Christmas in Cornwall

We spent last week in Cornwall, on the southwest coast of England. We rented a house and had a very relaxing Christmas holiday there. The location was absolutely gorgeous!


On Christmas Eve we explored the area a little bit before it got too dark. The kids got new pajamas and we had a nice cozy evening together. Christmas morning included lots of Lego building, movie watching, and playing.


We went out on a walk to the beach, which was only two blocks away! We explored the beach and walked along the rocks and cliffs, and watched people surfing. It was a beautiful, sunny day.


On Boxing Day we visited the Eden Project, an indoor rainforest. It was really neat, and the perfect thing to do on a rainy, rainy day.

On Saturday we visited Tintagel Castle, the ruins of a castle built in the 1200s, also linked to the story of King Arthur.  It was built on the edge of a cliff, and the view was incredible. It was cold and so, so windy, but I loved it so much.

It was the perfect Christmas holiday, and we can't wait to go back and explore Cornwall some more!

'Tis the Season

For the first year ever, I am actually prepared for Christmas! Presents are made and bought, our packages made it to the states in plenty of time, cards are mailed, and I have actually been able to enjoy a bit of December. We've been busy with school activities, lots of parties, and putting up decorations and doing crafts. The kids can't wait to be done with school in a few days.

We are going on a nice, relaxing trip for Christmas, and I can't wait! All I want for Christmas is to not have to wake the kids up for school for a couple of weeks, and I guess some new socks would be nice. :) I'm so grateful for what I have, and I'm trying to not wish away these days in dreaming about the future. We are trying to help our kids focus on the real meaning of Christmas, and that there are so many more important things than new toys and games.

We wish you all a very merry Christmas this year, wherever you are! We hope you have health, happiness, and joy this season!

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! We spent Thanksgiving evening with more than 40 friends and I am just so grateful for the good, good people we have around us here. On Friday we drove up to Birmingham and walked around the German Christmas market for a while. It was really festive and there was so much good food and pretty things all around! The kids loved the carousel and all the little sweets stands.

We came home and had our annual "Night After Thanksgiving" snacks and movie night. I love it when we get to spend all day together. I'm so thankful for my little family.

Grandpa & Grandma

Joseph's parents came to visit us for a few weeks in October! We were so excited to spend time with them and show them all around. Grandpa fixed a bunch of things around the house and did projects with the kids, and Grandma colored and ate all the pretend food Anna cooked for her. :)

They spent some time visiting Norfolk and Sussex to see the places where their ancestors lived. They were able to find some headstones and visit churches where family members had been christened and married. It is so neat to be in a place where so many of our ancestors have been before.

We visited Kenilworth Castle and Blenheim Palace, spent some time at Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed, took them to some of our favorite villages and churches.

We loved spending so much time with them and showing them our lives here in England. We had some beautiful weather in between the rain, and we made some happy memories. I am so grateful for good family!

Happy Halloween

We went pretty simple for Halloween this year, but the kids loved it! I'd seen the shark idea on Pinterest, and Matthew was all for it. Anna bounced between ideas for weeks, but finally settled on a pink horse. :) Some sweats, felt, and a few stitches later, they had their comfy costumes ready!

They had a "dress up in words" day at school on Thursday, and then of course, trick-or-treating on Friday night!

Trick-or-treating isn't a huge thing in England, but everyone has learned that our neighborhood has a lot of Americans in it, so they flock here by the hundreds for our candy! We bought over 1,000 pieces of candy, and we were out in just about an hour! We just sat outside our front door and rarely had a break in the crowds.