Diolch

For all readers of the Blog who haven't had the privillage of living in God's Country, 'Diolch' is Welsh for 'Thank you'. It's actually pronounced Dee-olch with the 'ch' being akin to the 'ch' in 'Bach' (as in German composer). Language lesson over. 

It's fair to say that we've given thanks in more ways than one during the past few weeks.

In aid of the National Breast Cancer Foundation some friends and I ran a 5k race unlike any other I have attempted before. The Dirty Girl Mud Run is held all over the USA and is a muddy obstacle course which reminded me of a giant Krypton Factor race, but much more fun!  Tara, Liz, Allie and I got up early to make it to the Alameda County Fairground on the East Bay and had an amazing morning getting dirty! I told Dan that it took us hours to complete the race, but in fact we made it round pretty quickly. It was the beers afterwards in the sun that delayed us!!  Thank you ladies!  

Never forget you're Welsh, right?

Donated 'sneakers' after the race.

Muddy Mommas!

Dan and I were both keen to mark the occasion of Remembrance Sunday this year.  On the Friday, Annie and I made poppies together out of crape paper, and I told her about the need to remember and thank those who have given their lives. She didnt understand why it was so sad that soldiers die since "they can keep fighting in Heaven if they want to Mummy!"

On Saturday we travelled to Muir Woods, a National Park north of the city. It contains 6 miles of walking trails over 500 acres, with Redwoods 250 feet high. These trees are amazing! They grow this high in order to absorb the moisture in the fog that hangs over the coastline. 

Let the 'hike' begin!

Hide n Seek!

Thank you for sending the poppies Dan's Mum!

We marked Remembrance Sunday by travelling to the city to watch San Francisco's 93rd Veterans Day Parade, with a particular tribute this year to servicemen and women who have returned from Afghanistan  It was not as somber and dignified as British services, but Dan and I were pleased to have marked the occasion and it made for a great excuse to head to a bar afterwards to warm ourselves up with a pint of beer!

Taking our place, wearing our poppies and waving our British flags.
It made sense to us!

The parade, which travelled down Market Street, SF

And a big thank you to Visa for promoting my husband! His modesty is the reason why you probably dont know this particular piece of news, but I am so proud.  He is now a Senior Business Leader at Visa, responsible for amongst other things the company's relationship with FIFA. Well done Dan!

And of course - Thanksgiving!  Another big holiday celebration here, akin to Christmas but without the gift buying or religious influence. The Coakleys were insistent that we join for them for an alcohol fueled turkey roast (we expect nothing less from them) and we teamed up with British Darren and Helen who hosted the dinner, which turned into an 8 hour celebration of good food and good wine. Ah, this is the life!!  I'm a big fan of this day, which was focused on relaxing and being with those you love. One for the diary from now on, wherever we are living!

The Dads kitted out in their Visa soccer shirts. Dont ask where the shirts came from.
As a Senior Business Leader Dan would never steal anything, so please dont suggest it!
Remove those thoughts from your mind completely. 

Good food....

Hungry little people...

Thirsty big people...

And finally, the biggest thank you of all. Having found a lump in Tom's chest earlier this month we finally received the news that it is a benign bone growth. The relief was overwhelming. We spent a day with an oncologist at Stanford's Children's Hospital. Watching the brave children there trying to cope with this tragic illness put so much into perspective for us. Tears of relief, prayers answered and a promise to furthermore enjoy our life here every day. 

So in honour of the little man who has been prodded and poked far too much over the past few weeks, here are some pictures of our beautiful little boy, for whom we shout from the highest mountain tops - DIOLCH!