Scotland

Scotland was incredible the city was gorgeous and we had the best weekend ever.  We were able to stay with a lady that Tim worked with and we absolutely love her and her family.  Her husband drove us up the volcano when we got there and showed us our way around the city which was very helpful.

Once he dropped us off we walked down to the Christmas Market which was in the middle of the town.  

Snow globes have become my new favorite thing and I found a giant one which was awesome!

Friday night we hung out with the family and had a ball.  Their kids came over and he hung out and talked and danced the night away in their kitchen introducing them to some Zac Brown Band (they loved them).  This was one of the best nights that we had here.  They were so warm and welcoming that we felt like we had been hanging out with them forever and they were just old friends :)

Tire swing = awesome

The next morning we headed into Edinburgh to go to the Castle and walk down the Royal Mile.  On the way we found an ice sculptor, some awesome helmets to try on, and great musicians. 

Thanksgiving extras

Here are a few Thanksgiving pictures that I found that I thought were very cute and worth sharing. 

Solomon, Mason and Peter enjoying some games before dinner

Zeke trying to figure out if he can reach the extra Rolos

Heading down to the Christmas tree lighting

Tracy, Mary , Kristin and Ella enjoying the caroling

8 Days!

Well my adventure is coming to an end.  I remember back in August when I thought that I had months before coming home.  By the end of October, I started counting down in weeks.  I felt as if I couldn't wait to come home; I wanted to be with my family in a time of need.  We are down to counting in days now and there is so much of me that wishes I could go back and do it all again.  I have had an absolute blast while being here and don't want it to end.  It is amazing the different emotions that come when you know that a chapter in life is coming to an end. The end did not feel real until I packed up 48 lbs of clothes and sent it home with Tim this morning. (yes I will still have two suitcases full of stuff... no idea how that happened) I have been so blessed to have this opportunity.  I have met amazing people and can't even believe that I have actually been here for about 5  months.  I have traveled so much and learned so much about people and myself.  (I have also learned that I need to work hard in life because if I ever want to travel again I need to start saving now...) I was talking to Tracy yesterday and I am interested to see if this adventure has changed me. Being on your own in another country without your family is not an easy thing to do but because of the Cooks and the Nevins I feel like I have a home here.  I have a second family that I know would do anything for me.  I have a new younger brother who loves to give me crap, a friend that I can tell anything to, and a second dad who wakes up in the middle of the night worried I didn't make it home from school.  When I was feeling down about not being home with my family I could always see the joy in Peter and Kristin's 4 children, which is so contagious that I can not help but be happy.  I have also been able to realize the friendships that mean so much to me from back home.  Am I excited about coming home? More than anything.  Am I going to miss it here?  More than anything.  But I have a week left.  I am going to try and soak up and enjoy everything I can in the next 8 days.  I have some school work to finish up, a play or two to still attend, some Christmas markets to enjoy, and some time to spend with this new family of mine.  But first, I have a paper to turn in and a presentation to give tonight... I am off to my last twelve hour school day of the semester (this is one thing I am not going to miss).  See everyone in 8 days!

p.s. I will keep updating this last week...i.e. I know I have to post about Scotland, and this final week... but I just had to share the thoughts I was having on this beautiful morning in London :) (in London....saying that will never get old)

Thanksgiving in England...

Thanksgiving over here was a bit odd at first because I had to wake up and actually go to school! This was the first and only time I will ever go to a class on Thanksgiving... it was not worth it.  Once I got home from class it definitely started to feel like the holiday again.  The house smelled like turkey, the Macy's Day Parade was on TV and the Nevin's family had arrived so it felt like we were with family.  We had so much fun with the four kids.  We all hung out for a few hours playing and watching the parade.  Around 5:30 we walked down to the town center where there was a big Christmas tree that was lit.  Christmas carols were sung and then we headed back up to the house to start eating out great big meal.  We went around the table and said what we were thankful for and we were all in conclusion that we were all so thankful that we had each other to celebrate this holiday with.  It was nice to have each other because everyone was missing home.

 Mary Ella and I watching the Parade

After dinner Tracy found the wish bone for the kids. Solomon's wish will be coming true!

 Dessert was the part that I was the most excited about! Peter and I threatened many times throughout the night to eat all the pumpkin pie by ourselves... Tracy and I also made rice krispie pumpkins which were a huge hit.  We died the marshmallows orange rolled them in balls and then put a mini Rolo on top to be the stem.  Tracy made some green icing to make green leaves.  They were awesome!

Mason, Mary, Zeke, Tim, Solomon, Tracy, Kristin, Peter, Erin, and Ella... I love this family picture :)