Golf - Scotland

As Sandra mentioned...I spent last weekend in Scotland golfing. As most of you know - Sandra, Eli, and Mary stayed in Montana for an additional three weeks after I returned to Germany. Somewhat by coincidence, the other Deere expat family in Zweibruecken (John, Sarah, and their 4 kids) are in the same situation for most of July - John in Germany and the family in the States. It soon became obvious that John and I had to go golfing somewhere for a weekend while our wife's and kids were away. What a better place then St. Andrews!
Little did we know what it takes to actually play the Old Course....a Handicap Index, entering the Ballot, and of course having decent weather. We learned at 5Pm on Friday (just prior to our departure for the airport) that we were on the Ballot for 11:10 Saturday morning. Having a tee time on the Old Course was our main objective for the weekend. The course is closed on Sunday, so the only other day would have been Monday as we flew home on Tuesday morning. In route to the airport, I called Carnoustie and was given a tee time for Monday. The weekend was falling together better then could be expected. We played the Castle Course (the 7th course at St. Andrews which opened just this summer) on Sunday. Photos from the weekend:

We experienced all the weather that Scotland could throw at us. We teed off on the Old Course in a pouring rain - that rain suite in my bag finally paid off. It rained and blew steadily through the first 4 or 5 holes. As should have been expected, the course layout played directly into the wind going out. I am looking forward to 2010 when the Open returns to the Old Course, it will be a new experience seeing the Pros play it now. Sunday brought another experience, clear blue sky's....with a 30+ mph wind. The Castle course is built on a bluff over the North See just outside of St. Andrews - spectacular views - a true Links experience. Monday brought us to Carnoustie with perfect weather which was needed. From my perspective, the most difficult test of the weekend. Long par 4's and numerous deep bunkers, as well as the Barry Burn which has an amazing ability to attract golf balls.
My play was less then great - I really had no expectations having not played since last summer. I would love to go back and give it another try someday....let me know if you are interested!

Where in the World...

I'm thankful Eli is so adaptable as he hasn't been sure of the state (or country) we're in for several weeks now. On August 1st we will return to Germany after 9 days in Arizona and 4+ weeks here in Montana.

For Kevin and I it has been largely a fun, sleep-deprived, crazy vacation. I've had a few mini-breakdowns (see Eli's update) and Kevin is now golfing in Scotland (yes, I'm serious). These last few weeks 'should' be more relaxed and, hopefully, doctor free.

Mary has started hitting, trying to run and swim (read: head injuries and chlorine swallowing), and forming words. She's also been teething and therefore not sleeping. All animals are still 'doggies' that say 'moo' but there are signs she is differentiating now. And she is wise enough to maintain her charming cuteness in order to avoid serious consequences after she empties cupboards or dumps her food bowl or hits me in the face.

Eli made it through Arizona only to get an infection (that's SIX since March) on our travel day to Montana.... it was not pretty as I had little pain relief medicine. Thus started the saga: Urgent Care the next morning, ENT the day after that, heavily-drugged reunion weekend, lots of phone calls to other ENT's and finally a 2.5 hour trip to Billings with an ENT that had an opening. He listened to our whole sordid story and did surgery this past Monday, in front of his other patients already scheduled, to accommodate necessary recovery time before travelling. The doctor said the tonsils he removed were big and ugly. Eli is 5 days out as of today and doing really quite well with some pain but no bleeding. He's been active, having fun with cousins and new friends, getting spoiled and farming with Grandpa.

Other than that we've been shopping, gaining weight (unfortunately), and enjoying the beautiful summer weather with trips to Yellowstone and the County Fair. Althea (Kevin's mom) has been doing fabulously and taking care of me while I attempt to take care of the kids. I drag her out of the house once or twice a day for kid-friendly activities and then we all come back for afternoon naps. It works out pretty well.

I'm glad we're staying so long in Montana. It is definitely (as always) by God's design.