Today we went to the Houston Space Centre with Colwyn's family. We set off at 9am and arrived at NASA around 10. We took the 45 Freeway most of the way, passing by downtown Houston on the way. I took a couple of photos out of the car window as we drove by. The Space Centre was fantastic, especially going into the control centre. It was amazing to think that all of those space missions were controlled from that room and we were there!! They have pennants on the walls for each mission, and also 3 on the opposite wall for the ones that ended with a bang (if you know what I mean). We watched a link with the International Space Centre, as one of the crew did her exercise on an exercise bike. We also got to see the training area for the astronauts and all the mock-up space capsules, robotic arms, etc etc. It was great.
For dinner Meg and Dave cooked the famous Standing Rib Roast with accoutrements which was delicious.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Saturday here and Sunday there
Oh my gosh!!!! Have just realised that Lynn is moving to Oz and we won't catch up for at least a year!! That feels very strange and sad too. Will write some more soon but our ride to Colwyn's has just arrived. Hey Lynn, can you send me an email, so I can reply directly. Thanks.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday in the Woodlands
Don't quite know where the days are going but suddenly it's Friday and I realise I haven't been on the computer for a couple of days, so here goes.
Today David dropped us off at the Mall to do shopping. We started about 10.30 and were picked up at 3pm. The mall is pretty big and we have only scratched the surface of the shops to look at.
Hannah and I shopped and John and Tim did likewise, meeting up at lunchtime to eat, then off shopping again. Hannah ordered a medium coke with her lunch and we were so amazed at the size of it, we took a photo!! The saying 'everything is bigger in Texas' is true!! We bought a t-shirt at one stall, and the girl was from Chicago - even she thought the meals were big!
Tonight Christie and the chn came over for dinner and during the evening, Colwyn arrived in a fire engine, along with a truck load of guys. After a quick photo, he was off again, doing what fire men do!
Thursday
Today we went to Incredible Pizza with Christie and the chn and Michelle and Jason and baby Josh. After lunch - pizza! - the kids hit the amusement arcades armed with $25 cards. On many of the games, you can win tickets which can be redeemed for prizes. Tim and Hannah did so well on one game, a small crowd came to watch - especially when they checked in the tickets. Danielle, Tim and Hannah combined their tickets and had nearly 2000! After much deliberation, Tim got two dart guns, Hannah chose a lion, and Danielle chose a rat!!
We then went to see the hospital where Michelle works as a theatre nurse and met some of the people she works with. They obviously really enjoy working with Michelle, and you can tell she is well liked. The kids thought the hospital looked just like the set of Grey's Anatomy. They watch that programme here too!
Last night the whole gang of us descended on Lyndon and Sally for dinner. They had prepared brisket, chicken and polish sausage on the webber, then we had pecan pie, apple pie, boysenberry pie and icecream for dinner. It was the first pecan pie John had had in a very long time so he was a happy chappy.
Today David dropped us off at the Mall to do shopping. We started about 10.30 and were picked up at 3pm. The mall is pretty big and we have only scratched the surface of the shops to look at.
Hannah and I shopped and John and Tim did likewise, meeting up at lunchtime to eat, then off shopping again. Hannah ordered a medium coke with her lunch and we were so amazed at the size of it, we took a photo!! The saying 'everything is bigger in Texas' is true!! We bought a t-shirt at one stall, and the girl was from Chicago - even she thought the meals were big!
Tonight Christie and the chn came over for dinner and during the evening, Colwyn arrived in a fire engine, along with a truck load of guys. After a quick photo, he was off again, doing what fire men do!
Thursday
Today we went to Incredible Pizza with Christie and the chn and Michelle and Jason and baby Josh. After lunch - pizza! - the kids hit the amusement arcades armed with $25 cards. On many of the games, you can win tickets which can be redeemed for prizes. Tim and Hannah did so well on one game, a small crowd came to watch - especially when they checked in the tickets. Danielle, Tim and Hannah combined their tickets and had nearly 2000! After much deliberation, Tim got two dart guns, Hannah chose a lion, and Danielle chose a rat!!
We then went to see the hospital where Michelle works as a theatre nurse and met some of the people she works with. They obviously really enjoy working with Michelle, and you can tell she is well liked. The kids thought the hospital looked just like the set of Grey's Anatomy. They watch that programme here too!
Last night the whole gang of us descended on Lyndon and Sally for dinner. They had prepared brisket, chicken and polish sausage on the webber, then we had pecan pie, apple pie, boysenberry pie and icecream for dinner. It was the first pecan pie John had had in a very long time so he was a happy chappy.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas is a goin' and Viv is stuffed!!!
Today John and I walked down to the local supermarket - Randalls - to get some milk. It is about 15 mins walk. We really enjoyed wandering round checking out all the different products available, and also the different sizes of things - mostly bigger!!!
We bought a few extra bits and pieces and walked home again. By the time we had cooked breakfast it was 12.30 so we called it lunch.
Tonight Grampy cooked steak and patties on the bbq for dinner, then after a game of Scattergories, everyone went home. Now I am updating this, John and his dad are checking out some DVDs, Tim is taking photos with his new camera and Hannah has just come up to find a chocolate bar - all is well with the world. Now I have to check out what Meg is doing and see if I can convince her to sit down.
Oh yes, there are lots of squirrels here, we can sit at the breakfast table and watch them scampering up and down the trees outside.
We bought a few extra bits and pieces and walked home again. By the time we had cooked breakfast it was 12.30 so we called it lunch.
Tonight Grampy cooked steak and patties on the bbq for dinner, then after a game of Scattergories, everyone went home. Now I am updating this, John and his dad are checking out some DVDs, Tim is taking photos with his new camera and Hannah has just come up to find a chocolate bar - all is well with the world. Now I have to check out what Meg is doing and see if I can convince her to sit down.
Oh yes, there are lots of squirrels here, we can sit at the breakfast table and watch them scampering up and down the trees outside.
Christmas Day
I was first up Christmas Day, and made tea for Megan and Dave as we had to get the turkey in the oven by 9. We spent the morning organising lunch, and the kids opened their stocking pressies and a couple of things from us.
Lyn, Sally, Michelle and Jason came for lunch - turkey, potato, beans, carrots, peas, brocoli, cauli, gravy, and Christie and Colwyn arrived about 4.
We opened presents then and sat round chatting till tea time which was cold meat- turkey and ham and salad.
We watched some of the DVD's John had made just before leaving NZ - one of the Wku Xmas parade and one of our Christmas in NZ on Sunday 16th Dec.
All-in-all a lovely day, but not quite the same as home - no singing, and only 14 people!!
Lyn, Sally, Michelle and Jason came for lunch - turkey, potato, beans, carrots, peas, brocoli, cauli, gravy, and Christie and Colwyn arrived about 4.
We opened presents then and sat round chatting till tea time which was cold meat- turkey and ham and salad.
We watched some of the DVD's John had made just before leaving NZ - one of the Wku Xmas parade and one of our Christmas in NZ on Sunday 16th Dec.
All-in-all a lovely day, but not quite the same as home - no singing, and only 14 people!!
Christmas Eve
We were up early today to go with Christie (sister-in-law, married to Colwyn, John's youngest brother) to the mall to get some last minute pressies.
We found a park very easily much to everyone's surprise, it being xmas eve and all, and did our shopping. We all saw shops that we would like to explore another day when we have more time.
By the time we got home it was lunchtime, then Lyn and Sally took us over to their place for an hour or so. We came home, in time to get ready to go out for dinner at a Chinese restaurant. THe food was delicious and done buffet style which worked really well. After dinner, Hannah and I went with Lyn, Sally, Michelle and Jason to their methodist church for Christmas Eve. It was remarkedly similar to a Catholic or Anglican service, but we have way more carols. We came home round 9pm and I started to wrap pressies, finishing just after midnight.
John's Family Info:
David and Megan Lee
Sons:
John, married to me
Robert, married to Nicole, lives in Tunis
Lyndon, married to Sally, daughter Michelle, married to Jason with 1 year old son Joshua
Colwyn, married to Christie, 15 yr old son David, 13 yr old daughter Danielle
We found a park very easily much to everyone's surprise, it being xmas eve and all, and did our shopping. We all saw shops that we would like to explore another day when we have more time.
By the time we got home it was lunchtime, then Lyn and Sally took us over to their place for an hour or so. We came home, in time to get ready to go out for dinner at a Chinese restaurant. THe food was delicious and done buffet style which worked really well. After dinner, Hannah and I went with Lyn, Sally, Michelle and Jason to their methodist church for Christmas Eve. It was remarkedly similar to a Catholic or Anglican service, but we have way more carols. We came home round 9pm and I started to wrap pressies, finishing just after midnight.
John's Family Info:
David and Megan Lee
Sons:
John, married to me
Robert, married to Nicole, lives in Tunis
Lyndon, married to Sally, daughter Michelle, married to Jason with 1 year old son Joshua
Colwyn, married to Christie, 15 yr old son David, 13 yr old daughter Danielle
And so to Texas
John ordered a town car to take us to the airport on the Sunday morning - lovely leather seats and heaps of leg room. When we arrived we were amazed to see the lineup of people outside the terminal waiting to have their bags checked by security. We finally found were we were supposed to be and checked in without too much hassle. To board the plane, we had to stand in line according to our ticket numbers - ours were C 4-7, and wait until all the A's and B's had gone on board, only then could we go, to find that there were no seats at all together. It is a free-for-all, first in best seats.
When we arrived in Houston 3 1/2 hours later, Colwyn, Lyndon and Sally were there to meet us. We picked up our luggage only to find that Hannah's bag was nowhere to be seen. After waiting for another hour, we left, and crossed our fingers that the airline would find it. It did turn up the next day so we were very relieved. Hannah had to wear my PJ's so she was very pleased to have her own gear back.
All the rest of the family were here at Meg and Dave's for dinner so we got to meet the newbies straight off.
It was great to see everyone and they are all as we had imagined.
Meg has just made me a cup of tea so I'm off - till next time, I will catch up on the news, I promise.
ps thanks for the comments!!
When we arrived in Houston 3 1/2 hours later, Colwyn, Lyndon and Sally were there to meet us. We picked up our luggage only to find that Hannah's bag was nowhere to be seen. After waiting for another hour, we left, and crossed our fingers that the airline would find it. It did turn up the next day so we were very relieved. Hannah had to wear my PJ's so she was very pleased to have her own gear back.
All the rest of the family were here at Meg and Dave's for dinner so we got to meet the newbies straight off.
It was great to see everyone and they are all as we had imagined.
Meg has just made me a cup of tea so I'm off - till next time, I will catch up on the news, I promise.
ps thanks for the comments!!
Universal Studios
And on the 3rd day.....
We hit Universal Studios. Thank goodness Tim was heaps better when he woke on Saturday morning so we all trooped off past the Hollywood sign, the Laker's arena, over the highest of 7 overpasses on a freeway, and past the biggest conference centre in the universe - or so the bus driver said.
Universal Studios, for those who haven't been is set on the side of a hill and there are 4 very long, steep escalators between the two sites. There is even a dedicated radio station to listen to as you descend/ascend!!! John had a massive turkey leg for lunch, actually he only managed about 1/2 of it, and once again we were stunned with the size of meals here. We did the Horror House (kept my eyes on the ground and arm around Hannah) 3D Terminator (which was my favourite of the day) 4D Shrek, Jurassic Park (84 foot drop - only Tim and Hannah brave enough) and The Revenge of the Mummy - in the dark (again, only Tim and Hannah brave enough). There were other rides too but these ones stood out. We left the park at 4pm and decided that we'd had a great day but Universal Studios doesn't compare with the overall magic of Disneyland.
On Friday arvo we did go across to California Disney which is just across from Disneyland. Tim and I rode a couple of the kids rides, which were quite cool, then met up with Hannah and John and we all decided to go on a space ride which looked innocuous until you were suspended high up in the air and swung round. I must say, I have spent a lot of time with my eyes shut!!, much to my family's amusement.
We hit Universal Studios. Thank goodness Tim was heaps better when he woke on Saturday morning so we all trooped off past the Hollywood sign, the Laker's arena, over the highest of 7 overpasses on a freeway, and past the biggest conference centre in the universe - or so the bus driver said.
Universal Studios, for those who haven't been is set on the side of a hill and there are 4 very long, steep escalators between the two sites. There is even a dedicated radio station to listen to as you descend/ascend!!! John had a massive turkey leg for lunch, actually he only managed about 1/2 of it, and once again we were stunned with the size of meals here. We did the Horror House (kept my eyes on the ground and arm around Hannah) 3D Terminator (which was my favourite of the day) 4D Shrek, Jurassic Park (84 foot drop - only Tim and Hannah brave enough) and The Revenge of the Mummy - in the dark (again, only Tim and Hannah brave enough). There were other rides too but these ones stood out. We left the park at 4pm and decided that we'd had a great day but Universal Studios doesn't compare with the overall magic of Disneyland.
On Friday arvo we did go across to California Disney which is just across from Disneyland. Tim and I rode a couple of the kids rides, which were quite cool, then met up with Hannah and John and we all decided to go on a space ride which looked innocuous until you were suspended high up in the air and swung round. I must say, I have spent a lot of time with my eyes shut!!, much to my family's amusement.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
More Disney
We went back to Disneyland in the evening amidst light rain. some of the rides were closed because of this but we managed to catch a few. We saw the evening Mickey show on the island and were standing in the perfect place for the fireworks which ended with 'snow' bubbles being sprayed all over us. It looked beautiful and certainly magical.
Friday morning saw us back at the park, checking out more rides. We decided that the scariest one was Snow White's Scary Adventures - actual name of the ride. The scariest part was the witch on the control box, boy was she grumpy!!
Tim developed a headache during the day and by the evening was quite unwell. We got back to the hotel late afternoon and put him to bed.
Hannah and I went next door to the restaurant for dinner, then Hannah went over again with John to keep him company while he had his dinner. All in all it was a quiet night.
Friday morning saw us back at the park, checking out more rides. We decided that the scariest one was Snow White's Scary Adventures - actual name of the ride. The scariest part was the witch on the control box, boy was she grumpy!!
Tim developed a headache during the day and by the evening was quite unwell. We got back to the hotel late afternoon and put him to bed.
Hannah and I went next door to the restaurant for dinner, then Hannah went over again with John to keep him company while he had his dinner. All in all it was a quiet night.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Disneyland
I dragged everyone reluctantly out of bed this morning for breakfast here at the hotel- it was most delicious and lots of choices. Hannah made her own waffle - her first ever! We got to the park earlyish 8.15, and had a great day, with the crowds not really building up until around 11am. We all went on some of the rides, but Hannah and Tim tackled the more 'interesting' ones. We have come back to the hotel for the latter part of the afternoon and will go back to the park after an early tea. I have put on some washing Yay! can't do without my washing and clean clothes fixation!!! Hannah and Tim are about to go for a swim before tea so I'll sign off now. Hope all is going well at home.
Cheers
Viv
Cheers
Viv
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Hotel California
Well, we made it - all 4 of us safely here in LA.
After a very busy Wednesday in NZ at Wku Pry Prize Giving, then home to pack, it is now Wednesday afternoon again and Hannah and I are in the business room at the apartments checking emails and blogs.
Our plane - Air NZ was an hour leaving Auckland as it was in for maintenance (they said)anyway, we saw Tim and John's plane taxi down the runway while we were still boarding. On landing in LA, the computers were having a melt-down so everything was slow at this end too.
We finally made it through all the formalities and proceeded off in search of John and Tim who had landed at a different gate. After a quick march of about a km, we found them, worked out the best way to get to the hotel, and caught a private shuttle bus.
We dumped our bags and rang a taxi to take us to the nearest shopping centre for lunch. For dinner this evening, the hotel has a free hamburger, hotdog, chips, drinks deal going from 5.30=7.30 so that takes care of another meal.
Tomorrow we will tackle Disneyland!!
I've just read this and it show definite signs of lack of sleep, sorry about that, will try again tomorrow night!
Cheers
Viv
After a very busy Wednesday in NZ at Wku Pry Prize Giving, then home to pack, it is now Wednesday afternoon again and Hannah and I are in the business room at the apartments checking emails and blogs.
Our plane - Air NZ was an hour leaving Auckland as it was in for maintenance (they said)anyway, we saw Tim and John's plane taxi down the runway while we were still boarding. On landing in LA, the computers were having a melt-down so everything was slow at this end too.
We finally made it through all the formalities and proceeded off in search of John and Tim who had landed at a different gate. After a quick march of about a km, we found them, worked out the best way to get to the hotel, and caught a private shuttle bus.
We dumped our bags and rang a taxi to take us to the nearest shopping centre for lunch. For dinner this evening, the hotel has a free hamburger, hotdog, chips, drinks deal going from 5.30=7.30 so that takes care of another meal.
Tomorrow we will tackle Disneyland!!
I've just read this and it show definite signs of lack of sleep, sorry about that, will try again tomorrow night!
Cheers
Viv
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
