Home sweet California!

The girls and I arrived yesterday into SFO.  What a wonderful welcome from my folks!  Mom waiting with cupcakes in hand for Maggie.  I can't begin to explain how smooth our trip went.  From the night before spent at the Sofitel, to the concierge who delivered all of our bags to the check in, to the beautiful Terminal 5 lounge, to our comfy seats, to the flight attendants carrying all of my bags.  If I wasn't exhausted and traveling with two small children alone it would have been a wonderful, relaxing trip!

We spent the weekend visiting our old village and friends in the UK.  I have pics and stories and lots of things to write about our love for the UK... Adnams, the Spread Eagle, Church Farm, Dawn's brownies, the Old Rectory, Mary's (the one across the road) cooking, seeing the Simon girls all grown up and working at the pub, a visit to the Queen's country house Sandringham, visiting Buckle the super sow, eating a steak and ale pie with Otis the big FAT cat at the Hare Arms pub, screaming peacocks, !!!.  Yes, it rural Norfolk we are talking about.  That is as exciting as it gets.

It was so nice to be back, but we missed all of our friends who have moved on.  What a great time we had looking back on all of the fun nights we had in the Old Rectory...  sitting around the kitchen table I picked up on the side of the road in Bury (thanks Belinda for spotting it!) and sharing a cuppa (or a glass of wine or two!) with so many interesting people.   I loved it when someone would just pop round.

I have many pics to post, but I must run to bed because both girls are asleep and jet lag has been rough.  We will probably be awake from 1 am - 6 am tonight.  If anyone is up and bored... give us a call!

Family day in Woodge!

Last day out in Lodz.  It was beautiful!  Sun shining and almost 50 degrees!  We had lunch with daddy at a great French restaurant.  

Maggie dressed herself today and told me exactly how to do her hair.  

Jane... This picture is for YOU!  He can't wait for Pina Coladas or Boy Bands in Arizona!

Maggie wanted to take some pictures of us.  Here is the first attempt.  Pretty good!

Another one from Maggie!

The new photographer

Homeward bound

It's official... after all of the visits to labs, hospitals, etc this past week... the girls & I are heading back to the states.  Off to the UK on Thursday to visit friends and stay in our old village and then back to SF on Monday.

It's been real Poland!  Any final requests for Polish goodies?

Thanks Steph!

Steph left for Ohio on Monday.  We had a great visit and really appreciated all of her help!  There were not too many action shots as we had a pretty lazy week.

Breakfast of champions

Hot Chocolate & a cream puff at R.Dybalski cafe, Pio Street, Lodz

The Lab

For those of you following the Polish lab/hospital drama... Here are pics from the Lab today.


John on his way in.


The waiting room.


The entrance way

Look what we found in the Dinoland parking lot!

A Tucson f-16!

Dinoland

One of the highlights of our trip so far has been a trip to Dinoland!

Poznan

We had a great time visiting the 'other half' of the squadron up in Poznan.  The weather was actually sunny and crisp.  But not freezing!  The town has a beautiful old square, beautiful churches, and great food.  Maggie had so much fun playing with Brady and was thrilled that she had a playmate that spoke English!

 

Visitors!

Grandma Steph is here to help with the girls!  We are so happy to have her here.

We spent part of our weekend in the Western part of Poland in a town called Poznan.  It was a great town with a beautiful square.  We went there to visit the other Americans who are stationed here.  Of course we had to hit Dinoland on the way.  Maggie loved it!  I will post some pictures tomorrow.

Women's Day!

From what we could figure out, today was "Women's Day" in Poland! Not really sure what it means... But something of a cross between valentine's day and mother's day. Also not really sure why it falls on Fat Tuesday or Pancake Day in the Uk!

There were people selling flowers on every street corner for "the women". So... John bought the Smith girls some flowers! We are still a little bit confused by the holiday!

UPDATE: I have just been informed by my girlfriend that it is 'international women's day' and there are incredible events empowering women around the world today. It has nothing to do with gifts or flowers... Apparently I am totally out of the loop. The florists in Poland are doing a great job marketing to the guys who don't want to screw up a 'holiday'!

Lunch with Daddy

Little girl standing up!

Reality check

It was actually sunny and warm today (34 degrees!).  It is going to get warmer this weekend, even hit 57 on Sunday!  Heat wave!  I took some pictures of our town on our walk.  This is the gate at the former entrance to the textile factory that is now a huge mall.

The Manufactura courtyard.

Beautiful building on our walk

The central roundabout that connects the park with the pedestrian street where we live.  The green tram is how everyone gets around.

Church on our block

Reality of Lodz.  This is directly across the street from the beautiful building third picture from the top.  An abandoned building with broken out windows and graffiti.  Makes for an interesting walk!

Bowling!

I'm catching up on some pics from around Lodz.  Maggie and her expert bowling stance.

More pics from Madrid

This was the most amazing breakfast!  Fried churros dipped in chocolate!

Reality of traveling with little children.  Time for a clean up!