A Big Saturday

 Our big Saturday started with an event Stace has been anticipating for a year now. He got to drive two supercars around a track, as a 50th birthday gift from Dean and Jenny.

First up was this red Ferrari 430.

Stace is in the driver's seat here, getting the low-down from his instructor.

Sue and Gord purchased this photo from the professional photographers on site, for Stace's upcoming 51st birthday.

His second drive was in a Aston Martin DB9.

A final thrill was a trip in a BMW with a professional driver, who could really zoom around the course's hairpins.

Stace loved the whole day out!

We paid a few more quid to have an extra passenger - Dean was thrilled.

Awww, brothers!

The driving experience used an old air base that was very near to Dunkeswell airfield, which housed a U.S. Navy airbase during WWII. Navy, you say? Yes, Navy, as the pilots here were tasked with monitoring the English Channel for German U-boats.

This building was a museum that described the base's history and role, and was quite interesting. President John F. Kennedy's older brother was stationed here and died in a training exercise.

We then went to nearby Honiton for lunch and a wander around the high street. 

Later that evening, Stace and I went to see Livy perform in a children's choir in Yeovil. We were so pleased to be in town for this! While we waited for the show to start, we enjoyed a drink.

It was a very entertaining show, with different musical, theatre and dance groups performing. Livy did great!

Redmond 2023!

Stace, Violet and I made a took a long-weekend trip to Redmond, to visit Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty, and for Stace and Uncle Bill to attend a fancy car show full of English specialty vehicles.

Violet was happy to miss school for two days, while Cora felt like she really couldn't miss rehearsal for her upcoming play. 

We had a great time, soaking up the last bit of Northwest warmth with a kayaking trip, hiking in the woods, and seeing the cousins.
 

Alison, Tyler and Lupin spent one of the nights, and Alison, Vi and Aunt Patty created watercolor artwork.

We had a firepit one evening, with Will, Anna and Miles.

I was happy there were still a few blackberries to pick.

These little guys are so fun to watch! What a blessing they have, growing up together.

Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty fed and watered us well!

Blackberry crisp with the fresh blackberries, and a from-scratch apple pie. Oh my!

Saturday Fun with the Girls

We returned from our getaway Friday night, and on Saturday, had Ellie over while her parents worked. 

I woke up to Gregorny again hanging out in the microwave. I kept myself from screaming this time when I spotted him.

 

Liana came over for the day, too, and I took the girls to Hobby Lobby  and then to Seafood City next door. Ellie had a lot of fun shopping with the big girls.

In the evening, we went to the pool for a little while. Ellie loves the pool! She's in a floatie ring here in the middle, while Liana and Violet toss a football around (see it circled?).

A Visit from Eloise

We had Ellie over for a few hours Sunday, and we had fun with her. Cora taught her about all her beautiful D&D dice... 

...and we went to the pool. Mel had left this swimsuit with us a month ago, and Ellie hadn't seen it yet. She loved it, and was admiring herself in the mirror.

Stace and I took her to the pool - sadly our girls aren't excited to go swimming anymore! The era of our summer evenings at the pool seems to have ended. I've encouraged Cora to go midday for a swim, for some exercise and sunshine, and she's cooperated a couple of times, but she definitely hasn't embraced the idea.

Anyway, we also took Ellie to the pet store, with Violet and they had a good time looking at everything. This hairless guinea pig was quite a sight!

Stace had Ellie helping him with a car project. 

And, we got out some of the old toys.

Violet enjoyed looking at the betta fish at the pet store, and was inspired to paint again.

Her finished piece is stunning. This kid has talent.

Around Kingsbury

One of Violet's goals for our trip was a new pair of boots, a short pair rather than her tall boots she's so fond of wearing. So, we went to Clarks Village in Street, and she found this lovely pair. 

We enjoyed fish and chips that night, in Nan and Pop's back garden, with Livi and Euan.

On Friday, Livi and Euan had a day off of school, so we all went to the big Martock Rec to run around. 

Cora wanted to help feed the guinea pigs some carrots. Livi is loving her big cousin!

We took a walk through the village, and Violet checked out this lovely use for an old telephone box.
 

Back in England At Last!

We woke up in England on Stace's birthday! An early morning celebratory breakfast in the hotel restaurant - full English, of course!

I didn't get any pics from the airport or plane, but we had a fine flight, albeit a very late departure, around 1 a.m.! But, since Heathrow has been having tons of trouble with luggage, we were just happy to get our luggage easily and get to the hotel.

Getting our rental car was interesting - suffice it to say, we'll be sure to inform our American bank that we'll be in the UK, next time we travel here!

On our drive to Somerset, we took a different way, and stopped in Avebury, another ancient henge. It happened to be the summer solstice, so it was pretty darn busy for a June Tuesday afternoon.

 The mid-16th century dovecote here behind the girls was cool.

We took some lovely walks with family our first couple of days. Above, with Auntie Doreen and Chloe, in Drayton, and below, with Livi in Barwick. 

Cora really wanted to climb up the folly here, but a bee hive was in the way.

Spending time with family again in person after three years - definitely priceless!