Address

Just an FYI, we have an address in Houston that will forward letters and cards to us here in Aberdeen.

Marcus Smedley
c/o Dril-Quip
13550 Hempstead Rd
Houston, TX 77040

Happy 2nd Birthday Thomas!

Our baby turned two last weekend.  Of course we had to celebrate with a party.  We invited some of our new friends here and had a great time.  We were so fortunate that the weather was nice and unseasonably warm.  The kids enjoyed the bounce house and feeding the horses.  Thomas' favorite was the room we had filled with balloons.  We couldn't only get him out of there to eat cupcakes and sing happy birthday (which he is quite good at, see video in post).  Earlier that week we had a small Thanksgiving.  It isn't quite the same when you don't have any time off work.  We each picked a favorite side to have (Marc - green bean casserole, Eileen - sweet potatoes) and we got a roasted chicken from costco.   I must say Thomas was a fan of the chicken and the sweet potatoes (but they did have marshmallows and lots of brown sugar).

click here for more pictures

and here is a video of Thomas singing happy birthday... so cute

Halloween and Ned's arrival

Halloween in Scotland is not quite as hyped up as in the States.  Nonetheless we decorated the house and celebrated as best we could.  Thomas was a pirate at school and then transformed to a dragon for trick or treating.  Trick or treating was almost like a treasure hunt.  We ventured out with our neighbors and their two little boys.  First we had to find a house that had lights on and then we had to look for some sort of Halloween symbol in the window or on the porch (small pumpkin or decoration).  I think we caught a few people by surprise when we showed up at the door.  Thomas just enjoyed being out in the night and running around with his buddies.  He could care less about the treats or how many houses we "hit"

Ned finally made it over here.  Our good friends had been looking after him in Houston until his quarantine was up.  Marc met Ned in London and drove him back to Aberdeen (11+ hours).  Ned was so happy to be here and see us.  Thomas has been harassing him non stop and Ned has been loving his long walks in the woods off leash and in the cold!  Our family is complete.

Click here for more pictures

Provence Vacation

We spent 7 days in south of France at the end of October for a vacation.  We ended it up with a weekend in Rotterdam visiting Kelsey and Will.  Provence was lovely.  The food was good and the French were well, French.  We went to an amazing zoo that was on a bluff and seemed to be in the middle of no where.  The animals seemed to be in their natural setting.  It was amazing.  We also took advantage of the sun and went to the beaches at Cassis and Les Cartelliers.  The rest of the time we spent exploring the markets, parks and shops in Aix en Provence which is the town we stayed in.
It was wonderful to see Kelsey and Will and their amazing estate they are renting.  Thomas had a great time and loved his early birthday presents.  We had a good mexican meal and also celebrated Will and Eileen's birthday.  Thomas honed his wood chopping skills that weekend as well.  We were sad to leave them but it was SO nice to be home after 10 days away.  I think Thomas was the most excited to be home of all.
click here for more pictures