UK Road Trip: Durham and Hadrien's Wall

On the long haul up to Scotland we stopped off in Durham to see (another) cathedral.

It was pretty and a nice place for a little picnic. Durham seemed like a really young city with loads of students in "uni" at Durham University.

Random old church that we parked by. There is a church like this in every English town that we've seen. I love them and the old gravestones that surround them.

Jude was really thrilled to see another cathedral.

Finally we reached the rolling hills of Northern England and the famous Hadrian's Wall.

We opened our car doors and were hit with FREEZING cold blustering wind and misty rain. We reached the visitor center only to find out the wall was located further up in the hill about a fourth of a mile up a steep hill that was even colder than the parking lot.

Lincoln, the ever stalwart tourist, insisted we make the trek. So, I bundled Jude close and up the hill we went. Livvy insisted her father carry her because she was "freeeeeezing!"

Once we reached the wall and Roman ruins I booked it to the heated museum with the kids and Lincoln went exploring. In his little sweater and paper thin hand-me-down track jacket. Oh that man, how I love him.

All in all, it was neat to see the wall and drive through the beautiful country as we neared Scotland. I'm glad Lincoln got his pictures too.

UK Road Trip: York

My favorite day in England on our trip was York. York is a beautiful town that houses the famous York Minster. It is the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. It was so beautiful. 

After seeing York Minster we walked through the high streets and made it to The Shambles. At certain points on this ancient street the buildings are within feet of touching each other from across the small alley.

Whilst we walked among the shoppers Livvy was given a pink balloon. That made her day.

After a little lunch break in the shadow of the cathedral, we walked across the river and down the road to the National Train Museum.

Livvy wasn't that interested in the huge room full of locomotives. She just spotted a Thomas train and decided that is where she was meant to be. If only Jude was older! I think he would have loved it a few years from now!

On our way back to the car park we saw the ancient Roman walls that surrounded York when the Romans lived there.

Lincoln loves old Roman rocks, so he was loving the walls that lined the town.

UK Road trip: Lincoln

After a little break in Sherwood Forest we came to our first English town of Lincoln (yes the hubs was excited). 

We saw our first of about 10 Cathedrals of the trip (I am only slightly exaggerating.)

Then we walked around the town (while the kids slept soundly). The main high street was called "Steep Street" and man pushing those little sleeping angels up it was a gooooood work out!

Lincoln was beautiful (the town and the man) and I think we loved walking around the shops and eating yummy cakes the most.

UK Road Trip: Sherwood Forest

Last week we went on our first little family vacation. We've been loads of places before, but this time there was no extended family with us. This time it was just us and I have to say it was a blast and a really good feeling to realize that we could do 8 days of road tripping by ourselves.

Our first stop was Sherwood Forest where Robin Hood and Little John lived.

We walked to the Major Oak and saw Robin Hood and Little John's hide out,

While we were at Sherwood Forest there was a medieval festival, so we stopped by...

and bought Livvy a flute.

We thought it was a good idea, until we got into the car. Love that little flute player.

A day in my life.

6:30-7 AM Livvy crawls into my bed and announces that she "followed the bedtime rules!" (meaning she stayed in her own bed all night, usually that is not true, but I'm glad she wakes up so optimistic!)

 Sadly, I am not alone in the bed, Jude dude is coming into our bed right now. (hopefully this is change soon!) Livvy snuggles up to him and usually wakes him up while I'm trying to keep her quiet.

7:00 AM Lincoln leaves for work and kisses us all goodbye.

I try to delay getting out of bed while the kids entertain themselves....doesn't last too long because of hair pulling and grumbling tummies, but a few minutes of extra sleep are always welcomed. 

Breakfast time. Livvy's favorite cereal right now is called "Golden Nuggets" but she calls it "Golden Muggets" and Nutella on anything. Love that stinker. 

During Jude's morning nap Livvy watches a show while I shower and do chores.

Jude wakes up from his nap as happy as ever. 

We keep busy with computer games. 

Lunch.

Potty breaks. 

Books and toys.

Diaper changes. 

Then Jude naps again. and Livvy enjoys quiet time or if the sun is shining some "singing in the garden" time.

After the Jude dude wakes up we venture out of our four walls and find some happiness. 

After we get home I make dinner and Livvy watches a little show. 

While Jude practices his "cobra" yoga pose and scoots around (sometimes under the crib!)

We then we do dinner and bath. 

Lincoln comes home and reads books with Liv and practices her letters, while I put Jude to bed. 

Then Livvy reads her current favorite scripture story and says prayers then goes to sleep. 

At last the hubs and I party like rockstars and do a "Pinterest" work out followed by a little T.V. watching and talking. 

Phew. Sorry that post is insanely long and has a million pictures, making my life sound busy. The truth is though, the majority of my day is spent loving and playing with my kids alone in my house. And you know what I like it that way. Our life is little and simple, but I love it. I love so many things about being a mom and a wife. I hope someday when I have a million kids (maybe not a million, but close) I can look back on these quiet slow days and cherish them.