THE SCOREBOARD

OK, rewind 3 weeks ago - we were told that we had to be in Vegas by 30 Sep. So we told the Gov't that was going to cramp our style - we had one or two more European vacations we needed to take (oh yeah, and I still didn't have orders so it was next to impossible seeing that the movers only came up to Scotland once or twice a month, I had to drive down to England - drop off the car - train back (which is where I currently sit) and I had to fly to Germany for 3 days.

We won that one.

Blakes = 1, AFPC = 0

Apparently my unparalleled charisma and powers of persuasion worked wonders and our date got pushed to mid-Oct. They also agreed that we needed to see more of Europe before we left, so they decided to pay for airline tickets for me, Kristin and J to Paris and then to Prague (well, that and they were obligated to because we did consecutive overseas tours).

Blakes = 2, AFPC = 0

We'd love to show you pics from our final excursions, however...

When we got back to Scotland (realizing that we may have pushed it just slightly as we only had 6 days before the movers showed up and I had to go to England) we discovered that British Telecom had PREMATURELY shut off our telephone and internet service, even admitting that it was there fault it would take over a week to reconnect.

Blakes = 0, BT = 1

Half an hour later our laptop died.

Blakes = 0, Sony = 1

Now we have to go to a friends house, coffee shop, or interestingly the train to get online. So here I sit on the train, feeling a little guilty that I get around 4 hours of internet access and had a relaxing evening by myself in Harrogate, England in a boutique hotel, while my bride sits (without internet or a car) in a house about to be attacked by movers; trying to explain to our son that things are going to drastically change. He seems to understand more than we give him credit, saying on multiple occasions "I'm going to miss Scotland, no grass in Las Vegas."

So, my guilt about all this has led me to an odd point, something I didn't think I'd do, but I would do anything for her (sigh please). Knowing my bride would want to update you on our lives - I have now officially "blogged."

Kristin = 1, Burner = 0

- Burner
"Kill Migs"
(or "Replicate" them, in my case)

A Good Giggle!

Apparently we cannot import "snails" and "worms" to the US! Well, phooey...cause you know, I had a whole "snail and worm farm" to bring! (Gave me a good giggle when I saw this on an Import Guidelines list we were just given!)

The Old Course

You have to have a 17 handicap to play the Old Course!! Cody doesn't quite have a 17 handicap so, some of his friends that DO asked Cody to tag along yesterday, because they didn't want him to leave St. A without ever being on the "Old." Really, it was a great time with some friends and actually walking the original golf course and the Home of Golf!! One of Cody's friends took some pictures as Cody took a couple of shots on the 17th and 18th holes (thanks Bruce). J and I met the guys afterward at the Links Clubhouse overlooking the 18th hole of the Old Course for a great lunch and fabulous conversation about golf!



So, we'll leave here with just about checking everything off our list that we really wanted to do in Scotland (minus one-Hogmany in Edinburgh)! There are lots of other things that we could have done to fill another 2 years, but we have been truly blessed to be here for the time we've gotten to be here! The experience of a lifetime...oh, and Cody had a great time flying here too!

Some Lasts

Well, it's almost official...orders should be cut tomorrow...we are heading to Las Vegas somewhere around the 30th of September. So, along with that, comes the beginning of a lot of "lasts" for our family. The first was our last fair with a castle as a backdrop, as we went to the Glamis Castle Countryside Fair on Saturday. Sunday was my last Sunday to serve in our church nursery.

That was followed by Cody's last flight in the Tornado F3 yesterday (Monday) evening. Jackson and I were able to see him come in and land and then race over to the hangar where he pulled into. As always, it was emotional and exciting (and Jackson will tell you that it was loud and that he doesn't like "Daddy's mask"). Here are some pictures from his F3 Fini Flight.





These are only the "first" lasts...we are beginning to realize all of the things that we will miss about Scotland...but that is an entire blog posting all to itself!!

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Busy Weekend

As of midweek last week, we only had one thing happening on Friday night...our last formal event. We were properly "dined out" of an RAF squadron last Friday, 28 August at the Fairmont St. Andrews Hotel. It was a wonderful evening of catching up with friends who have moved over the last 2 months and bidding a final farewell to the squadron here (Cody is now flying with the other squadron...his 3rd squadron here!!). Unfortunately, others took pictures, but I do not have any of the copies yet.

So, as of midweek, that was our only "event" for the weekend...then, Friday on the way to the dinner, our weekend booked up!!

We were lucky enough to get to do one of the things we thought we were going to miss out on! When we got our assignment here, we had been told by some friends of ours' (thanks Wests!) to go see the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Because you typically have to book tickets a year in advance, we didn't go last year and when we found out we were moving, we didn't book the tickets to it, as we thought we would be gone. However, we attended, courtesy of the RAF!! The RAF had a few box seat courtesy tickets and Cody was able to get two of them. Our sweet sitter agreed (very last minute) to watch Jackson from mid-afternoon so that we could get down there, pick up the tickets at the box office and attend the 7:30pm show. The backdrop for the show is Edinburgh Castle...uh, HELLO! It was gorgeous and to see a talent show of sorts of Military Bands from all over the world there was a truly unique and fabulous experience!! Here are some pictures (in chronological order a.k.a. dawn to night) of the "best half time show" in history!!
Sitting in our box seats...where we were given a "goodie bag" with a CD and DVD and then a glass of champagne and caviar after, while everyone else left their seats...you know, so we didn't have to wait! (And, yes, I'm wearing my winter coat. It was downright COLD that night with the wind blowing that high up!)


Only in Scotland...Pipers from different Clans all participated in this performance. I will never tire of good Piping Bands!

My favorite "act" the Swiss drumming group known as "Top Secret."

The "Curtain Call!"

Cool picture of the flags...and then move your eyes down the picture...see the mass of people exiting the Castle down the Royal Mile?!?! Yep...LOTS of people have been attending these "sold out" performances for years!

What's even more amazing is that some family friends of Cody's had come up from Australia for the performance...the show time that we were lucky to get tickets to! So, we met up with them prior and then they came up to St. Andrews for the day on Sunday. We took them out to the base. Here is a picture of the "boys" in front of the Tornado.

It was a fun weekend! Hopefully, this next weekend we will go back to one of the annual countryside fairs that we had so much fun at last year! And, hopefully we'll know WHEN we are ACTUALLY moving...well, and I guess WHERE, as we still have nothing in writing=).