Where did I spend my afternoon you ask?!?

At Loch Ness, no monster sighted. 

This is where I spent my afternoon. This was outside our hotel from the deck.  It was absolutely gorgeous. 

This was the sunset tonight.  This place is a little slice of serenity. :) 

Seriously one of the most beautiful places on earth! 

(in case you were wondering, this place is called Pierhouse Hotel in Alphin, Scotland) 

Herrrrreeeeee's Johnny!

Last night we stayed at the scariest hotel ever known to man. On the website, it looked nice enough, but when we got there it was a hotel from any number of horror movies.  The one that sprang to mind was "The Shining". I swear all night I was waiting for Jack Nicholson to come busting through the wooden door.  So if you are ever in Inverness, Scotland, watch out for some of the hotels there, I think they might be haunted.  Creepy! 

Castles, and whiskey, and bus tours, Oh My!

This morning we jumped on the bus to tour the city of  Edinburgh and it was very chilly - about 45-50 tops,  We saw lots of buildings most of them old and stoney and dark.  Then we got off the bus to tour the CASTLE.  It is located on top of a great hill and looks like a dark fortress,  You have to walk up a long hill to get to the drawbridge, but we had already bought our tickets at the bus place, so we bypassed all the crowds.(This first part was written by my mother, Pat) It was amazing that people could live like that in that big castle on a tall hill. We also toured the castle dungeon. 

 It was horrible (not that I expected it to be like a holiday!). Seriously, the smell of the place was a mixture of urine and musk.  It made me sick and thankful I was not stuck down there to spend my days.  

After the castle, we went to the Scotch Whiskey tour, which taught me many things about scotch (including how they made it), with the most important thing being: that I don't like it. :) It was strong and gave me the shivers when I was tasting it.  Yuck!

It was so cold I put my hood on so I looked like a total dork!

We jumped on the bus tours and took a cold ride through the city to end out day. It is a great city. I love all the roads that have all the houses lining them.  Great place to visit! But seriously on this last picture, what is a "Nut Hoose"? What kinda barber is that?!?!  :) 

Tickets are purchased!!!!

We have finally taken the plunge and bought the tickets for our Girls trip to Europe this Summer. (sorry boys, you can go next time).  We surprised my mom by flying directly into Paris

from the 'tah. 

We will then  take the Chunnel to 

London (and spend a few days) and then take the wonderfully named, "Flying-Scotsman" to end up in Edinburgh, Scotland (and spend a bunch of days there). So excited... I definetly hope my 7th grade French will come back to me.  Oui! 

And I am way excited to go on a once in a lifetime trip with my mom and sisters.   Thanks, Dad! I don't know how I could ever repay ya! Love ya! 

Scotland!

My Dad has decided to send my Mother, Amy, Megan and me to Scotland as a retirement present to my mom.  We are hopefully going to go in June for about 14 days (maybe 16).  So exciting, but kinda sad because husbands aren't going. It is like a girls vacation for us. It is really far and will be a long time to be gone, but it is so exciting and generous for my dad to do that for us. :) I can't wait. My Aunt, Mari has been over there a few times and has helped us plan a route we might go on.  My mom and me have already gotten books and have looked up some of the sights.  I hope I can meet up with my friend Christine. She lives in Germany (right now she lives in India, but that is a whole other story)  and hopefully she will be able to meet up with us in London or something.   I hope this will all work and we don't kill each other. :) You know how siblings can get!  No it will be an awesome experience and great memories. Thanks, Dad!