Urbex in England...

Rather than exploring Norwich on the day after the tour of UEA, Jimmy and Veronica set off to explore some abandoned buildings they’d spotted from the train south of Manningtree.

Their research told them this was an old BX Plastic factory which closed in 2007; apparently Margaret Thatcher worked for the company in the 40s as a research chemist.

It was pretty trashed inside, but Veronica liked some of the graffiti and colors.

Veronica was exploring this corridor by herself at sunset and was a bit freaked when she found this creepy message.

No More Braces!

After a week of nearly daily visits to the orthodontist for final adjustments, Ashlynn got her braces off on December 11 after just 10 months.

She now has a permanent wire behind her top teeth and will need to wear a retainer, probably forever.

This photo isn’t great, but hopefully you can see her pretty smile.

Offer Day at University of East Anglia...

In early November, Veronica submitted her university applications for the UK. She applied to East Anglia, Exeter, Lancaster, Southampton and York, all of which made her offers; Jimmy and I were so proud! In early December, Jimmy took Veronica to Norwich for an Offer Day at UEA since he wasn’t with us when we visited the school back in September 2013.

He was especially impressed with the school’s environmental science department. This photo shows the Ziggurat, the funky dorms that face the lake...

...and the building in the background is the science building.

Lights in Cologne...

It was a very cold day, but we had a great time exploring market after market.

AWC Trip to Cologne...

This year’s AWC Christmas Market trip was to Cologne. Although I’d been before, I really liked those markets so was happy to go again. Is it any surprise that we stopped regularly for gluhwein (hot mulled wine)?

We splurged once for the fancy version that included Feuer Elixier, a 72.5% liquor. We enjoyed eating from a variety of food kiosks; I had some great latkes (potato pancakes) and grilled salmon.

We Love Santa...

Working at the AWC Holiday Bazaar is always a lot of fun. As usual, Terri and I worked the payment table together. 

And, as usual, I took a lot of photos and even posed with Santa.

Bob is such a cheerful Santa. Jimmy couldn’t resist having a photo, too.

Our 9th Anniversary...

November 22, 2014 was our 9th anniversary in the Netherlands. It was also the day that Sinterklaas arrived in our little village. The girls could have cared less, but Jimmy and I took Kati for a walk so we could see Sinterklaas arrive on a boat.

Check out this cute little girl with her Sinterklaas doll and flag.

Sinterklaas went from his boat to a horse-drawn carriage. Apparently he paraded through the village, but we didn’t follow along.

That evening we headed to Scheveningen. Rather than go straight to La Lanterna, the Italian restaurant where we have our traditional anniversary dinner, we started with drinks at the Boulevard Hotel, where we first stayed when we arrived nine years ago. Then we went to the beach so Veronica and Jimmy could take this cool shot of steel wool set on fire.