UK visit Nov 07

Hi
Have just returned from the UK on a nightmare flight with Abi. The trip was good but coming home took a little longer due to problems at Heathrow. We sat for 2 hours on the plane before take off. Abi, by which point, had had enough as had the rest of us! Luckily she fell asleep before Allen threw her off the plane. Anyway we were on that plane for 12 hours. (you would have loved it Ceri!)No bumpiness so I was OK.
The UK visit was great. Nanny's funeral was full of great memories and I learnt a few things about her that I didn't know.(She'd once met Charlie Chaplin.) Jacob and Abi had a great time with their cousins and Grandparents. Allen's mum came down from Scotland so it was good to catch up with her - photo at the station. She's out here on the 20th Dec which everyone is looking forward to. It was my sister's 40th while we were back which was a bit over shadowed really. We did go to the pub for lunch though - see photo. We also managed to catch up with local friends and there's a photo of Jacob and Abi in dress up stuff with friends William and Isobel.
Thought we'd visit again in the summer but we're going to wait and see what devil child is like before we book.
Arrived back to snow in Denver. Thought about going skiing this weekend but checked the weather and it's minus 25 centigrade in Breckenridge at the moment so I think we'll wait for a bit longer!
Hope everyone's well
Rachael.

Jacob's 5th Birthday

Jacob's Birthday weekend was a great success even though we did have a few language issues with the Mc Donald's staff! We started the day with present opening - lots from the UK so thank you to all those people who got them here on time. He loved walking in and seeing them all piled on the table (see photo). My mum and dad used to always do that and it was something I looked forward to every year. He wasted no time demolishing the pile, letting Abi help too. We got him a Spiderman scooter which has been well ridden by both of them - we know what to get Abi for Christmas! After a bit of a play, with most things, it was swimming lesson time. They both enjoyed the lesson, neither listening much and doing their own thing! We had a quick stop for cake at the cafe on the way home and then Jacob and Daddy got back to building their Batman Lego creation, sent from Grandma Melrose. Jacob has wanted this set since his friend George got it when they visited us in DC back in April. Abi and I went and picked up the balloons for his party and then we all set off for Mc Donald's only to find that they had double booked the room and we had to set up in the restaurant. Allen was fuming but it all worked out well and everyone had a brilliant time. The play area was a hit, as was the cake.

We arrived home tired but having to get ready for the neighbours coming round. Did a party tea with a castle cake - see photos. It was much more relaxing with the neighbours, perhaps due to the champagne! They are also very easy going. Jacob really enjoyed his day.

It's been lovely weather today, so after some last minute shopping to take back to the UK and lunch out, we went to Washington Park and took the scooter and bike for a trip around the lake. It was so nice being out in shorts and T shirts, I have a feeling we won't be wearing that this coming week in Hertfordshire!

So am all packed, just snacks for the journey to sort. Hope to see some of you in the UK over the next 10 days. Hope all's well with everyone. Would have been Nanny's 98th Birthday today so Happy Birthday Nanny. I will be raising a glass as soon as I'm done here.

Rachael.

Halloween!

Hi All

Halloween was great fun. It started the day before with a whole school trip to a Fall Festival. I've included a photo of Abi on the pillow bounce. It was a huge inflated pillow. We also enjoyed a corn maze, well it was hot and I had Abi on my shoulders but Jacob enjoyed it! There was a train and hay ride too so a busy day really.

There was a school Halloween party that I helped at. Well, Abi took most of my attention so how much help I gave was debatable! I've included a photo of Jacob doing the candy corn race. If you've never had candy corn it's a sugar hard sweet that Americans seem to love - not sure why!

Halloween night was dry but cold. Luckily Allen went round our close and the next one too with Jacob as a bat, and Abi as a cat. I stayed at Keli's ( a neighbour over the road)and had a drink. They came back with plenty of candy which should last us the month.

Booked Jacob's 5th Birthday party at Mc Donalds. Out here they have big play areas that go with the actual restaurant so there should be plenty to do. He's very excited although Abi is a bit confused as she's picked out a cake too and keeps telling everyone what she wants for her birthday! I think I'll have to find a few things to give her on the day to soften the blow! (Mum's sent something out so that'll be a good start - thank you Mum.)

We're coming back to the UK a week tomorrow (12th Nov). Sadly Nanny died having nearly reached 98 years old. Looking forward to seeing everyone but wish it was for a happier reason.

Will try and blog from the UK but with no broadband in Holwell that could be pushing it! I'll do Jacob's birthday though next week. Back in the US on the 23rd so we'll be missing Thanksgiving.

See some of you soon

Rachael.