What's up with wellies?

Several people have asked me about the top picture on our blog. The picture was taken in May when we went to the Surrey County Show. We spent the entire afternoon tromping around in the mud and the rain having a wonderful time. The kids were *so* happy playing in the mud. It was really great.

More pictures from that day are in our May, 2008 album.

Edison's 1st day of school

We have been getting ready for Edison to go to school for a while now.  Last June we went to see his school and meet his teachers - we were VERY impressed (It can't be too bad if Tim Berners-Lee went there - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-Lee ).  This past week we have been buying everything he needs for his uniform.  Edison wasn't very excited when we were buying trousers and polo shirts since the only thing he really loves to wear are "soft pants" (sweats).  We did manage to find him some light up black school shoes though, and when he woke up he was running around so excited to get dreased and go to "big school". 

Edison in front of our house - before school.

Edison after school, ready to ride home.

August Bank Holiday, 2008

I have finally given in and I'm starting a blog - mostly because we are so far away from many of the people I love (hopefully this will make us feel closer), but also as a way for me to keep some record of our lives. So this is it...maybe someday I will catch up on the last 11 months we have been here in London, but for now I will start with last weekend.

We had all sorts of ideas about where we could go, but after 30 + calls to B&Bs with no space (I guess everyone in England goes away over the August Bank holiday - some shops near us have even closed for a couple weeks), we opted for a Marriott in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere in particular because it looked nice and had a pool. Turned out it was right near the Yorkshire Dales, York, Bolton Abbey rail station with Thomas the train and a bunch of other cool places. It also didn't hurt that it included a couple nights of meals in their amazing restaurant and room service breakfast.

Edison and Sophie on the train

Sophie loves saying, "running!!" while running so fast I think she hardly touches the ground...

Me crossing the river at Bolton Abbey - I went back and crossed in bare feet after I saw it was about 4 ft deep and some of the stones wobbled...

I love this one of Sophie...

My favorite street in York (and not just because it had a shop called "Chocolate Heaven")



Clifford's tower - York