This is what you were like when we first moved here.

When we decided on a Friday that the boys and I would leave England the following Tuesday, I worked my butt off to get everything packed and sorted and ready so the boys and I could have one last fabulous day in Brighton on Sunday. With minimum sleep and maximum action, I got it done and we had such an amazing last day out in Brighton. We went through the Lanes, the North Laines, to the penny games at the Pier, to the rides at the end of the Pier, we rode two carousels, we ate at one of our favorite restaurants and we topped it all off with a dip in the sea...while the heavens opened up on us...all the while (with the exception of the swimming in the rain) I was snapping photos. As I thanked them for being so gracious and patient with my photo requests Owen told me "This is what you were like when we first moved here." I must agree...but now I know Brighton and the photos are just that much more meaningful. So with that, here are a select few (alright, quite a few) from that lovely day:

home of the infamous Super Sour Watermelon Bon Bons

SEAGULLS!

Choccywoccydoodah!

the Peace Statue separating Brighton and Hove

How to sum it up?

I am at a loss for words. We've had a whirlwind month and I don't know where to begin. It is starting to sink in that our time in England is over. Although it makes me really sad, I am focusing on all the wonderful experiences and people we encountered. Now that we are home and seeing people again they often ask the boys what their favorite experience was or the best part of England or what they miss most. Its a pretty tough question for all of us, summing up highlights from 2 amazing years...all I can say is that if you have they chance to move abroad for a while, do it. Jump at the opportunity - it is so good...and scary and frustrating and amazing and beyond rewarding.

After hours of unpacking, sorting, breaking down boxes and getting lost in packing paper, our house is starting to be somewhat functioning...just don't go into the toy room or family room as you'll never find your way out again. We are finding more and more goodies to get rid of and we find ourselves really thinking about any purchase. There is just too much stuff in our lives and we've decided we'd much rather have less and enjoy more experiences. We are sticking to that idea - seriously sticking to it. Less is definitely more.

Alright, enough on my philosophies...here's a glimpse of what's been happening back in MN...

fishing at Nokomis

swimming in Grandpa Monster's 'cold tub'

ice cream sammies

celebrating Al

playing Skittles

enjoying family

taking care of little cousins

forcing cousin photos

swimming at Nokomis

making and flying planes

What's missing is the trips to the pool where the boys have been diving, boogie boarding, zip-lining and sliding...baseball catch, football (American and soccer), a show at Circus Juventis and let's not forget about the slip & slide. Summer in Minnesota is pretty darn good.

Alan George Hipps

We lost Jer's dad on Wednesday. He patiently waited for the boys and me to return from England on Tuesday so we could see him and give him some love. He left Wednesday with Jeremy, his mom and brothers surrounding him telling him they love him and that he would always be a part of them.

Here is the obituary that was included in Sunday's Star Tribune:

Alan George Hipps, age 65, of Chaska, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 23. He was surrounded by his life partner Joanne Hipps and sons Jeremy, Jon and Andrew Hipps.

Al was born on April 4, 1949, to parents Robert O. and Donna Hipps in Troy, Ohio. Al graduated from Edina High School in 1967. He voluntarily joined the U.S. Army in 1968.  In 1969-70 he served in the 4th Infantry "Poison Ivy" Division in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam.  As a Staff Sergeant he was awarded the Bronze Star and Air Medal for outstanding service.  

After his duty in Vietnam, Al attended Iowa State University where he earned a degree in landscape architecture and graduated in 1973. He went on to have a successful career as a landscape architect.  He started his own landscaping company called Nature's Way and most recently was a partner in Gardeener. In his 40 years as a landscape architect, he particularly enjoyed working with his many clients to create natural landscape designs.

Al was an avid sports fan his entire life. His favorite sports were baseball and MMA. Al took his boys on annual baseball trips across the United States to watch games at various Major League Baseball stadiums. He attended over twenty UFC events in person.

In Al's younger years he enjoyed canoeing in the Boundary Waters and fishing. As his family grew he shared that love with his boys through fishing trips to Canada and locally on Lake Waconia.

Al was a quiet man with a kind heart.  He was constantly caring for those in need of a second chance.  Al was also a devoted father, a loving son and an involved grandfather.  His devotion to his children was seen in his near-perfect attendance at his sons sporting events.  

Survivors include his life partner Joanne Hipps; sons Jeremy (Tricia) Hipps, Jon (Rachel) Hipps, and Andrew Hipps; mother Donna Hipps and stepfather Bruce Haight; grandchildren Owen and Walter Hipps; Isabelle, Oscar and Eleanor Hipps; sister Peggy (Philippe) Moineau and brother Jim (Kantharak) Hipps. He is preceded in death by his father Robert O. Hipps.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Washburn-McReavy

Funeral Home in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.  A memorial celebration will be held on Wednesday, July 30 at 10 a.m. at the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated for the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (cholangiocarcinoma.org) or the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Does it get any better than this?

Sunday was forecasted to be a miserable rainy day...perfect for a movie. The boys have been waiting to see the new Dragon movie so we headed into town. When we came out, the sun was shining and I suggested a quick stroll along the sea. As we were walking down the stairs to the promenade, I said "Does it get any better than this?" more to myself than the boys. Walter quickly responded "Of course not for you, we're at the beach and its sunny out!" He knows me so well.

On top of the sun and sea, it was low tide! Our favorite time to be at the sea as we can find sand...which we did. This led to all sorts of fun building rivers, castles, oxbow lakes, doing cartwheels, and jumping in the waves. The quick stroll lasted until 7:45 pm...when I basically forced us all off the beach. Oh beautiful Brighton...

So hum.

I've been chanting this in my head quite a bit these days. I say it whenever I'm trying to clear my mind of the lists, to do's, and what will tomorrow bring's. So hum, so hum, so hum. I am, I am, I am...

Jer is in MN with his family right now. He left at the beginning of the month as his dad is having a tough time fighting the cancer. We decided to bump up the moving of our stuff and had that boxed up on Friday. I thought it would be quite easy this time but when the moving company came to survey our stuff, they said we had 9 containers of goods...and that we were allowed 3! I spent the last 10 days going through everything and prioritizing what definitely goes, what would be ideal, what would be nice and what we will try to sell or give away. I am so happy that Friday has come and gone...now on to selling & donating the rest. It will happen, it always does.

Since you probably would rather see photos of our sweet boys than all our stuff, here are a few photos from a walk a few weeks ago on Devil's Dyke. I will certainly miss the country pub stops on our walks.

Super Sour (Watermelon) Bon Bon challenge

I didn't think anyone could get me to try a ridiculously sour candy...then my boys asked me and somehow I couldn't say no. They decided they needed to get the event on film, leading to Owen compiling this little video for your enjoyment. (My mouth waters just thinking about it...)

This flower is a gamopetalous.

This is what Walter told me at dinner last night as we was looking at the flowers I had on the table. He then looked at the roses that were part of the bouquet and said "And these roses are polypetalous'." I will let you look up the meanings...or you can ask him next time you see him.

Speaking of Walter, he is now 7! And what a sweet seven year old he is. We had a lovely week celebrating him. On his birthday he enjoyed planned the day. He started with opening gifts, followed by breakfast and playing. He requested that we go to a newly redone crazy golf he'd been eyeing at the sea front. He wanted my homemade mac & cheese, green beans and angel food cake; topping it all of with popcorn and a family viewing of Frozen.

Last Friday the celebrations continued with his party. We took advantage of the sea front pick up and invited all his classmates to stick around for a scavenger hunt, water squirting, swimming, food & cake. Jer & I may have been a bit relieved when it was all over...but seeing Walter's smiles made it all worth it.