has swooped right in to care for us. We are trying to plan as many things as possible to keep us busy, which I have already learned is not hard with a 10-month old baby!
We all hope you are doing well in the new year and hope to see each of you soon.