Better Late Than Never

We know it's been ages, but we thought we'd get an update out so that you all don't forget us! So, what's been happening, we'll start with Luke who got a job really quickly (as you know) and then proceeded to go on another holiday, this time skiing with the boys in France. On his return he found out that he had passed the first stage of the Firefighter application and had been invited to take the ability tests. So we studied hard and he passed!!!!! so another stage awaits. This time it's the physical tests which are being held on Catherine's 27th Bithday, which means she is more than likely going to go to work on that day, with fingers and toes crossed that Luke passes! If the physical side of things is ok, an interview and then finally a medical awaits. if all goes to plan we will be moving to Newbury late summer, to start our new lives! It's v.v.v exciting!!!!

Catherine finally got it together and found gainfull employment. Back with her previous employer, slightly different job but it pays the bills, so all's well there really. In preparation for the wedding of the century she has managed to lose 12 1/2 Ibs of "holiday over indulgance" weight, still about a million Ibs to go, but making good progress. She is spending the majority or her time looking at new houses in Newbury on the internet, wedding suff and trying not to eat chocolate.

Brandy has settled in well with us again and has regained his full sleep schedule of about 20 hours a day.

Working!

After a couple of weeks of meeting and greeting friends and relatives, we thought it was about time to find some work. Catherine has signed up with several agencies hoping to find council work similar to what she was doing before we left and Luke has just started his second week with Pitney Bowes up at the Airport. Pitney bowes are a facilities management company and they deal with the post for British Airways. It is one of the most exciting jobs he has ever done and would like to thank his good friend Dickie for getting him the job. Cheers!!!

Hold the Cherries.....

After much consideration and studying of bank accounts, you'll all be pleased to know that we have decided to come home 2 weeks early. So, we leave here on Monday 29th and arrive home next Tuesday!!!!! We can't wait to meet up with everyone, although you'll all have to buy us drinks, food and petrol for a while as we are now quite poor...even though we have no money Catherine is excited to finally be "allowed" to start wedding planning!!

Luke is open to any job offers for a pretty much immediate start!

In case anyone is interested we will propbably keep the blog going with updates on our wonderfully exciting lives, so you can keep checking up on us!

Just as we suspected.........

Jerome, AZ / Painting Pottery / Job applications and then a Road Trip....

Since we last blogged we have kept ourselves busy with a bit of sightseeing, satisifed some creative urges with a bit of pottery painting, completed a Fire Fighter Job Application Form (for Luke, in case you were wondering) and then went on a bit of a road trip....

First touristy thing of late involved a day out visiting a former mining town called Jerome, which is about 1 1/2 hours South of Phoenix. Jerome became a bit of a ghost town after the 1930's depression and was then "discovered" by a bunch of hippies and artists in the 1960's and is now an arty bohemian kind of town. Arizona weather has taken a bit of a turn for the worst lately and when we visited Jerome it was freezing, so we didn't hang around too long. But it was a nice place with great views and some lovely shops and galleries selling amazing one off pieces (no, we didn't buy anything).

Back at base, we went to a local pottery painting shop with Couisin Emily and spent a good three or four hours being creative, painting some interesing things for a couple of our nearest and dearest relatives! We had a great time and hav e vowed to do this again back in the UK if we ever get a chance!

Spotting a Fire Fighting Job near Newbury we filled a couple of days completing an application form and CV writing for Luke. Fingers crossed that he gets called up for the physical tests and then interview stages. I think if he's as good as putting fires out as he is starting them, then he'll be great at Fire Fighting.

Last Wednesday we started out on a road trip, first port of call was the Hoover Dam, very interesting and very big. We then pushed ahead to Las Vegas, which is an amazing place that Luke has decided will make a wonderful Stag Weekend Venue! We spent two nights there, staying on the strip in the Flamingo Hotel, which was excellently positioned opposite Caesars Palace and the Bellagio. We rushed around visiting all the casino's, getting lots of free drinks along the way and had a go on a couple of roller coasters too. Gambling wise we came out pretty even, which was good, no real loss (apart from sleep, as we didn't get much). Highlights included watching the fountain show outside the Bellagio, the roller coaster at New York New York and going to the top of the "Eiffel Tower" at Paris, Las Vegas. We scouted a few Wedding Venues, but decided to wait a bit longer....

After Vegas we travelled to Page via Zion National Park, which was gorgeous and covered in snow so also freezing! We arrived a Page late in the evening so just found a hotel and then the next morning had a quick look at the Dam (we love Dams...) and then travelled down the road to the Antelope Canyons, which were amazing (see photo's). As we loved this canyon so much we thought we'd squeeze another one in that day, so we then ventured along to the Grand Canyon. Freezing here too and loads of snow but nevertheless great scenery and another tourist site ticked off the list!

Final stop was Flagstaff and by then we had eventually had enough of snow so headed back to Phoenix, with a quick stop along the way to the town of Sedona for some souvenirs and a $6.00 toffee apple. 20 minutes before we reached Phoenix we got a call to say that it had actually snowed in Phoenix, no-one can even remember when this had ever happened before, but we mised it of course!

Tomorrow we are going to Tucson, doing some more sights and we'll report back when we're done xx

Snowboarding and general hanging around....

Since new year we have done a lot of shopping (including the purchase of a rather nice engagement ring!!) and general hanging out. Catherine's had her hair cut and dyed, which has tidied up the last attempt done by Luke a few months back in Chile! We have spent a good deal of time in the hot tub and have walked up the mountain/hill at the back of the house a few times too.

It looks like we have managed to brave the Phoenix winter (roughly four days) and things are getting nice and warm again now, thank god for global warming, so we are back to wearing flip flops, which is good!

A few days ago we made the trip (road trip..) to Big Bear Mountain in California for a snowboarding trip with Emily (18 yr old cousin and her Boyf, Tommy) We stayed in a gorgeous cabin and it even snowed while we were there. As Catherine still refuses to partake in any winter activity, she spent the time reading and enjoyed the peace and quiet for a change, watching out for the local racoons and other wildlife. The evenings involved some minimal partying(!) and we learnt how to play "Beer Pong" which is a game vastly enjoyed by the majority of teenage Americans. Personally we would just rather drink beer, but a little competition while doing so isn't so bad really.

We had bought some NERF guns over Christmas and had an excellent time running around the cabin shooting at each other (yes, it is true we are all very childish) with the spongy darts. Luke got a hit in his OPEN eye at one point which was quite amusing for everyone but him!

Went to the cinema yesterday and saw Children of Men, which was fairly cak, so not one we would recommend.

After agreeing on "no wedding planning till we get back" Catherine has been researching about one million venues on the internet and come up with the table plan and colour scheme already, just need to find employment so we can actually pay for the wedding now!

If anyone ever fancies a chat we are regulary on Skype and can be found under Lukes name, speak soon, love us xxxx

Christmas, New Year and everything Before

Hello

Not updated for a while as since being here life has just seemed like one long weekend and we didn't really realise that we'd been here for so long already!! We've been having a great time hanging out with the family, going to the mall, eating out alot and watching tons of movies.

One highlight so far was going to see the Phoenix Suns play basketball against the Washington Wizzards, we had row 13 seats so had an excellent view of the game.

Christmas Eve was spent with family, we had a gorgeous roast (not as good as our own mums dinners though!!) and rounded out the evening in the hot tub overlooked by the mountain at the back of the house. Even though we had presents and spent time with family it still didn't really feel like Christmas because its fairly warm and just different from usual. We miss everyone so much aswell!!

We have walked Max (the resident Bichon Frise) loads around the estate and he has become our new friend, which is cool!

New Years Eve party tonight (7 hours behind you all) so last couple of days have been spent preparing for that, so must go...photo's to follow,

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE XXXX

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!
Love us xxx