LIFE IN ENGLAND

We're back!

2011-02-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

I think it's been over a year since my last blog. I do miss it. Since my parents don't have a facebook account I'll try to post pics on here too and do some updates.

It's been to long! Happy Independence day!

2010-07-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I had abandoned my blog account but ever since I found facebook I have been obsessed with it. I think that the blog is still a great tool to share with everyone what's been going on with us during our 3 year tour of England soon to turn into atleast a 5 year tour. So I will try to update anyone out there that still might stop by my blog to see how we are doing here.

The moorish castle up on the hill

2009-04-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Streets of Gilbraltar

Up top of the Moorish Castle looking back at the upper rock

2009-04-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

looking at the road that leaves the upper rock of Gibraltar

Moorish Castle, Gibraltar

2009-04-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

looking down the stairs of the castle
Inside one of the rooms of the castle

To the entrance of the Castle
The Ancient fortress, last rebuilt in 1333, its tower of homage dominates the only land entrance to Gilbraltar.

2009-04-09T08:39:00.000-07:00

looking out from the Siege tunnels at the beach below

The rooms they dug out were quite large

You can't really tell this is a room but this is where they kept all the gun powder

The Siege Tunnels, Gibraltar

2009-04-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

Dad and the boys

Excavated by atificers of the British Army during the Great Siege of 1779-83, these tunnels form part of what is arguably the most impressive defence system anywhere.

Strait of Gilbraltar, views from the Apes Den

2009-04-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

The Strait of Gilbraltar

The Mediterranean Sea that exits into the atlantic ocean

The Port of Gilbraltar where over 70,000 ships past through a year

Typical primates!

2009-04-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

Look Kerey has the same hairstyle as the monkey
Sean has the same pose as the baby monkey
He's thinking about how he can nick something out of my backpack!

Kimo and his buddies

2009-04-09T07:18:00.001-07:00

Barbary Macaques/ tailess monkeys

2009-04-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

Cheeky Monkey, he's up to no good.
The apes are tailess monkeys, properly know as Barbary macaques. They roam freely through out the nature reserve.

The stalactites looked colored by lights shining on them.

St. Michaels Cave, Gilbraltar

2009-04-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the entrance into the Grotto of limestone stalactites named St. Michaels cave. It sits 300m above sea level and is apart of the upper rock nature reserve. It was amazing to see this natural wonder.

The Rock of Gibraltar!

2009-04-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

Part of the Port on the Alantic side of Spain.
It was view was amazing from the top, you could look down below to see the port.
This was a scary drive up to the top of the Rock.

Gibraltar is a British depedencey near the southern tip of the Iberian Pennisula at the Easten end of the strait of Gilbraltar; population 28,000. Occupying a site of great stratigic importance, Gibraltar consist of a fortified town and a military base at the foot.

British captured it during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704.

Driving to Gilbraltar

2009-04-09T04:17:00.000-07:00

There it is in the distance!

The Irish Pub in the Hotel

2009-04-09T04:04:00.000-07:00

The boys looked forward to our late evening trip down to the Irish pub whiched opened at 11pm with family entertainment. Lots of children even ones sleeping in strollers! It was a good family time with the boys as we would team up for some pool for 2 euro a game.
Waiting to play some pool in the Irish pub.
No Guinness for me! but I the bar was so cute I needed a picture.
Sean and Kimo outside the balcony at sunset
Fuengirola in the background as we drove by the beach walk, this was the next town over just south of where we stayed in Benalmadena.

Mijas

2009-04-09T03:56:00.000-07:00

Here's Sean next to the Nissan Micra we had to drive around in for a week! Funny, very funny! lol
Not sure what this was but it was under this huge rock.

This was a restaurant in the tower that was next to the little building above.

Kimo took a picture of this square where there was more shopping and more restaurants.

Cute Bakery in Mijas

2009-04-09T03:48:00.000-07:00

The boy's enjoying there Cocoa on this cool spring day.
Okay we're just kidding we really aren't that happy following Mom down every street and waiting for here to shop.
Look Dad we are acting like we are having fun!
One of Seans many faces!

It was a cool day and it was time for some coffee and hot cocoa..... we also added some pasteries that were okay at this cute Bakery / Coffee house:)

Typical streets in Mijas

2009-04-09T03:39:00.000-07:00

Sean and Kimo walking down a typical street in lined with stores for the tourist
Taking the stairs up to the next street, the store up ahead to the right is where I ended up going back to buy my Spanish pottery to take back home to remember my holiday in Spain.
Stores line the street in Mijas in cute white spanish buildings

16th Century Shrine of La Virgen Dela Pena

2009-04-09T03:05:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Artifacts on Display.
Shrine where flowers are left and for so many Euros you can light a fake candle in the box which you can see to the left of the shrine. There is a legend about how a bird of some kind lead two shepard boys to safety. Also a image of the virgin was found in the a recess of a tower. There are several different stories as I was trying to research more about this place so not sure what is the correct info.
Shrine and display set in this cavern that sits next to the cliff that overlooks the Mediterranian Coast. Enjoy the pictures because I guess you weren't suppose to take pictures in this religious shrine but of course no one was there when we walked in so I was snapping away!

Mijas

2009-04-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

Kimo and Kerey headed towards the shops
Kerey and Sean checking out the views
This is what the color of the whole town was. White Buildings!
Here I sit on this stone bench getting ready to check out some sites

We enjoyed this town with great views of Benalmadena and Fuengirola! So pretty and it was a sunny day despite the cold chill that was in the air and the cool wind, burr!

Mijas

2009-04-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

The boys and I up in Mijas and the beautiful view of the white homes located in this tourist town up in the mountains.
Yeah!! we going to see Spain!
George Jetson called and he wants his scooter back!

So after having a lack of sleep we slept in and I believe we went down to breakfast before 10am were we found nothing but English people which would explain why there was alot of English breakfast items which I was not found of! Put it this way by the time I got all my food on my plate I had a lot of oil too! Ick! The sausages were not proper and the food was just bad... none the less it was an all inclusive package deal so we were determined to get some of our money's worth of food and drink while on holiday. So after that since it was a cool windy day we headed Mijas which was just up in the mountains behind our hotel.

Holiday Village, Costa Del Sol, Spain

2009-04-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

So we got our rent a car which was ridiculously small! Of course when Kimo and the boys saw it all they did was complain until I made them get in because I wasn't about to go back and stand in line for a bigger car.

We loaded up and squeezed in the car with our 5 suitcases and 2 bags and drove down the costal highway until we reached the Elephant round-about! Tahdah! We reached our Hotel and checked in to our room on the 5th floor only to find a strong poop smell when we opened the door. I just thought it needed some airing out but unfortunately the smell got stronger and woke me up at 1am feeling nauseated. We were all feeling sick! So I headed down stairs found the Spainish guy who didn't speak or understand English very well and asked him to come upstairs to see if he could tell us what the smell was. Very long story short we sat in the lobby at 2am with all our luggage and moved to a different room over night and the next morning we moved back up to a room with a view on the 3rd floor without the poop smell. So 3 rooms in less then 24 hours. Not a good way to start off your holiday! Especially when there was more drama with drunk people going on in the hotel:)

Costa Del Sol, Spain

2009-04-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to land
Theres Spain in the distanceThe boys on the way down to Gatwick airport past London, this is pretty normal on road trips!

Cambridge March 14th 2009!

2009-03-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

Corpus Christi College
The coolest Italian espresso/deli/goodie store/bakery!
Ahh! Pasty Yum! I love the statue up top!
So British!

Cambridge Science Festival

2009-03-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

The Dr. lady who gave the lecture wrote this book.
We joined up with Isaiah and his father since they were lost and finally found what we were looking for with time to spare.
Kerey and I sitting in one of the college rooms.... it was so cool.
This is Kerey standing in front of this thing that was on the advertisment for the festival. It was really cool it moved from left to right.
We waited to listen about " The secret lives of seahorses." It was interesting.

Wagamama's in Cambridge

2009-03-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

We had to go to the Cambridge Science Fair today so Kerey can get some extra credit.. we decided to stop at Wagamama's for some ramen on the way back to the car.

More Pics of the ball

2009-03-14T13:24:00.001-07:00

Kerey and Tyler.... Tyler's american but is moving to the USA for the first time this month.

I think it was hard for Elaine to smile and look happy since she was freezing in her cute little dress!

2009 ROTC Ball

2009-03-14T13:12:00.000-07:00

Kerey and Elaine

2009-03-10T03:44:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Yes, it has been awhile. Too busy doing facebook and other things. I have started to do alittle scrapbooking, knitting and classes on computer programs. So pretty much I get nothing important done. I will be posting some pictures in a couple of days of Kerey's Jr. Rotc ball and I'll have to see what else I have on my camera. I've been a slacker. OH and it will get worse since I may start a full time job in May.

Kimo leaves for Dublin on March 16th for a couple of days and we will all leave for Spain on March 29th. I will try to keep you updated atleast twice a month:)

Love to all!

Mr. Snowman

2009-02-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

it was pretty watching the snow come down in the sun room or is it a snow room.. hee hee!

Tadahhhh!!! Yeah the snow man Sean and I made together, it is like maybe my second snow man ever.

Snow day! the back yard

2009-02-06T07:56:00.000-08:00

Stoke On Trent

2009-02-06T07:38:00.000-08:00

I got some little white side sauce dishes for 35p each! I also got some cute candles too.
Wedgewood factory and visitor center. They sold Waterford Crystal and a few other brands too.

We got lost looking for Wedgewood and drove past this beautiful property!
I took a picture thru the car window. It was a huge home that sat all alone.
So my friends decided to go to Stoke on Trent home to the factory's of famous English pottery and china. I wasn't going to go but just so happen to see Trish and her friend Sonja at the Starbucks on base. I had just gotten done watching Kerey play basketball. Trish asked me and since I wasn't doing anything I figured why not! It was fun and I got some cute things and gifts.

GBK A.K.A. Gourmet Burger Kitchen!

2009-02-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

WE ARE STARVING!! Need food, must eat!
Will, Buff and Baby Jack, the Veteran Americans in England, Wills lived her twice.
Here are their sweet girls, Jacey and Taylor! They are such good kids!

Yummy, we ate some good burgers with lots of Garlic sauce of me! Wow, I could of knocked myself out!

Teri- Aki's in Cambridge for Sushi and Ramen

2009-02-06T04:08:00.000-08:00

Teri-Aki's! Yum! I did get a tuna roll but I got soft shell crab that was scrumptious:)
Punt boats on the River Cambs, I will be doing this when it is warmer!
The best way and cheapest way to travel in Cambridge. Everyone rides bikes.
"The Round Church" Very cute church, I need to pop in to find out the history. Next time!
Ccool building this was St. something, I don't remember! I just took the picture because it was a nice building. I will go back and get more info. It was too cold so I wasn't stopping to read!

sites in Cambridge

2009-02-06T03:59:00.000-08:00

Cambridge at Night!

2009-02-06T03:51:00.000-08:00

We walked to the Grand Arcade which is a indoor/outdoor Mall next to the Market area of Cambridge, we walked around thru the busy streets, it was very cold. It is so fun at night, very lively even though all the shops close at 6pm.

Cambridge University

2009-02-06T03:42:00.000-08:00

Paul and Carol Reeds going away/ promotion gathering

2009-02-06T03:32:00.000-08:00

Dinner out with the Fire fighters at a pub in Alconbury village. Paul got promoted and was leaving to go to the Menwith Hill Fire Station.

Ginn Winn

2009-02-06T03:29:00.000-08:00

I know

2008-12-28T08:47:00.001-08:00

Yes, I know I haven 't updated this blog in forever but that's because I've been a slacker and been busy with facebook! I will try to get more pictures of my trip to Aachen Germany on here this week.

Last week Kid Rock, Zac Brown, Kelly Pickler and a bunch of comedians did a USO tour out here at Lakenheath. It took place 3 hours later then they announced and it was a short show in a heated hanger so we did christmas shopping before heading back to the concert. He had a hard time cleaning up his act but it was the most family oriented show Kid Rock has ever done. Anyhow besides that nothing much going on. We had a nice Christmas and now we are looking forward to a healthy, happy and Prosperous New Year for everyone. I try to update with pictures this week... until then be blessed

HI Baylee!

2008-12-28T08:45:00.000-08:00

HI Baylee! I Love and miss you too! Hope you enjoy the blog!

JR R.O.T.C.

2008-11-08T13:14:00.000-08:00

Kerey is the 3rd from the left in the back row

Kimo pinning Kerey's first "Airmen" stripe on.

We are so proud of Kerey, he got a A+ in ROTC, I'm sure that's not to hard but we are still proud that he is going through this program.

Aww..... my baby is growing up! Looking like a young man.

Yum! The waiter actually understood English!

2008-11-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

I told the waiter,"I'll have number 136 " no need for German when you can point and tell him what number. Sean had Schnitzel again but this time with a mushroom sauce why I don't know when the kid doesn't eat mushrooms. Ken had deer that was so tender it fell apart when he touched it with his fork.

the Ratskeller "To Steipe."

2008-11-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

so we walked through the square and decided to eat underground at the "Ratskeller"

If we look exhausted and hungry it's because we are.

Over all everyone liked their dinner except me of course, it was okay.

Hauptmarkt, Trier

2008-11-08T11:57:00.000-08:00

Trier Cathedral ( Dom St. Peter )

2008-11-08T11:34:00.000-08:00

Cool gate on the way to the Haupmarkt

Hauptmarket, Trier

Trier Cathedral, looks like it was partly under construction

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/trier-cathedral.htm for more info. click on this link. They claim to have the robe that Jesus wore during the Crucifixion and one of the nails that crucified Christ. I find that really interesting because the Aachen Cathedral that I will visit in December claims to have the loin cloth Jesus had on during the Crucifixion

ELECTOR'S PALACE

2008-11-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

The only place in the world where you can see a Roman government building of massive bricks and mortar so close to an Elector's Palace in joyful rococo. On the right side of this Palace is a long pond garden we stopped to have some Mochiato to wake up to energize ourselves before dinner.

THIS MAPLE LEAF WAS REALLY BIG AND PRETTY. IT WAS ON THE GROUNDS OF KAISERTHERMEN AND WE FOUND A DIFFERENT KIND OF TREE OVER BY THE ELECTORS PALACE THAT HAD HUGE LEAVES ALSO. MUST BE FROM SOME OF THAT UNDERGROUND WATER.

The Elector's Palace is situated at one end of the Palace Garden opposite the Kaiserthermen (Imperial Thermae). At the edge of the Palace Garden lies the Landesmuseum.

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

2008-11-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

UNDERGROUND LOOKING UP AT A WINDOW IN THE CEILING

LOOKING UP FROM DOWN BELOW

FROM WHAT I READ FROM ANOTHER BLOG MOST OF THE 3 STORY WALL YOU SEE WAS EXCAVATED AND REBUILT.

THERE IS ANOTHER 2 LEVELS BELOW WHICH I ONLY THOUGHT WAS ONE. I GUESS THERE ARE USUALLY GUIDED TOURS HERE BUT WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO TOUR IT OURSELVES SINCE WE ONLY HAD 30 MINUTES TILL CLOSING.

KAISERTHERMEN IMPERIAL BATHS

2008-11-08T10:29:00.000-08:00

LOOKING DOWN TO THE UNDERGROUND BATHS

DARK TUNNELS VERY WET AND SPOOKY

STILL STANDING AND FACINATING

AMAZING DESIGN

TO THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WALKED THESE UNDERGROUND BATHS. THIS IS GERMANYS OLDEST CITY, OVER 2000 YEARS OLD. IT WAS FOUNDED 16 B.C. THAT RIGHT THERE IS AMAZING. WOW!!

WE DIDN'T KNOW ALOT ABOUT THIS AREA BUT MANAGED TO SEE MOST OF THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS BUT NOT ALL. I'M PRETTY SURE I WILL BE GOING BACK TO SEE THE REST. IT IS A VERY COOL CITY AND SO CLOSE TO FRANCE.

THE ROMAN MONUMENTS, CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER AND THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY IN TRIER

2008-11-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

Germany's oldest town, a symbol of the passage of time. The romantic town on the River Moselle is characterised by architectural monuments, churches and Roman ruins. It is here in this 2,000-year-old town where Roman emperors once lived. The diversity of ages and styles here form the town's unique character: the Roman amphitheatre, the imperial thermal baths and Constantine's basilica all contributed to the town's distinctive appearance. Trier Cathedral, Germany's oldest episcopal church, is a major attraction. Along with the neighbouring Church of Our Lady, Roman, Salian, Romanesque-Gothic and baroque elements fuse together to form an extraordinarily expressive ensemble of churches. Trier's impressive legacy includes the Römerbrücke bridge, the Barbarathermen thermal baths and of course the famous landmark of the town, the 1,800-year-old Porta Nigra gate.

Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady in Trier

COOL ROOM IN THE CASTLE

2008-11-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

GREEN TILE OVEN. ABOVE WAS A TINY DEAR HEAD WITH A THICK BASE VELVET ANTLER.

I LIKED THIS ROOM AND IT HAD A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE VALLEY BELOW. THE OVEN LOOKS LIKE IT WAS RE-DONE.... IT HAD GREEN EMBOSSED TILE.

LITTLE DEER ANTLERS LINE THE WALL IN THE SAME ROOM WHICH HAD A DINING TABLE SOME OF THOSE DEAR OR GOAT HEADS LOOK LIKE DOG SKULLS WITH HORNS

1955 BRUCE WILLIS WAS BORN IN THIS AREA

2008-11-08T09:07:00.000-08:00

DOWN BELOW THE CASTLE

THE VIEW FROM THE CASTLE LOOKING DOWN THE NAHE VALLEY

SO WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IS WHERE THEY WOULD POOP AND PEE, YES THIS IS THEIR POTTY. IT OVER HANGS OFF OF A ROOM, YOU OPEN THE DOOR AND THERE IS A WOODEN SEAT WITH A COVER AND WHEN YOU OPEN THE COVER THIS IS THE VIEW. LOOK OUT BELOW, BOMBS AWAY!! IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A LONG WAY DOWN BUT IT IS. ATLEAST IT ELIMINATED THE SMELL FACTOR!

KIMO AND SEAN IN THE ENTRY WAY, LOOK ANOTHER HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY PICTURE!

OBERSTEIN CASTLE - IDAR OBERSTEIN

2008-11-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

LOOKING JOYFUL AGAIN!

ONCE AGAIN EVERYTHING WAS IN GERMAN SO I AM ASSUMING THIS IS THE FAMILY CREST.

COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TRANSLATE FOR ME!

AS YOU ENTER THE OBERSTEIN CASTLE WHICH HAS BEEN REMOLDED AND IS CURRENTLY UNDER RENOVATION. THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RESTORE IT USING TOOLS THAT WERE USED BACK WHEN THE ORIGINAL CASTLE WAS BUILT. THIS CASTLE WAS VERY HUMBLE COMPARED TO THE LICHTENBERG WHICH IS THE LARGEST OR ONE OF THE LARGEST CASTLES IN GERMANY.

THE ENTRANCE TO THE CASTLE. BELOW THE HILL SITS THE CHURCH IN THE ROCK.

MORE OF CASTLE

2008-11-08T08:04:00.000-08:00

2008-11-08T08:03:00.001-08:00

NOVEMBER 02 2008

2008-11-08T07:14:00.000-08:00

kING OF THE CASTLE!!

YES SISTOR AULANI, THIS IS THE VERY REASON WHY I HATE TO HAVE MY PHOTO'S ON THIS BLOG. I LOOK LIKE A DORK~

The 1400s Protestant Felsenkirche (Rock-Church) is built right into the face of the cliff 214 steps and 165 feet above the Oberstein Marktplatz, and just below the Old Castle of the Earl of Oberstein that’s perched on the very top of the hill. Legend says Wyrich pushed his brother Emich out of a castle window, then built the chapel on the ledge where his brother’s body had landed. They had — what else! — fought over a beautiful lady named Bertha

CASTLE LICHENBERG

2008-11-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

WE DIDN'T TOUR AND EVERYTHING WAS IN GERMAN BUT THERE WAS A RESTAURANT AND HOTEL IN THIS CASTLE AND MUSEUMS.

PRETTY FALL COLORS.

BEAUTIFUL VIEWS!

KIMO AND SEAN POSING FOR ME, DON'T THEY LOOK JOYFUL!

WE LOVED THE SCENERY, IF YOU DON'T SEE MANY PICTURES OF US IN IT, IT IS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO BE SEEN! WE JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT WE GOT TO SEE AND DO!

BURG LICHTENBERG

2008-11-08T06:07:00.000-08:00

KEN, KIMO AND SEAN WALKING INTO THE CASTLE
OUTSIDE THE CASTLE IN FRONT OF THE HORSESHOE TOWER

THE FRONT BUILDING I'M ASSUMING IS THE HORSESHOE TOWER WHICH IS MADE UP OF STONES AND WAS BUILT IN 40 DAYS.

A CLOSER LOOK AT IT, IN DEFENSE, THIS WINDOW IS WHERE WE ALSO ASSUMED THE CANONS AND MUSKETS WHERE USED

Castle Lichtenberg has a length of 425m and is the biggest castle ruin of Germany. It's located near Thallichtenberg in the district of Kusel in Rhineland-Palatinate.The castle was built around 1200 and was owned since then by the counts of Veldenz and by the dukes of Palatinate-Zweibrücken. The castle was never conquered or destroyed by assaults. It was strongly damaged by a large fire on 26 October 1799. Since 1895 the castle is landmarked.

More Pics at the Zur Steinalb

2008-11-08T05:52:00.000-08:00

Sean's 12th Birthday!

His cake said, "Happy Birthday Sean" and below "Go Dragons"

All the football players , coaches and fans having a good time

We had to get another picture with Ken and Colean eating! They are our travelling and eating out Buddies. It was nice that they were able to come with us since Ken did all the driving and he knows his way around since he's been there 7 times or more.

Saturday night at the Zur Steinalb in Bann

2008-11-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

Proud Daddy with his Boys! before our Weiner Schnitzel, Yummy!

We sat in the back room which is normally closed off and because this is where the family eats that owns the restaurant.

In front of the Zur with Coach bob!!

The Zur Steinalb which shutdown for the night so they could open up the restaurant just for us!

So after the exciting but sad ending of the football season, 87 players, coaches and Alconbury fans went to dinner at the Zur Steinalb in Bann. There we ate schnitzel for the first time and had Birthday cake for Sean-Sean. He was happy to have the football team and fans sing him Happy Birthday, that made his day. We had an interesting trip through the woods on what looked like a logging road. The GPS decide to take us on, in the end we came out of the woods and dropped right down into the little town where the restaurant was. Interesting route but the trees where beautiful and the road was covered with yellow leaves, it reminded us of home.

GERMANY

2008-11-08T05:14:00.000-08:00

OLD WAR TANKS ON BAUMHOLDER ARMY BASE, GERMANY

SEAN SLEEPING IN THE CAR AFTER THE GAME

BEAUTIFUL PASTURES ALONG THE ROADSIDE

LOTS OF TREES AND FALL COLORS

GERMANY WAS SO PRETTY WITH THE FALL COLORS AND THE CRISP AIR AND THE CLEANLINESS OF THE HIGHWAYS AND THE VILLAGES.

THESE PICTURES ARE IN THE CAR DRIVING FROM HAHN AIRPORT TO BAUMHOLDER, GERMANY. THE AUTO BAN WASN'T AS CRAZY AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IN FACT I THINK WE WE'RE THE ONLY ONES GOING FAST. I WOULD SO GO THERE TO LIVE FOR A YEAR OR TWO. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL BUT VERY RURAL.

FRONT PAGE OF THE STARS & STRIPES

2008-11-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

SO KEREY MANAGED TO GET A SMALL PICTURE OF HIM (#34) GOING AFTER THE QB ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE STARS AND STRIPES. UNFORTUNATELY HE MISSED THE TACKLE BUT IS ALSO MENTIONED SCORING A TOUCHDOWN IN THE ARTICLE ABOVE.

Kimo's Birthday Present!

2008-11-08T02:45:00.000-08:00

I was asked what I wanted for my birthday present and I asked to go to the NFL game New Orleans Saints vs. San Diego Chargers at Wembley Stadium in London. It was an awesome time and my seat was on the 15 yard line 7th row. I went down with some of the seniors on our football team and Coach Bob Shaw.

European Championships!!! in Baumholder, Germany

2008-10-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

Hiya, we take off on Friday to Ramstein and Baumholder, Germany for Kerey's football Championship. We are hoping for a win since the last one was a decade ago. Keep the faith that we will be bringing home the European championship Title for our division.
Next time I post Pictures won't be till next week so until then Cheers!

Freshman boys

2008-10-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

Kerey is in the back! I think the other group picture are the sophmore -Seniors. These are the Freshman.
Nobody is ever around when I post these so I have to figure it out for myself.

3 day 6th grade field trip to Grafham water, England

2008-10-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

Top: Getting ready to kayak!

Bottom : looks like wind sailing?

I think he had a good time despite the fact that I made him go! I'm thankful he didn't get hurt since I made him go against his will. It was like a $140.00 field trip but some of us parents got a portion of our money back, like $30.00 or so because the wives club or some organization donated money after the fact.

Sean at Grafham Water

2008-10-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

Looking cool like his Mommy when she went to North Wales on her water adventure this summer! ( i know the get-up is pretty funny)

Alconbury Dragons

2008-10-20T15:00:00.001-07:00

Dragon Boys and one Dragon Girl!!!!

Kerey Freshman year!

2008-10-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

Kerey's had a good first year as a Freshman. Playing with the varsity this year has been a great experience for him. He's about 5'10-5'11 and 168lbs. and has played against kids from 9-12th grade and even some 18-20 year old college kids or shall I say men. That was intimadating for a 14 year old just turned 15 but I think it gave him more confidence.

Kerey and Chloe

2008-10-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

My babies growing up! Alright, I know I already went through this with Corey but Kerey? oh my goodness! Aren't they so Cute, aww to be young again. Kerey had a long hard day! and this picture was after the dance but he still looks cute.

What a cute couple!!!

2008-10-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

Kerey and Chloe after the Homecoming Dance.

Tiny, Kerey and Chloe. Kerey left his tie in the club and which is nothing compared to the fiasco of showing up in his Jeans for a semi-formal event!!!!! I had to run out to buy him some pants and a black tie. Only my kid! The story of my life!

Proud Daddy!

2008-10-20T12:59:00.001-07:00

Kimo and Kerey after the game! They both were relieved after they won!!

We won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh! it was a crazy game. We should of won by more but things happened and some things didn't happen. It was probably the worst game our boys played and with 6 seconds left on the clock and the score was 19-20, gregg kicked a 22 yard fieldgoal. We won, we won!!!!

It was scary and crazy people jumping up in the stands and kids running on the field, one might of thought that we just won the super bowl! One boy jumped up on Kimo and next thing Kimo knew he was flat on his back on the ground, it was funny because the boy got off of him and ran off and left him laying there.

Here is a picture of the Team with tears of Happiness since they are on there way to the Championship game which hasn't been accomplished in like 20 years or something crazy like that.

Kerey's Fan!!!

2008-10-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Isn't she a cutie!!!!! This is Jaycee Shanholtzer. Will and Buffys daughter,Will works with Kimo.

Jaycee is sporting her Alconbury pride with the number of her favorite player!!!! Can you guess who? Yup, Kerey Kuheana or as the announcer say's, Kerey Kuhana! #34!!!!

Homecoming parade!

2008-10-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Top:Go Dragons!!! Coach Kimo's in the back walking with the other coaches. Below:Sean with a few of his friends. Once again Kerey is somewhere in the middle.

Oct. 18th 2008 Alconbury Dragons Homecoming

2008-10-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hey!!! Here are the kids on the football team getting ready to walk in their mini parade on base for there homecoming game which was the next day. You can see Sean and also behind the banner is Chloe, Kerey's girlfriend she is the football teams manager.

You can only see Kerey's head behind Chloe in the top picture.

Rota, Spain

2008-10-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is the Team in Rota, Spain on the Navy Base. They lost unfortunately but we will be playing them in a Championship game on Nov. 1st at Baumholder, Germany. Too bad you can't see Kerey hes towards the very back.

Aachen, Germany

2008-10-08T02:29:00.000-07:00

In December we plan on going to the christmas market in Aachen, Germany. I can't wait to go there because we plan on finding some handblown oranaments, getting chocolate from the chocolate factory, going to the Aachen cathedral and after being frozen and tired we will be going to the Thermal Spa! Yes for some relaxation and to warm up from the cold temps. Here is a Website I found and it looks very cool even though it is a municipal spa it looks pretty luxurious to me. It's a 24 hour trip from home to Germany, day of shopping and back with no hotel stays. We will have to get rest on the way home.
http://www.carolus-thermen.de/go/bad_aachen/english.html

Lets not forget the food too! Yummy! and in that same city they have a cookie called a Printen. I look forward to trying one since it is made there.

Also, another highlight will be to visit the beautiful Aachen Cathedral/ "The Kaiserdom" Charlemagne a.k.a. Charles the Great/ King of Franks was from Aachen and had built the cathedral in 800A.D. It has the swaddling clothes of Christ and his loin cloth he wore on the cross. The cloth of which John the Baptist's head layed on after he was beheaded and the cloak of the Virgin Mary too.
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/aachen-cathedral.htm

So since I'm not really doing picture taking now here some sites I will see in Dec. If you come out to visit you can join me on this one day adventure!

The Roman Baths

2008-09-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

The Abbey in Bath

2008-09-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

THE ABBEY IN BATH
ROMAN BATHS TO THE LEFT
COLLEEN LOOKING LIKE A TOURI.......LOL

TIM OUR PHOTOGRAPHER (hee hee) COOL ARK IN THE BACKGROUND

Bath, England

2008-09-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

Driving into the city

Bath is in Somerset in the Southwest of England. It is Britains only Hot water Spring. The Abbey is next door to the Roman Baths. I have to say it is beautiful and amazing how the Romans built this town

Woodhenge

2008-09-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Co and Tim striking a pose.
Do we look a little cold? Just a little but it's fall!
a tombstone in the middle of the circle, hmmm....... I wonder if there's really a body under there?
There's the car park and Colleen with my baby Subaru ( he's looking British) Refering to my car with my crazy long license plate. Maybe I will call him Oli. I love my Oli.

So here we are having the whole place to ourselves for a few minutes. No tour buses and no fee to get in. It is surrounded by a little wooden fence. So we got our pictures in and then headed of to the Roman Baths in Bath, England which was an hours drive northwest from Wiltshire.

woodhenge September 11,2008

2008-09-15T13:44:00.001-07:00

A 2 mile drive down the road and we arrived at Woodhenge. It sat on the corner lot of a old back road and across of it was a little car park with dirt that could fit maybe 4 cars.

So as you can see from the concrete in the ground they replaced the wood beams because they rotted since it was over 2000 years ago.

You can see a circular ditch and bank that surrounds the henge. They believed that this site was build way before Stonehenge but now they are thinking it was build around the same time give or take a couple hundred years.

I heard something like they believed that the people would make a pilgrimage to one of the henge's during the summer solstice and another during the winter solstice. The thought behind the wood henge is that this represented our life on earth now, being temporal and the stones at Stonehenge represented the eternal life being incorruptible.

Woodhenge

2008-09-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

STONEHENGE SEPTEMBER 11TH 2008

2008-09-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

I KNOW THEY ALL LOOK THE SAME BUT WE HAD 3 CAMERA'S AND ALSO WE TOOK PICTURES FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES. YOU CAN'T GET BORED LOOKING AT THESE ROCKS THEY ARE VERY FASCINATING. TOO BAD THEY WON'T LET YOU TOUCH THEM ANYMORE.

TIM, COLLEEN AND SEAN

2008-09-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

YES IT WAS CLOUDY AND RAINING

2008-09-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

SEAN AND I IN THE WIND AND RAIN. IT WAS COLD BUT TYPICAL WEATHER HERE SO YOU JUST HAVE TO GRIN AND BARE IT. IT KEEPS ALOT OF TOURIST AWAY SO THERE WASN'T A LINE TO GO IN. YOU GET YOUR AUDIO TOUR GUIDE AS YOU WALK AROUND THE HENGE.

STONEHENGE

2008-09-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

LOOK AHEAD IN THE BACK GROUND, CAN YOU SEE IT AS WE DRIVE. VERY EXCITING EVEN THOUGH IT'S JUST SOME EXTREMELY LARGE STONES IT IS SUCH A COOL SITE.

I WAS EXCITED TO ACTUALLY SEE THEM WITH MY OWN EYES ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE BEEN WATCHING ALOT OF NEW DOCUMENTARIES ON STONEHENGE AND WOOD HENGE!!

FIRST DAY OF MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGHSCHOOL

2008-09-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

THIS IS KIND OF RANDOM BUT I FORGOT TO POST THESE PICTURES

THE BOYS WAITING FOR THE BUS TO PULL UP. THEY STARTED SCHOOL ON SEPTEMBER 25TH.
THEY GET TO RIDE TO SCHOOL ON THESE NICE COACH BUSES BUT THIS ONE PICKED THEM UP LAST WEEK LOOKED BRAND NEW AND HAD BLACK LEATHER SEATS. THEY ONLY GOT TO RIDE IT TWICE AND THEN IT WAS BACK TO THE WHITE COACH WITH CLOTH SEATS. OH WELL I GUESS THAT STILL BEATS THE YELLOW SCHOOL BUS. THEY ATTEND THE SAME SCHOOL.

PUB FOOD

2008-09-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

CO AND TIM ABOUT TO ENJOY THEIR LUNCH

BANGERS AND MASH!

QUEENS HEAD 400 YEAR OLD PUB

2008-09-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

THIS PUB WAS DONE THE STREET FROM THE AUDLEY HOUSE SO WE DECIDED TO GIVE IT A TRY. IT WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD, WE ENJOYED IT.

OUTSIDE AUDLEY END HOUSE

2008-09-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

TOP: COLLEEN AND I ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
WHEN I GROW UP I WANT TO BE LIKE MY SISTER. ALTHOUGH FOR THE MOMENT I TEND TO BE LIKE MY BOYS AND LOVE BEING IN MY HOODIES AND BLUE JEANS. POOR KIMO, HE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE WAS GOING TO HAVE 4 LITTLE BOYS!

MIDDLE: THESE COW HEAD THINGS WHERE AT THE TOP OF THE GATE POST. THEY WERE PRETTY COOL LOOKING.

BOTTOM: COLLEEN, KIMO AND I MAKING LIKE WE HAD JUST EXPERIENCED SEEING THE GROUNDS OF THE AUDLEY END HOUSE WHEN REALLY ALL WE GOT TO SEE WAS IT FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! SHUCKS MAYBE NEXT WEEK WE WILL GO BACK TO VISIT.

Posing infront of the Gate

2008-09-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

So like I said we drove about an hour and found out that they were closed. Hmmmm.............That's what happens when you have Candice and Tim read directions and plan together. It's hilarious really because I read the hours to Tim from the book and we both thought that when they said open Wednesday thru Sunday we thought they were referring to the days they had guided tours. Needless to say we did not get to go in but we did manage to find a 4oo year old pub to fill our bellies!!! No need to waste the drive out there right!

September 9th 2008

2008-09-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

So we drove out about an hour away to visit The Audley End House. Sir Thomas Audley was given the lands of Walden Abbey by Henry VIII, and adapted the abbey buildings as his mansion. His grandson Thomas, first Earl of Suffolk, rebuilt this mansion in 1603 and 1614. The new Audley End was truly palatial in scal, but Suffolk fell from power after 1618.

Inside Clares college

2008-09-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Top: Inside Clare College

It's so cool that all these old buildings are still being used by students. Just to think of all the knowledge that has been taught there.

Bottom: Sundial clocks, too bad that it's always cloudy here or you might be able to use it. This might work better some where other then England.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

2008-09-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

By the way we did Cambridge on September 8th my Dad's 81st Birthday!!!

Tim in the Gardens and with Colleen next to the river next to the pretty willow tree you see in the next picture.

Punt boats going by with people sitting back an relaxing as the Punt guide gives them some history about the area.

Gardens at Clare College

2008-09-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

Above: Another college, you can see the sheep in the front
Middle: flowers in the Garden
Below: A nice little pond in the middle of one of the Gardens on Clares College

Cambridge College's

2008-09-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

I think this was Clares college

This is looking at the other side of King's College

Kings College

2008-09-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

Tim and I posing infront of Kings College.

Cambridge college's

2008-09-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

Here we have several different colleges that we passed by on our stroll in the city center