Homeward Bound!

Well it is hard to believe but our trip back to the U.S of A is here! I leave in less than 4 days (but who's counting?) for Miami for Adri's wedding and I can barely wait! I've already started packing - mostly because the fact that I think I'll be pretty busy tying things up before I leave and don't want to be up all night on Wednesday! We have quite a trip planned - I have 3 nights in Miami (Chad has 2), then we have 3 nights in Asheville to visit Andy, Dana, the kids and my Dad will be there, 1 night in Columbus with Maya, Chad and Mazen, and 3 nights in Mt.Vernon visiting Chad's side of the family! Chad heads back to the U.K. and I have another 6 days with Maya, Chad and the baby until I return. We are so excited to see everyone but it does mean, including all the connections, 8 flights in 10 days for Chad and 17 days for me! Let's hope it all goes without a hitch and no luggage gets lost or there are no severe flight delays - pray for us!!

Other than spending time with our families and friends and celebrating Adri's wedding and the arrival of Mazen, all of which are the most important reasons for our trip, we are looking forward to a few American things:

1. Food (so obvious) - including but not limited to pizza, burgers, and Chipotle for Chad (not for me - ick!). We are really healthly people!
2. Shopping - I can't wait to go to a mall and actually find things I like, that fit, at reasonable prices!
3. TV - I think we may have to attach ourselves to someones DVR for a day and catch up on some shows!

Not that I'm complaining about food, shopping and TV in London (okay, maybe I am) but it's so much better at home!!

Other than that, it is business as usual. The weather is still pretty terrible. It's funny because while it's getting nicer is the U.S., the seems like it's getting worse over here. Hopefully it'll start improving but we're lucky enough to be able to enjoy it in the U.S. while we're there!

So no photos to share for now, but many many more to come!

xoxox, Kari

Fire and Ice

So it's been quite the opposite weather wise over here in jolly old England than it is in the U.S. We got snow on Sunday (the first real snow we've seen that actually stuck) and it's so cold out! This is all very strange considering it's been a very mild winter, but I guess we'll just have to deal with it!



I know - there is nothing but it was quite a shock to see considering we haven't seen anything all winter and then it decides to snow in April!! And it's so funny because the English LOVE to talk about the weather and it gave them a lot of material! I mean, I was paying for my groceries today and the girl checking me out was talking about it to her co-worker. It's Wednesday today and it happened 3 days ago but it's still a hot topic. So that's the ice....

An here's the fire...

We did brave the elements and went to see the Olympic torch on Sunday. We ended up going to the point along the route which was closest to our flat, which was the part where they were on the bus. Granted, it was a double decker with an open roof, but it came and went by very quickly so my photos aren't all that. It was still cool to see! I saw on the news that there were protests throughout the city, but we didn't see anything. There were lots of police out but it was pretty calm where we were standing.




Here comes the torch...



And there it goes (you can't even see the flame in the picture!)...





We got some more photos of little Mazen! He's so cutie! I can't wait to see him in a few weeks!! I talked to Maya several times over the past few days and everyone doing great. I'm so proud of her - she is so calm!! Seriously, she is a pro! Just look at her with that little guy. I mean she gave birth less than 2 days before this photo and she looks amazing! And he looks so much like Chad - I love it!! I am sure that I will have many more photos to come!

He is so sweet!

Chad is back up in Manchester for work - lucky him!! That is a joke, I've heard that there isn't much to see in Manchester! But there is a football (i.e. soccer) match there tonight, which is a HUGE deal. So I guess the town is packed. I think he was going to go watch it on TV around some locals - so that should be interesting to say the least. It's so funny to see the football fans here - they really get into it! We saw some on Sunday and they were occupying the patio of a pub and chanting their songs. They don't really make any sense to me, but I've heard that they are rather colorful, if you know what I mean!

Ok - enough blogging for me for now!

xoxox, Kari

He's Here!

Yesterday was an exciting day!! Maya and Chad are now the proud parents of this little guy!

Mazen Thompson

April 4, 2008

3:15pm

7 lbs 5 ounces

19 inches

More pictures to follow!

Hi!

Well, there is not much to talk about these days as we have been pretty low key since our fun trip to Ireland! We are looking forward to this weekend and having some time to relax. I have a hair appointment scheduled for tomorrow and am already cringing on how much it's going to cost. It's got to be done though becuase I need to get ready to be a bridesmaid in Adri's wedding!!

The Olympic torch is coming through the city on Sunday and I'm hoping to go and check it out. We'll see if we can wake up early enough and make our way to somewhere along the route. It's funny though because they are taking it all over central London but they only run part of the time. They are also going to take it on a bus, a train and on a boat on the Thames!

Anyhow, my big brother finally sent me some recent photos of his kids! Here they are - Emily, Reese and Owen on Easter. We miss them so much and can't wait to see them when we're back in the US in April! I can't believe how red Owen's hair is now - so cute!! I've heard rumors that he has the personality to match! And Em and Reese look so big!

Have a great weekend!