Merry Christmas!!

Wishing you a HAPPY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS from the USA!! Here's Chris and I after we purchased and decorated a beautiful 6-foot Douglas fir. Hope this adds to your holiday cheer!

Smells Like Christmas!!!

So I spent most of the day Christmas shopping with a HUGE smile on my face!! I LOVE XMAS!!!! And I finished getting gifts for almost everyone on my list!!! I started my shopping at The Sheep Shop in the City Centre. How cute is that?!?! Then I made my way down the promenade area where all these booths are set up, housing everything from homemade Welsh fudge to handmade jewelry by Swansea Institute students. At the end of the strip of booths, there was this tent setup with a quartet of old Welsh men playing Christmas carols on various brass instruments. It was AMAZING!!! I sat there, with all my bags, drinking a Coke Zero, and enjoying the live music. Let's just say, I was in heaven!!!!

Can't believe I'll be home in a week!!!! It all hit me when people working in the shops asked me when I was heading back to America, and I answered, "Oh my gosh, a week from tomorrow?!?!!" I can hardly believe it myself. See you all soon!!!!

Adventures of Chris and Katie

At the Waterfront Winterland in Swansea, there is a mini carnival with games, an ice rink, and a ferris wheel. Somehow Chris was able to talk me into riding the rinky-dink ferris wheel...









The view was very nice! There's the ice rink!








But this isn't exactly the safest ride around!!!!













I was very, very scared! Near tears scared! If Chris ever thought I was brave, I have forever changed that! Not only was I afraid, I was also coming down with a nasty cold. So I felt like crap while facing my potential death by falling off the ferris wheel in Swansea.






The next day we took a walk to Mumbles. Beautiful day for a brisk 3 mile walk.







These will be the photos on the back of the books we write.





Chris looking contemplative










Katie trying (but failing) to be serious for one second.

















We had lunch in Mumbles then walked through the quaint town. It was so nice to have Chris here to do this with.







There is a really small mini-golf course in Mumbles but it was closed for the winter season. Guess Chris will have to make a trip back in spring so I can beat him at a round.








Lovely sunset to end the day!!

Chris Visits Swansea

Chris arrived in Swansea on Thanksgiving night. The following night I treated him and some friends to a proper Thanksgiving feast. We had the whole spread - chicken (turkey's too hard!), stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce (thanks Mom!), and Rice Krispies treats (no pumpkin in Wales). It was YUMMY!!!





To wash down our meal, we heading out on the town. Ready to show Chris a good time, I decided to take him to the classiest place in town - Jumpin' Jacks, where you can have All-You-Can-Drink on Fridays for 10 pounds. First Class Debauchery!!






Allison, Me, and Alexin








I even made the poor guy dance to the cheesy music. I think this might have been Shakira!!







Proper reward for good dancing!!







Osian, Liam and Alexin









Doesn't Chris totally fit in with the college crowd?







Kerry and Chris got along very well! It was really cute the day that Chris left Kerry came to me and was sad that he didn't get to say goodbye to Chris. He loves you, baby! You're a legend!

Guy Fawkes' on the Beach

After the main show, everyone headed to the beach for bonfires and amateur fireworks. Oh, and a bit of fire twirling.










That's Allison in the middle. She goes to SFSU. We met her on the Amsterdam trip. Much fun!!!





Liam, Amy and Alex (Allison's roomie)






So weird to be on the beach and be so bundled up!










I had on my Uggs AND my puffy North Face!





This Guy Fawkes' Day is so cool! It might be new favorite holiday. Only wish we could get away with something like this is the states. But you the moment someone shoots a firework at Huntington Beach, he'd be arrested. Anyway, it was a great initiation to my first British holiday! CHEERS!!

Guy Fawkes' Day

Guy Fawkes' Day in Swansea! Time to bundle up and head to the beach to watch fireworks!!!










Oh, and have a couple beers!! Mainly to keep us warm though..















The city of Swansea put on this great fireworks show at the rugby stadium. Amy and I took our spot on the overpass to watch from afar. It was beautiful!!!!




This might be the best picture!

Big Fat Scherer Wedding

Chris's cousin Lauren got married on Saturday, November 3rd. Beautiful ceremony and very fun reception!!





Kathy and Horace Scherer - The reception was at this old American Legion building that looked like a castle.






Again, who's that handsome guy?!?







Chris's youngest bro Mike and cousin Jeff







The happy couple!!









On the dancing floor with Horace! It is obvious where Chris gets his good moves from!!








Chris's Uncle Alan, the father of the bride and a pilot for United Airlines









Mike, his girlie Bianca, Kathy and Horace

Casa de Scherer

The new Scherer residence in the countryside of Pennsylvania!! Beautiful, secluded, amazing view, deer - what could be better! Mom, you would LOVE it there!!





Festive decor for fall! I love it!! So crafty, Kathy!!











The living room has such tall ceilings and wonderful built-ins. Plenty of room to display all the memories from over the years and around the world.







CUUUUUUTE chiminea on the deck!!










Mom, you would love this idea. Pumpkins homemade from dryer vents! Total Martha!!!

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL!!!

Miscellaneous in Philly!

City Hall









Phillies Stadium









The view from our hotel room was of this demolished building. It was actually really cool when we walked by and saw the wrecking ball smashing it. It took Chris back to his blue collar days in construction.






Dedicated to my favorite Weiner in San Francisco!!! Love you, Weins!!










Alexin, you know this one's for you! Thumbs up fall flower!!




Really intricate stone work on the Masonic Building. Who's that pretty girl? ;-) PS-You may notice the new bangs I'm sporting. I got bored the night before I left for Philly and cut those myself. Thank you very much!

Rittenhouse Square

This is Rittenhouse Square - a beautiful park with lots of cool apartments around it.








This is where Chris and I will live if we move to Philly. Don't be afraid, Mom. It's just a thought.









No security guard here to tell me I can't touch this lion!!!






So beautiful! Can't you totally see me walking my cute dog through the park with a coffee in my hand? Dreams...