Fried.

The school chicken have brought an egg revolution in our household. Previously, Walter would have a scrambled or hard-boiled egg and Owen would only eat hard boiled. Thanks to the school's chicken and her beautiful eggs, the boys are both enjoying over-easy and fried eggs. Yesterday they both ate 3 for breakfast...along with 2 bowls of porridge with walnuts and apples, a green smoothie & 2 pieces of toast!

We've continue to knock off miles on our 100 mile family walking goal. We did a walk up near Jer's golf club a few weeks ago.

Last weekend, we enjoyed a walk around Hurstpierpoint with a coworker of Jer's and his family, followed by a wonderful lunch at their home, conversation and, of course, play amongst the children.

We purchased an Ordnance Survey map of the area...time to scout this weekend's walk!

I can do any sum you give me.

Walter came home today asking for math problems. I printed out some graph paper and went to town writing numbers down. Sure enough, he got all but one correct. He even got the one adding trillions together correct.

Owen is now fitting a very special gift from my Grandpa Armstrong. It is a #5 jersey from the University of Hawaii Warriors. He gave it to Owen when he turned 5 as he had one as a child of 5 (although I don't know from what team) that he loved to wear and tell everyone he was 'thive'. Owen has worn it on and off since he received it, however its really fitting him properly now and he now wears it every Friday as they go to the seafront to play football...although they play a different type of football here...soccer.

Last weekend we ticked off another mile on our goal with a walk up in the Downs. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful country and so close to the countryside.

FBF - January 2009

Walter's first time bowling. The boy, who's first word was ball, had a hard time understanding it wasn't always his turn.

2 miles down.

We set a family goal for this year. We would like to 100 miles together in 2014. Saturday was a beautiful sunny day so we ventured out and knocked 2 miles down. We went just to the other side of the Dyke to Fulking for our walk. We were all in awe of the beautiful paragliders in the sky and - surprise, surprise - Owen is keen on trying it out. The trail was good and muddy with a great steady climb to start us out. Thankfully, the boys are anxious to do more... as we have 98 more to go at least!

Tell us another story.

Al & Joanne have left us. They returned to Mpls on Monday after a wonderful visit through the holidays. We had a great time relaxing around the house, making lots of fires and playing games. We did some exploring, went into Brighton, saw a few shows, but primarily slept in, cooked here and enjoyed a slow paced holiday season. Al & Joanne started telling the boys stories about Jer & his brothers when they were little at dinner one evening which were really fun for the boys to hear. They asked a few other times for more stories of their dad and uncles and loved hearing the trouble they got into as kids!

Joanne, the boys & I made a trip to Royal Tunbridge Wells while on a getaway to Lingfield. 

We trimmed the tree...and let it warm us in the fireplace.

We watched Señor Heat (#6).

We played the 2P games at the Brighton Pier. 

The sun came out to say good-bye.

FBF - January 2008

Owen is a fresh 3 and Walter is 6 months old. We met my parents at WI Dells for a few nights...left them with the boys for a night so Jer & I could go to a holiday party in Chicago...and came back to pick the boys up and head back to Minneapolis. 

FBF - January 2009

As the rain comes down here in the UK and I hear of schools cancelled for Monday in MN due to an arctic blast, I smile seeing this photo of winter fun back home. Walter looks like a little sack of potatoes, yes?

Rocket Day

Santa started a real fad in the Hipps household...we are rocket crazy. Jer, the boys and Joanne hit up a local hobby shop and the 3 boys came home with a new rocket to build. After a day of measuring, cutting and gluing, a day of painting and attaching decals, it was finally time to fire them off. The wind wasn't too harsh and the sun was shining so we headed out to the local football pitch (soccer field) for the big countdown. What fun!

Luckily Grandpa Monster was here with his special old school, water soaking decal knowledge.

We also caught the launches on video and Owen compiled them into a video titled "Rocket Day".

Next time we hit up the hobby store I think I'll join the rocket bandwagon and buy a rocket of my own to build, decorate and launch!

Come fly with me.

We went on an early morning stroll Christmas Eve morning and found we had the beach nearly to ourselves. The salty air is just so good, it makes you feel like you can fly!

10, 9, 8...

All the way down to 'BLAST OFF!' Christmas was wonderful and as always we were completely spoiled by all our friends and family. The boys must have done something right this year as Santa paid them quite a visit. Walter's top gift is probably his new Furby, while Owen received quite a cool rocket from Santa. We took advantage of an absolutely beautiful day and went to fly it this afternoon. We did two launches and are all eager to do it again. We are hoping for another mild day tomorrow...

After I was able to test out my new hiking shoes while we enjoyed a short walk in the country side. This also has us eager for more. Perhaps we can get a few miles in tomorrow...the sun will come out tomorrow...bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow...

Fingers crossed! x

FBF - December 2009

Grandpa Monster dressed up like Santa this year...and Owen saw right through it saying "That's Grandpa Monster, I can see his shoes!" Walter didn't seem to mind!

Jeremy is at Heathrow right now, picking up his parents as I type. Christmas is coming!

I was just thinking that Chippy will lay another egg today.

I've thought Owen someday may become an artist, an industrial designer, perhaps a sculptor, maybe a professional athlete...but lately there is a new thought. I think he might grow up to be a farmer.

Their school recently got two chickens and he has been a key player in getting them there. It started with building the chicken coop, then researching the many varieties of chickens, talking to families with chickens, calling up farmers and eventually going to a farm to catch the chickens to bring back to school. Now that they are at school, he has cared for them, taught most of the children in school how to handle them and care for them and he even collected the first egg.

This morning I came downstairs to a quiet house and figured the boys must still be sleeping. However, I found a light on in the living room and Owen sitting quietly on the sofa. We exchanged some morning snuggles and he told me he was sitting thinking about the chickens and that he was sure 'Chippy' would lay another egg today. It was such a striking moment for me as normally when he gets up he goes straight to building or creating something, but this morning he was still, and thinking about those beautiful birds. Its so fun to see him grow up and is so exciting to see how he continues to impact this world.

Owen and Woodchip aka 'Chippy"

Woodchip & Snowy