Audley End House

We went to visit Audley End House on Saturday.  The weather was perfect and we really enjoyed our day out.  The girls and I have been to the house and gardens when Rob was deployed, but there were some changes from last year and I think I could go back every week to just hang out in the gardens.

Here is a little history about the house...... Taken from my English Heritage book....

Audley End takes its name from Sir Thomas Audley, Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor who, after 1538, adapted the extensive buildings of suppresed Walden Abbey as his mansion.   The house has changed hands a few times over the years and was much much larger at one time, but it cost so much to upkeep the house, most was torn down.   The Baron Braybrooke family was the last family to live in the house and the interior represents the taste of the third Baron BrayBrooke. 

We took the house tour and we couldn't take pictures inside. It is beautiful and they have rooms on two of the three floors for show.  We then headed to the gardens and tried to fly a kite (not enough wind).

Rob and the girls....side view of the house.

The girls sitting on the Temple of Concord.

Back of the house and gardens.

Rob and the girls running. 

(Temple of Concord in the far back of the picture)

Show us Where You live Friday

Welcome to my home and two of my three bathrooms. I was taking pictures of the bathrooms when my husband was showering, so I passed on taking a picture of our bathroom. I will explain our bathroom....it has only a shower, one sink with no counters and is super small!

My girls bathroom. 

The mirrors over the sink, we put in because they needed to see what they are brushing!

Most of their hair bows....the rest are on their babydolls.

My Mom had these towels made to match our bathroom in California.

This is the bathroom downstairs. It is next to the kitchen and laundry room.

Thanks for stopping by!!!  See you next week!!!

Kindergarten awards day!

Meghan and her awards!

Meghan showing Jenna all her goodies!

Ms. Shelton reading to the kids, one last time.

The class listening to the story.

The whole class singing a song!!

Today was Meghan's last day in kindergarten!!! Ms. Shelton (her teacher) put on an awards program and show for us!  It was so fun to watch Meghan and her class during the program.  I helped in her class the whole year...every week and on most special occasions too. I am so proud of the whole class and  have really enjoyed seeing each and every one of them grow and change so much this school year.  

 Ms. Shelton gave out awards for walking the UK...the kids walked a few laps every day before recess and Meghan received an award for walking 26 miles this year.  A few kids (the runners) received awards for "walking" 50 miles!!    They also received candy bar awards....Meghan received a Mr. Goodbar award for being a good friend to everyone.  Ms. Shelton really thought about the candy bar awards...one little boy received  a bag of sour heads....rough on the outside but sweet on the inside!  The best candy bar award went to an extra special little guy...he received an apple...Ms. Shelton said he was the "apple of their eye" ( someone who is cherished above all others).  

I am officially the mother of a first grader (and Kindergartener, since Jenna starts school this fall).

The kids all left today with a cloth bag with everyone's hand print and signature on it along with a scrapbook from their year. The scrapbook has art work from classmates in it, pictures of them each month of school and other cute updates.    Ms. Shelton is a fantastic teacher and we are hoping we get one more year with her, since Jenna is going to Kindergarten next year!!    

SUMMER BREAK!!!!

Birthday weekend

We celebrated my 36th birthday Friday!  I am not one to shy away from telling my real age.  I could say 30 something, but hey....I'm 36, pregnant and feeling great!!

The girls went shopping with Rob and he let them pick out their gifts for me on their own....I got two candles and two small stuffed dogs!!   They are so sweet and were so excited about the gifts...I'm just wondering how long they will let me keep the stuffed dogs!

The girls also helped bake my birthday cake and then Rob iced and decorated it when he got home from work. We had brauts and hot dogs for dinner and then went to the movies.  We went to see Night at the Museum- battle of the Smithsonian.  It was a very cute movie and we all four enjoyed it!

We spent Saturday cleaning up the yard and house. That evening we went to see one of Rob's high school friends and her family. Such a small world and we all had so much fun!!    

Show us Where You live Friday

Welcome back if you have stopped by before and hello to my new visitors!!!   I am really enjoying these home tours and really getting some great ideas.  For anyone new...I am currently an American living in the UK. I state this because the houses are much much smaller and I have left behind 2000 lbs of household goods and am still having a hard time finding room for what we brought.   We have out grown this house with expecting baby #3 but will make do until we move back to the states.   A few weeks ago we moved the girls into the playroom/craft room and moved my craft table and desk into the smallest bedroom.  I am planning on the baby sharing this room with my craft supplies and I will decorate it when I figure out how I want to do it!

We don't have a computer in this room because we have laptops.

This room is also storage for a while. The big bins are full of little people.

My craft table is messy because I'm going through pictures for the girls scrapbooks.

I do sew, but I have to put the machine on a transformer, so it is hidden until needed. I also have a shelf to hold the books I'm working on.

Thanks for stopping by!!  Nothing major, but it's mine;)

Have a great weekend.

10 Week 2 days.....December 25!

I haven't scanned the pictures as I begin to type this but I love to brag about all my children.  I had my first official doctor appointment today for baby #3!   After talking about the boring "things" we got down to business and checked on my little bundle of fun!!   Baby was kicking and moving around!!  We heard the heartbeat and the rate was about 160 beats (right in the good range)!   The NP measured the baby three times and all three times showed 10 weeks 2 days gestation....which puts my due date December 25!     I have been exposed to 5th disease, so I have added blood work to do, but I would do any test to make sure my baby stays healthy.  

When I picked up the mail there was a package from Mom and a gift for all three of my kiddos!!

New outfits from Target!!!!

10 weeks 2 days  pictures with first baby gift!!!  Sheets!!!

Girls' room

I'm showing off my 4 and 6 year old girls' bedroom/playroom.  I was going to clean it up and pretend they never mess it up, but then that wouldn't be what it looks like on a daily basis.  We just recently moved the girls' beds into this room.  We are trying to make room for the baby (I know we have a while to wait..but I like to get started on things early), so we decided the girls would not have two rooms.  They were sleeping in another room and the large room was their playroom.   They love this new arrangement and didn't have trouble getting rid of a few toys either.

From the look of the toy side of the room, it looks like they could get rid of a few more things and probably not miss them!

The girls love build a bear animals!!

This is not what my kitchen looks like....not sure why they don't clean it up!!

This side has been messed up by Jenna and a friend.  But this is pretty much what it looks like anyway. My girls love dolls and barbies and all things girly!

 I am showing one small picture of the bathroom to show you how small the bathroom is.  It is the perfect size for two little girls and the bath tub is pretty big (deep).