4th of July

The Rawlings came to visit for the 4th of July this year!  We also had our friends the Wotrin's over to celebrate American style!

Aunt Katie brought sparklers, and they were a big hit with the kiddos!

Trunk or Treat

Odd's Farm

While the girls and I were in England visiting Katie, Terry and India, we spent the day at Odd's Farm.

We were able to feed the goats.....

Hug the goats.....

Kiss the goats....

Drive tractors (pretend)....

Be with cousins....

 

 

Swing...

It was a really nice day!

Jolly 'Ole England - Part One

This post is long overdue and past due...... but with all the elbow drama and working through the new school schedule, I let it slide....

So I'm back, again.... for a few updates.

When I broke my elbow, Katie sprang into action and came to our rescue.  She drove over from London, and took the girls and I home with her.

We got to hang out with Katie, Terry and India and live like real 'Londoners'.  We went with Katie and India to her music class.  The girls really enjoyed that!  We hung out in their garden and garden house, and fed the fish.  We went shopping.  Which was a blessing!  I needed to get Grace a few things for school, and the elbow threw a wrench into all my plans.  But luckily there is a Marks & Spencers and Mothercare just up the street, and we were able to get that all out of the way.  We also went to the Royal Botanical Gardens one day and took a picnic and played on the playground.

But on Wednesday, Matt got to town, and we played tourist.  We met him down by Borough Market, and walked through all the stalls and grabbed lunch.  Borough Market is a huge outdoor market in the middle of London, and they have EVERYTHING.  Afterwards we strolled down the Thames to see the sites.

Here is Matt & Audrey with Big Ben and Parliament across the River Thames.

Our lovely hostesses, Katie and India

The London Eye, Big Ben, Parliment and the River Thames.

A levitating street performer....we're still trying to figure out how they did it!!!

Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey in the background.

How many Caspermeyer's can you shove in one phone booth?

We also got to see the Olympic Rings over the Thames!!

We finished the day off with some Fish and Chips and then headed back to Casa de Rawlings for some much needed rest!

Next up....A Sunny (&hot) Day in Windsor!

Chateau de Grand-Bigard

 On Sunday, we went to the last day of the Spring Flower Show at the Chateau de Grand-Bigard.  It was only about 15-20 minutes away from our house, right on the outskirts of Brussels.

It was really beautiful.....  some of the tulips had past their prime, but some were just starting to pop.

Next year.....if it's warmer, we'll have to go when it's a nicer day and do a full blown photo shoot.  But as it was only in the 40s, Grace had her winter coat on...

.... which I guess still made for a pretty cute picture.  Which, if you click on it, you can see the remnants of her peanut butter sandwich.  Sigh.

And the two little future botanists were bundled in blankets...... but enjoyed a nice nap strolling through the gardens.....

Here is an album of HUNDREDS of pictures.  Chateau de Grand-Bigard Pictures

I couldn't resist.  It was really a beautiful place, even without the flowers.

Here is a link for more information on it:  Chateau de Grand-Bigard Info

When we were leaving we discovered that we were blocked in by a parade.  It was honoring St. Wivina.  We're not real sure why there was a parade, since her feast day is in December.  But it was so quaint and old fashioned.

Audrey's Cinco de Mayo 1st Birthday Party

I hope Audrey likes Mexican!  Her birthday falls so closely to Cinco de Mayo, I foresee a life long theme.  :)  I also tried to incorporate a flower theme.  After all, April Showers bring May Flowers, right?

We had a few friends over to celebrate, along with the Rawlings.  Audrey loves her cousin India.  She was always trying to hug her. 

 

Audrey's Flower Cake

 Decorations

 

Cake Anticipation

 

Singing Happy Birthday!

Diving In!

Thanksgiving in London

We went to London Saturday morning via the Euro Star (high speed train).  It is less then 2 hrs on the train; total time door to door, is about 4 hours or so.

My parents were already in London.  Mom arrived at the beginning of the month to help prepare for baby India's arrival.  Dad arrived a week before we did.

We were all so excited to meet baby India.  She was only 8 days old when we got to meet her!

Grace was pretty gentle with her, as a seasoned big sister.

Audrey just wanted to pull her socks off.

India casting a magic spell on Audrey!

 

Aunt Katie and Uncle Terry hosted the perfect Thanksgiving dinner for all of us!  Thank you!

And on our last morning, we tried to get a picture of all the Alley Caspermeyer Rawlings Ladies.  Uh, yah.... good luck with that!