I know...I know...I am so far behind on updating this blog! Life has been busy and it seems as if living in England has become "normal" and therefore sometimes I don't feel that what Josh and I do is "blog worthy". But it really is a blog about us as a family, no matter where we are living or what we are doing.
At the end of April, Josh and I visited the Lake District with our Aussie friends, Alissa and Kieran. It was a fun trip and while the weather didn't completely cooperate, it was a great weekend away from London.
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| This is lake Windemere in the heart of the Lake district. |
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| We took a ferry to the city of Ambleside. |
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| This was our lunchtime view from a restaurant in Ambleside. |
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| Josh and I in Ambleside |
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| Alissa and I waiting for the ferry. It was sunny, but cold outside! |
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| Breezy winds on the ferry made us cold. |
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| The next day we took a hike around another lake in the district. Here, Kieran and Alissa are watching the cute little lambs frolic about. |
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| There were new baby lambs all over the place! |
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| Me taking a break along our hike. |
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| The morning was misty and a bit dreary, but the scenery was still absolutely stunning. England really is beautiful. |
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| Josh and I on our Lake District trip. |
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| Another beautiful shot of the lake. |
The end of our Lake District trip brought us into May, which ended up being an extremely busy month for the Bairds! I was accepted as a "Show Maker" for the Royal Horticulture Society's Chelsea Flower Show, a show that is considered one of the most famous in the world. I felt honored to be chosen to volunteer. I had training for the show and was placed in the "Product of the Year" stand. My job was to inform visitors of the products that had been shortlisted by the RHS for product of the year and to direct them to the stalls that sold the items. I had a great time being involved in the show and I hope that it is something that I can do again. Here are some pictures of the creative and innovative stalls at the show...
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| Add caption |
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| I still haven't decided what this statue means...or what is is...the "person" has a mans face but a pregnant woman's body? I don't know! |
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| Pods for the garden. |
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| A display from Thailand |
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| I loved the plane! |
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| Yummy looking strawberries in some old boots...love it! |
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| A sculpture by Marc Quinn specifically for the 100th Chelsea Flower Show Anniversary. |
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| Flowers as a haberdashery! |
In May I was also accepted into the North London Master Gardener programme and attended a two day training course. The programme is designed to promote organic gardening to people who are interested in growing their own food. We offer advice and support to five households each throughout a year long period. So far, I have set up two households and am working on a project with a community garden to offer growing space for elderly people. The programme has been great so far and I am excited to be a part of it!
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| My Master Gardener training partners! |
While I was volunteering at the Chelsea Flower Show, Josh had flown to Seattle for work for a few days. I then caught my own plane to Chicago, met up with Josh and then together we flew to Springfield for a short visit with our families. Josh wanted to surprise his mom, so the day after we arrived in Springfield we got in the car and drove to Quincy. Mary Ann was so surprised! It was great! We then met up with Josh's brothers and Jeff and had a nice dinner at the Tower.
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| Josh and I with MaryAnn and Jeff |
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| Harley! |
The next day Josh and I came into town to have lunch with some friends and then I stayed in Quincy to visit with my grandma's and other relatives. It was a great jam-packed visit to Quincy!
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| Me and my Granny T! |
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| Granny T, Sarah and I. |
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| Sarah and I on our way up to Quincy |
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| My cousin Missy and her family. |
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| Josh and I with my Grandma D! |
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| Me with my Auntie Jill and her two kiddos, Lauren and Bryson. |
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| My sis and I with our yummy beer! |
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| My sis and I...and more alcohol :) |
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| Participating in my moms favorite pastime...shoe shopping! |
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| Drinks with my mum. Love her! |
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| Girl talk with Aunt Pat and SIL Amanda. |
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| The guys enjoying their tradition...booze and cigars. |
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| The family all together again! The last time we were all together was at Samanda's wedding! |
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| Siblings :) I'm the favorite! |
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| Our US vs. UK pic! Mom and dad are Switzerland :) |
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| Hazel with her yummy looking ice cream cone! |
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| Hazel at Umi's the next day...celebrating Sam's promotion to Captain. |
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| Captain Sam! |
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| I had a fun night out with my friend Marla! |
Our trip to America was short and sweet...I think we had 6 nights. So not nearly enough time to see everyone we would have liked to see, but I think we did a decent job!
In June, Josh and I took a trip to Great Yarmouth with Sam and Amanda. It is not my favorite British city, a bit Branson meets the seaside, but I still had fun!
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| See you by the sea shore! |
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| The beach at Great Yarmouth...actual sand! |
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| Sam pointing out the nickname I used to call him...Quasar! |
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| Trying out some Elizabethan dinnerware. |
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| A really really really creepy dinner party. |
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| Our brave men preparing for battle :) |
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| Our day at the beach! I was a little chilly still...temps were probably in the mid 60's |
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| We had to get ice cream! |
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| Josh and I on our horse drawn carriage ride! |
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| I think we need a fireplace this size in our next house! |
Holy cow...I think I'm somewhat caught up with the last few months. Except that I also need to blog about Josh's brother's visit and my girls trip to Nice! I suppose that can wait for another day.
Rachel
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