2 Days Left!!!

There are only two days until Nahro and I head to the USA! Woo Hoo. Two days ago we celebrated our second wedding anniversary. We had a nice (quiet...no stupid phones ringing) time. We watched Ghost Hunters and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (for a Muslim he is starting to dig all things Christmasy..including the music!) We couldn't decide on a film (I was talked out of Madagascar 2 by Ash) so we ended up at "The Day the Earth Stood Still". I liked it...I think Nahro was hoping for more. I am not sure more of what though. We finished out the night with the finals to the X factor (Alexandra won!!!!) Wow after go over what we did we sure do sound old!
I am so thankful that I met and got to fall in love with him. Sure he can grate my last nerve but he can also say some of the most magical, wonderful, sweet things when I least expect it. Initially I had wanted to get married in the spring with tulips and warm weather, but then I realized that being married so close to Christmas is good. I love this time of the year and the feeling of it. I think it was perfect. Now I am rambling! I will leave you with a picture of us on our anniversary (it took about 20 pictures to get a decent one!)

Next year this will be in front of my pandas!

HAve a good day...see you in 2 days!

Excitiing news....

For me, maybe not you (definitely not Ashley) I got one of my Christmas presents today (well I ordered it!) But it came in the mail! I AM GOING TO SEE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!! Okay now that I have expressed my excitement I shall forget that I am going to this awesome concert until Christmas day. I'll be "Hangin' Tough" till then!

Read 'em and weep kids!

Have a good day!

Two bits of news

First order of business...Nahro and I leave in a week to come home for Christmas. I love Christmas and love being with my large fun family then. I can't wait to hug my kids. I wonder if I will be able to hug them all at once? I only have 1 full present to buy and a few bits of another (pretty good if I do say so myself...since I am in another country!) I already have most of our bags packed. There are going to be FOUR of them! That, however, brings me to my next point. I am moving back to America in February. Nahro and I have decided that we need to be home sooner than later. So I am coming ahead of him to set up shop so to speak and start moving on his visa (very important for entry into the country) . I am excited to get to be back in a land that I can drive...and I know where things are located in grocery stores. I know that Derby will always have a special place for me...but am so glad to be home. I am mostly going to miss my husband. We have been apart before but, this IS the last time. I am excited for our future and hope that the visa god is smiling on us for a fast visa process! So I will talk to on the eve of our departure.

Derby's Christmas tree in the centre of the city centre


Have a good day!!!!!

The Country of England Came to a Halt...

...because of an inch of snow! It was a very welcome site to me. Mostly cause I love the stuff (only before and right on Christmas day...after that it can go away!) I had been told by several Brits that their 10 minute drive took them 45! I mean we are not looking at northern Michigan snow. Most of the snow was melted soon after it fell. I still was happy and managed to get a few pictures of it. Nahro told me I was crazy cause I just happened to have our camera in my purse! Here is some of the white stuff in Derby...

Yes this is all the snow there was...and that made commutes longer!

I haven't figured out why Nahro needed me to take this picture...but here it is
This was today...the day after the "big" snow

Derby does have an open air ice skating rink...Pretty cool huh!

Have a good day!

No Thanksgiving in the UK

Yesterday was Turkey Day....but you know that! I was here in the UK (a bit sad...then I realized I wouldn't be tempted by all that yummy food, thus losing more weight then the rest of the family!) I kept on forgetting that Thanksgiving was even coming up! Here in England we have been preparing for Christmas since November 1st. Which is like being in a dream! I love Christmas. Now knowing that Thanksgiving is over in the US that means I am coming home soon! Woo Hoo! Still, while I didn't have Thanksgiving I still have a lot to be thankful for. My mommy and daddy who are ALWAYS there for me, wonderful siblings, a great husband, and many little kids who say some o f the best things...ooo and my dog. I am always thankful for my dog! Hope all of you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Long Time No Talk!

I haven't been super busy but, my mind has been elsewhere. There are now 28 days until I return to the USA! Woo Hoo! So I will give you a run down on the Hamads have been up to for the last 2 weeks.

Halloween Day Nahro and I went to my favorite town...Stratford-upon-Avon. I was on a mission for some Christmas bulbs from a fantastic Christmas store called the Nutcracker Shop. It was a success. As we were wandering I saw an outline of some words from a sign. I thought it was cool so I snapped a pic. (I have been taking random pics for a mini scrapbook I am going to do called My Life in England) Not sure how well it can be read but it says "God Save the King" There hasn't been n King in England for over 50 years! Thought it was cool.

Nahro is switching jobs...sort of. He is working at the same place doing the same thing...just being paid by someone else. I started my job at Boots in the fragrance section. I love it. It smells good...most of the time! We have also been starting to Christmas shop. Other than that our lives are pretty non eventful..unless you count watching a million episodes of Prison Break excitement! Well here are some of my favorite pictures of Derby...
The Old Bell Hotel. It's located in one of the coolest shopping areas in Derby...Sadler Gate
The Derby Cathedral with a Merry Christmas sign in front of it (this was taking in the beginning of November)
Just a street where I was waiting in the car for Nahro...I don't know if you can tell how close the front doors are to the road or not...but they are close!
A pub that I pass when I walk to or from the City Centre. It has a beer garden. The top level is living quarters for the owners (usually)
The Derby Ram. A statue in the center of town. The football (soccer) team here are the Rams
Have a good Day...and hopefully I talk to you soon!

No Power = Problem

I just have to say one thing... I am so glad I was born after the invention of electricity. So Monday I was sitting watching Kindergarten Cop waiting for Nahro to come back from the gym when suddenly my power just goes off! I tried everything to get it come back on, I mean who doesn't love Arnold playing a teacher to a group of 6 year olds? When Nahro got home he called the power company...150+ people were without power. Not uncommon in the USA, but here there power lines are underground! So I had no power for 5 hours! Torture! I survived somehow. Yesterday Nahro decided to get sick and today he was as well. He finally slept past 6:30! Woo Hoo. Still he had to go to work. Tomorrow it will be 4 years since we met and he didn't want to spend all day working! What a guy! Have a happy day!

Pumpkin Time!!!

Last night Nahro and I carved our pumpkins. It was the first time Nahro had ever done it, and let me tell you he is a real girl about cleaning the pumpkins out. I took pictures of it all. I made Nahro do all the big knife stuff. Here are the pictures:



Nahro cutting the tops off:

Nahro using a spoon to dig out the center...
Making his face (well the pumpkins)
Nahro and his masterpiece...Don't I look cute (blah) Me and my pumpkin...Our Pumpkins, aren't they fabulous! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!! (A bit early)

I have the best sisters in the world....and no you can't have them!

Wednesday I go the best surprise in the world. I was getting ready to go out to keep myself busy when my buzzer went off. Parcel delivery...I assumed it was something that Nahro ordered. When the delivery guy got to my flat the box was too big and that is when I saw my name! and then the distinct polka dot tape! It was from Sonja and Ashley! YAY!!! When I opened it up and I was jumping up and down from excitement! I probably stared at all the super cool scrapbook goodies for a good hour! Needless to say I didn't make it out that day...

Here is a look at what I was sent

A snuggly soft panda that everyone hugged (I have the pictures to prove it!)

My goody bag of scrapbook supplies! Woo Hoo!Thanks again girls and have a great day!

Gettin' Scrappy

Busy...Sort of

So I haven't been incredibly busy, but my computer acts up off and on so I have to use my husband's. I don't like his for my fun stuff! I do have some news to report though. I have a job! Its only one day a week but its a start. I am still looking for more. I have been busy this week with appointments. I have to do a blood test on Monday and the nurse couldn't find my veins so I was stabbed twice! Tuesday I had another nurse's appointment, which went so much better!
Then I went to Nottingham, I wish I took some pictures it is such a pretty town! I have to get a national insurance number for working.

Today I was going to go for a walk, but as I was sending my husband, who increasingly sings any song he can think of, mostly with wrong words, off to work I saw it was raining! So I will have to wait and see. Nothing else exciting has been going on here. Nahro and I will be carving pumpkins so I will take pictures of that for sure. Its Nahro's first time. He is having a hard time with the western world's traditions...don't worry he'll get over it! Have a fabulous day!

Some Pics of my extended vactaion in Michigan

So here are the pictures you have all been longing to see. Sorry I didn't get them up sooner I have been very busy here re-cleaning the house after Nahro so called efforts. No word on any jobs yet. Anyway here are the pictures:

Ashley is listening for the falls

Taquamenon Falls...Isn't Northern Michigan beautiful?

Dad and I at the upper falls

Ash and Mom on the way to the falls

This one isn't of the falls but Chaddy put himself here and he looks so freakin' cute I had to include it...I know he is weird but that is what I love about him.
Have a good day!

Here I am

So I have been lying around the flat. It has been nice to be home with my hubby and I think he is glad to have me home. Today I am going to my first UK interview. Since the Brits don't have Turkey day like us Yanks do their festive season starts soon after Halloween...like November 1st! I am going only for seasonal help but any money coming in is good plus it will look better the future jobs. Woo Hoo. Its only part time but it gets me out of the house. Wish me luck! Tomorrow I hope to get some of the Taquamenon Falls pictures up! Have a good day!

Going Home

Well I have done so much since I came back to see little Levi born. I was busy busy busy.  I am sad to be leaving but so excited to get to be with my hubby again. Unfortunately  I will have to put up pictures of all my American fun when I get home cause Sonja's silly computer does not recognize my external hard drive. Nahro and I should be back at Christmas.  Lots of love.

Soo Locks...finally

Saturday night mom wanted to go see the boats (they were decorated with lights...there were about 5 of them! I know Cheboygan is HUGE!) Mom, Dad, and I preformed some major surgery on Joey. He ripped open his stitches and we stapled (medically not desk) his cut closed.

Mom and Paige were checking out the river before hand.
Joey was restless the entire time...well almost. Here he is interested because the boats horns were going off.
Sunday after church we finally made it up to the Soo Locks. I always loved it here cause my Grandpa used to go with us. They only had one boat going up and it was in the far lock. I am still so glad I got to go this year. Here is Dad and I in the visitor's center.
Here is Paige doing what she does the most...on the internet.
And Joey has to wear an Elizabeathan collar cause he bothers his eyes too much (he ended up having to go back to the vet Monday to get more stitches in both eyes!Tomorrow we are off to Chicago to help pack Ashley up to move into Sonja's.

Busy day

Today was a busy one. I got up and took Joey to the vet. He had surgery on his eyes to remove some of the extra skin. Obviously the anesthetics wore off quickly cause when he got there he was bouncing around. While he was at the vet Mom, Chad, Renee, Chaddy, Alexia, and I went to Silver Lake in Wolverine. Chad (the big one) was pretending to be Michael Phelps (in slow motion apparently, cause he didn't go too fast!) But he was certainly workin' those goggles!

Chaddy refused to take off his shirt in the water.
Joey goes back in two weeks to get the stitches out. In this picture it just looks like his eyes are a bit wet but they are all red around it. He is still having a hard time seeing. He tried to jump into the back of the Navigator twice and promptly fell and instead of helping him Chad just laughed. My poor doggie!
Tomorrow we are heading down to Marshall to pick up the camper for Chad and Renee and to take some things at the house. So no internet for a few days! Have a good time until I get back!

To Mackinac Island we go

Today is Chad and Renee's third wedding anniversary and mom and I are babysitting the two youngest (Papa is "helping" too, it is really more like playing). We thought we would take the kids to the Soo Locks then decided Mackinac Island would be better for them. Boy were we right. The biggest highlight was all the yee haws Chaddy got to see (that would be horses) The time was short but we crammed a lot in and had some fun. Here are a few pictures from the day.

This is how Chad looked the whole boat ride
Chaddy and I on the boat after Nana and Lexi chickened out in the wind and headed down below

Chaddy and Lexi at lunch

The rewards of the day ~ Fudge. (Chaddy had 2 1/2 pieces!)
Have a good day!

GOOD NEWS.....FINALLY!!!!

My brother Chad applied to work at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant, MI. We just found out today that he got the job!!!! He is starting next week! Please pray for him and his family. They have to find a home yet and move, woo hoo I am here for that :( lol. So Congrats Chaddy!

We Survived!!!!!!!!!

So the fair is over and we are still alive...a bit more insane but alive! It was a fun week and we raised a lot of money for the church! I rocked at the cash register! I had fun but am so glad it is over! Sunday we went to church a little groggy. Mom and I went to the movies at night to see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. They crammed the last three book into one movie, but we enjoyed it. Chad and Alexia were probably the only one awake Sunday (since they did no work! Jeez to be 2 or 4!)

Chaddy and Lex got into the goggles

Today both Chad's found time to nap
Little Chad did twice!

Cheboygan Fair Week

So I have been scrapbooking in the morning and then spend the afternoons and nights at the fair. I have been the cashier and it has been soooo busy! I haven't had much time to do much of anything. Hopefully next week I will have photos of the kids and hopefully the Soo Locks. I have been dying to go there since I have landed in the United States. So have a good weekend!

A night trip

I had heard about light house in Presque Isle that might be haunted while I was in England. Mom had suggested earlier in the day that we go see it...so at 8:30pm I said lets go. Off mom and I went. We both figured it would only be a short drive. An hour and 15 minutes later we were outside of the "haunted" lighthouse. This is of course was after having driving around in the dark next to the water (I have an irrational fear of driving into the water) After checking the lighthouse out we headed back to the house which was 77 miles away. We had plans to get gas in nearby Rogers City. Apparently on Sunday night everything closes at 10, except McDonald's which is open until midnight. So here we are far from home (millions of cars are around because some massive party or event had ended) with enough gas to only get us to the very edge of Cheboygan. We, well I, was panicked! Some how we managed to make it to the first gas station in town. Our car has a 28 gallon tank. I put in 27.531 gallons! Needless to say we made it home and mom got to live the edge again by seeing how far we can go on low gas! At least the lighthouse was cool!

It's been busy to say the least

So I have been meaning to put up pictures of my new flat. So here they are...

My living room and "dining room"...

Part of my kitchen (the fridge is small like most fridges in the UK and the washer is in there too) But I love my kitchen...
My bedroom the duvet is my favorite...Here are some pictures of the backyard in Marshall as I promised to Ashley

The sandstone was heavy lifting and the 30 bags of pea gravel were definitely not lighter! This took a total of 2 years to get finished, from ground breaking to completion


The fire pit was the easiest part of hte whole thing!Have a happy weekend!!!

He's home...and I think they like him

Today was the big day...Levi came home. So far he has been pretty laid back and just sleeping and eating.  He does look around after eating. He is such a sweet and handsome baby...I think I might take him home with me. I have asked and Fletcher and Sawyer refuse to give him up!

Introducing the newest Elsholz...Levi

Levi Andrew Elsholz was born July 24, 2008 at 2:05 pm.  He weighed 8lbs 4oz. was 20 1/2 inches long.  He is a sweet baby.  Mommy Sonja is doing well but is still a bit sleepy from the surgery.  I am so glad that my wonderful husband let me be here for this. The big brothers are all excited to have a new addition.  Sawyer and Fletcher love hugging him and kissing him.  So I will leave you with more pictures.