Congratulations to Caitlin and JP...

...who are expecting their first child in April!  We couldn't be happier about the start of your family!  Congratulations!

The Chrastinas

Welcome to the World Lilyana Jean!

Congratulations to Devon and Bob who welcomed their first baby girl last week!

Lilyana Jean Weaver

September 15, 2008

8:58 p.m.

8 lbs. 6 oz.

20 inches

You can follow little Lily's life at her blog: www.littlelilyjean.blogspot.com

The Chrastinas

Happy Fall!

It seems that autumn has quickly fallen upon us.  Melissa and Griffin have both gone back to school; Melissa in her last semester before graduating and Griffin another class towards his degree.  We are both enrolled in the same Public Speaking class on-site at RAF Alconbury and then Melissa is taking the remainder of her classes online.  

The house is moving along very slowly.  With Melissa back to work, at the base Child Development Center, there has been little time to do much around the house.  Due to a paperwork snafu by the Navy down in Norfolk, it looks like we won't be getting our furniture for some time.  Which does leave us a little more time to do some painting around the house.

Other than that, there's not too much to report from across the pond.  We have quickly settled into our daily routine of work, school, and unpacking.

Happy back to school and fall to all others out there!

The Chrastina's

Introducing Laela Mae

Laela Mae Stackhouse

August 13, 2008

born at 8:36 p.m.

7 lbs. 1 oz.

21 1/2 inches

The Chrastina's

Congratulations Jaclyn and Mike!

Laela Mae Stackhouse was born last night, August 13, by C-section at 8:36 p.m and weighing 7 lbs. 1 oz.  Pictures to come as soon as we can get our hands on some!

Congratulations on your new family and beautiful baby girl!

The Chrastina's

Robin Hood Festival

On Saturday we went to the Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham.  We had a really good time.  It was like a Renaissance Faire, but actually took place in a country that experienced the Renaissance!  There was food, gift shops, story-telling, archery demonstrations, alchemists, and, of course, a joust.  It was a really fun day!

Griffin & Robin Hood

A very patriotic archery demonstration.

Sherwood Forest

The joust.

A victorious Robin Hood.

The Chrastina's

Our British Cottage

This is our new home!  Our little British cottage is located just outside the village of Alconbury and right near the base!  Though it has some bugs, needs some sprucing up, and has had its fair share of problems, we're looking forward to have a very British experience this time around!  Some of the home's highlights include: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, study, dining room, lounge, kitchen, patio, and a nice size backyard!  We can't wait to have visitors!  And did we mention that we have a gardener!  No yardwork for us!

The front of our house, including the medieval door that cannot be opened.

Sliding glass door and patio.

Nice, big backyard for Bailey.

The "driveway."

Shed and kitchen door (how you would actually enter our home).

Look for pictures of the inside shortly.  Right now there's just stuff everywhere.  But once we've painted, received our belongings, and set-up we'll be willing to share pictures of the inside of our cozy new home!

The Chrastina's