* Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of 2012 Olympic Games reports by the Petersen family of Davis. The Petersens, immersed in track and the Olympic spirit, are off to England on Saturday to spend two weeks in London. Today, Pam Petersen sets up her family’s journey.

The Olympic flag has been flying in front of our house since the countdown to the Opening Ceremonies was signaled 100 days ago.

Now it’s time to take it down to put it in the suitcase and take it to London!

The Five Davis Petersens — as our extended family calls us — will be heading to Jolly Ol’ England on Saturday morning to spend two weeks exploring London and experiencing these magical days known as the Olympics.

For myself (hi, I’m Pam), and my husband, Mick, this will be our third Summer Games and fifth Olympics overall.

We went to the Summer Games in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. Our Winter Games experiences were in Salt Lake City in 2002 and Vancouver in 2010. Yes, Olympic junkies …

But this year is special for us. It will be our first games as a whole family. We can’t wait.

Your cast of characters for our regular reports home are:

* Pam, aka Mom. I’m a recently retired pediatrician. Dad Mick is an orthopedist at Sutter Medical Group here in Davis.

* Drew, 21, oldest twin by one minute, soon-to-be senior at UC Davis, assistant coach for Davis High cross country, former Blue Devil and Aggie long distance runner.

* Brother Matt, soon-to-be senior at Cal where he’s a long distance runner.

* Nathan, 18, entering his senior year at DHS, avid Special Olympics participant and supporter of Blue Devil cross country and track teams.

So, why do this Olympic thing?

First, we are a sports fanatic family … just ask our friends.

But, the Olympic experience is much more than sports.

Based on our past experience, it is riding a bus with a group of Polish men and learning their national cheer on the way to a cross country skiing event.

It is trudging through a security line longer than any at LAX — then noticing that everyone is smiling.

The Olympic Games means realizing that no matter what event you see — from 5,000 meters to archery or trampoline — you’re watching the best in the world at their sports while taking in the fulfillment of lifelong dreams and tremendous hard work.

Our sons and Mick have not been to London before.

I was there for a few days in 1980 when I was 18 years old, so I don’t count that.

This trip will be a mixture of sightseeing, attending Olympic events and trying to absorb as much “British” as we can in two weeks.

Since our boys’ experience of “old” has been walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, I can’t wait to see them experience really old.

Westminster Abbey was founded in the year 960. Now that is old!

Through the musings that we send back to our Davis Enterprise, we hope to give readers some of the flavor of what is happening across The Pond.

You will “hear” from all five of us and I am especially looking forward to having our twins be able to convey their excitement of actually knowing Olympians.

Drew was coached at UCD by Kim Conley, a 5,000-meter participant, and Alysia Montano, an 800-meter runner, trains at Cal with Matt.

Our journey starts Friday night as we’re hosting friends for an Opening Ceremonies viewing party.

Then it is off to Sacramento International Airport for our departure early Saturday morning.

So, goodbye, Davis … hello, London. Cheerio!

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