Fall 2009

We had a great time this fall. It has been an adjustment to life back in the States especially while Stan was gone, but in some ways, England feels like a dream. We have amazing memories of our trips and friends we made in the last 3 years. Time went way too fast, and we left a few things undone, places unseen, but overall it was a wonderful experience. I am sure that the exposure to different cultures and history will forever change all of us especially the kids. But back to life in Kansas, Blake successfully finished his first season of football at school, Wade played on a soccer team (as a goal-scoring maniac!), and Kathryn started gymnastics. I can safely say that all three of our children are so much more athletic than I could ever hope to be! Thanks to a great education in England, they are doing very well at school here. It has been a pretty good transition, even though our hearts are still with friends in London. I have enjoyed having good shopping and, more exciting, lots of parking spaces everywhere I go!

New house, Stan's promotion & Blake's football game

Blake is #54 right in the middle blocking a boy much bigger than he is. Yikes!

The football players wear their jerseys to school on game day, so cool!

Waiting for Stan's promotion ceremony to begin with Stan's parents & brother, Joe.
The great room upstairs. I love it!
The empty basement - needs some couches & our "missing" TV!
Our new house!!!
First day of school.


Cousins & Grandparents at the cabin in Arizona.
Back yard

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

King's College London Graduation

The atrium of the Defence Academy is stunning with all the flags from the countries which have been represented on their military courses.
Me with friends, Mandi, and Shawna from Canada.
Other friends, Monica from Norway, and Andrea & Tam, from Germany.
Some of the graduands (as they called them) all three from Norway.
The graduating class from King's College London.

Royal Ascot

A friend and I organized a group of 17 ladies to attend the Royal Ascot horse races. This is one of the big social events on the British social calendar, so we were thrilled to get the chance to do something so traditionally English. We left very early to get good parking spots to set up our picnic near our cars - tailgating, English style! Everyone brought such great food, and we had our wineglasses, tableclothes & centerpieces. Alas, they were paper & plastic, and all our picniking neighbors had crystal wineglasses, linen tableclothes & candelabras! Oh well. Next year. In our group, we mostly had Americans, 1 from Germany, 2 from Israel, and 2 from Japan, so we were very International. Mandi Gable and I relaxing between the horse races on the grass. We had great views of the races and all the people in their very fashionable hats! We could even see the Royal box with the Royal Family clearly from where we sat.
At the very beginning of the races, the Royal Family arrives in horse-drawn carriages coming from Windsor Castle which is very close to the Ascot Race Course. We had a perfect view of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip with Prince Andrew & a cousin.
The next carriage had Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Sadly, no Prince William or Harry, as they are both serving in the British Military and had other duties.
Our wonderful picnic before the races. Such a fun day, and I was quite sad when it was over. (Even though it was a lot of work to organize!) Next year, I want to attend the Royal Regatta sailing races...anyone want to come?!!

Baseball in England...

Blake & Wade played on the same team for the London Baseball League this spring. Although they lost every game but one, they had fun and got to be good players. I am so proud of them!
Blake played catcher, 1st base and shortstop. He was a strong player & had lots of great plays.
Wade played 3rd base and outfield, and did really well catching & getting some outs.
Wade on the bench waiting for his turn at bat.
The roses outside our front door started blooming, and they are really pretty.