Halloween 2010

I haven't written much this year about Autumn in England, but it is as spectacular as ever. I am thoroughly enjoying every day of it. Here is a picture of my favorite tree outside our front door. It makes me want to have some hot chocolate and cuddle up with a good book.

We celebrated Halloween on Saturday this year. Our festivities started with a few games of Boo Who?. It's a darling game that my mom sent. Thanks mom. It was a big hit with the kids.

We played outside and carved pumpkins.

And of course we ate loads of candy...

In the evening we dressed up for Trick-or-Treating.

Since Halloween isn't widely celebrated in the UK, and since we were Trick-or-Treating a day early, I called ahead to a few houses and asked if we could come. I wanted the kids to think that they were getting an American Halloween experience. What I didn't know is that the people I called were going to completely spoil our children. The first house not only loaded the kids bags with candy but also gave them glow-in-the dark bracelets. The second house (2 of our favorite babysitters) loaded the kids bags with candy and then presented them with personalized bags filled with toys.

The third house invited our children in and presented them with this cake. So much for wanting to give our kids an American Halloween experience. This is nothing like what I expected. Still, the kids had a great time and we are so grateful to the good people around us who make us feel like family when ours is far away.

Following Trick-or-Treating, we had a party with some friends complete with our traditional chili, sugar cookies...

and games for the kids.

It was an exciting day except that our daddy had to be on a business trip during all of the festivities. We missed you daddy!

Rome Italy Temple

Rome Italy holds a special place in my heart. I spent 18 months in Italy as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Today is a special day in Rome because it is the groundbreaking for the temple that is to be built there. The video below makes me emotional because I know how much this temple means for the church members in Italy.

Not only is this temple special to me because of my obvious love for the Italians, but it has a special family connection as well. My brother in law was one of the architects that worked on this temple. I think it's one of the most beautiful temples in the world. I can't wait to go there one day.

Whipsnade zoo

Half-term break came just in time. We needed a rest from waking up early and doing homework. We didn't pack too many outings into this break. Mostly it was nice to stay home and make cookies, do puzzles, watch movies and play with toys. However, yesterday me and these 4 cuties made a trip to the zoo.

Michael was in the lead with the map the entire time. He made sure that we saw all the animals and shows. I've never been in a zoo this spread out before. They had a safari shuttle bus but we didn't always catch it in time, so we did a lot of walking. There was a time or two when I would've been turned around without our trusty little navigator.

Mary was bored during the bird show. She asked if she could take some pictures. We have a lot of random pictures of the stroller and the people next to us, but I liked this picture that she took of Luke and I. I wish I could remember what he was telling me at the time... he is adorable.

Speaking of our little Mary, here she is at the zoo overlooking the English countryside. It was a breathtaking view. The wind made it a bit chilly and we figured the penguins were loving it.

And then there's our Benjamin. He is the sweetest little guy. He helped me push the stroller at the end of the day when I was tired. I'm sure Luke weighs almost as much as he does, but he didn't complain a bit.

Luke and I will be so sad when the kids go back to school next week. It has been a lot of fun to have them home.

Cadbury World

It's half-term break at school. That calls for a day at Cadbury World! Michael was dressed and ready to go this morning before I even got out of bed.

Our day at Cadbury World started with a history of how the cocoa bean made it to Europe and the beginnings of the Cadbury chocolate company. Luckily it was a go-at-your-own pace tour because we stopped several times to enjoy the chocolate samples they gave us.

Then we were able to tour the actual factory where the chocolate is made and packaged. Unfortunately, no photos allowed in the factory. The smell was absolutely fantastic. I couldn't get over the guy that was pulling defective bars off the conveyor belt and throwing them into a big bin. It looked like a major waste of a really good thing. The sheer volume of chocolate being produced amazed me. In fact, we learned that in the UK, Cadbury uses enough cocoa beans each year to fill London's Royal Albert Hall five times.

After the factory, we went on the cocoa bean ride. It was equivalent to the Winnie the Pooh ride at Disneyland but with little cocoa bean characters. Luke was awe-struck.

Then on to more touring of the filling and decorating side of chocolate.

Then we entered the game area for the kids. They had some really cool things. This shadow screen was a lot of fun for the kids to play with.

And they loved the chocolate computer games.

The kids loved jumping on the moving chocolate bars from this projector.

And then we were off to the world's largest Cadbury store. How do you not go absolutely crazy in a store like this?!

And finally, the kids playground.

Some interesting facts that we learned today:

**The chocolate tree's botanical name is Theobroma Cacao, which literally means "Food of the Gods."

**Cocoa beans are white when they come out of the pods.

**Cadbury has worked to provide safe, clean drinking water for cocoa farmers in Ghana.

**Chocolate tasting is an actual job. I almost applied today.

Life is good

All day Friday, despite my terrible head cold, I prepared myself for our busy weekend ahead. I made a trip to the grocery store and a big dinner so that we could have leftovers later.

Then, Friday night at 11:30pm, I came down with Michael's stomach flu that he had earlier in the week, and I was up all night throwing up. It was a repeat of that night last September when Loretta and Kelly were here visiting (except that thankfully I was the only one sick this time).

By the time Todd and the kids woke up Saturday morning, I was unable to get out of bed. Todd let me sleep while he cancelled his planned day of temple work and got the kids ready for the day. Then he completely took over for me in our Primary program practice and activity. In our church, the children perform speaking parts and songs for the congregation once a year. The children's parts and songs are prepared by their leaders. I am the Primary President in our congregation and this was my first experience ever writing a program. We planned to practice it the day before. This was a big event and Todd stepped in for me and made it work. Unbelievable!

When Todd and the kids returned home from the church and he got the kids settled, he made arrangements to fill in for the talk I was supposed to give at a baptism that evening and arranged for someone else to play the piano for me. Then, just when I couldn't sleep or read anymore, Todd did the best thing of all. He came and layed in bed next to me and made me laugh. I love this man.

I'm happy to report that not only was I able to go to church on Sunday, but the Primary program was a huge success. The children all did their parts so well and their singing made me cry. I love those 20 children so much. What an experience it was so see them perform in church, behaving so well and inviting the Spirit.

My head cold doesn't seem as bad anymore. And, believe it or not, I was grateful to wake up this morning to the nausea of morning sickness. At least I know that food will usually help this nausea if I can get to the kitchen fast enough.

Life is good.

Mary

FIVE

Mary climbed on our bed first thing in the morning and after we sang to her in our best morning voices, she stood and said, "Look at how tall I am now."

She requested a manicure and pedicure with 'glitter polish'.

The kids were out of school so we spent the day playing and having a picnic at the park.

When it was time for presents she said, "Everyone knows it's my birthday." She loved opening cards from family and opening mail packages from grandparents. Notice her brothers loved every minute of it too.

We love you Mary. You are such a joy to have in our family.

Legoland

I must admit that while we were driving to Legoland I was thinking of a dozen places I'd rather be going instead. However, watching our kids excitement as we walked in made it all worth while and I knew that this was right where I wanted to be. Benjamin was in front of us jogging backwards, shouting and waving his arms in the air. He could not contain his excitement. It made us smile. I remember feeling that excitement as a kid. Good times.

The model european cities area is my favorite part of Legoland.

This model underground actually works. The loud speaker even announces, "Mind the gap." It's very cool.

This picture was too great to leave out. This kind of shows Benjamin's excitement. Just take this picture of him shopping in the Lego store and magnify it about 10 times.

Our little Mary is so brave. She tried every ride she was tall enough for. This up and down ride was her very favorite.

The boys on a Lego camel.

The driving rides are so cute at Legoland. The kids get a few driving instructions before the ride and at the end of the ride they receive a driver's licence. Mary LOVED this ride and was so pleased with her licence.

The food was fantastic as well. I don't have pictures, but the sausages were delicious (and I'm not usually a big sausage fan).

It was a fantastic day. I'm exhausted.

Out on the town

The kids were out of school today so we went out on the town. This time I brought my camera along to help us remember our great town. Our first stop...the park. This park has a zip-line and it's a huge hit with our kids.

Next stop... the bank for some cash.

Then the bakery for some donuts. 2 jam filled and 2 carmel.

Then, stop to post a letter.

Next the toy store armed with a 2 pound coin each.

And finally... home to enjoy our new go-go's.