end of July 2009 pictures

Ascot

Thanks to our good friend, David Cox, B.D. and I had the opportunity to go to Ascot last weekend, something we have been wanting to do since we moved to England.
And in true DCox fashion, it was a day to remember!
We all met at the casino at half 8 for coffee and croissants, then onto the bus for scanning the newspapers and mimosas, then we arrived at our executive box.
Obviously we were hungry again (the alcohol kept flowing all day) so we had lunch then started the betting. It was not a good day for making money for B.D. and I, but luckily our friends Sam and Stuart made some money (on nearly every race).
Then dessert and coffee, a bus ride home, dinner at the casino then home.
The races were great fun, beautiful horses and a fantastic day!

Lizzy's baby shower

Our good friends Liz and Paul are about to have their first little baby...so Laurie, Katie and I threw Lizzy a surprise baby shower! It wasn't too big of a group, but we still did some of the obligatory games (feed the baby, match baby names to their famous parents, etc.) and ate, ate ate! The weather was beautiful so we enjoyed the entire party on Liz's perfect patio.

B.D. on Biz TV

http://www.biz-tv.net/

Click on the link above to see the picture of B.D., then click on the headline above his name, then click download audio file to hear my handsome husband's dulcet tones!

Monkey Forest

Today we went to the Trenthan Monkey Forest...too fun! It's an enclosed forest area with a 1 mile walk with all these areas of Barbary Macaques playing, eating and climbing trees. We joined a couple of Michy's work colleagues: Rob and his family (wife Sarah and boys Thomas and Harry), Alison and her daughter Olivia and new baby William, and Awen and her family (hubby Steve, daughter Charlie and little Tyler). Luckily the weather was beautiful and we had a great time (although Max may say his favorite part was the trampoline).

The Bull Run

B.D. had an immensely successful Tuesday evening with his inaugural Bull Run. He single-handedly organised the largest pub crawl Birmingham had ever seen, recruiting nearly 100 people to wear a specially-designed red tshirt, pay £30 towards drinks & food, and raised over £3000 for charity. Owners of the restaurants and pubs we went to along the route were so impressed that B.D. was actually able to get the number of people out that he promised they have committed to participating again next year, no problem. Enjoy the pictures and drop B.D. a congratulatory email if you get a chance!!

Saturday, lazy Saturday

Instead of our usual Starbucks outing, the UK Daltons went into Harborne this Saturday morning to get a haircut for Max and have coffee in Papa's office while he tried to get some work done.

5th of July photos

A great day: Max and Papa pressure-washed the driveway, Max played some Wii, and then the entire family went to the nature centre. We had a great surprise when the Red Panda made a unique appearance.

Proof they love each other

Pictures I intend to print and hang on their bedroom walls to remind them how much they loved each other when the fighting begins!!

Our 4th of July - not as cool as St Louis

The kids and I took a long, 2 hour, bike ride to the Bournville Park this morning. Max did a great job, he was really fast on the way there, the way back was torture, so slow (and I really, really had to pee). This afternoon we played outside until it started to rain. We talked with some family then had a yummy dinner of sausages, corn and some strange waffle potato things....nothing too American, but what do you expect from the dual citizens? We did break with tradition and apply for our British passports today (which Tio Stewart kindly signed for us)!!

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