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!