Bath Spa

We went to Bath Spa on Saturday. It was the most amazing place. Everything was so old and preserved. I felt like it must have looked like it did 100s of years ago, just with different people and different transportation. Usually in old cities there's a mingled bit of new with the old, but not in Bath. It was unbelievable! Here are some pictures of our walk around the city. I know I posted too many pictures, but I couldn't resist all the goodness!

Temple Meads Train Station in Bristol

This is Parade Park. Can we move to Bath please?

The placard on the wall says, "Part of the medieval wall of the city of Bath"

The Roman Bath

This is across the street from the Roman Baths.

The boys weren't sure at first if he was real or not.

We keep seeing the most amazing trees!

This is Manvers Street Baptist Church. There are tons of church buildings everywhere.

St. Michael's Church

Just to make sure you don't miss it, notice that the date for the first Rector, is a.d. 1180. He only has one name too, that should tell you something about the time period!

Just thought it an interesting conglomeration of subjects. You've got a statue of Jane Austen, the Jane Austen Center doorman dressed in 19th century clothing to fit the venue, and a couple of local police officers. This happened to be my favorite stop of the day. I wasn't able to go in because the tour was too long, but I'm goin' back baby, you better believe it!!

This was unfortunately, but understandably so, the boys favorite part of the day. He was pretty good as far as street performers go. He could definitely give some of the acts at Quincy Market in Boston a run for their money.

These are pictures of all the great architecture we saw. The buildings are so beautiful!

St. John's Church

Bath Abby - This monstrosity was built in the 8th century. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get inside. (It would be closed the day we were there!) It may be Catholic, but we're there for mass at some point in our stay here.

If we can interest you the least bit, you've got to check out this link. This will definitely impress!

http://www.bathabbey.org/Web%20Page%20-%20Mini%20Tour/index.html

Waiting on the platform at the Bath station for our train home.

Museum

We visited the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery the other day. It was great. And even better, it was free. A really nice museum for free... you don't see those everyday. I guess we can thank Socialism for that!

I thought moose in Maine were big! Mark said it was some kind of English Elk.

This here's a Dodo bird for those of you that have never seen one...

They had a special exhibit on Flight. It was really good. Lots of models of all kinds of planes and engines and flying things (you should be able to tell Mark's not writing this). Also had a fun section where kids could try on uniforms. This was the first exhibit we visited. We had a hard time convincing them there would be more to see. This was definitely their favorite spot.

We were ready to give it to this kid at the museum. We think he has a hearing problem. You might have heard of it... it's called Selective Hearing. But then you look at this picture and you just can help but love him.

Sleeping

And another one bites the dust earlier than they should!

The boys have been sleeping together since we got here. It's been funny to see how similar their sleeping positions are. I should have been taking more pictures, but this is the 3rd time I've walked in and found them in the same position.

Nate's Face

This is the lamp.

This is the chair.

This is Nate's face after he stood up in the chair and tipped it over banging his head on the lamp base.

The protruding forehead.

Jet Lag

When I took this picture it had been exactly a week since we got here. Nate has definitely had the hardest time adjusting to the time change. You can pray that he'll sleep better!! He's been waking up wicked early. He's typically an early riser, but not this early. He's been waking up and fussing in the night too. I kind of feel like I have newborn! Part of the problem is our sleeping arrangement here. He's been sleeping on a pallet on the floor, in the same room as me or Mark, depending on who's on the couch. Needless to say, Tuesday won't be here soon enough! Thankfully, Nate will have his own room at our new place, but he'll be in a big bed, so we'll see how all that plays out. I'm so looking forward to having our own room again and being able to sleep the same bed as my husband!

This is him at about 10:30am on the couch. Just couldn't make it until lunch and nap time.

Pizza Express

The other night Mark took Elliot to pick up a pizza. He came home with a, and I quote "little" pizza and Elliot scored a hat and balloon. The other boys were a little unhappy that they didn't get to join in on the fun. The small pizza worked in their favor though. We had hardly gotten started before it was all gone. We convinced Mark to go back again and get another one and this time he took Hudson. Who came home with 2 balloons so Nate could have one too. The Frenchman who was running the place laughed when Mark came back for more and gave us the 2nd one for free. Awesome!

Happy pizza faces!

We're moving!

Yeah! We found a place to live. We're totally thrilled. God has graciously provided yet again. We move on the 25th. This will be the easiest move yet I think. Just 12 bags 10 minutes drive north to Bishopston. The flat here in Clifton was definitely a God send, otherwise we would have been in a hotel and I think probably mental by now. I think we might not have completely escaped with perfect sanity, but it is beginning to return with the nearing opportunity to finally unpack and settle in! The location has been great and we've been able to see quite a bit of the area, but it will be nice not to have to be quiet for the neighbors that surround us. Our new place is a terraced house, like a row house, or town home for all you SWBTS fans, so no one above or below us. We'll also have a garden!!! (It's kind of like a yard.) Small for American standards, but big for UK! We're so grateful that we'll be able to send the boys outside whenever we need too. We'll be sure to post some picks next week.

Yesterday we went to a Christian home school play group. The boys had a great time and it was good to meet some of the women. Pray for more opportunities to build relationships with them.

Today we went to visit a family from Christ Church that has 3 boys similar in age to ours. I'm thankful for the opportunity to meet other believers. Makes me feel not so different.

More pics

This is the archway 3 yards from our front door. Archway to the the world. Definitely going to miss this location when we move.

Fresh fruits and veggies anyone?

Boston Tea Party? Who would of thunk it?

I just like this one!

This is the only playground we've come across so we frequent it often. This really beautiful tree has been fun for the boys to climb on, or the root system I should say.

Old windmill being refurbished up on the hill that over looks Avon Gorge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

View of Bristol and surrounding area from the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

This is Guardian Court. An estate management company for the elderly/upwardly mobile.

Christ Church pictures.

These monuments are in a park near Christ Church. We can't read them because they're old and worn and partly in Latin. All we could make out was something about the French Land Forces and the British. That helps a lot, huh? :)

There wasn't anyone to ask at the time. I need to ask around.

Pretty park pick.