Beach Day

Last week we enjoyed SUN! Crazy nice weather for 5 days in a row. Now the clouds are gathering and the rain is on the horizon, but oh how we loved the sun while it was here! While most days we just ventured to the park, one day we drove an hour away to Camber beach with some friends and their kiddies. 

Going to the beach with two little ones does not look like this:

It looks more like me carrying 3 bags full of food, water, sand toys, towels, clothes, diapers and sunscreen on one arm and all of the Jude's 20 pound chunkiness on the other arm. All the while Livvy is tottering around behind us crying about her legs hurting and I'm yelling at her to just keep on going up the giant sand hill and how excited she should be. 

I was so thrilled we made it to the beach in one piece. 

Once we got settled we attempted to eat our sandwiches which were quite literally SANDwiches. Jude didn't mind and kept grabbing fistfuls of the sand and putting it in his mouth. Livvy loved playing with her sand toys and swimming in the surprisingly warm and shallow beach water. 

After 2.5 hours of trips back and forth from the beach, wiping sand from Jude's face and mouth, and trying to keep track of the 3 three year olds in our group, I was beat and ready to go home. 

So we loaded up the car and came home to deal with 23093809 gallons of sand that we took with us.

Even though going to the beach is not a relaxing event in any way now it was worth it. It was fun to see Livvy's face light up when she found sea shells and jumped in the water. It was worth the craziness to have Jude discover the feel of real sand in between his toes (and teeth).

It was worth it to have a day in the sun and feel like it is SUMMER!

Sissinghurst Castle

A few weeks ago we visited Sissinghurst Castle.

Bonus the gardens had a sweet backpack for Jude Dude! That kid needs to hurry up and walk so our arms (and back) can get a break! 

Lincoln climbed up the tower and got some overview pictures. 

And lastly we found some sweet oast houses on our way out. All in all a nice quiet afternoon.

Olympic Torch comes to TW

On a quiet Tuesday afternoon we caught a glimpse of the Olympic torch as it made a brief stop in our town in Kent. 

Lincoln obviously "worked" from home that day. Say the word Olympic and he is there. 

It came through the Pantiles which is luckily located just a few blocks away from our street. 

So off we went to see the torch and be apart of the festivities. 

I was shocked how many people came to see the fleeting torch run by! The entire town seemed to be on the street with British flags in hand. Such a feeling of excitement and patriotism in the air! 

The torch was preceded by huge buses and music blasting a few of my favorite songs. The crowd was going crazy...

And then... nothing. No torch. Everyone started looking around...a good five minutes went by then we saw it come around the corner!

The flame was just barely lit...and Livvy was so confused as to what was going on, but either way it came and it went and we were there.

Bow chicka wow wow. 

Livvy the Ballerina

Please enjoy this snipet of Livvy the Ballerina in her moving portrayal of The Butterfly.

6 months in.

We've officially lived in England for a little over 6 months. I can't believe we're 1/4 of the way into this thing.

In some ways I feel like we just moved here in other ways I feel like we've been here forever.

Looking back at our first impressions and the craziness of moving to Tunbridge Wells I am amazed we survived. It was definitely a bleak and stressful beginning.

Then I think about all of the little miracles that sprinkled the gloomy months and I am so grateful.

In 6 months, we've been to Scotland, Wales, Northern England, and Italy. In 6 months my little baby has started inching towards toddlerhood and Livvy has become even more grown up then I ever imagined.

In 6 months Lincoln and I have dealt with more than we ever thought we could. I never knew I could love him as much as I do today. His patience, kindness and friendship has become more important to me than ever before.

I've realized that while I still ache for my family and friends, my home will forever be where my gummy-smiling baby boy and sweet girl are playing. And that little home and little family can be happy even in a new country with many new challenges and new adventures.

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Best. Night. Ever.

Before I agreed to move to this country, Lincoln had to agree to take me to see Les Miserables in London. 

So as an early "we've been married 5 years" present he bought us (great) tickets for the show! 

Thanks to one of our guests (Uncle Jesse!) we had a babysitter and I enjoyed one of the best nights of my life. Seriously.  

The show was at the Queen's Theatre. I grew up with a love for Les Miz
(and all theater). My mom always played the music and even read parts of the book aloud to us. I saw the show when I was 12 or 13 in S.F. with my family and I have been wanting to see it again ever since. 

It was so special to go to the show with Lincoln this time who had never seen it before. As soon as Jean Valjean came out I was crying and pretty much for the entire 3 hours I couldn't stop smiling through tears! The story, music, and acting is so moving. After the show we found out it was this cast's second night performing. Each character performed with so much passion and such amazing talent we were astounded. 

I will forever be grateful to Jesse for watching the kiddies (and cleaning the kitchen!) and for Lincoln who gave me the best night in England, hands down. Love you sweets! 

Hotel de Fleming

Two weeks ago we had 6 adults and three children staying in our two bedroom flat! It was so much fun! Sadly I didn't take many pictures but here are a few. 

My brother and his family came for the weekend to enjoy a getaway and go on a temple trip before his deployment. It was so nice to have them! We experienced our first Wagamama noodles (thanks Dal!) and relaxed and watched movies and hung out.

I was also able to load up on some Siena time. Sadly, it was not enough and I miss her so much! She is one sweet little lady.

I can't wait for when we can all hang out again!

Livvy turns three, three times

Livvy turned three while we were in Rome, due to the inability to take her present in a suitcase we celebrated first at home.

On her birthday in Rome, we spent the day lounging by the pool, taking bubble baths and watching "Pippy Long Stockings" in Italian (the only kids show on the T.V. which Livvy gladly watched).

Livvy opened her presents a Rome t-shirt and umbrella....please note Jude's rolling action in the background.

Lincoln called the front desk and within 1 hour we had the perfect chocolate cake for the little miss. 

According to Livvy, a birthday = cake. As long as there is some cake involved she is satisfied.

Lastly, we had a joint little party with our new friend Ollie in our front garden. The weather held out and Livvy had so much fun playing "What time is it Mr. Fox" , bubbles and going on a treasure hunt with friends!

Livvy had so much fun running around with her friends and eating yummy cupcakes.

The friend party was the conclusion of Livvy's birthdays and now she talks all day about when her birthday will come and she will turn 4. She keeps telling me it's going to be tomorrow. We'll see little Livvy, we'll see.