Since I haven't blogged in such a long time, I thought it would be a good idea to run through some highlights of the year that I missed. I should note that one of the main highlights was my brother Will's wedding in Niobrara, NE...but those pictures are on my other computer so will take a level of effort that I can't muster at this point. It was a fun time, though, and a happy one ! And a new part of the States for us.
That said, here are some highlights from ENGLAND, starting with our new summer passion: Camping! We had a strangely wonderfully warm and rainless summer in 2013, so we took advantage of it! Our first camping trip was in Oxfordshire, at the suggestion of friends. We camped in a big open field in the 'kid friendly' section with lots of other families. Jim and I hadn't been camping for a lot of years, so we bought a new, family style tent and all the gear we thought we would need. Upon arrival, we discovered that we didn't have all the gear we needed...namely a mallet to get our tent secured to the ground. After about two hours, we managed to get the tent up, but unfortunately we were camping on an incline, so we spent the night sliding all over the place. The second night it poured down rain, but our tent stayed dry and on the ground. Despite our trials and tribulations (mainly due to being camping amateurs), we had a great time, did some hiking, roasted hotdogs and marshmallows and enjoyed exploring with our flashlights and just being together in the country.
In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we immediately planned another camping trip in a different part of England: Sussex. Sussex is on the coast, so in addition to camping in a beautiful grove of trees on what used to be a Hop Farm, we got to visit two beaches--one sandy and one pebbly. Both beautiful, but the pebble one HURT our feet. We also made new friends and saw lots of bats, did some hikes and kayaking and visited Bodiam Castle, which, with it's tiny, spiraling staircases, gave me the whimwhams...but was very historic and interesting!
We also went to the recently reinstated Kenwood Concerts in Hampstead Heath. Unfortunately, it wasn't an unseasonably warm and dry day, so we took our not exactly waterproof beach tent with us and enjoyed the singing of the London Concert Choir and Symphony Orchestra, along with spectacular fireworks. Then we waded home.
Every summer, one of our favorite things to do is pick blackberries in Hampstead Heath. This summer was no exception and we spent a lot of time in the Heath staining our hands purple with our efforts.
Evie learned to play tennis!
We went to an interactive production of Alice in Wonderland in Covent Garden where the girls were enchanted by a puppet Cheshire Cat and we took an illegal picture of this singing caterpillar egg.
And enjoyed an autumnal Apple Festival in the sunshine:
Some of us learned to fly (sort of ):
We celebrated lots of birthdays, starting with Jim's!
And ending with Millie's!
Evie started big girl school:
And then stopped for a couple of weeks so we could go to Uncle Will's wedding!
I ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon with my friend Sil....
learned to bake bread...
and to assemble Ikea furniture in less than three hours!
The leaves changed colors in the Heath:
And we dressed as a family of unicorns for Halloween:
Then I went on to win "Best Parent Costume" at Evie's School's Halloween Disco. A major accomplishment!
And before we knew it, the Christmas Season was upon us (we did celebrate Thanksgiving, but didn't take any pictures. Jim cooked and it was good). We saw Santa about five times:
Sang Christmas Carols at St Martin in the Fields.
Did lots of walking in the Heath:
Ate lots of delicious and not so nutritious Christmas Treats!
Got lots of great and exciting Christmas presents!
And learned to ice skate!
So here we are on the cusp of a New Year, having accomplished a lot and with a lot to be grateful for. It's a good way to be!
