Tennis anyone???

The girls have started tennis lessons this year. Mark and his siblings grew up playing and enjoying tennis. We're hoping the girls will have a passion for it too. So far, so good. 2 of their sweet friends are taking at the same time which makes it even more fun.

School Days

We've finally started school! Because of our long trip, we couldn't start the 1st of September when we normally do. Instead I waited till we got back home and were rested. I have to say that things are going really well. I always like to have our daily schedules completed for the whole first term before we actually start school. This helps me tremendously to be organized. I like to use the forms at Donna Young. She has a form for everything! Let's hope the rest of the year goes as smoothly as this first week.

Ghent, Belgium

This was the last stop on our trip before heading back to England and flying home. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful place! Our hotel was right down town with a beautiful view of the canal and the old, gorgeous buildings. We were able to walk everywhere which is what we prefer to do. Who wants to be closed up in a car when you can be outside breathing the sweet, cool air (before going home to the hot, sticky humidity! LOL)

Here's where we stayed.The view from our window. The same buildings at night.The Castle of Counts-a 12th Century medieval fortress

Inside the castleThe view from the castleDinner at a traditional Belgium restaurant-The Palms-delicious!The city of Ghent is known for it's beauty-especially at night. The whole family had fun exploring and taking in everything in the evening.

New Wheels for Emma

This little girl is growing up so fast! She's been needing a new bike and we finally got around to getting her one. The big girls and I ride bikes everyday-now Emma can join us. As soon as we got it set up she was on it pedaling away. Every morning before she even gets dressed or eats she wants to go ride her princess bike.

New Castle, England

We went to New Castle in northeast England because Mark had business there. What a beautiful place-I'm so glad we got to visit. We actually stayed outside the city in Tynemouth-right on the North Sea. The view from our hotel (an old victorian home that's been converted into suites) was breathtaking! The girls and I spent one morning just climbing among the rocks, playing in the sand and dipping our toes (only our toes!) into the ice cold water.

Our hotel

Can you see Mary poking her head out of her bedroom window? (all the way up on the roof) Tynemouth Priory and Castle-ruins of the 13th century priory church set on a steep headland between the River Tyne and the North Sea.
This was a fabulous Indian restaurant in New Castle. Janet (Mark's business assoc) and her family were kind enough to take us there.

Amsterdam, Holland

The last time we were in Amsterdam we visited all the museums and the Anne Frank house. This trip we just enjoyed walking around and taking in everything.Vondel Park-one of our favorite places 3 little monkies... Rembrandt Square-a 3-D version of the Nightwatch (with a statue of Rembrandt in the back). I read that they will soon be taking all of this out. What a shame! Playing around in the Rembrandt "painting"
Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe

London, England

We had a whirlwind run through London. I wish we'd had more time to spend there. This city is so full of history. Here's a little of what we saw:

Big Ben

The Houses of Parliament Westminster Abby Buckingham Palace
Southwark Cathedral-the oldest gothic church building in London. Shakespeare, Dickens and Chaucher are among those associated with this church. The Globe Theater The Golden Hinde-a reconstruction of Sir Frances Drake's famous galleon. It's permanent berth is by the London Bridge on the Thames.