I have decided that castles are like the grown-up man playgrounds. Uncle Mike came here the first week in October and we were able to get one day of castle exploring in. We first ate at this little pub right outside the castle gate, and I failed to take pictures of our food like a good commentator would have, but it was yummy. Uncle Mike had to sample the local beverage selection and then we told him he needed to climb the castle. This is no easy task and a little assistance was needed.
I must have taken the one with him actually in the window with his camera because I couldn't find it. It was a great climb and no one got hurt! :)

We saw another window, I told you it was bad from the beginning. We were lucky it wasn't a busy day, and could roam and wander at our pace and leisure.

Mason has been giggling with excitement since the first day Uncle Mike was here. I think it is because he is so excited about all the delicious and spicy food he has eaten as Uncle Mike played Chef in the kitchen. Such wonderful service! Anyone who is going to cook like that can stay at our place as long as they want!

You may recognize this castle as Framlingham Castle, which has been on the blog before. It tends to be one that we can make a simple and inexpensive day trip out of and the kids both little and big love it.

This sums up how Brennan felt about leaving the castle.

After Framlinghan we made our way about 12 miles closer to the coast and visited Orford Castle. Framlingham is an example of a castle that is really just the outer walls still left and Orford is a very neat and well preserved example of a keep.

Upstairs in the keep was the Great Hall which is now used as a little museum type area where they display all the items they have found around the area of the castle over the years. Coins, pipes, tools, and many other incredible pieces were on display.

The Keep

Uncle Mike having a go at pestering Mason. I think that they had a great time with one another.

I love this little bum picture because it shows what castle exploring is all about. To visit these wonderful and fascinating places still puts me in awe at what they could accomplish with the little they would have had. I love that our children get to see these things as they grow and I hope they never take advantage of it.

We love this cottage on our drive and although we couldn't get a full picture of it, we still wanted to share it. Love this place!

Farewell old crib!

This was a crib about two weeks ago. :) We bought this lovely piece of furniture for $20 when I was pregnant with Mason. We were so excited for our first little baby. I remember putting him in this for the first time when he was about 3 weeks old. He was so tiny and full of life. He was the beginning of our gorgeous children and each one has used this crib. Just when we would put it in storage I would be pregnant again. After Brennan we knew no other baby would go in here because it was falling apart in so many places. What better way to say goodbye to such a wonderful memory? Mike kept telling me he was going to have it taken down and smashed for the wood pile when I got home from my trip, but there it stood. I decided I should do it while Mike was golfing with the Elders from London on their personal day. So they got home from golfing and it was ready to go. I didn't realize Mike even has a sledge hammer, what a fun time I had!

Kevin

Everytime I come home from a trip and look at the camera SD card I find that Kevin has got a hold of my camera. Last time it was a hilarious video testing the zoom capabilities of our video camera. This time I just had the regular camera. Never the less Kevin was still able to be Kevin! :) Love ya man!

Mindy and Kevin---they are adorable! Love em'

Things you miss when you are gone

Most of all I miss my mom and dad. I have loved how much our relationship has grown as I have had children and embarked on a journey of life with my own little family. I miss seeing them all the time and being able to just spend time with them relaxing at their house. I think I miss them a little more each time I go home and have to leave again. Although this seems to have become the norm in my life and that is okay for now.

I miss those mountains! I have never been so in love with them as I was on this trip. Maybe it was because I was up there for the weekend and felt the crisp cold Autumn air. Maybe it was running up the hills of the mountain and being so close to them again. I went walking with my mom nearly everyday of my trip. It was so beautiful to walk at the base of these mountains. We started before the sun could show itself. Watching the sunlight touch the valley was something
magical. I loved being able to walk with my mom and enjoy the progress and wonder she has made.

My mom and I at the airport. Saying another see ya later! I loved my trip, even though it went by so fast and I could have survived another week. :) I love that I have a husband who just says, "okay, have a great time," when I say that I want to do something like fly across the world for one week of bliss. It was a pleasure and although I didn't get to spend loads of time with people, I was grateful for what I got and treasure my time I had.

As promised..the next time won't be a surprise. :)

Laughs until 1 a.m.

Kaden, Chloe and Aunt Hollie, this is after I rescued them from a scary bug. Derek, Kalli and the kids all came by on their way home from the State Fair to say goodbye. I ran out so that I could give hugs and kisses to the kids. When I got there they were frozen in place and terrified. There had been a large bug flying around and they were so scared. It landed on the headrest of the seat and Kaden informed me that they were not talking to it or moving so that it would stay there. So sweet and so sad at the same time. Jace is in his car seat behind Kaden and was not happy about being in the car and being woken up from the lack of movement happening. Poor guy :(
Chelsi and Hollie--before things got really silly. :)

Kalli and Hollie--and then it began! We were going to get a picture of us girls together and every time I clicked the camera Chelsi was making a silly face. So we all joined in. Mike's family has this crazy ability to blow out their lips and not bust up laughing. So we were all trying to do it, but I kept laughing so hard I couldn't stand it. It was hilarious, but alas we were able to get one shot. They should have known I would record these photos for the world to see. Be careful what you do in front of my camera people!

Then Chelsi was going crazy!! Seriously, I am laughing at this picture remembering how funny this was. I thought she was going to do that lip thing again and so I was standing at the ready. When I said, "three," she starting flipping her head about like a mad woman. I can't help but laugh and could hardly tell Mike this story without laughing like mad.

Hollie and Denise and Hollie and the all the girls that night. Jeni and Amanda weren't there--it was late! Sorry ladies.

Love my little brother Blake---always have a special place in my heart for this little turd. :)

Hollie and Bob---thanks for staying up late guys and for the great laughs due to all of us being drunk with tiredness!!!

Last night already :(

One night with the girls. We ordered Chinese--and ate some yummy grub. Above is a picture of my gorgeous niece Skye. So I dared her to eat one of the peppers that was floating around in my sauce. She did because she is part of our family and then I felt bad that I had her do it. So I decided fair was fair and ate one myself. Not the hottest thing I have had, but it just kept burning as the left over pepper juice floated in your mouth. The burning sensation did subside after a short time.
Drawing names for Christmas....yes we were a tad early, however I was actually there this here, so we opted it the perfect time. I love this tradition. Mindy..I didn't get a picture of you in here for the names-sorry :(

Heather and Hollie--would have been easier to do a sister's picture, but this might have been more fun.

Thanks Kellie for coming and hanging out even though your leg was a tad swollen by the end of the night. Love you!!

Christy, Wynter, Hollie and Skye. I can't believe how big everyone gets while I am away...it is slightly depressing. Skye--are you saving your money???

Mindy and Hollie

Funny faces with Aunt Hollie!!!!

One picture with our normal faces.

Jamie and Hollie.

I just love my sisters and I am so grateful for the close relationships we have been able to maintain even though I live thousands of miles away. They are my best friends and I don't know what I would do without them!!

Yummy Goodness

Every trip I make back home I realize that I miss small little things like....Pace Dairy Ann popsicles and Tasty's Donuts. I have different cravings for different things each time I am visiting, and it was nice to have a few of those treasures all to myself this time.

Grandma and Grandpa

I had so much fun just spending a day with grandma and grandpa Mason. I loved talking with and just doing what is was they would be doing that day. We peeled some onions for pickling and chatted for awhile. Then we headed to Aunt Verna's house. It was her birthday the day before and she had turned 94! She is so amazing and brilliant, I hope I inherited the wonderful genes that run in my family.

Aunt Verna is Grandpa's sister and I felt right at home with her and loved having some birthday cake and ice cream to help celebrate her day. I hope that my grandparents know how much I love them and how amazing I think they are. It was a wonderful treat to spend the day with them and just talk and get to know them even more. Last year for Christmas we got them some books for them to fill out about themselves that they give back to us. Grandma showed me hers and I was really in tears at the wonderful treasure that book is going to be for myself and my family. Such a neat idea that I would recommend to all!

I'm not sure at this point how long my grandparents have been married, I think it has to be sixty something years, but I enjoyed so much the love that I could see between them. Little things that they did so naturally for one another that I had never noticed before. It was just a sweet day that I will remember and hold special always.

So confused???

Auklin, Chloe, Brinlee, and Kaden

Saturday night after I got home from the race with my parents I was talking to Mike trying to find the best way to surprise his side of the family. He told me his parents were at Peach Days and not home. Considering I was tired and wanted a real bed for one night I went and bought a dress for Sunday and went to bed. I got up Sunday morning, got ready for church thinking it was going to be great fun having mom and dad Christiansen walk in and see me sitting there. I sit in all of the first meeting and no one comes! So after church I went to their place and knocked and knocked. No one answered. So I called Mike and asked what was up with his family. He said, "They were all up there, they must have stayed the weekend." Note to self--don't rely on hubby's info. :) I did find out that Blake knew I was there cause my husband is lame-love you babe! If Blake knows, I thought everyone knew--so double lame!
Monday morning rolls around and I call Blake, the unsurprised tired voice on the other end agreed to lunch. :) In his tired state he wasn't in the mood to call around and get people there, so I told him I would. Still thinking everyone knew therefore it didn't really matter. I called Chelsi and said, "Hey there, what's up? You want to do lunch?" To which I hear in a high pitched scream, "WHHHHHAAATTTTT???!!!! You are here!!! What are you doing here, AAAAAHHH!!" It was hilarious after my ear stopped ringing. So obviously she did not know and I told her the information I had about everyone being at Peach Days. She confirmed that only Blake was at Peach Days and everyone else had been home all weekend. Her and I decided it would be fun for her to call Jeni and Kalli to come to lunch. More white lies were told and they were hooked on lunch. I went and grabbed mom C. from her house to find out that they were home on Sunday but were to sore and tired to answer the door! She thought it was dad C. trying to get in, cause she thought he had gone to church! :) The confusion of each lane of this story cracks me up.
So Kalli and Jeni were very surprised and it was super fun to have most everyone at lunch to indulge with me in my Corn Dog craving.

The newest addition to the family is Mayla--Jeni and Matt's wee one. Adorable tiny little thing almost makes you want another. :)

Auklin was learning where I live--Auklin, tell your parents that your college fund can wait--England is where it is at!