the Hipps family...

FBF - October 2009

A beautiful fall day in Steven's Point, WI - the boys and I met Jer there for a family Punt, Pass & Kick competition his work was hosting. Jer & Owen were busy punting, passing & kicking while I was busy chasing a cute little rugrat around.

La Mer.

I have a whole new love for the sea happening. Inspired by Jer, Jon & Rachel's spontaneous dip in the sea, the boys and I have been swimming quite a bit lately...like 5 times in the past 12 days! A few of them are literally in and out swims, but sometimes its a legitimate swim. I grew up on water and have always loved it. I feel so lucky to be living on the sea now, its time to really embrace it. Perhaps Santa will have to bring me a wet suit...

I have a new coworker who is half French. She brought in a CD that I borrowed and the song La Mer came flooding into my memory. Not sure from when, but I know it and have been enjoying dancing around the house to it. Yesterday I talked my coworkers into taking a meeting seaside and we sang La Mer in la mer. A true pinch me moment. How lovely!

I stayed home and snuggled Mommy.

Last Sunday was a very exciting day here...and in Minnesota...as the Vikings played at Wembley Stadium in London. We had four tickets, one for Jer, one for his brother and the other two for the boys. Walter wavered back and forth on whether or not to attend. In the end he opted to stay with me and on Monday when the boys were telling their teachers about the event, Walter told them this.

The game was full of action, all had a great time, and the Vikes even pulled off a win! We all spent the day touring London (enjoying seeing purple all over!), before dropping off the fans at the stadium and heading home. Jer, Jon & Owen didn't get home until 12:30 a.m...needless to say, we've had to wake Owey up every day for school this week. Its about the toughest thing to do to your child, but his memories and recollections of the game make it worth it. He had a proper blast.

On Saturday we went to tour Arundel Castle. Owen was at a birthday party all day, so Walter had a special day out with his aunt, uncle, cousin & parents. We all commented on how odd it felt without O. We ended the trip with a lovely dinner along the river at a beautiful pub in the country side. Definitely a repeatable pub!

The row boat Harry used to get across the lake from the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts!

The two youngests!

FBF - November 2009

Owen turns 5 & Walter is 2...Owen causing heart attacks...Walter causing heart aches...

It's cold, it's cold, IT IS SO COLD!

Yesterday we decided to take a walk along the seafront before the Vikings game. We stopped at the cafe for tea, the boys had their scooters and we were off to enjoy the sound and smells of the sea. We were soon drawn to just touch the sea and before long, Jeremy had decided to jump in...followed by Rachel...followed by Jon! Owen was so close to joining but decided to stay dry with Walter, Nelly & I - someone had to hold the baby! :) Jer pretty much woke all of Hove telling us just how cold it was when he first went in!

brotherly love

loving some baby time

Oh - we also left the car keys on the beach...this is the victorious homecoming of the keys!

We then came home, threw on dry clothes, and got ready for a true American football taco fiesta. Owen made Eleanor a jersey so she could cheer on the team as well and the Mates family joined us. We enjoyed watching...until the end when the Vikes lost. Such is the life of a Vikes fan.

Also, on Saturday we had great fun showing showing them around beautiful Brighton.

Do you think she's still sleeping?

We have visitors! Jon, Rachel & their darling 11 month old daughter, Eleanor arrived yesterday. We spent the day keeping Jon & Rachel awake and admiring little Nelly. The boys are in love with their cousin and are patiently waiting for her to wake up this morning. We are in Nelly heaven over here!

So I better get another post from our time at home in as there are some exciting events happening and photos to be shared between our visitors and the upcoming Vikings game being played here in England next weekend!

In between our amazing time up at camp and Camp Grandma & Grandpa, we also enjoyed a day at the U.P. State Fair...where this 95% veggie enjoyed a corn dog! We had a wonderful time with Auntie Kindi visiting! And perhaps the highlight of my time at home, Owen learned how to waterski! It was certainly a proud mommy moment that I won't forget. After his first time skiing, he and I took a sauna together and talked and talked about how exciting it was for him to get up and how great it felt.