A Super Long Post for a Super Amazing Trip

The day school got out, I got out of town.  

Literally. 

I flew on a jet plane across the country, across the pond, to the land of 

queens, princes and princesses, and castles.

Where fairy tales are made up. 

See, just like this . . . 

The beautiful drive into Kent

I planned to stay with Matt and Kim at their home in the beautiful English countryside of Kent on the Surrey and Sussex border.  

This is the village where the church building is... East Grinstead

The first order of business, lunch at the local pub (and I mean local, it's right across the street).  Then, off to their ward talent show.

The next day, we headed a full 10 minutes out to Hever Castle.  This is where Anne Boleyn lived, where Henry VIII sometimes lived.

I loved this arbor. 

Here is Kim with her two boys that are at home, Connor and Kyle (Tyler is on a mission).

I don't think I could mow that straight if I had to.

The castle grounds had a garden maze.

On Monday we went to BRIGHTON!!

Connor and Kim hanging out on the Brighton Pier.

In the town, with the small, small streets, with the water at the end.  Just about ALL the streets in England are this size.

On Tuesday morning, we got up early and took five trains to PARIS.  

PARIS!!!!!!!!

We stayed at the Marriott (below) on the Champs Elysees right near the Arc de Triomphe (above) and it was fabulous!

Those two guys in red pants are welcoming customers through the massive black gates to Abercrombie and Fitch.  I think that if it were not cold and drizzly, they would not have been in those particular outfits (cough, cough).

Yes, that would be the Eiffel Tower, in all her glory.

The architecture is beyond amazing . . . even the bridges are beautiful.

At the Louvre.

I called this the Lock Bridge.

Kim crossing the street in busy Paris.

Inside Notre Dame.

We climbed to the top of the Arc de Triomphe and had incredible views.  This is were the streets all converge to the center, like a star.

On Wednesday we took a train out to Versailles.  You have not seen opulence until you've seen Versailles.  Holy Cow.  No wonder the French revolted.

It was sooooo crowded inside. 

The grounds were beyond extensive.  How would you like this for your little side yard?

And this for your back patio?

We were so glad we rented bikes and rode around the Palace grounds.  Riding for an hour still didn't even touch a fraction of the extensive property.

Back to Paris, we climbed to the top the Notre Dame.  It was awesome! We were so glad we had great weather, too.  

Hello Gargoyle friend!

The bell Quasimodo rings. 

Exiting the bell tower.

A hungry gargoyle.

Views from all sides of Notre Dame.

Lunch at George V.  

The beautiful bridge I was standing on earlier, over the Seine. 

We happened upon this amazing Farmers Market that was so unbelievably gorgeous.  Everything was displayed so beautifully I've never seen anything like it.  We bought a bunch of jewelry from the nicest French lady here, too. 

It's the real deal at this Farmers Market.

Outside Notre Dame.

Along the Seine, with vendors set up along the sidewalk.

Taken from the train ride.  The beautiful French countryside where there would be miles of gorgeous fields, then a small village with a tall church in the middle, then miles of fields.  Over and over again.

Back in the U.K. . . 

On Thursday morning, we went to the London temple.  

This is Kim's house (well, the backside).  The house is so cute, and old.  It's called, "The Coach House".

After the temple, we took the train into London and look who I found at London Bridge?  Fancy that!!  We met Matt at an outdoor market for lunch, did a little shopping around, then John and I took the express train to Lingfield for the night. 

The view out our hotel window.

On Friday, John, Kim, Connor, and I went to Bath (BAAWTH).  Along the way, you can't miss these stones that are alongside the motorway . . .

Stonehenge.  Prehistoric and still there!

Bath Abbey

The Roman Baths in Bath.  

That's me with Jane Austen.  Yep, we're buds.  

The Crescent. 

Lunch in Bath.

Just some of the English countryside taken from the car.  I must have said, Oh that's so pretty! a million times.

Windsor Castle. 

The oldest, largest castle that is still in use.  We weren't able to see much of it because the queen was coming.  She usually spends her weekends here. 

The tradition of the guards is actually pretty comical if you think about it.  There is so much ceremony, it's amazing that they actually are able to guard anything.

During his ceremonial march, back and forth in front of his guard shack, he came very close to me.  

And I mean very close - that blade came inches from my head. 

The town of Windsor.

The Wheatsheaf. A very, very old structure in the middle of nowhere that is now a pub.  I can't remember how old it is but it is more than 400 years, and the sagging roof is proof.  We got some good English grub; Toad in the Hole actually.

Canterbury!!

Talk about old!  Just imagine that Chaucer actually walked these streets.  Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in this cathedral in 1170, thus beginning the pilgrimage to Canterbury, and the Canterbury Tales.   

Dover!  The White Cliffs of Dover. 

We went to the coast and visited Dover castle and the famed war tunnels.  

, 

On our last night, we went for a walk with Kim and Connor around their "neighborhood" which follows footpaths as old as dirt, through sheep fields, deer fields, wheat fields, and just beautiful fields.  I can just see Elizabeth Bennet or Emma Woodhouse joining us as we took our exercise. 

Sorry, it's the English Lit geek in me.

The Swan - the pub across the street.  

 Thanks for staying until the bitter end of my long vacation journal.  I hope you enjoyed the journey.  

I should clarify the crux of the reason for this amazing adventure.  Matt and Kim had been asking for John to bring me along one of his business trips ever since they moved to England.  We actually planned to bring the whole family, but couldn't quite make it work, so instead I went.  I left Friday, John left Sunday and went to Amsterdam, then all over London and various parts of England before we met up on Thursday. It's really hard to have John gone a lot and traveling all over the world, but the benefit of that is airline miles and hotel points, for which I'm very grateful.  And even more grateful am I for ready and willing grandparents to help with the children while we are gone.   

The End of an Era

The end of school finally came upon us!  We were ecstatic for it to be over; no more homework, tests, crazy schedules, and rushing.  However, it deeply saddens me to leave one grade and move up to another.  I will never again have a kindergartner.  That is really, really sad.  And Brooke going to middle school?  Oh help me!

At the last Award Assembly, Ashlyn received an award!  So proud. 

 The kindergarten always has an end-of-year family picnic.  Here is Ash with her bestie Cooper. 

The picnic was right after Brooke's culmination, which Madison attended, so we got a picture with her kindergarten teachers, who are also Ashlyn's.  

A huge highlight for the end of the year was Brooke receiving the Outstanding Citizen Award sponsored by the Rotary Club.  Interestingly, Madison was chosen two years ago, and last year was their best friend (and my 5th child) Monroe.  They said the pressure is on for Christian and Ashlyn to continue the tradition. 

 She was recognized by the mayor, county, school district and Rotary.

They put on a very nice luncheon held at a golf course, which was during school . . . another plus!

It's time for Fifth Grade Culmination.  Brooke looked darling in the dress she picked out (and another mom complimented us on having a dress that was "appropriate".  It's crazy what some of these kids are wearing!)

She was recognized for her award by her teacher.

At the end, as the students were filing out of the auditorium, the surprised the audience with a "flash mob" style dance.  Very cute. 

Mom and dad are super proud of you Brookie!

Getting a Taste of Summer

The very last track meet, the co-conference finals, was held at Santa Barbara College.  

Who wouldn't want to attend a track meet with this view and perfect year-round weather?

We only went for a little while to cheer on our friends, then hopped on our bikes for a nice ride down the coast and by the zoo.  Look closely and you'll see a giraffe.  How cool is that?

Then we grabbed some fish tacos from the beach stand and had a little picnic by the shore. 

A perfect day!!

By a Finger

At our last track meet, Christian got it all figured out . . . if he just sticks his hand out when crossing the finish line, then he'll win.

Technically, his hand is in front of this best friend Harrison, but sorry Christian, that's not how you win the race. 

This picture is taken from the finish line camera.  Pretty cool!

The funny thing is how many people commented about the kid who stuck his arm out.  Even today John was  hearing about it, but didn't know it was his son!

Miler

We always knew Ashlyn was a determined little girl.  She puts her mind towards something and makes it happen.  

This is also true in track.  

She wanted the "I Ran it All!" t-shirt that her coaches award those who try every event.  

She does long jump, the 100, 200, 400 (that's one time around), tried the 800

and

the 

1600

(that's a mile, folks!)

Holy Cow!!

Coming up to the finish line.  

She was in the 'zone'!

She was focused!

This is immediately after the race. 

Does she look tired? Worn out?  Spent?

Nope. 

She's amazing.  

We were so proud of her.  

And technically, she's too young to even be participating in track, so it's a real feet that she did so well in it too.

Yep, she's doing the mile again this weekend too. 

Go Ashlyn!

Only in So Cal

Only in So Cal can you go to a track meet on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning and spy snow capping the mountains in the distance,

then visit said mountains, while it's actually snowing.

We really lucked out when we decided to take the kids to the snow. They've been wanting to go all winter.

Wait, it's spring now.

It's actually the middle of April.

Whatever.

They were delighted beyond comprehension when the drizzly rain turned to flurries of flakes.

And even more excited when it got thicker and thicker.

I heard things like, "This is the best day ever!!"

and

"I've never seen real snow in the sky in my whole life!!"

That makes it worth it.

We brought Cole along with us. He had a nice ride in the back of the truck.

This is what he did within the first 5 seconds of being in the snow:

Don't eat yellow snow.

This is what the kids did within 5 seconds of getting out of the car:

It snowed and snowed. It was clean, fresh, powdery (sounds like a deodorant ad) deep, and fun.

And cold.

It was Cole's first time in the snow and you'd think he was born in it. I don't know if I've seen him happier.

A nice couple wanted to take a picture of us. Here we are trying to call Cole to come in the picture. He had no interest in stopping.

Since Madison didn't participate in the track meet (it was a 2-day Invitational that we don't do because it goes on Sunday), she got her workout pulling the sled around.

The kids would walk to the top of the hill with the sleds and Cole would follow, then they'd sled down squealing and laughing. Cole would bound down the hill after them each and every time, making sure they were alright, then follow them back up the hill.

Over and over again.

The truck sure comes in handy.

Back home to unload our snow, build a snowman, and have a snowball fight.

THEN . . . it's off to go surfing. Switch out the sleds for the boards.

Only in So Cal.

Catching Up

Track has begun.

It is super fun.

It takes over our lives.

I'm helping out with both Ashlyn and Christian's teams this year; it is Ashlyn's first year to run. Technically, she is too young, but with us all four participating, and me helping out (and John being the President), she's now a Gremlin Girl.

We practice four days a week (with the younger two only doing two days) and have meets on Saturdays.

There are 275 kids in the Club (which is the max amount) ages kindergarten to eighth grade, we even have a waiting list. That has only happened since John became the president. Once the kids are in 9th grade, they go to the High School team if they want.

Putting on an event like this with over 500 children, plus all the adults, takes a lot of peoplepower. We have wonderful families that volunteer and truly live in an amazing community with great kids and great parents.

My friend's dad said when observing this meet for the first time: "This is Newbury Park's best kept secret! Seeing all of this participation, and these little kids giving 100% is really special."

Christian (white t-shirt) running neck-and-neck with his BFF Harrison.

It was a cold and drizzly day, which made it sort of miserable for many people. We heard lots of cries of "Let's cancel the meet!" And others from out of state say, "What? We always ran in sleet, snow, 110 degrees, whatever!" Californians are such weather wimps.

The kids spend a lot of time on the field waiting for staging, then for their event. The kids are so great, they automatically entertain themselves and Ashlyn is learning the fun of hand-clapping games.

It was her birthday so her coach gave her a sticker and made the team cookies.

Then the sun came out and it was gorgeous. People had to hurry and put on sunscreen.

When we got home, it rained again. Rainy days are perfect for playing the new Wii Just Dance game that Ashlyn got for her birthday.

A rare treat: Kim Thomas and her family came into town for Spring Break. They were spending it with her mom in O.C., but came up to have dinner and family night with her besties. We had a great time reconnecting, playing Do You Love Your Neighbor and seeing the kids all interact. Kim, Marie and I have been BFFs for twenty+ years. It's always wonderful to get together. And Marie ran to get her salmon sweater so she could match for the picture.

A beautiful spring day perfect for walking to school with friends. This is up the little hill at "our field" that has a view of their school. The friends thought that was pretty neat.

Ashlyn was in the Peter Rabbit play at school and had the part of Mother Rabbit. Perfect for her. We were laughing because she kept yawning during it. She must have been warm up on the stage in the costume, and it was the 2nd performance that morning. Mothering must be so exhausting!!

So cute!!!

For Christmas, Brooke received voice lessons, and has been taking them every other week this year. She had her first recital this last week and sang "My Favorite Things", accent and all.

It was very strange not having Easter along with Spring Break. I felt like we had to rush and dye eggs at the last minute.

On Good Friday, we had the day off so took a hike to "our bench" and enjoyed the view.

I love Spring!