I challenge you to remain prejudiced after reading this thread!

[Kathryn]

Just trying to come up with a clever line to introduce my announcement.

My youngest daughter is moving to England in a few weeks with her job in the US Air Force. She and her family got a month of leave to see family before they go because they will be gone for four years minimum. These pictures are from our family get together this week.

We're missing some men because of work schedules (four men to be exact - my husband, my oldest daughter's husband, and my two sons - one of which is in Korea). But this was probably the last time all the cousins (my daughters' kids) will be together for at least four years.

Just for fun, here are the ethnic groups represented in my family, by country of origin:

German
British
French
Jewish
African
Native American (three different tribes - Cherokee, Creek and Blackfoot)
Swiss
Italian
Panamanian
Puerto Rican
Korean
Czech
Scottish
Irish

Of course, American. I mean, that's what we IS. :yes:

Good times, good times!

Wicked little fairies cookin' up the only boy in the bunch!

Great grandkids with their Boppa

Grandbaby #5

Grandbaby #2

Grandbaby #4

Grandbaby #6 and the only boy! (And we had to go "buy" him to get one...)

 

[Hawkeye112200]

May they stay safe on their travels, and may the local store have enough stock of Kleenex that I know you'll be needing!

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Not a big fan of the dog. Love ya ...

 

[Kathryn]

May they stay safe on their travels, and may the local store have enough stock of Kleenex that I know you'll be needing!

Oh my gosh, I got home and walked around my empty, quiet house after they all left and I just bawled my eyes out!

But I am very excited for them - what a great opportunity for their family! They are going to try to get stationed in either Italy or Spain or Germany after the UK - and their chances of that are pretty good, since that's a less expensive move than back to the States.

They plan to travel extensively while they're there of course. And their girls will be attending British schools, so I can't wait to hear their new accents in a few months! They will not be living on base either so they'll get a good taste of British life in general.

Of course, my husband and I already have our first trip over there planned for this fall! Hopefully we can go every year - we'll see.

 

[Kathryn]

Not a big fan of the dog. Love ya ...

Hey, I hate that little POS dog myself!

 

[Hawkeye112200]

Oh my gosh, I got home and walked around my empty, quiet house after they all left and I just bawled my eyes out!

But I am very excited for them - what a great opportunity for their family! They are going to try to get stationed in either Italy or Spain or Germany after the UK - and their chances of that are pretty good, since that's a less expensive move than back to the States.

They plan to travel extensively while they're there of course. And their girls will be attending British schools, so I can't wait to hear their new accents in a few months! They will not be living on base either so they'll get a good taste of British life in general.

Of course, my husband and I already have our first trip over there planned for this fall! Hopefully we can go every year - we'll see.

Oh, they will have good times over there. The people are generally more laid back. They can be a bit sensitive to Americans, but I realized after being there enough, there is a British pride that just isn't going to disappear , so I just let it fall off my back.

I do hope the economy stabilizes over there a bit, which will be something I am sure you will be more interested in moving forward.

Make sure your grandchildren try some of the chocolate treats there, my kids thought there was going to be chocolate insects for some strange reason, and we did find some in some novelty shops. To that I say ICK!

 

[waitasec]

what a sweet looking brew of children...


lucky lucky you!

 

[Kathryn]

Oh, they will have good times over there. The people are generally more laid back. They can be a bit sensitive to Americans, but I realized after being there enough, there is a British pride that just isn't going to disappear , so I just let it fall off my back.

I do hope the economy stabilizes over there a bit, which will be something I am sure you will be more interested in moving forward.

Make sure your grandchildren try some of the chocolate treats there, my kids thought there was going to be chocolate insects for some strange reason, and we did find some in some novelty shops. To that I say ICK!

We lived in Germany when my kids were small, so they are totally psyched to be able to give a similar experience to their own kids! I'm so happy for them. Talk about memories to last a lifetime - I am sure it will be great for them.

Germans are sometimes sensitive to Americans too - but we did fine, got along fine with everyone, and had a terrific time exploring Europe. I've found that most people respond very positively to friendliness and common courtesy.

They've heard from friends already over there that British food is pretty bad - but hey, the good thing is that there are plenty of real ethnic restaurants over there so I'm not too worried about them! And fish and chips are always good and always available! But I'll be sure to tell them to check out the chocolates.

Any other suggestions for foods and activities? I'll pass them along. They will be living in Yorkshire.

 

[Hawkeye112200]

We lived in Germany when my kids were small, so they are totally psyched to be able to give a similar experience to their own kids! I'm so happy for them. Talk about memories to last a lifetime - I am sure it will be great for them.

Germans are sometimes sensitive to Americans too - but we did fine, got along fine with everyone, and had a terrific time exploring Europe. I've found that most people respond very positively to friendliness and common courtesy.

They've heard from friends already over there that British food is pretty bad - but hey, the good thing is that there are plenty of real ethnic restaurants over there so I'm not too worried about them! And fish and chips are always good and always available! But I'll be sure to tell them to check out the chocolates.

Any other suggestions for foods and activities? I'll pass them along. They will be living in Yorkshire.

Well for kids, not much beats visiting the castle used for Harry Potter, and the Nottingham Forrest. Two very neat things indeed. Indian food is excellent as well.

London can be hit or miss for people in my experience. If shopping is desired, it is great. There is a lingering stench in London, people are rude, and the food is generally touristy. Though, it is neat for a weekend get away to see the museums and attractions.
To me the real beauty of the area lies outside of London.
Breakfast can be quite a change there as well. They don't really eat sweets as much as Americans, but you will find beans, larger sausages, and items that really are quite different.
In fact, when friends came to visit me in the states, I took them to Panera Bread and it seemed they had landed on another planet

 

[cablescavenger]

Just trying to come up with a clever line to introduce my announcement.

My youngest daughter is moving to England in a few weeks with her job in the US Air Force. She and her family got a month of leave to see family before they go because they will be gone for four years minimum. These pictures are from our family get together this week.

I am sure she will love it, it is a beautiful country, very safe and we like Americans over here.

Do you know where will she be based?

 

[Kathryn]

Well for kids, not much beats visiting the castle used for Harry Potter, and the Nottingham Forrest. Two very neat things indeed. Indian food is excellent as well.

London can be hit or miss for people in my experience. If shopping is desired, it is great. There is a lingering stench in London, people are rude, and the food is generally touristy. Though, it is neat for a weekend get away to see the museums and attractions.
To me the real beauty of the area lies outside of London.
Breakfast can be quite a change there as well. They don't really eat sweets as much as Americans, but you will find beans, larger sausages, and items that really are quite different.
In fact, when friends came to visit me in the states, I took them to Panera Bread and it seemed they had landed on another planet

Thanks for the tips! Post more!

We love Indian food as a family, so they are really looking forward to getting some more of that, and on a more regular basis - the options here are limited.

I'm looking forward to visiting London for the museums and the historical sites, but I have heard it's pretty stinky and that, like most huge cities, full of busy and rather rude people. Oh well - I still have simply got to see the Tower and some of the museums. Oh, and Westminster Abbey!

British breakfasts sound a bit like German breakfasts to me - lots of meat and cheese and chewy bread? If so - they'll love that. To me, Germans serve the best breakfasts on the planet! HANDS DOWN. Hopefully British breakfasts are similar. French breakfasts are disappointing in my opinion. But hey, that's just me.

 

[ChristineES]

I have to say you have some beautiful grandchildren, Kathryn. I wish your daughter good wishes when she goes to England.

 

[Kathryn]

I have to say you have some beautiful grandchildren, Kathryn. I wish your daughter good wishes when she goes to England.

Thanks, Christine - I am so glad for her and for her family.