Edinburgh with the Keleher's

Our only group shot!

The hardest part about moving is not that all our travels are coming to an end.  In fact, we are excited to get back to CA and enjoy San Diego, Tahoe, Napa and Packer Lake.  We can't wait to explore UT, CO, MT and WY.  And I am dying to go to Austin, TX!  So our travels will continue some day when time and money allow.

No, the hardest part about moving is leaving our friends.  Over the past several months, we've said goodbye to many of our friends as they pack out and move onto their next assignment.  Its cool knowing that we have friends now all over the States, but it is not easy breaking apart a group of people that are so much fun and have been so supportive over the past three years.

In August, Colin, Ellie and I will also be saying goodbye to some of our dearest friends here - the Keleher's.  From the second I met Erin I knew we'd be close friends.  Colin and Bill instantly bonded over scotch.  I got to meet their son Jake when he was about 8.5 months old, and I've known Bria since she was born.  Ellie has known them all for her whole little life, and has spent many a day watching and admiring Jake and Bria while at gym daycare.  Needless to say, it will be tough to leave such wonderful friends.

Which is why we all decided to spend a weekend together in a great apartment in Edinburgh. 

We  toured the Castle...

Bagpipers parading through the castle grounds

Walked the Royal Mile..

Ellie is always curious what Jake is up to...

Sweet baby in her Downton Abbey style hat

We survived dinner in a very crowded restaurant after being bummed to learn that you can't bring kids in pubs....  although how could you deny anything to this little redheaded cutie??

We tried to hike Arthur's Seat with strollers...

It was beautiful, but when we got to a low vista point from our trail we realized that there was in fact a much easier paved road that would have made more sense for those strollers!

Looking back at paved road.

Oh well, it was time for a picnic anyway.

We walked past Holyrood Palace and saw Scottish Parliament, which was established in the late '90s.

We later walked into the New Town for a pre-dinner drink, enjoying great live music at a bar with outdoor seating.

Beautiful Celtic Cross in the New Town

Wandering down Rose Street

Cheers!

We went out to a great dinner...

Fitting that these guys could enjoy a lot of scotch together while in Scotland

And before they knew it, the guys agreed to let Erin and me have some free mom-on-the-town time!  Thanks, honey!

We look just a little happy to be out and about...

What a fun trip!

And finally, because I loved this beautiful poem so much when we passed it... a little Robert Louis Stevenson for you...