Christmas 2015!

Well another Christmas has come and gone, but this was the first in our new home in Mt Juliet!

We all made out like bandits again this year and spent the rainy day playing with toys, eating junk and watching a couple of Christmas movies ... ahh bliss!
The kids had a ball opening presents from our very generous and extravagant families in the UK and Ohio!

Merry Christmas one and all!!

Here are a selection of pics from this mornings escapades ...

Even Dodger got presents!!

 It must be in their DNA!

Thank you all for our wonderful gifts! xxx

Oliver's Christmas Program

Today was Oliver's first grade Christmas Program.  I started my new job at the American Red Cross today so I didn't think that I was going to be able to make it.  It turned out that the lady I was supposed to meet didn't come into the office so with 20 minutes to go until the program started, I dashed out of the ARC and headed to Mt. Juliet Elementary.  I walked into the school just as his class was walking into the gym and he was so excited that I was able to make it.  Enjoy the videos of him singing with his friends.

Quick update from events this fall

On Halloween Daniel and the children dressed as Romans and toured our new Neighborhood in search of candy on their custom made chariot.

The videos below are of the children opening a parcel from England which contained gift for both children for their birthdays

One of the many projects on this new house involves making an entertainment center.  We visited a lumber yard that focuses on artistic wood and basically bought a pine tree.  Dodger was there and met a new friend named Bear.  Thought you might enjoy seeing him play with a new friend.

Oliver's favorite activity at his school's Fall Festival was the Hamster Ball

Just a silly video of the children teaching me about Barracudas

Our House is officially up for sale!

We just got word that Fitzpatrick is up on the internet officially for sale!

Here is a link to a video tour and the pics!
Rach has worked her fingers to the bone over the last few weeks and it clearly shows. I don't think our house has ever looked so good!

http://properties.houselens.com/TeamKipp~Sharon&DavidKipp/27233/1175+Fitzpatrick+Rd,+Nashville+TN+37214

The latest news on our future home in Mt Juliet is that the bank has agreed to pay for repairs needed. We are now waiting on them to get their act in gear and get everything done. As soon as its completed we can sign on the dotted line - they are estimating 2-3 weeks
Here's hoping for a quick sale!

xx

Beyond stoked for our first visit from the tooth fairy

Today has been fantastic.  Not only did we get our Daddy back which is always super exciting, but our first born has lost his first tooth.  Standing in line to catch the bus back to Childcare USA Learning Center today, Oliver pulled a tooth that has been loose for weeks.

He wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy so that she knows she's in the right place when she comes to collect it tonight

His front teeth were actually coming in before he lost his any teeth at all so from some angles it doesn't even look as though he's lost a tooth, but he has. :-)

The move is going well.  We've packed up a lot of nonessentials, done some painting and landscaping, replaced the carpets and the gutters.  We're hoping that the driveway will be repaired over the next couple of days.  That may or may not happen considering that I gave him the deposit on my birthday and there has been one excuse after another regarding why he hasn't started yet.

Financing for the new house is complete though and we should be ready to close by the middle of next week IF everything works out with the repairs we've requested based upon the inspections that we've had on it.

Myrtle Beach Video

Seems from my last Blog that the video did not upload correctly.

Please click this link or copy and paste into YouTube to watch the video xx 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxNdrd_1cp4

Myrtle Beach 2015 Day 1

After racing home from being on the road for 9 days, we jumped in the car and made the 9 hour drive to Myrtle Beach for some family fun!

We haven't really done anything except veg out, go to the beach and the pool that is at our hotel!

Its been really relaxing and the kids have been having so much fun.
Tonight we are going to let off a Sky Lantern that was brought all the way over from the UK

Here are a few pictures, as well as a video I took of Oliver learning to boogie board :)

Love to all xx

What a great day

Today we went to Juro Stables and took the kids horseback riding.   Charlie-Belle talks about horses all of the time and we thought Oliver would enjoy it too.  Oliver actually got to ride on his own horse.  He did a pretty good job on Buck.  Buck liked to snack as he walked and choose his own path,  but our guide, Brody, communicated with Oliver very well and Oli was able to enjoy himself and control his horse.  He had a great time and is eager to do it again.

Charlie-Belle and I rode on Pearl.  She didn't want anyone to pass her but also didn't want to go as fast as everyone else. Charlie-Belle talked the whole time and petted and praised Pearl constantly.  She also told her to stay calm and keep us safe.  She was really sweet about the whole experience and was super sad when it was over.

Daniel rode on Lucky.  He was Pearl's son and a pretty good horse.  Dan seemed to be the only one who wasn't rubbed against the trees and constantly ducking branches.  So that's pretty good in my book :-)

In the late afternoon we took Dodger to the dog park.   We're all sufficiently worn out hut happy to have gotten to spend the day as a family.

Dinosaur Park and the Beach UK 2015

So the last few days have been filled with lots of good old wholesome fun!

A couple of days ago I hopped on a train to London then the tube to Terminal 5 to Heathrow airport so I could surprise auntie Kelly while Charlotte spent some quality time with grandma and grandad!

I drove back with Auntie Kelly and it's been a mad house ever since!!

We took Charlotte to dinosaur adventure park (a dinosaur themed fun park) just outside Norwich which is about 40 mins away. 

The next day Tracy came over, they had a "Frozen" evening followed by a trip to the beach! 

Suffice to say we have both been having a ball! 

Onto the pics .....

At the train station

Passing my old school on the train

The ambush!

Coffee at Costa Kings Lynn 

Frozen evening! Charlotte doing her normal "acting!" 

The girls "clucking" and playing dress up before we leave for the dinosaur adventure park 

Milking a cow! (Not a real one!)

A frightfully "British" sign! 

Couldn't resist taking this pic. I believe the US equivalent would simply say "DONT FEED THE ANIMALS" lol

One wouldn't want to adopt bad manners after all! 😄

Feeding the chickens ... Again!

She loves to collect eggs from the "chicken kook" LOL

Off to the beach ...

Super excited!!

Strike a pose!

Aaaaand out!

Couple playing with her friend "Teddy the daaaawwggg!!"

Hopefully Oliver gets to come soon too he would have had so much fun. 

Tomorrow we are off to the airport to have dinner and spend the night before heading back to the US the following day 

Xx