Thanksgiving 2013

There is so much to be thankful for this year! We have our good health (thank the Lord), we have our family near, we have jobs and homes and clothes on our back (and so much more). We are truly a blessed family!! 

This Thanksgiving we were joined by Ryan which made it extra special. We dined at Mary's home and stuffed ourselves on delicious food! Below are some pictures we took (for Christmas cards)! Hope your Thanksgiving was a nice one too!

 Mary and her young men

 The Crout family

 Brothers Three

 Our pretty table before food

 My contribution to the meal- the centerpiece

Dan & Ryan

Breakfast So Good

I have been making myself the yummiest breakfasts ever!!

 Ingredients

 Saute veggies

 Add the protein

 Voila- add some avocado tomato, potatoes (rare occasions)

Fini- Me and my tummy are so happy

Trip to England- London

On Saturday, Sharon and I drove into London for the weekend. After we got settled at the Marriot Hotel in Maida Vail (a block away from Abbey Road), we ventured out into the city. We took the tube to Parliament square and walked all over the area. We spent time at Westminster Abbey where crosses and red poppies signified the many lives lost in battle over the years- amazing. We walked down Whitehall where Winston Churchill's famed, War rooms were located and Downing Street where the Prime minister works and lives. Then we hit Trafalgar square and then on to Leicester square, Covent Gardens and then the Strand. After dinner we enjoyed a lively musical of Beatles hits at the Savoy Theatre- what a treat!!

On Sunday we woke up to bright, blue skies and cold temperatures! After breakfast we headed back into town to be a part of the ceremony for Remembrance Sunday. Most of the streets were closed to cars and thousands of people were there to witness the 2 minutes of silence for the fallen soldiers and a to see the queen (via monitors for most of us) and The Arch Bishop honor the veterans. After the ceremony we watched vets from every regimen take part in a parade through the city streets. We clapped so long our arms were aching! It was so special to be a part of it.

Afterwards we made our way (by foot) to the London Bridge- quite a walk along the Thames, but a beautiful day to do it. There were so many people out enjoying the lovely weather- so much fun!! After a long day of walking we found a quaint Indian restaurant back in Covent Gardens. The food was delicious, but it was just nice to get out of the cold and give our feet a rest. We headed back to our hotel on the packed tube and watched Love Actually from the comfort of bed- what an awesome day!!

On Monday, Sharon had to head out of the city and back to Barnstaple and her family. I relaxed in the hotel room and then made my way out to the airport (via the tube). I left lovely London on a rainy day- I love this city and hope I get to come back again soon! Cheers~

Big Ben in the evening

Memorial of The Glorious Dead

(next day Queen placed wreath of poppies here)

Melissa on the Thames-across is parliament and Big Ben

 Westminster Abbey (below too)

 Crosses & red poppies- remembering those who fought in many wars

Veterans marching in parade

 Buckingham Palace at night

 Melissa & Sharon

 Landmark red phone booth

 parliament

 Tower Bridge

Tower of London (below too)

 London Eye & city lit up- beautiful

 Popular Warning 

 Underground is the way to travel!

favorite underground sign!

 Three arches

Great show of Beatles hits!

 

Sharon on the tube after a long day around the city

Limo Adventure

While I was in England, the boys went to their friend's birthday party--In style!! A very stretched limousine picked up each child and then they headed to a Japanese Tepan-style restaurant. Afterwards the limo brought them to a park to play and have cake. Nathan enjoyed getting to control the lights in the ceiling and paneling around the limo. No boys, you won't be doing this on your next birthday!!

Trip to England- Barnstaple/Devon

On Monday, November 4th I flew to England to visit my dear friends. I met the Blyth family 8 years ago in the states. We attended the same church in Irvine and Sharon and I were Bible Study partners and walking buddies. They moved back home 4 years ago and have been able to visit the states occasionally. This time I was getting to see them on their home turf- what beautiful turf it is!! They live in Barnstaple which is on the west coast of England in the region known as Devon. I flew into London, but then Pete (Sharon's husband) drove me across the country to their home. I spent the week at their home helping to organize their house a bit. The best part though was living their lives with them, meeting their friends, walking the same roads they walk to school and work- it was a priceless gift!

 I'm at Paddington Station where I caught I train to Reading Station- 

I love the trains and underground system over here-so much fun!!

 A glimpse of the country side and village of Barnstaple

 I took a day and went exploring along the Devon coastline

 Who knew that this was a hot spot for surfing- I saw them out there!

Apparently it is packed with campers and surfers during the summer months.

 These babies make the finest milk! Who wouldn't when you have lush, green

grass to eat all day long and get to wander the hills!

 Heading into Mortehoe- off in the distance is Lundy Island

 I just loved this- a church with a spectacular view of God's creation

 We ate at this pub-not much to show for, but the food was excellent!

 This beautiful church sat up on a hill in the countryside

 Check out the beauty within the church!

These tombstones are from the late 1800's. The people buried in them had been born

at the beginning of the century-so amazing!