Never would have guessed...

I would spend my fifth wedding anniversary wandering the gardens of a castle in England with two kids and one cute hubby.

I never would have guessed I would love these three people as much as I do.

 I never knew Lincoln would be such a good Dad to our kids.

I never knew I would be blessed with two such cute kids. 

I never would have guessed that I would be sharing this life with a guy that showed up at my birthday party and asked for my number. I'm so glad he did!

Jousting!

On our anniversary (5 years!) Lincoln surprised me (kids in tow) with an outing to a jousting festival at Hever Castle.

It was really hot and humid and we were in direct sunlight...so we kind of melted while we waited for the knights to come!

The blue knight called all the kids to come to the arena and parade around with "knight" things.

Livvy was really excited....or just really hot!

She was given a head...I didn't even realize that was what she was holding till after! Yuck! Luckily she didn't have any worries about parading it around!

After the parading around the knights rode in on their gorgeous horses all decked out in their armor!

Then some impromptu fighting occurred and we reassured Livvy they they were only pretending. 

Finally the jousting tournament began! It was actually really cool to watch and I was so impressed with the horses and riders! They must have been melting under all that armor! 

Lincoln was so excited to capture this shot of the jousters in action!

Family Fun Days

This summer our borough has put on  free "Family Fun Days". They usually have crafts, toys for babies and activities for toddlers. We've gone to a couple and the kids have loved them. I've loved to be doing something different than the park! 

Jude's favorite thing to play in is the tunnel. Notice the right leg, tucked under and scooting him along.

Livvy's favorite thing to do is to paint. She is very protective of her painting and space, if any kids come too close she gets very worried.

This country may be many things, but one thing is certain their government is very involved in community activities and for our little family it has helped us have a great summer.

Finally a reason to bust out the shades! So glad we've been enjoying summer sun!

Leeds Castle, Again.

A few Saturdays ago we went back to one of our favorite castles and spent the day walking, playing and eating ice cream. It was wonderful weather and a wonderful day.

Livvy the curious.

Livvy has been keeping me on my toes lately. 

These are a few of the questions that she's put forth for me to answer:

(While eating a turkey sandwich) "Mommy, how did this turkey die?" "Was he sad?"

"Mommy, how did Jude come out of your tummy?"

"Mommy, how did Jude get into your tummy?"

She's asked me a million more questions like this, but I can't remember all of them. I've been a little creative in my answers, but mostly I try some version of the truth (even if it is a very vague version). Lincoln, is never in this position, because if he's ever pelted a toughie he just tells her to go ask her mother....

Here is the silly girl dressing herself up in all of my scarves.

She has a few specifications that must be met when creating her ensemble. It must be a dress and it must touch her toes and it must have some sort of sleeves.

This brings me to my next Livvy point. Livvy is obsessed with wearing a certain shirt and skirt. The shirt she calls her "not-modest" shirt (because it has straps) and she insists on wearing it everywhere. I have to hide the coveted outfit so she will let me wash it! 

I love this little girl, who really is a little person and no longer a toddler. 

Jude's First Birthday Pictures