FBF - June 2012

On our flight moving to the UK...our reunion with Jer in the UK (he moved there a month before we did)...and our flight moving back to MN. 

My, how time flies and these beautiful boys grow.

Why are you still wearing your pajamas, Mom?

Walter has asked me this a few times on the way to school. I guess my wardrobe has gone a little downhill since we've been back...instead of getting dressed to work at school I've been getting dressed to work at home in sweatpants and a t-shirt quite a bit! I'm telling you, when you've been away for 2 years there is a lot of work around the house to catch up on, and its the kind of work that requires sweats, not dresses.

So, the boys are back in school, back at Sunny Hollow Montessori in St. Paul. They are transitioning nicely. Owen was really excited about getting back there and is enjoying all the team games they play during recess. Walter is finding his way and making new friends. Many of his friends that he remembers left the school while we were away so he his getting used to new names and faces. I have no doubt he will be friends with everyone by the end of the month. Here are a few token first day shots - Owen is in 4th grade and Walter in 2nd:

Here are a few more photos from our trip to Alaska as well. We were part of the 30% that actually see the top of Mount Denali and were lucky to see it 3 separate times. I read a book about mountaineering last year and couldn't help but think about it while we were there since it is one of the 7 summits. We ended our trip with a visit to the Alaska State Fair. The boys had a blast making wax hands (at one of my dad's childhood friends' booth!), riding rides and seeing the enormous vegetables. When you get 21 hours of daylight in the summer, you can grow some serious cabbage, carrots, rutabaga, etc...

Jer and I keep saying "Imagine driving that in the UK!"

I haven't looked at a clock in two months.

The boys and I took an impromptu trip to Alaska a few weeks ago. We went to meet my parents up their who have been slowly making their way there for two months. It was a nice break from unpacking for me and a great time catching up with my parents. My dad retired in June and they set off on his dream of visiting Alaska. They bought their 36' long RV a few years back and have been testing it and prepping it since for this big journey. Its been fun to hear about all their adventures in it and was extra special to crash their party and be a part of it for a week. At one point I asked my dad what time it is and he answered "I don't know, I haven't looked at a clock in two months!" They are definitely living the retired life right.

We flew in to Anchorage and headed north towards Denali National Park. We stopped along the way for lots of fishing and the boys hit a goldmine of salmon on the way up. In Denali we did a white water rafting trip and enjoyed the green bus trip into Denali National Park, seeing lots of beautiful scenery and special wildlife along the way. Here are a few photos...more to come soon.

connecting to his inner bear

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.