Kevin has spent many weeks down here doing the framing, helping us select the subs and of course fine tuning the design. The wiring and plumbing is all done, the insulation has been blown (so the home theatre can be nice and loud without waking up the rest of the house), and the drywall is up and ready to be textured. At least now the dirty part of the job is done.

You may notice that we’re moving our office downstairs so we can set it up to exactly how we like to work. There is a lounge area in front of the wine room (despite my Dad’s warning that “you’ll never get through all that wine”), a service bar with a fridge and icemaker, a bathroom, space for our exercise machines, and a home theater.

Each day (first thing out of bed) Elsie picks a note that gives her a clue about her daily present

Here are a few examples:

• What can make your lips so shiny? [lipgloss in a hello kitty phone]
• Soak me in wter and see what happens. [dinosaur egg - which hatched in 48 hours and then soaked for another 24 - a very good lesson in patience]
• What is a wonderful toy for girls and boys (its like a spring) ** [Slinky]
• Rhino may be part of this surprise [Hamsuta the happy hamster]
• Climb the stairs and drop me! I will float all the way down [parachute man]
• Who lives in a Castle with a prince [disney princess stickers - which are now all stuck to one page in my US weekly ... yes I do read US weekly]

The calendar is a hit!

** Grammie wants to make sure Elsie gets the clue – since she wasn’t alive for the original slinky marketing campaign.

here is the snow blob or snow tower maybe?

Turns out Elsie was more into Eating snow than building anyway.

this year she wanted to be a pig (sticking with the animal theme) and as I started to think about costumes – heather pointed me to a premade cutie. Mark pretty much pulled the trigger on ordering so he didn’t have to help with the costume sewing …

We visited Andersen Farms for the Annual Ghouls Gathering

We took a hay ride and stopped to feed some bulls

Elsie was pumped for Trick or Treating – she started at Googleween for a bit of practice and quickly realized how easy it was to snag candy – she was off!

This year we did our trick or treating with Saffie and Jaeger.

Elsie with Min (nanny)

We hid the candy when she got home – although Mark first went through to collect all of his favs.

After scones it was out to feed Kissy the horse …

Jan and David live on 5 acres of true English garden all years of hard work.

Elsie picking a pear with Jan

Elsie was instantly attached to David, who spent much time touring elsie around the gardens and playing games in the house – she was hooked!

We had a beer at the local pub followed by another delicious dinner. Our rest was coming to an end.

David realizing we had two true Sladden’s with us (who are notoriously late) helped us get on the road on schedule and we were off to Dorset.

The flight was uneventful and we landed in London prepared for a few days of sightseeing. It wouldn’t be a visit to the UK without pouring rain … so we decided to go with it.

The girls did a great job holding their own umbrella’s and staying dry in Papa’s dry cleaning bag.

After a short walk (well isn’t wasn’t short – turns out Mark and Josh may have Stanford Educations but that doesn’t help you navigate London streets to the nearest Tube station) we finally made it to the tube – the girls were fascinated by the tunnels and signage – I can already feel a budding graphic designer on our hand.

The rain was much lighter by the time we hit Piccadilly Circus and we decided our best chance at seeing all of the London sights with toddlers was the Double decker tour bus.

The tour was awesome – it was a great way to get history and see everything in a short amount of time. We were able to jump off the bus and head to a local pub to have traditional english lunch – Beer!, meat pies …

And Toad in a Hole (sausages wrapped in dough with gravy)

Elsie enjoyed the steamed carrots

After lunch the girls were desperate for naps – fortunately for us we had both a Grammie and a Papa. We finished our tour on the top level of the double decker bus with both girls cuddled and sleeping.

After our day of touring we headed over to Glynn and Cindy’s for a fabulous home cooked dinner. Elsie instantly knew who she needed to sweet talk to get her way …her Uncle Glynn.

Our first day in London was filled with activities. Mark and I were headed to Steeple Aston and my parents and Josh and Amy were planning another day in London sightseeing …

Mark and Scott decided to make the ultimate sandcastle which was perfect for the destructors …

Our last night in New York we took a ferry over to Connecticut to see Scott and Julie’s renovations and stay at Mart and Lew’s house (which had a pool!).

After some daddy swim time the kids moved on to the best game – SPLASH!

Niko and Elsie would kick their legs and make a big splash …

mark and scott would SPLASH

Kids squeal …

and repeat!

We ended our stay with dinner from Pepe’s pizza – MMMM.  We love this trip with the Johnstons – especially with Elsie and Niko being partners in crime. We have a few years before we really have to worry about the two.

Here is our annual team shot … notice scott’s hand (he is holding the remote)

We bribed Elsie and Nicholas with chocolate if they would sit through the photos … it worked

We headed to downtown for a sushi dinner and some icecream

On our first trip to the South Hampton beach we were fogged out – which was actually a welcomed relief from the heat.

After beach time we decided to let the kids make some cupcakes, stirring was a hit …

But licking the beaters was an even bigger hit … (notice the football shirts – Jets for Elsie and NYG for Niko – from julie!)

Of course Scott was also in the bowl

Decorating was a giant mess, but worth it

The kids were excited to play in the water which is calm and warm …

Mark set up some shade contraptions and much of the day was spent critiquing the design … they did protect us a bit.

Elsie and Niko hunted a seagull …

And everyone knows that Sand Jumping is a fun sport

Finally it was time for some rough housing in the water with the dads …