Trip to Snowdonia, Wales

This past weekend we had a 3 day weekend so we finally took advantage of it and went on a little trip. We and 2 other families headed to Northern Wales. We rented a cabin together and hung out for the weekend. Owen and I tried to climb Snowdon Mt while the others took a train ride to the top. I say we tried to get to the top because when we reached the base of the peak it was all out rock climbing. We were all for it and started our ascent to the top. About 10 min into the climb I realized I really had no clue how to do this and it was getting more and more difficult to figure out where to climb next. Then Owen spoke up and said we probably shouldn't be doing this. It took him a couple of tries to convince me but then we were about to reach a point of no return. I started to freak out because we were pretty high and it was getting rather difficult so we turned around and descended back down the peak, which was difficult in itself. Although we didn't reach the top I was glad we tried the rock climbing.

On Sunday before we headed home we stopped and saw Caernarfon Castle. It was a pretty big castle and was built right on the coast. If you want to know more about the castle you can go to this website

http://www.caernarfon-castle.co.uk/

Then on the way home we got stuck in traffic and Owen's car started to over heat. By the time we reached a safe stopping place the car was really hot and died. We had to coast to the parking spot. We were just sure we had ruined the engine but found out one of the hoses had come off. After an hour of Owen working on it he got it fixed and we were back on the road. It sure made for an interesting drive home as we had 3 hours still to drive but we made it safe and sound. I am so glad I married such a handy man :).

Snowdonia National Park

Snowdon Mountain. (this was the peak we tried to climb, sorry the pics not that great)

Caernarfon Castle

windows made out of rock

mineral deposits off the castle
Caernarfon Castle

Atlantic Ocean in the far far background

Owen's Colorado Camping Trip

Owen's camping trip took him and his friends Ben and Jeff to Colorado. They went hiking in the Rocky Mt National Park near Grand Lake, Co. The trip included hiking and camping for 4 days. They saw some beautiful country, wild animals, and their favorite rain and hail. They had a great time together and are already planning their next camping trip together. (As you can see from the pictures Owen definitely enjoyed not shaving for the 2 weeks at home.)

Jeff, Owen, and Ben

Owen and Jeff trying to cross the river- hope they didn't fall in :)

Beautiful view- Owen is the red dot in the picture

Ben, Jeff, and Owen

Jeff and Owen- taking in the view.

Gorgeous site

An Elk sighting.

One of their camp sites.

Another wonderful site

Ben, Jeff, and Owen- Nakai Peak

Owen, Jeff, and Ben

Hail Storm

That's a lot of hail

Our Trip Home!!!!!!!!!!!

The end of July found us going home for 2 weeks. It had been 2 years for Owen and 1 yr for me since we had been home and boy was it great to see family again. We flew home space available into Topeka where my sister Stephanie graciously picked us up and drove us home. (thanks a million sis). We had a great time. I got to see my sister, niece, and nephew show there animals at the fair and spend some quality time with family. Also while home we had a birthday party for Leighf and Zahara. It was a great weekend as more family came and we got to visit with them all.
Owen went on a 5 day camping trip with 2 of his high school friends in the Rocky Mt's. during our two weeks at home. They had a great time. I am posting those pictures in another blog. Then we got to spends some time with his family and hold the newest addition to the Walker family. Owen's brother Ethan and wife Lacy had a little girl the beginning of July and it was great to hold her and spoil her all that we could. Her name is Shy and she is so precious. We saw so many people while we were home but I am sure we didn't get to see everyone we would have liked to. Just remember we will be back to the states in less than a year now (around August 2010) as our time here is slowly coming to an end so if you are wanting to come over and visit you better do it SOON :) . We are missing everyone dearly and want to hear how you and your family are doing.
Miss everyone,
Sara and Owen

Fair Time- Zahara putting shaving cream on Shayla

Zahara when she was finished
Zahara-Bobbing for eggs
Leighf- bobbing for eggs
Shayla after her balloon popped
Zahara with her goats she showed at fair
Leighf with his goat at fair
Shayla with her crazy steer.
Zahara and Leighf's birthday party
'Zahara's new princess outfit
Zahara and Dad cuddling (so sweet)
Shy Ann Walker
Proud grandparents- Marc, Sylvia, and Shy
Walker gathering- family and friends
The Robey family-our Air Force friends in Wichita. We got to stay the night with them before we flew back home. It was great to see them, it had been 2 years and Luke was 2, Hannah was a baby, and Andrew was not in the picture. It was great to catch up and see how they have grown. Thanks again Kim:)

Owen's Newest Purchase

In June, Owen gave in and bought a motorcycle. He purchased it from a company in Germany, so that meant that he had to go there and pick it up. He bought an 08 BMW R 1200GS. He had a great time going down there and then driving it all the way back through some beautiful country. Below are a few pictures.

The bike

right after the purchase before driving it home (notice 2 miles on it at the bottom of the screen)


on the ferry ride back to England
total miles when he reached home 569 miles

Owen in Heidelberg, Germany

Our Mediterranean Cruise: May 9-16, 2009

Well it is finally here. I have sorted through all our pictures and got my act together so here are the blogs of our Mediterranean Cruise (our 1st cruise). We started out in Venice, Italy. We ported in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kusadasi, Turkey; Santorini, Greece and Corfu, Greece. It was a 7 night cruise with beautiful weather the whole week. We saw so much and have discovered that if you really want to see places a cruise is the way to go.
We went with 8 of our really good friends, 6 who are here in England with us and the Hewes from Germany (friends from college and ROTC). We had a blast spending quality time with each other. It sure made for a wonderful trip. On the cruise we enjoyed shows, games, , the pools, the sun, the spa, wonderful 3 course meals every night, and 2 formal dinners. Almost everything you could imagine. It was well worth it.
So to guide you on your journey through our trip I have posted each day individually. Sit back and enjoy the pictures and the short summary of each day. We hope you enjoy and would like to hear from you all soon. Oh and by the way we are coming home the last 2 weeks of July and hope to see as many of you as possible (and hopefully little baby Walker :)). Owen has a big hiking trip planned for part of the time with a couple of high school friends so he will be around here and there. As for me I am planning on just spending time at home with everyone and taking in as much sunshine as I can.
Enjoy the blogs there are 7 total counting this one.
Love and miss everyone,
Sara and Owen

Map of our Cruise Picture of the front of our ship Royal Caribbean "Splendor of the Seas" Deck plans (our room was on the 8th deck) view of the elevators another view inside the ship The King and I dining area- we had dinner here every night table setting