New Blog

Our blog's photo capacity is full and a blog without pictures is no fun, so...

we have a new blog!

http://sandkchatterton2.blogspot.co.uk/

See you there!

Scarecrow Monkey

One day before Halloween we got some things to make ourselves a scarecrow.  After picking Emerson up from school we got to work.  The boys had a lot of fun making their scarecrow, we used Emerson's clothes, Canyon's stuffed monkey and Stephen's hat.

It was a fun little project and the boys did a great job helping.

Pumpkins

This year we found a small farm that had a bunch of pumpkins for sale.  The boys had a lot of fun picking out their pumpkins.  They even found a cute little one for Eleanor.

When we got home we brought the pumpkins inside and the boys cleaned their pumpkins (because they were "dirty").

(I attempted to get all of them in front of their pumpkins.)

Water Balloons

The boys found some water balloons in the closet a couple of weeks ago and have been having a lot of fun playing with them.  One afternoon Stephen filled a couple balloons for each of the boys and had them try and throw it at the target.  They had a lot of fun playing their little game.

Emerson's first shot was in the target but his balloon didn't break.  His second shot was pretty close.

It took Canyon a long time to throw it hard enough to make his pop.  And when he finally did my camera missed the shot.

Grateful for the simple joys in life.

Five Months

Just a few pictures of Eleanor when she turned five months.  She is a very happy, smiley baby and her sweet nature adds so much light and joy into our home.

A big grin for Canyon who was helping mommy get Eleanor to smile.

9/11 Heroes Run

At the base they held a 5K run in memory of 9/11.  It sounded like fun so we all decided to participate.  Stephen pushed both the boys in the double stroller and I pushed Eleanor.  The boys had a lot of fun and at the end of the race they got out of the stroller and ran across the finish line.  They even got cool medals for running.  It was a nice sunny day and we had fun being a part of it all.

(I forgot my camera, so when we got home we took a couple pictures of the proud racers with their medals.)

First Day of School

Emerson started school at the beginning of September.  Out in England kids start school when they're four.  They call this first year of school Reception and the children learn through play.

The pictures below are from Emerson's first day.  He was very excited to be going to school and when I picked him up at lunch time he was still all smiles.  Can't believe me little boy is already big enough to be going to school....how time flys!

Legoland

At the end of the summer we went and spent a day at Legoland.  Because of some Olympic events that were held in the same city as Legoland we had quite the delay in getting there.  The park was packed the day we went and the lines were long but the boys had a fun time going on a couple rides.

Stephen and Emerson on the Spinning Logs.  Emerson had a lot of fun as Stephen spun them around super fast.

The boys during our lunch break.

Emerson waiting for the train ride.

Before heading to Miniland we went for a ride on the carousel.

At Miniland the boys had more fun running around and playing on the shady lawn than looking at the little buildings and things made out of legos.  Despite a few stressors it was a a fun day out together. (I like how the last picture in this post has the boys running around in the background.)

Scafell Pike and Camping

At the end of the summer we went up to the Peak District and spent a couple nights in a camping pod (it was a lot like a cabin only really small).  The camp that we stayed at was a the base of one of the trail heads up Scafell Pike (the tallest peak in England).  We got there late on the first night.  The next morning we attempted to hike to the top of the peak.  We didn't get very far up the mountain before we saw dark clouds moving in.  So instead we spent the rest of the day playing games and eating junk food.  It was nice to get out and spend time together as a family out in nature.

Here are some photos of the scenery on our was to the campsite.

We had to cut through a cow pasture on our was up the mountain.

Another reason we didn't attempt going up the whole mountain...somebody forgot to bring any good hiking shoes.

Smiles from Eleanor.  She was loving the country air.

The boys at our resting point to have some lunch.  (After lunch is when we decided to head back down the mountain.)

Before the rain started coming down we let the boys throw rocks in the river at the base of the hike.

Cheetos and games...that's how we keep these campers happy.