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
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
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!
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
Saturday, April 5, 2008
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!
Friday, April 4, 2008
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!
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!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Ireland
We just got back from our long weekend in Ireland and we had a great time! We went with our friends, Marc and Lindsay, and had the best time exploring the country and enjoying a few days off from work. I'm denying the fact that I have to go back to work tomorrow and avoiding the work I should catch up on tonight, so I'll fill everyone in on our Irish holiday!
We flew into Dublin and collected our rental car and headed westbound towards county Kerry. Marc arranged the rental car (or car hire, as they say over here) and we got a Mercedes Benz! It was awesome! The boys did all the driving, which was interesting to say the least, with the whole driving on the other side of the road thing and curvy passages up and down hills! They did a great job but there were a few scary moments along the way! Anyway, here are the happy kids outside the Merc (as Marc constantly referred to it the whole trip! Either that or the E class). It took us about 5-6 hours each way. It was a long drive but well worth it.
Here are the troops outside of the car!
Friday and Saturday night we stayed in a town called Dingle in southwestern Ireland. The Dingle Peninsula is the western most point in Europe. We stayed at a beautiful B&B called the Castlewood House in Dingle. The owners are a young couple, Helen and Brian, who live in the house with their 2 year old son, Craig. It was such a nice home with amazing breakfasts and lovely rooms. I would highly reccomend it to anyone, so if you are planning an Ireland trip, try to spend a night or two in Dingle at the Castlewood House! I have to admit that Dingle is a little out of the way from Dublin, but you can get flights into Shannon or Cork, which are much closer.
Here are a few photos of the house - it was so cute!!
On Saturday, we spent the day driving around the peninsula and stopped to see all of the amazing views. We ended up taking over 100 pictures of which I've included several of the best ones below.
This is Blackhead Beach (I think that is what it was called) - it was very pretty but too cold to take a dip!
The next stop was at the Beehive Huts, which we located a short distance up the road from Dunbeg. These huts were little houses built from stone and were built in the form of a circle. The door with the Clover is not part of the huts, but it was located at the entrace to the site and I thought it was pretty cool looking!
This is a photo of Chad in the town of Dingle. It's a small little fishing village, which is very popular with tourists. There were a bunch of cute shops and restaurants - and of course lots of pubs!
Once back to Dublin, we make a quick stop at the Guinness factory, which is really the only thing to see in Dublin and has been around for over 200 years! Here is Lindsay with a horse outside the factory! We all went out to dinner again that night (once again, we did too much eating!) and headed back to London on Monday morning.
We flew into Dublin and collected our rental car and headed westbound towards county Kerry. Marc arranged the rental car (or car hire, as they say over here) and we got a Mercedes Benz! It was awesome! The boys did all the driving, which was interesting to say the least, with the whole driving on the other side of the road thing and curvy passages up and down hills! They did a great job but there were a few scary moments along the way! Anyway, here are the happy kids outside the Merc (as Marc constantly referred to it the whole trip! Either that or the E class). It took us about 5-6 hours each way. It was a long drive but well worth it.
Here are the troops outside of the car!
Friday and Saturday night we stayed in a town called Dingle in southwestern Ireland. The Dingle Peninsula is the western most point in Europe. We stayed at a beautiful B&B called the Castlewood House in Dingle. The owners are a young couple, Helen and Brian, who live in the house with their 2 year old son, Craig. It was such a nice home with amazing breakfasts and lovely rooms. I would highly reccomend it to anyone, so if you are planning an Ireland trip, try to spend a night or two in Dingle at the Castlewood House! I have to admit that Dingle is a little out of the way from Dublin, but you can get flights into Shannon or Cork, which are much closer.
Here are a few photos of the house - it was so cute!!
On Saturday, we spent the day driving around the peninsula and stopped to see all of the amazing views. We ended up taking over 100 pictures of which I've included several of the best ones below.
This is Blackhead Beach (I think that is what it was called) - it was very pretty but too cold to take a dip!
The next photos are of Dunbeg (or Dun Beag in Gaelic, which is still spoken on this part of the island). Dunbeg is a fort from the iron age and it's located on a cliff overlooking Dingle Bay. You can see Marc reenacting a battle scene as he tries to scale the wall. However, we're not sure why he'd be trying to get out of the fort.
The next stop was at the Beehive Huts, which we located a short distance up the road from Dunbeg. These huts were little houses built from stone and were built in the form of a circle. The door with the Clover is not part of the huts, but it was located at the entrace to the site and I thought it was pretty cool looking!
These photos are from Dunquin. It is supposed to be the best view in all of Ireland. The pictures may not do it juctice - it was amaizing. We were so lucky with clear weather - it was a little windy, but there wasn't any rain!
This is a photo of Chad in the town of Dingle. It's a small little fishing village, which is very popular with tourists. There were a bunch of cute shops and restaurants - and of course lots of pubs!
Here is Chad and I at dinner at the Old Smokehouse restaurant. Chad had a shank of lamb for dinner, which is very popular because there are sheep and lambs everywhere you turn in the country!
On Sunday, on our way back to Dublin, we drove to another area, called Conner Pass. It was so windy, you can see in the pictures, we were just trying to maintain our balance! My hair was flying all over the place, but we got a pretty good shot.
The last few we took on our drive back to Dublin.
Once back to Dublin, we make a quick stop at the Guinness factory, which is really the only thing to see in Dublin and has been around for over 200 years! Here is Lindsay with a horse outside the factory! We all went out to dinner again that night (once again, we did too much eating!) and headed back to London on Monday morning.
Our next scheduled trip is actually back to the US in late April for a whirlwind tour including stops in Miami, FL (Adri's wedding), Asheville, Columbus and Mt. Vernon. We hope to do one more quick trip somewhere between now and then. We'll keep you posted!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Happy Birthday Linda!
Just wanted to give a shout out and Happy Birthday to my wonderful mother-in-law! Wish we were there to help you celebrate but we'll be there soon! And sorry if I've missed everyone else's birthdays on here (including my wonderful niece and wonderful father-in-law, whose birthdays were 2 weeks ago).
We had a fun visit last week from our friend from Columbus, Julie Sherwood. Poor Julie was going to arrive in London on Saturday morning, the 8th, but didn't make it due to the incredible snow storm in Ohio. She eventually arrived in London early Monday morning and we got to spend a few hours together that evening! See the photo of us at dinner at an Indian Restuaurant near our flat called Mumtaz - pretty good!
We leave for our long awaited and much anticipated trip to Ireland this Friday for the long weekend (Friday and Monday are national holidays for Easter). I can't wait and I'm sure there will be plenty of photos to share!
xoxox, Kari
We had a fun visit last week from our friend from Columbus, Julie Sherwood. Poor Julie was going to arrive in London on Saturday morning, the 8th, but didn't make it due to the incredible snow storm in Ohio. She eventually arrived in London early Monday morning and we got to spend a few hours together that evening! See the photo of us at dinner at an Indian Restuaurant near our flat called Mumtaz - pretty good!
We leave for our long awaited and much anticipated trip to Ireland this Friday for the long weekend (Friday and Monday are national holidays for Easter). I can't wait and I'm sure there will be plenty of photos to share!
xoxox, Kari
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Is it really March?
It is isn't it? That means that we have been here for just about 6 months. Crazy talk!! It really has gone by so quickly!
This was a good week even though we were busy as usual. I'm on a new client though and I get to walk to work, which has been so great. We got to see our friend Allison Wisniewski this week which was so fun! She was in town for work and we got to catch up for dinner. I can't believe that I didn't take any pictures of us together, but I did take this one of Tower Bridge in her presence!
Other than that, it's been the same old stuff! I have been buying flowers and taking pictures of them (much to Chad's amusement!) but they're so beautiful! There is a flower stall on the street close to our flat, so I am tempted every day to buy something, but have kept it to once a week. Anyhow, here they are...
Oh - to continue on my photo journal, here is a picture of my building, where my actual office is located. It's not the best photo because I'm so close, but it gives you an idea that I work in a very modern building for London standards! I'm not too sure how old the building is, but it's in an area called Canary Wharf, which is a newer area that has the rap of being very American.
And here's a view of the Underground station in Canary Wharf - it's pretty nice but has very very long escalators!
And I had to include a very happy photo of myself. We had dinner last night at a Mexican restaurant called Cafe Pacifico and it was fantastic! We are fans of El Vacquero in Columbus and this place was not quite as good, but pretty amazing for Mexican food in London - it is hard to find! Anyway, we had a great meal with plenty of chips and salsa! I have to admit that it was like a lead balloon in my stomach but so worth it!
Have a great week! Adios!!
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