Visitors!

The Stogners made a trip over to The Rock to visit us a few weekends ago and it was so nice to have friendly familiar faces in our home.  We kept busy with a tapas dinner at White D'Or Friday night; an attempt at a cliff walk Saturday (until the rain pouring down) which lead to a local pub for some pool, finished off with a fantastic meal at Red, music at Christie's, and a visit to our one and only local club, Follie's (the pregnant party pooper put herself to bed beforehand).  And Sunday we sent them on their way after brunch and a few pints at the Houmet Tavern. 

 

New Hood Ornament on the Celica

Greece

Island hopping in Greece has been one of our favorite trips so far.  Just as Guernseys weather was starting to turn, we headed to south to the sun and mid 80s temps.  Just a few weeks after finding out we are expecting, the trip was filled with rest, relaxation and 8:00pm bedtimes (for Annie).  Josh drank enough for two of us, and I ate enough for all of us...so the trip was definitely a success!

We flew into Mykonos and traveled to Paros and Santorini before returning to Mykonos for our flight back to Guernsey. We won't bore you with all 373 pictures, so here are a few (quite a few) highlights.

Our Mykonos Hotel

 

We found the pool within about 30 seconds...

 Mykonos Town

Happy Hour in Little Venice

 

A fantastic Italian dinner at Casa di Giorgio.  Josh had a major issue not eating Greek food on our first night. I blame it on the baby and cravings!

The ferry ride to Paros. We were advised of rough waters...here is my travel sickness solution.

 

Our Paros Hotel.  Another amazing view.

 

Can you see a pattern? Straight to the pool again.

 

Exploring Naosa

 

A wonderful night.  Dinner at Soso followed by drinks, music, free dessert and checkers at a little family run restaurant.

Beach hopping around the island.

 

We stumbled upon the Paros Triathlon.

 

Lefkes...the highest village on the island.

 

Lunch at New Golden Beach

 

The ferry to Santorini...

 

...where we saw one amazing sunset after another! 

 

Breakfast was delivered to our balcony every morning.  They even made Josh his 8 egg omelette.

 

A fantastic fresh fish dinner in Ammoudi Bay.

 

Our college friend and Josh's fraternity brother, Mike, came in on a cruise ship for the day. We bar hopped around the town of Fira.

 

Exploring the beaches of Santorini and the black sand...

 

Lunch in Fira with a view.

 

The town of Oia in the distance.

 

Sunset and dinner in Oia.

 

Our first little Parks purchase.  Josh thinks this will jinx us into having a boy.

 

Back to Mykonos before our last night in Greece.

Just another wonderful trip for baby Parks who has now been to London, Paris, Madrid, Edinburgh and Greece! Quite the passport for an 11 old week tadpole.

 

Tiny Dancer...

...not so much! 

After a few too many glasses of wine one evening, I signed myself up for Adult Ballet to get myself through the miserable, monotonous Monday evenings of the upcoming Guernsey winter.

I also wanted to be able to show up my favorite, real ballerina- Mollie.

Let me tell you, a lot has changed in ballet since I was 6 years old...or maybe I just accidentally signed myself up for the advanced class. Thankfully I was able to hide behind the 30+ people in the class at the beginning, but became increasingly horrified as the 90 minute class went on and we broke off into small groups to leap across the dance floor.  I may be 31, but pretty sure I dance like a 78 year old - completely inflexible and even more uncoordinated!

Today as I type this, I can't even point my toes because they are so soar and muscles in my body ache that I didn't even know existed.  Pretty sure my 4 year old niece has proven her point...ballet is no joke!  Now I can see why she would stand on stage, still as a pole, and cry out of fear during her recitals.  I might just be doing the same when mine rolls around!

At the very least, by the end of the 22 weeks, I will be known as the entertainment of the group and I might just be able to touch my toes!