Califonia!

Lloyd and Holly are successfully installed in California. We headed to the beach twice last week, first time we got wetter then expected! Second time wasn't as great. Went there early evening, as high tide was coming in. Shadowed by a cliff, we made camp on the highest ground to be found, five inches above everywhere else. Holly stood on some rocks, with a friend, Lloyd went for a walk, when suddenly, a gigantic, fluke wave tried to steal our stuff! Holly yelled at our friend; Sarah Jane, "your bag! Your bag!" And both, unintentionally, got wet again! Sarah Jane, a fellow Aristotilion, wrote on her facebook page; Aristotle floated like a witch! Lloyd, who was returning from his walk, cried "where are the keys? Where is my cell?" Luckily for her, after Holly's watch was stolen, it was returned, with the next wave. Searched for the keys, but, to late! Lucky us, Holly forgot her cell at the house, so we still have it. Dinner, two margaritas, two hours, and five failed attempts at making keys later, we were able to get into the car! The house was a different matter. Holly squeezed through a tight window and unlocked the door. Broke into the landryroom the same way. Had to change locks on the mailbox though, and we all have a key now!!! Let this be a lesson for you all!

Hope you enjoyed reading about this adventure, keep posted for more!

Let's hope that they aren't as difficult as that one was to get to you!

Lloyd & Holly

The Grand Canyon

June 17, we visited the Grand Canyon, on our way to our friend's house, where we are spending the night on our way to California. We walked down the Grand Canyon, part way, because we were running out of time, but we think you can walk all the way down to the bottom! We are going to enjoy a fun day today, before we drive six miles to San Diego tomorrow. We are enjoying ourselves, and hope that you enjoy our pictures, as much as we enjoyed the Grand Canyon!

Back to the Daily Grind

Today we celebrated Alexander's tenth birthday. He was surprised to see a cake in the shape of R2 D2 waiting for him on the kitchen table. Mom was worried that he might not recognize it. But he did and he loved it. Instead of singing happy birthday to him, we all hummed the Star Wars theme as he blew out all the candles.

There's no place like home!

Home at last!

Maggie's First Communion

Yesterday Maggie received her first Holy Communion at St. Paul's outside the walls in Rome in the year of St. Paul.  

Papal Audience

Yesterday, despite threatening rain and cold winds, we waited about 3 hours for the Pope.  It was really great to see him and the kids were excited too.  I got a few good pictures, which I will be uploading shortly.  I don't have the best internet connection here.  

We are staying at a Catholic guest house just on the outskirts of Rome where we have a 2 room apartment and three meals a day.  I have to say, Italian food is excellent, but it is just too much.  For dinner, there is always a pasta course (called "first") and for the "second", there is usually a meat, a vegetable and a salad.  Usually wine is served with dinner.   And fruit for dessert, and of course coffee or cappucino.   The meal times are different, too.  Lunch is served around 1pm and lasts at least 30 minutes, and dinner is usually served around 8pm.