Christmas Questionaire

I've been tagged by Jennifer!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Definitely hot chocolate unless there is a cider option.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? I'm pretty sure that he always wrapped them.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I LOVE all colors!!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No

5. When do you put your decorations up? Normally after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? sweet potato casserole and crescent rolls

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child: Waking up extra early to open gifts, rolling down the hill in a tractor tire inner tube with my family and watching my grandpa do the same thing

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Don't remember

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, now that I'm married

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights, ornaments, something on the top!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Absolutely LOVE it.

12. Can you ice skate? yes, love it!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I love all of my gifts!

14. What is the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My mom's cinnamon rolls, pecan pie

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Visiting family, Playing sports with family

17. What tops your tree? a star

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't like to receive too!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? The First Noel, I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

20. Candy Canes​!​ Yuck or Yum? Eh... could take'em or leave'em

21. What do you want for Christmas? Seasons of the Office

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas Party? Usually church ones

23. Do you dress up on Christmas or wear PJs? Pajamas until I have to go somewhere

24. Do you own a Santa hat? yes

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with? My family, my husband


**Now, I am to tag some others who will answer the questions and pass the tag along !!

Whoever wants to do it!

Thanksgiving: It's not about the food...

... Okay, so it's not entirely about the food. Last year we were very fortunate to spend Thanksgiving with several other American families here while eating a gorgeous meal. It was perfect for us because we had only been here for a few months and needed some familiarity. This year we did things a little different. Because the Stirling church's mid-week Bible study falls on a Thursday, we decided to do a short devotional and treat everyone to traditional Thanksgiving desserts. So we made Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Casserole (this one is like a dessert) and Cinnamon Rolls. It was FAB!!! We had a great time and since we could not be with our families on Thanksgiving, it was very special to be with our church family.

In addition to this, Leslie and I made a small Thanksgiving dinner for just the two of us. We bought a Turkey Breast, I used four massive potatoes to make mashed potatoes (plenty for leftovers), gravy, sweet potatoes, carrots and stuffing. Well...it was good but not the best meal we have ever had. The potatoes needed a little bit more butter, the carrots were a little undercooked and the stuffing...oh the stuffing.

Growing up, my Dad and I always made the stuffing together. He would patiently wait for me as I cut the bread and measured it out. It was one of my favorite things during Thanksgiving, mainly for this reason. Well, this year I didn't take the time to do this. So we bought a box of stuffing from the store. First problem: the store had stuffing but only varieties of Sage and Onion. Sage and Onion with Lemon, Sage and Onion with Garlic, Sage and Onion etc. So we went with regular Sage and Onion. Second problem, the Sage and Onion was not good. I took a few bites...I honestly tried...but I couldn't stand it. I even had to remove it from my plate because the smell was so overpowering!! What can I say, I am a stuffing snob :)


All in all, it was a nice meal and we had a great time with the church later in the evening. The desserts were a big hit, especially the Sweet Potatoes and the Cinnamon Rolls. The ladies in the church did not believe that Leslie made them from scratch. She had to reassure them several times that she did not buy them from the store. I even had to give my testimony that I saw her make them!!

We hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving as well!!!

A New Creation and Fun Vacation

Some of you may have heard by now that we have a new brother in Christ. On Sunday November 9th Danny decided to follow Jesus and put Him on in baptism. We are greatly rejoicing over this new creation!

Tristan and Danny

Stirling Church at Danny's Baptism

Later that week on Wednesday, we traveled with Danny and Jie to Ardnamurchan (on Scotland's west coast) to visit Mike and Joan at their lake side house there. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and fun. We were blessed to see some absolutely stunning scenery while there.

Below Tristan and I are posing in front of a monument to the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his clansman army raised the Jacobite flag and began their march to storm London. I do not envy their long journey of 526 miles.

Thursday we took a ferry to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. As you can tell from the picture, we experienced typical Scottish weather.

Thursday was also Jie's birthday, so we had a celebration for her. She doesn't quite look 28 does she? (Joan, Jie, Danny, and Mike)

Friday, Mike mentioned that he had kayaks and that if we fancied a go on them we could. Well, if you know Tristan and I, that's right up our ally. Not to be put off by the rolling tide or howling winds, we suited up in Mike's astronaut-like dry suits and wellies, ready for an adventure.

As you can maybe tell from the fuzzy, unclear picture below, it was an adventure indeed. Tristan is the one in the freezing water. He came over to talk to me about 10 minutes into our paddling around the bay, and while a bit distracted from our conversation about my sore thumb, a wave came and flipped him over.

Tristan was wearing a dry suit, but water came in through the gap by his neck and got him fairly well soaked. Hehe :)

Here are a couple of things that I learned on this trip that I found very interesting. First of all, deer can swim. Mike said that he's seen them swim to a little island on the lake to eat the grass there. Maybe that is just a special talent of Scottish deer, because I've never heard of that before. Secondly, sheep can roll over cattle guards. People say that sheep are dumb, and I can see how they would say that, but for them to be able to figure out how to get across cattle guards is crazy to me!

A Little Catching Up

Hello All... once again, so sorry for the delay in posting. We've been busy, but I cannot use that as an excuse for not posting as there have been several evenings when I could've easily have done so, but have not felt the motivation.
The past few weeks have flown by. With the ending of British Summer Time this past Sunday (equivalent to Daylight Savings Time), our hours of daylight have quickly diminished and now the sun is setting around 5:30. I know that this is not that big of a deal, but just knowing that sunset will quickly go from 5:30 to 4ish I must admit, depresses me. (Especially since in the summer it was setting at 10:30.) So Tristan and I try to enjoy the sun as much as possible while it's out. We both went for a walk/run on Monday morning and this morning, as we woke up to glorious sunshine both days. We're taking our good days when we can get them. The past few weeks have also been terribly rainy, not just here, but all over Britain. One area even got a whole month's worth of rain in 24 hours! Atrocious winds have accompanied the rain and have made our street look like this...

Can you see where the sidewalk is supposed to be by the trees? And yes, most of those are green leaves that were blown off.
In other news, Tristan and I, along with Danny and Jie, are going to be visiting church members, Mike and Joan, at their other house near Ardnamurchin in about two weeks time. Ardnamurchin is on Scotland's west coast. Mike and Joan extended an open invitation to visit them there any time, and we are now finally able to take them up on it. It will also be a wonderful time of fellowship with Danny and Jie as we will ride up there together and stay for 3 nights. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of that part of Scotland!

Fun with Friends

Earlier this week Tristan and I went to the city of Perth with our friend David and his son Cameron. While there we visited Scone (Scone rhymes with tune) Palace. The palace is still home to the Earls of Mansfield. The palace is famous for being the place where Scottish Kings were crowned. We had a lot of fun walking the grounds and touring the palace.

Sitting pretty on the "Crown of Destiny", the seat where Kings sat to be crowned.
It was a beautiful day!

Tristan, David, and Cameron walking the grounds.

Redwood trees planted on the grounds.

Cameron posing pretty for the camera. Such a cutie pie!

Father and son.

Stop or I'll...

My admiring fan, that is to say my wife, has been waiting in anticipation (or annoyance) for me to recount the riveting tale of Triddy's Trouble with Transatlantic Driving (title is very much a work in progress). As you may or may not know there are several differences when driving in America and driving in Scotland. The two major differences being the driver's side of the car is on the right and you drive on the left side of the road. This can cause some problems when switching from one country to the other; we don't have the time nor the energy to go into our problems with this. However, there is one other major difference between the two countries. America likes their stop signs and Scotland likes their roundabouts and giveway (yield) signs.
Now being the cultural enthusiast that I am, I have fully adopted the roundabout/giveway system. I have made it my own so that I can blend more in the culture and be a positive light for Christ. Again, we do not have the time to explore the wonderful benefits of this system but let's just say they are many. So before you judge me after you read this story, remember that I was just trying to become all things, a roundabout-givewayer, to all men so that I might save a few...or something like that. Oh...and have pity on me because this happened on my birthday after I had cut my lip on the tin foil of a Chipotle Burrito and it wouldn't stop bleeding for the entire meal.
15th September 2008, 17:35: Mardel Bookstore Edmond, OK
Leslie: Tristan, Jonathan it is time to go. We have to be at Oklahoma Christian University for our presentation in Outreach at 18:00 hours. It is critical to the Time Space Continuum that we arrive early to set up and be prepared.
Tristan: Yeah, even though it only takes five to seven minutes to get over there we should go.
15th September 2008, 17:38: Mardel Bookstore Parking Lot Edmond, OK
Tristan: Put on your seat belts, it's warp speed ahead.
15th September 2008, 17:43 or 17:45: OC Bible Building Parking Lot Edmond, OK
Narrator: As Tristan exits the vehicle he notices that the Gas Guzzling OC Security Truck has pulled up directly behind his vehicle. Curious to know what this is about, suspecting it might have be about the wee bit of speeding through the campus, Tristan completes his exit from the Dodge Stratus.
Tristan: Hi
In Tristan's Head: Maybe a friendly greeting and a nice, apprehensive smile might soften a potential blow.
Security: Do you know why I have stopped here?
Narrator: She says in a firm, unrelenting tone with pending punishment on her voice. Apparently Tristan has lost some of his boyish smile charm...got to work on that buddy!
Tristan: No, not really.
In Tristan's Head: Probably because I was speeding, although I think it is in the rule book of never admitting to the officer that you know what you were stopped for.
Narrator: Tristan's last words spoken with utter bewilderment, and a slight shake to his voice. Whereas the exchange of this introductory dialogue has only taken but a few seconds, neither Security nor Tristan ever stopped their slow approach toward each other.
Suddenly, Security turns 45 degrees to her left, places her left hand near her waist, stretches out her right hand, raises the volume of her voice and strengthens the tone of her words saying:
Security: DON'T COME ANY CLOSER
Narrator: Tristan sees his life flash before his eyes, his exact 26 years flash before his eyes because it is his birthday. He takes a minimal half step back, almost afraid to move, raises his hands partially, shots out a couple short breaths of laughter mixed with fear and says:
Tristan: I don't know what's going on here.
Security: You just blew through two stop signs!
Narrator: Tristan looks over his shoulder in the direction he just came from fully convinced that she was mistaken and that there could not have been stop signs there because he didn't stop or was it he didn't need to stop.
Tristan: Did I really? I am so sorry; I honestly did not see them.
Security: Are you a student on at this university?
Tristan: No, I am just a visitor.
Narrator: Tristan saying these last words with a hint of confused hope, maybe he won't have to get a ticket.
Security: If you wish to continue visiting this campus you will obey the traffic laws.
Narrator: She said with malice in her message because the opportunity to inflict a punishment on a poor college student had slipped through her fingers.
Tristan: I will, thank you
Narrator: Tristan blundered while still holding his breath, waiting for her to enter her Gas Guzzling Truck so he can breath a sigh of relief. Security returned to her vehicle, drove the twenty second drive to the adjacent terrace where she parked like a hawk to watch Tristan's next movements. And there she remained until Tristan had departed the Campus over an hour later, this time making sure to come to complete five second stops at the two stop signs. After she moved over to the terrace, Leslie and Jonathan exploded into laughter
Leslie: What did she think you were going to do?
Narrator: Jonathan, mimicking the over zealous Security personal, put his hand out
Jonathan: Don't come any closer.
Narrator: Laughter erupted again.
Tristan: I don't know...I...unbelievable...I really did not see them. I did what we do in Scotland, I looked thoroughly to make sure no cars were coming and when I saw there weren't, I just went. We really don't have stop signs in Stirling. I can think of two and even then I only can remember where one of them is at. We just use the roundabouts and yield signs, if no one is coming then you have the right of way.
Narrator: Tristan explained this for Jonathan's benefit and to much his own trying to justify why he had completely missed the stop signs. And that is the tale of Tristan's Trouble with Transatlantic Driving, that and it is actually pretty hard to drive over the Atlantic.

Hope you enjoyed that. If you didn't laugh at that, maybe you can laugh at the picture below. As a suggestion from my psychologist, he said that it would help me get through the coping process of this traumatic event if I did a little art therapy. So amuse yourself even more with my humiliating drawing.

U.S. Trip Stravaganza

After three weeks, seven flights and six states we have returned back to our home in Scotland. We had the most marvelous time visiting family and friends. The following will be a photo tour of our time. We began our visit in sunny California (Aug 23) with Tristan's brother Troy and his family. We got to meet our new niece Taylor first time. We had a great time at the beach and on Santa Monica's 3rd street promenade.

Trid, Les, Trey, Nicole and Troy at the Getty Museum.


Tristan and Trey.
Taylor and Leslie.

We continued our visit in Texas (Aug 25) with Tristan's other brother Travis and his family, also meeting our other new niece, Chloe for the first time. Travis was a great cook. Thanks for the salsa and homemade icecream. We're so happy we were able to spend time with them, however short it was!

Leslie and Chloe.

Noah and Tristan playing together.
Our next stop was Colorado (Aug 27) to visit Tristan's parents. We had a great time at the presidential experience exhibit while it was in town during the Democratic National Convention. We also we able to go to the mountains for a picnic and a drive up Mount Evans. It was a wonderful time with great company!

Tristan's parents, Jim and Brenda, posing at the presidential podium.


One of about 30 mountain goats we saw on our drive up Mount Evans. (Yes, he's sticking his tongue out at you!)
Us at the summit, 14,264 feet.

Our travels continued in Oklahoma (Aug 30), where my Uncle Nick picked us up. He held a sign for "Mr. and Mrs. Haagis McBlocky". Hilarious!
We went to church at Memorial Road in Edmond where Tristan gave a presentation of our work during a class and then off to Muskogee.

Girls reunited in Muskogee, OK (Aug 31)! My sis Jenna, mom Nancy, sis Callie and me at my Grandparents 50th wedding anniversary party.
Me and my Grandma Rose.

My brother Derek and his girlfriend Megan.

My family: Les, Trid, Mom, Dad, Callie, Jenna and Derek.

And on to Windom, Kansas (Sept 2), but only for an evening to catch Callie's volleyball game. She's a senior this year and just pretty much an awesome person.
The next morning we were off to Wichita to visit our previous employers. Tristan gave another presentation at the Assisted Living Home where he used to work. We had a meal with a Northside church family that evening and attended church that evening.

Then up to Blair, Nebraska (Sept 4) the following morning to go visit Tristan's Grandma Pearl. It was wonderful to be able to visit with her and some of Tristan's other family that live in Blair.

That evening we traveled over to Albion to spend about a day and a half with more family. Here we are with Tristan's cousins, Spencer and Dustin. It was great to be able to watch Spencer play football and visit with aunts and uncles and grandparents.

Tristan's Grandparents: Grandpa and Grammy

Aaaannnnddd... back to Kansas (Sept 6). By this time I (Leslie) am feeling pretty icky with a cold. But, my parents surprised Tristan and I (especially me) with celebrating our birthdays that evening. I assumed they would celebrate Tristan's, since it was on the 15th, but I had no clue about mine. It was great!

Sunday we worshipped with the Windom Church of Christ. Tristan had a full plate, with presenting our work during class time and preaching during worship. He did a great job, such a proud wife here! It was so wonderful to be with the church that I grew up in.

That afternoon Tristan and I absolutely crashed! We were shattered from all of the traveling we had done up to that point. We laid on my parent's lovely reclining love seat and watched a movie. That evening I went to bed rather early, since I still wasn't feeling that great. At around midnight I started getting up to throw up and like clockwork every 20 to 30 minutes until four in the morning I was tossing my cookies until there were no cookies left. Amazingly enough, the next morning I felt better, my cold even seemed to be gone!

That week, my new cousin was born. My cousin Justin, and his wife Krista, had their first child Kate. We were so glad to be able to go and visit them in their beautiful house.

Probably one of the funniest things that's ever happened in my life occured on this trip. I was able to get my sister, Callie, to teach Tristan her cheerleading dance one night. Callie and I were absolutely rolling and crying with laughter. I love that my husband is such a good sport and an awesome dancer!
We are so thankful for the time we were able to visit with family! Tristan and my cousin Kyler.

Brother and Sister: Kyler and Jaylie

One thing that really worked out during our trip is that our very good friend Jonathan was able to visit the States at the same time as us. It had been over 2 years since we last saw him! Good buddies and college roomies: Jonathan and Tristan.Saturday (Sept 13) we were able to have lunch with some of our friends from college/Northside. In the evening my dear sweet friends Jennifer and Donna organized and hosted a party for us. It was wonderful to see so many of our young adult friends again and so many new babies added to their families since we've been in Scotland.

On Sunday Tristan again presented our work during class time and preached during worship. Jonathan led singing. :)

Friends! Sam, Ryan, Me, Trid, Jonathan, Paul and Stacey. Ryan and Sam opened up their home and good cooking to us for a couple of nights while we were in Wichita. Thanks guys!

Monday (Sept 15) we headed back to Oklahoma, but not before a birthday lunch at Chipotle, Tristan's favorite! No, that's not food. That's blood on Tristan's lip. In a freak burrito eating accident, Tristan's lip was cut, and it bled throughout the entire meal. Poor soul, and on his birthday too! He powered through though, and ate that monster burrito anyway.

To get the bleeding to stop we had to go over to Walgreens next door and get a little white stick thing that would stop the bleeding. Good times!

Jonathan drove us down to Oklahoma. We were so happy to be able to spend that time with him! That evening our last presentation was at Outreach at OC. We were happy to share our experiences with college students, imagining ourselves in their position not too long ago. After Outreach many of our college friends gathered at Clyde and Gwen Antwine's house for a get together and to celebrate Trid's B-day. It was wonderful to get to see those people again, and actually a majority of the people that were there were involved in the Germany campaigns that we went on in college. What a reunion! It was also wonderful for my brother to be there and to say goodbye to him.

Birthday cake number 3 or 4?

Me and Amy Nickerson. Love this girl!

Tristan and Kevin. Oh my what they are laughing about!
Trid, Me, Courtney and Ed. Such an encouraging and inspiring couple to know!

Trid, Kerbs, and me. (Yes, I know your last name is now Woods, but you'll always be Kerbs in my heart dear lodgemate!)

Thus concluding our photo tour. The next morning (Sept 16), Jonathan deposited us at the aeropuerto at a rediculously early hour. We traveled to Newark and arrived their early, making our layover about 8 hours. We wandered around the shops and watched episodes of Smallville (Thanks Ryan and Sam) on our laptop until our flight. We flew back to Scotland arriving Wednesday morning (Sept 17).

We are now trying to adjust to this time zone, but as it is 1:15 a.m. as I write this, you can guess how we are doing. :)

Look for our next update as Tristan describes his adventure with OC campus security. Cheerio the now!