Christmas Vacation-Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

This year, we decided to go on a vacation for Christmas.  In Europe, it is easy to get inexpensive vacation packages to interesting places.  We chose Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.  It is on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula in the Red Sea.  Sharm is known as a world class diving area.  Mostly, we just wanted to get away to somewhere warm--and to see the sun.  We picked the right place.

 This is the drive to Glasgow.

We had a direct flight out of the Glasgow airport.

 

Glasgow is about 2 1/2 hours from our house.

It took us five hours to get there.

 

Most of the extra 2 1/2 hours was during the last 20 miles or so.

 

Look . . .  no snow.  Sharm el Sheikh airport.

 

 The airport in Egypt.

 

Some of the locals.

 

 We did a snorkeling tour at the Ras Mohammed National Park.

It is an "under the sea" national park.

This is the boat that took us to the coral reefs.

The water is such a beautiful blue color.

 

We are getting close to the coral reefs.

They are in the lighter blue colored water.

 

 Angus looking like Jacques Cousteau!

 

 WOW!  That appropriately expresses my thoughts.

 

 Some of the countryside around Ras Mohammed.

 

 

 Waiting for the tour bus to come.

 

 Beautiful sunrise outside our balcony.

 

  The pool as seen from our room.

 

 

 The other pool at the resort.

 

Back to Scotland.

 

Our neighbor told Angus that it hasn't been this cold in Scotland in 15 years.

We enjoyed the warm, balmy weather on our trip to Egypt.  Christmas didn't feel quite the same since it was the first one away from our family, so what the heck, let's go on a vacation!  We celebrated Christmas by going snorkeling, and it was a blast!  We couldn't believe all the exotic fish that we could see and the coral was fantastic too.  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas too.

Happy Birthday Snake!

Happy Birthday Son!

24 years old!

It is hard to believe that you are that old.

Seems like yesterday when we were spending every Saturday

 in some smelly gym, watching you turn someone into a pretzel!

I remember when you and I went on the float tubes to fish,

well I mostly floated - you fished.  We saw eagles soaring that day.

  

 You are a favorite with all your cousin's children.

Does that mean you act like them?  Hmmm.

 

 You were a grandpa's boy.

Yeah, we miss him too.

 

 This little girl sure loves her Uncle Jake.

She's 1 year old now and she got mad at your wife

when she put on your hat.  She knew that it wasn't

Shannon's.  Boy did Shannon hear about it.

 

 Here is another buddy.  Is he your cowboy?

Or is he a worker guy?  An army guy?

Never sure what you guys are going to be.

 

Your dad rubbed off on you and you loved raising cattle,

just like him.  In fact you are soooo much like your father.

 That's not such a bad way to be! (Even though you are a mama's boy!!)

 In October you married your best friend!

Your sister loves finally having a sister.

 

 Speaking of your sister, she sure loves you.

As a child, she was always ready to take someone on

if they were being mean to you.  I still think she would do it too!

 

 Thanks for being our wonderful, crazy, fun son!

We love you!

P.S.   I did two posts at the same time - be sure to check out my Thanksgiving/Shannon post.

Thanksgiving in Scotland & Happy Birthday Shannon!

We spent our very first Thanksgiving away from our children.

I was not sure how it was going to be but it turned out pretty good.

First of all, our very dear friends, the Songs, visited us from Korea/Utah. Young Hack and Bud were mission companions in Pusan Korea in 1978. Yeon Han and I got to know each other when they lived with us during the summer of 1983. They have been family ever since!

 

 Hack and Yeon

 

The table is set, waiting for the food.

Hurry up, I'm hungry . . . .

 

Christian, a co-worker of Bud's, his daughter, Reagan visiting with

Chris and his new son, Logan. Logan's momma passed away about 1 1/2 weeks after he was born.  Chris seems to be coping pretty well. I admire his attitude.  He is an inspiration.

 

Camille, Christian's wife.  I am so glad that I have another expat over here with me, especially since our hubbies work for the same company. It makes life easier.

 

Jimmy, Alex and Emalee - Camille's other children.

We loved having a noisy house again.

It made Thanksgiving more fun to have kids in the home.

 

 Christian making his famous mashed potatoes, under the supervision

of Yeon and I. He did good.  They tasted yummy.

 

Getting some of the spread to the table.  I actually didn't think about taking any photos. I was busy in the kitchen. Hack took these and I didn't even know he did it.  Thanks Hack for documenting our wonderful American celebration in Scotland  with our Korean, Scottish and American friends.  It was really fun and I was especially grateful to my friends for making our first Thanksgiving away from our children and grandchildren so nice!

Look who's a year older?

Happy Birthday Turkey Girl!

Well, I guess that only applies every 7 years!

Thanks for joining our family.

We love you Shannon!

(I wish I had other pictures of you besides your wedding pictures.

Hopefully you guys will make a visit sometime soon!)

Riding in a Glider

One Saturday a couple of weeks ago, I went on a glider flight with a friend.  It was a gorgeous day with blue skies and absolutely no wind.  Without wind, a glider flight is very calm...but you need the wind currents to keep you aloft.  Because of the wind conditions, the flight was short--about an hour.

 This is my friend, Duncan.  He is a glider pilot.

Angus standing beside the glider.  The glider is called "Elvis".

 Buckled up and ready to take off.

The plane taking off, pulling the glider.

 

 Leaving ground and picking up speed.

 

 Airborne.

 

 The view from the back seat.

The River Dee.

 

Gaining altitude.

 

 The small town of Ballater.

 

   The hills of Scotland from the air.

 

 Beautiful scenery.

 

 Approaching the runway for the landing.

 

Smooth and easy.  Duncan knows what he is doing.