Peak District

Thomas and I wanted to explore a little bit of England while he has some time off (and has to stay in the country), so we headed northwest to the Peak District. While it wasn't as "peak-y" as we were thinking (I think we were spoiled growing up with all the mountains surrounding us in Phoenix, and later Tucson), it was still beautiful and a nice change of pace. The drive itself was beautiful, and although we couldn't find the first trail I had wanted to try, we took the dogs on a walk down a bridleway where Max had his first encounter with a horse. He didn't quite realize the horse could do serious damage with a single kick and barked incessantly at it - luckily the horse was calm and just kept walking!

This was our first overnight trip with the dogs, and I was a little nervous, but it went SO well! Our hotel was very dog friendly and put us in a room right by the exit so we had easy access to the outside, and our room was HUGE by England standards. There were little nature trails all over the hotel property, with huge grassy areas  for the dogs to run around and a pretty little "lake" out front. The dogs loved it, and were exhausted at the end of the first day. We left them to rest and Thomas and I headed into Sheffield to catch a movie and go bowling. The next day we managed to find the trail I wanted right in the heart of the Peak District, and it was just beautiful! It was so picturesque, I wanted to pull over 100 times to take pictures. We had amazingly warm weather for our trip (close to 80, which they call a heat wave here!), so we were all tired by the end of the hike/walk, but it was a great time. I'm so glad our first road trip with the dogs went well, now we know we can take them with us when we explore other areas in England too!

Beautiful drive on the way to the Peak District

Me and the pups

Our cute little hotel

Thomas & Max

Zo was pooped after the first day!

Bowling! :)

Zo led the way ;)

Jersey Boys

My good friend Meghan turned 30 in April, and she really wanted to see the show Jersey Boys in London, so we got us all some tickets and went in to the city for a girl's day. I wasn't expecting much from the show, mainly because I didn't know much about it. I was blown away by the show though, it was amazing. I grew up listening to oldies music (thanks Dad!), and the show was so well done. I was excited to see it while Thomas was gone because I thought he wouldn't enjoy it, but I think he would like it and I would definitely see it again! We had a yummy Mexican food lunch (not as good as Mexican food from Arizona, but still tasty!), and cupcakes for the birthday girl of course. I also got to make my first journey through Chinatown, it was really interesting and pretty. 

The day was beautiful and sunny and made perfect by an old fashioned truck that was just driving through the streets of London spewing bubbles everywhere! It was amazing to see how a random gesture could make so many people happy - kids and adults were loving it!

Meghan and Danielle

Our original seats - second row from the top - YIKES!

After our 10 GBP upgrade, we were on the first level - well worth it! :)

Chinatown

Thomas is HOME!

Thomas made it home safe and sound from his deployment, for which I am extremely grateful! Everything with their return journey went on schedule and as planned (for the most part), which was an unusual but welcome surprise. We are enjoying our time together and getting super excited for our big vacation coming up, as well as some day trips throughout England. 

I am so proud of my husband and what he does for our country - I love you honey! :)

Max was so excited to see Thomas, he wouldn't stop licking him!

Zo got dressed up for Thomas, and won't stop following him around the house :)

My coming home present for Thomas - a beer fridge, fully stocked!

FINALLY! :)