Everybody's Got Something to Hide (Except for Me and My Monkey)

I just wanted to let our Mom know that we took good care of Ryan (youngest brother - 15) and made sure that he got plenty of exercise while he was away. After conquering Mount Snowdon we decided at the last minute to do a running tour the major Beatles sites of Liverpool on the way back to Leeds.



Yep, a running tour. Ian drove the car around and the three of us hopped out and ran to each site, took a picture, and then bolted back to the car! Very funny.



From infancy (ok, ok, maybe I'm exaggerating) Micah and I have been big Beatles fans, so of course, this was our big opportunity to do things like take our picture in front of the Penny Lane sign so we can tell everyone "We were there!!!" This is, after all, why we take pictures on vacations, anyway, isn't it?




After all that, I was totally knackered.






We also took a day trip to York so the guys could see the massive minster there. Micah got to spend some quality time with Alex (the Great). Also, is it just me, or are these angels signing out "Help"?

One night a few home group friends came around to hang out and show my brothers what sensible (hehe) British people are like. Alastair "Oh-my-hat" Morton brought along his camera and proceeded with a rather hilarious photo shoot of me and the bros in front of a blanket. With a monkey, of course. Still more to come...

Wales

This summer Micah and Ryan joined forces with us to conquer the best part of this country : Wales (just kidding to all of you English, not kidding for anyone else). Wales is awesome. It seemed like at every corner we had to stop the car to take pictures and fully appreciate the complete incredible-ness of it.

Here we are chillin' at our campsite near the little village of Beddgelert at the base of Mount Snowdon. There is this really sad story about a dog that dies that we won't get into because Ryan will get choked up, but you can read about it yourself here. Anyhow, the boys got full trial by fire the first night with camping in what they call "summer" here. I think we were all wearing about three or four layers each and were lying rigormortis-like in our tents all night, too afraid to sleep because the tents might have blown away! Good times. We cooked our meals on a little stove by the river and sat on rocks while we toasted marshmellows over the burner (no campfires allowed, can you believe that?).

We visited Caernarfon Castle along with thirty or so eight-year-olds dressed up like knights, princesses, and even a dragon. They were just behind us in line and you could hear them clomping impatiently on their coconut "horse hooves" to get in. Then they stormed the castle. After some exploring, we decided to get our priorities straight and get the boys some proper fish and chips.

We also went to this really bizarre place called Portmeirion. lt is supposed to be this place where this Welsh arctitect was inspired to build a sort of idylic utopian village. The guidebook said that it was supposed to have "inspired novels, films and the Beatles" and was a setting for a Dr. Who ephisode. To us, it was just a bit weird and kind of creepy. Anyhow, we had a chance to walk along a beautiful beach, hiked the trails, and paid hommage at the dog cemetary (Ryan, don't cry!).













The day we hiked Mount Snowdon was perfect. Beautiful weather, plenty of snacks, and no lack of views like this:

This was by far a favorite day amongst the four of us for the entire vacation. Nothing like the breeze in your face and the world at your feet! ...to be continued

More About Me Than You Ever Wanted to Know

Like many of you, I’m sure, I’ve recently gotten a few of those “About Me” emails where you fill in random information about yourself and send it on to a few of your friends for fun. Well, I feel like I kind of owe you guys an explanation or something for why you keep sending me these things (I do like to read them!) but you never get anything back from me! It’s because I think I might be a boring person or something! (>_<) I can never figure out how to answer the questions. Does anybody else have this problem?!? For example, I will give you some of the results from one of the latest ones:
1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30, but fell back asleep when Ian left
2. Diamonds or Pearls? Not really a jewelry girl. I guess diamond for my wedding ring.
3. What is your favorite TV show? Don't have a TV, sorry.
4. What did you have for breakfast? Cereal (is this really an interesting question?)
5. What is your favorite cuisine? The delicious kind
6. What is your favorite CD at the moment? That question is too complicated
7. What kind of car do you drive? Nike (no car)
8. What are your favorite clothes? My birthday suit
9. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where WOULDN'T you go?
Middle of a minefield probably wouldn't be too much fun
10. Pepsi or Coke? Either is fine
11. Pedicure or Manicure? Not bothered
12. Favorite fast food restaurant? Our kitchen? (don't really eat much fast food)
13. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? I'm married to a debt counselor, do you think I'd max out my credit card?
14. What is your favorite color? Blue... I mean green!
15. How many tattoos do you have? None here

Help! I must be getting old and boring! (^_^)

On another note, we've just decided this week that we’re moving this weekend. Yeah, I know. But at least we are escaping the bloody murder, loud Frank Sinatra-blasting neighbor, mold coming in through the walls, lap-dancing club going in downstairs, holding my laundry hostage in the broken washing machine for a week flat! Pretty happy about it, really, if we can pull it off. Anyway, more details on that later. We should also have some pictures up from our vacation soon, too. Stay tuned!

Randomly,

Kristy