Dover Castle--playing hookie

The kids and I played hookie from responsibilities yesterday and went down to visit Elder Kats who was in our area for about four a half months last winter. The Elders had their P-Day(personal day) and were up for little exploration. We all headed to Dover Castle and spent the day chasing children who were excited to see their pal Elder K and also be at a castle. After 117 spiral steps later we reached the top of Dover castle.
Mason did have some help with piggy back rides from mom, but for the most part he hiked every step, went up and down every hill and was exhuasted by the end.

At the drawbridge of the castle. Carter took this picture, he loves when I hand him the big camera to take a shot for me.

The Elders wanted to check the gift shop really fast and I wasn't quite ready to commit taking the children in there. So the kids and I waited outside the gate. Carter and Taylor had a quick race to and from those canon's in the distance. Carter was the winner, although he did go back and hold Taylor's hand to help her finish. :)

Mason after the Wartime Tunnel tour. Taylor and I had to skip out because she had to pee and was not going to be able to hold it. So the Elders were trapped with the boys for the tour and everyone enjoyed themselves. Brennan had fallen asleep and Carter told me there was a bit that was too scary for me so it was good I didn't come. Love the thoughtfulness of sweet Carter.

Taylor waiting for the boys to come out of the tunnel. She was keeping track of Patch the dog for Carter. Mike gave Patch to Carter before he left and Carter loves that little dog.

We had lunch, explored the tunnels, and then we raced up the hills back to the top! The kids had ice cream on the brain and they would have done anything for it. So we raced and raced and then crashed at the top. On our way to some much deserved ice cream.

Carter and Elder Kats walking towards the White Cliffs of Dover.

The kids with the most fabulous guys ever! What an awesome day to get out, it was hot and gorgeous. We just met Elder D that day, but the kids thought he was great. Taylor was trying with all her might to get "yellow man" to carry her up the hills. Rules being what they are, he can't. So he was helping by pushing her up the hill. It was super cute and she loved it.

Thanks again guys for the fabulous day out with great company!!

View of Dover castle from the White Cliffs.

Packages

We love to get the little slip left in our box at the Post Office telling us we have a package! Brennan had a few packages come in the mail and was super excited about them being all for him. He was using the rockets to throw at everyone, and loved his bubbles. He used all those in one go!

Thank you Nana and Papa for all my goodies in the fun balloon box. He loved the puppet Monkey.

We also got a package from Grandpa and Grandma. Brennan thought the little Woody doll was fun, and he has been trying to pull the string ever since. It is plastic and can't actually pull . :)

Brennan certainly got a hang of opening up presents really fast and was all business. He wanted to put on his new Woody PJ's the moment he opened them. Good thing he was already undressed for this one. :)

Presents from Dad

He's 2!

Brennan has officially turned two, both in age and attitude. He is on the go in many ways that make me exhausted. We had a small little gathering to celebrate with our big boys. He was amazed with everything that he got to unwrap. We just kept hearing, "wow!"



Even the card made him super happy! He really enjoyed having all the attention on him.

Carter with friend Jeremy reading the card to Brennan.

For some reason I was having picture taking problems. So this is the big car garage toy that We got Brennan. He absolutely loves it and was so excited when I put it together. It has become a favorite item that he plays with almost all day.

We were lucky enough to receive a package as well. Aunt Jamie has made everything niece or nephew a blanket and Brennan got his in the mail. He certainly loved opening the box and fell in love with it before he even saw the good part.

He jumped on to the blanket for a cuddle before we even had a chance to unfold it.

It just got better and better.

Cards from Zoie and Joshua..Zoie, your words looked great!

Lovin' it some more!!

I guess this is the best place to do our formal update on Brennan. He is just a little mellow sweetheart. I say he is getting an attitude and he totally is, but he does it in a way that you almost don't care. I did say "almost". He loves horses, birds, sheep, and airplanes. He enjoys as we see each of these things everyday and knows just where to look when I turn certain corners in the van on our different routes. He is talking more and more, but still has a lot of gibberish to sort through. I can translate just about everything that comes from his mouth, but everyone else in this world might be a little confused. He loves to use sign language and is quite as expert at asking for different things with a sign rather than crying and screaming at me. He loves to climb anything that he can, he loves being outside, and he loves his family. He will eat anything and everything you put in front of him, however, he does love to throw the food once he is full. So we are on guard when it looks like he has had enough food. We love you Tank and think you are a fabulous addition to our wonderful family!

It just dawned on me that I don't have a picture of him blowing out his candles. That is because I took video and will put that up. I wanted Mike to be able to see it in action. The cake was just Angel food, whipped cream, and strawberries. So no one is missing anything super cute. I went with simple this time around.

Happy Father's Day

The Dad with the back that won't give up.
Helps them climb to higher places.

Mike with Taylor after he gave her the first bath.

Mike and Mason...best buds forever

Carter and Mike...the two that are so much alike it is scary!

For the love of the MINI.

Fishing in McCall Idaho..2007. Great dad, great uncle.(the girl is Ms. Zoie Ann)

Payette Lake..2007 Taylor with her Dad.

Fishin' on the dock. Carter and Mike 2007

Saying good-bye for a deployment to Balad, Iraq

Classic Dad picture.

Mike and Brennan. After a world wind delivery. These two are going to be wood shop pals.

I could have spent all day posting tons of pictures, but I will leave it at this. We love you Mike. You strive to be the best Dad you can be for our children and for that, I am always eternally grateful. Thinking of you.

Love your greatest fans,

Sweets..Mighty Mouse, Bug, Missy, and Tank.

3 extra years

We have been given the chance of a lifetime and couldn't be more excited! We have been approved for our three year extension here in the UK. That translates to four years from now. It is a great blessing for us and we are thrilled for the many opportunities it grants us.
We are pleased about the schools here and all that they offer. The kids are doing so well and thriving in the English school system. Taylor is about to start Primary School in the fall and is so excited about being in Blue Class.
We just love it, and feel so at home here. We just knew that this is what we were suppose to do for our family. Can you believe that by the time our journey here has ended, we will have spent nine of our years together year in the UK? No wonder it feels to comfortable.
Of course, a post about England isn't complete without a plug for visitors. We would love to be your hosts in this great place! There is so much to see, so much to do. It is a great adventure and we would love anyone to take up the chance and come let us be your guides. Nothing is better than having people over in our piece of the world. Get your passports at the ready, save those pennies, sacrifice those extra 'things' and come to Europe!

Framlingham

In June the kids have one week off for half term. After a horrible start to the week, with the sickness that swept through the family, we only had a couple days of playing. The kids are always asking to go to castles and they don't care how many times they have been there before. We had a lovely picnic and then explored the castle while doing a search on King Henry VIII. The kids had to find little queen statues throughout the castle and name his 6 wives. They decided the chocolate they got at the end was worth every effort.

Carter was interested in finding out what this fancy building behind the castle was. We will be planning another trip to explore the actual village and finding out for ourselves.