19 April - Janis and Denis visit Birmingham

On their way to Paris on an Edward Jones diversification trip, our WA-based friends Janis and Denis visited Birmingham for the second time. The weather wasn't overly wonderful, but we did some really fun touristy things.... Starbucks at the Bullring; a walk up New Street to the flousy in the jacuzzi (and watched a Tibet demonstration); lunch at Barton Arms (historic pub with great beer selection - and Laurie, Matt, Matt's brother Graham, and friend Laura from St Louis all joined us); Cadbury World; the Black Country Living Museum; curry at Al Frash; and traditional pies at Mad O'Rourke's pie factory!

It was great to have them here and it meant we got to see a bit more of the West Midlands!

Isn't it supposed to be Spring?

6 April - We have snow!! All this snow feel between 3-5am, covering the ground and actually accumulating a bit. It stuck around until late afternoon, at which time it snowed a bit more then all melted away.

Last year Max was so scared of the snow he didn't want to walk in it at all. This year he is very excited about the snow and wants to play it in and build a snowman, but the snow was just too fluffy.

Boys Night Out - 5 April 2008

The boys (B.D., Dan, Matt and Cedric) donned penguin suits and went out to White Collar Boxing. Our good friend Eddie was making his boxing debut, and while he didn't win in the end, he put up a good fight and a good show!

We wanted everyone to see how handsome the men looked before heading out...enjoy the pictures!

xo Daltons 3.5

Cucina Caldesi

For our Christmas present, Carol and Dan bought us all (B.D. and I, Mom and Dad Dalton, Laurie and Matt, Carol and Dan) a Caldesi cooking extravaganza! Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi live in London where the own three restaurants and a successful cooking school, in addition to their cooking school in Tuscany. They have had two series on tv following their efforts to open their cooking school in Tuscany, and their beautiful wedding in Italy!

The cooking evening was held in their newly-renovated home with an amazing kitchen. We started off snacking on some scrumptious salami, cheese and homemade focaccia; then a multi-cheese pasta dish which included pecorino and a creamy sheeps cheese; then a chicken breast stuffed with a tuffle-filled gouda-style Italian cheese, wrapped in spelt, served with braised radiccio, lemon-roasted potatoes and boiled greens (don't ask, I honestly can't remember the name of it). The luscious meal was completed with a flourless chocolate cake and an amaretto-mascarpone cream.

We had a fantastic time - it was a lovely, family-style evening as we all thorougly enjoy! Thank you Dan and Carol!!

xoxo

Roma Adventure

Max, B.D. and his parents had a wonderful 'Roma Adventure' last week! It started with an Easter egg hunt in the hotel room for Max (complete with bunny ears); then down to the hotel swimming pool for loads of jumping in; off to the Forum; Trevi Fountain; and a tour of the colleseum. They had a great time, and Max travelled well - taking in all the sights and helping everyone eat their gellato!

I missed them all terribly, but got a lot of work done and re-arranged Max's bedroom.

Enjoy the pictures....xo

Chuli

Chuli means cool in Spanish - just watch Max on his new Chuli kick!!

Attempt to upload a movie

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