Riverfest

Labor Day weekend and we had to attend an ohio tradition... fireworks at Riverfest. You can not even imagine how many people are packed along the river front. People arrive days before and all of the 'good seats' are taken/reserved/blocked by 6 am that morning! Crazy. It was really fun and the fireworks were beautiful.

The Little Princess on her pony

Thank you Auntie Carol for the princess tinker bell outfit!

Beach with Baba

At Stillwater Cove, the best beach in Pebble, just under the 5th fairway. This was Bantry's last picture. Bantry loved Stillwater because it was so calm and she could swim after the seals and otters. Of course, even in her advancing age, she would not sit still for a picture! She was such a great dog!

Noodles on her head

Dinner last night... she thought she was so clever to put the noodles on her head.

August 2008: More Glasses!

Insprired by Auntie Erin Schelcher. We found these in the back of Grandma's car!! Anyone want to claim them?

August 2008: Maggie at the Park

It is hot in Ohio so we took Maggie to the water park. Pictures are taken from our phone so the quality is not that great. Check out these glasses.

Moving on!

We made it to Ohio and I guess it is now time to change the title of our blog. Any suggestions for the next few months/years in Ohio?

August 2008

Sorry for the long gap of silence in the Blogger world.  We made it to the states and have been enjoying time at the Farm in Ohio and in California.  Maggie had her first big debut as a flower girl and she walked straight down that aisle (with a little help).   Weddings are so much fun and this one was no exception.  We had such an amazing time visiting with my high school & college girlfriends and of course enjoying the food, wine & fireworks (well done Gianna!!).  

Today we celebrated Maggie's 1st Birthday & my dad's 81st.  Maggie loved the cake from "Grandma Gayle".   

I will post pics as soon as I get them! 

  

Over the weekend, our little town of Capitola was invaded by birds.  A little known fact about my home town is that it was the inspiration for the movie, The Birds after an invasion in the 60s.   Well, I finally know why.   Check out some video of the last day of the swarm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLKgnkeiPR8

Homeward Bound

Movers are on their way and that means packing up the computer, no more posts for a while. We are so sad to leave the UK but excited to be heading home. I will leave you with a picture that sums up our 3 year jaunt around Europe. We have had such a great time and now we are exhausted. I think that we plan on staying put for a while...

We will forward our address when we get settled, until then our email always works! redingmary@yahoo.com

Love,

John, Mary & Maggie Smith

Barton Bendish, UK

John & Maggie snoozing.

Amsterdam!

One last trip before we leave Europe... Off to Holland to visit our friends. Yet another international flight for the little Maggie. She is a pro at sleeping on the go.
Here she is sitting on our hotel bed
The most interesting thing on the trip... the fish tank at the restaurant.
The beautiful canals.

Maggie on the go

After a full morning of pushing the laundry basket around the house, we decided to buy Maggie something that was actually designed to help her walk! So, here she is. Just 10 months old and already heading out to see the world. She made it down the driveway and all over the yard.

Uncle Johnny in France

Sorry that these pictures are all out of order. But, this is such a great shot of Uncle Johnny that I had to include it!

Seashore & standing

John & Maggie enjoying the beautiful British summer (the next day it rained).
We have matching hair. Not sure what is going on here.
Maggie can stand all by herself!

July in England

The poppies in the field next to base
Maggie helping dada order at the White Horse

Big Helper

Maggie loves to help with the dishes

Having fun!

We finally have orders to move back to the states! Maggie is really excited :)

Some "Firsts"

Maggie is coming up on 10 months now! She is so busy, crawling everywhere and now standing. Today she stood alone for 15 seconds and was so proud of herself! Last week in France she said her first word, "kaboom". She has been standing holding on to things and when she would sit down on her bum, I would always say "kaboom"! She sat back last week, looked up at me, and said "Kaboom!" What an interesting first word.

Pont Du Gard

June 2008 France

We just returned from a week in the South of France to round out our time here in Europe. We could not have asked for a better way to spend time with the family than enjoying great weather, views, food & wine. There are tons of pictures of us enjoying the sites & the markets. I don't usually put a link up for the places that we stayed at, but I will make an exception this time. The place that we stayed at was amazing. Our hosts were so helpful & kind and the location was perfect... it made Barton Bendish look like a BIG CITY! www.saintcastor.com I can not wait to return to a little piece of heaven!

Some shots around the house

Maggie climbing the stairs
Maggie with her favorite girl from Kentucky!

The Moores

Johnny's famous cobbler...

Such a cute shot of our friend Kirsty & Maggie!

Taking the folks to London

On our way to London!

The Big Tease

The weather here in England was beautiful here last week. Just before we leave for the states for good, the weather gods are teasing us with the sun. Almost makes me forget the long, dark January & February.

In celebration of the British summer, we had our neighbors round and enjoyed a glass or two of Pimms. YUM!

Bottom of the Pimms jug.

The cute girls across the street
Mary telling Maggie how life works.

Open Gardens

Every Summer the villages around here open up their gardens for people to poke around in. Mom & I went to the neighboring village and we met the most relaxed cat in the village out lounging in the sun. Does anyone know what type of plant this is??