Daffodils and Tulips!

A couple of weeks ago we decided to go to Mount Vernon and see what was blooming. The Annual Tulip Festival had started but as you can tell the weather is still cold. So most of the tulips had not yet bloomed. But that was ok because I usually miss the Daffodils. We had perfect timing for most of the daffodil fields.  

We did get kicked out of this first field. The farmer had left the gate open for his workers, but we saw it as an open invitation to visit. Well they told us other wise. But that was after we had taken some photos. So we just packed up and went to find another field. The next we found was even better!  They were so bright and the color seems a richer yellow. ?? 

I think we had good timing also, because not too many people were out in the field. 

I do not understand how they can post no parking and no trespassing signs in the fields that are in bloom right next to the street. Do they not want us to visit, and buy stuff in the shops.  As you can tell this bothers me. They only have two fields set up for taking photos. And they make you pay to go in and they are usually really crowded. I think most people are very respectable in the working fields. 

I had a great time taking photos as you can tell. It really was the perfect lighting, it was not too bright out. I do with it was not so cold. 

We might try and go up later when the Tulips are ready. We will see. 

 I love this photo of Andrew. He has his video camera in his hand also. Awesome! 

The ground here was really bouncy, you could tell it had been very wet recently. They had fun jumping up and down and bouncing. 

 We just happened to come upon a parade!  We were cracking up when we saw all the corvettes. On the way here the kids were playing Car Bingo and one of the squares was to find a Corvette on the road. They could not find one. Now we know they were all getting ready for the parade. 

I think this is also why not too many people were in the fields. They were waiting for the Parade. The kids had a fun time seeing all the animals and cool old cars. 

Thanks for a great day Westra family!  It was a very fun day. 

England Trip Gary and Andrew

Gary and Andrew went to a Butterfly hot house and had some fun. Not too many places are open this time of season. So when they saw this open they took advantage of some warmth and something fun to do. 

 Not quite the same Bonmarche they are used to seeing. Well I guess it is called Macy's now. 

Andrew was intrigued at how old everything was. And with that some times they fall apart. 

Andrew and Gary stayed a few nights with Gary's sister. Aunt Dominque and Jonathon,  what a cool house they live in. 

I personally love her smart car. How cute is that. 

Andrew felt right at home with Jonathon and Olivia and the i-toys.....

 What a cutie in her new shirt from America! Sorry I could not find one to fit Dominique!  

The boys took a trip up to Wem and looked up Gary's old Grammar school that he went to. Back then it was an all boys boarding school. Now it is Co-ed. He went and walked around the school and one of the teachers remembered him. Wow he must be really old!  

This is part of the dorm rooms. 

Andrew found it interesting that Gary actually dried his cloths on this. Hmmm..he really is old. 

Some of the old buildings in the area. 

I have a feeling Gary spent a few fun evenings in this castle...

Gary explained to Andrew that some of these buildings were built to be decoys during the war. So that they would bomb these and not the real buildings. 

This is one of the city centers that they did shopping in. 

Gary's parents live in Wisbech. They spent a few days with them visiting and eating well. Gary's dad spoiled them cooking and doing their laundry. They had a great time catching up and helping Gary's Dad buy a new computer.  I think he is all set up now. We are glad that he now has a lap top and Skype from anywhere in the house. 

They also spent time with Gary's other sisters. But I do not believe any photos where taken with them. Too bad. Denise and Donna are quite the characters. I love them all. I am sorry I missed the party. 

The trip went great and I am very glad they made the trip. It was fun to have the iphone and the ipad to be able to do face time with each other. We talked about twice a day while he was gone. Love it! 

Gary & Andrew off to England!

It has been 3 years since Gary has been back home. 

The timing just seemed right to send him home again to see his family. His Mom was asking him " When are you coming?"  what can you say to that. She is not well enough to come and visit us any more. We miss them visiting us here.

Spring break was coming the next week. Vincent can not miss any school. We learned our lesson there. Too hard to make up as you get older. He also had a soccer game that he would miss. Not a big deal, but missing school was.

I had work to do and did not feel like it was a good time to take off. Working by commission is hard to figure out when to take a vacation. I must say that England this time of year is not my favorite. All the cool stuff I want to see is closed up for the season. I will make it during the summer one day. I do miss all the family!

So that left Andrew to go with Gary. I do not think her remembers his last trip too much. What a great time to spend 10 days with his Dad. Gary said he did Awesome on the long flights. We could not get a direct flight with out spending an arm and a leg on it. The spent about 16 hours getting there and about 23 hours coming home. Ugh!  Jet leg has been

I missed the boys a lot while they were gone. The house was so quiet. Vincent was busy with soccer and school. But during the break with just the two of us home it was soooooo quiet!  Vincent had friends over, but the house still seemed empty. It is just not the same with Gary and Andrew gone. I am not sure I will let them leave again with out all of us going.

One huge thing that bothered me about this trip is that I had no control over photography!!! Will they take photos?... Will they take photos of people?  Will they think to stop along the way and take a few shots of memorable places?  I had to just let it go....not think about it....because even if I was to give them instructions I have learned they do not care.  Not until it is years past and they forget every thing.

So all I have so far is one photo of them at the airport on my iphone. Oh...Wait...Gary just told me he has some photos for me. Ok!  Yeah!  I will down load them tomorrow and get them organized to post.

Hang tight...:-) Photos to come.....