Isle of Wight

It's been such a rich visit. Lots of time with mum and dad-- exercise, adventures, daily fun together

Alice came to visit for a weekend, really wonderful to see each other.  The grandparents looked after the boys for a day while we had a long walk.  Such a treat.  Wish we lived closer. 

We've enjoyed some good wind and surf

Some peaceful times on pirates beach hunting for stones and building castles

Kite flying

Peter got all inspired watching the surfers.. here he is jumping a big "wave"...Yikes

Auntie Lizzie came to visit for 2 weeks.  

Hardly a rest from Ethiopia for her, but a very special time together 

When the wind blows it's icy cold.  

We were the only ones building castles on this day!

Granny and Peter went to the Isle of Wight zoo

Cousins- Beth, Jacqui, Helen, Stephen, and Alec came to visit for the day.  

THANKS for making the trip happen, it was wonderful to see you all xo 

Waiting for the bus and enjoying the passing horses

We had a family outing out the old Battery at the Needles.  

Peter was excited to learn all about cannons. 

We spent the rest of the day walking home... fun open spaces above the cliffs.. peregrines, kestrels, and gulls

Then we hit the mud... thick clay/chalk mud!

Still smiling

Peter has been loving playing football, and we've been enjoying watching practises

We all got a stomach bug.  Dear Lizzie stayed the night with Leif when things got really rough.  THANK YOU Auntie Liz!

Auntie Christine came to visit, and was a huge help when Liz and I were feeling sick.. thank you!

The best bike commute ever... to granny and grandpa

Goodbye to Liz on the ferry xo 

The day after Liz left, the boys and I had a long solo adventure.  We walked over the downs, through a golf course, past cows and gorse bushes, and down a valley to the beach.  A great day. 

Leif tracking cows...

Both boys had a nap en route, and I had a good rest.  

The sun was out. It was such a peaceful hour!

We made it to the beach, and after a couple of hours play we caught the bus home

The beach is famous for fossils and dinosaur footprints.  

This is the first time we've actually found one!

We were here for the annual pancake races

And, took the ferry and a train to meet Jane and her three wonderful girls for the day

We haven't seen each other for 6yrs, and I hadn't met the twins, so it was a special day. THANK YOU Jane for making the long drive... with three kids.  You're amazing! 

Last Day.  We start the trip home tomorrow.  We're ready to see Dustin, but it will be very hard saying goodbye to mum and dad xoxo 

Mum and dad had the boys for the morning while I packed.  When I biked to meet them, the boys were busy practicing pancake tossing for next year...

Wonderful low tide, and we were able to explore around the headland and find a hidden colony of fulmars!

THANK YOU mum and dad for everything... outings, laughter, helping Peter with writing, reading with Leif, getting the flat ready for us, playing football, freezing on the beach... dealing with chaos.  Thank you for your amazing open and giving hearts.  We're soo grateful we had this time together.