Crossing the Pond

Today we are sitting in our new home in Englefield Green Surrey, UK with are bags unpacked, wondering how in the world we got here!!!!

Trying to think about how to capture the next two years, and also share it with family and friend who are interested, we have decided to blog the adventure. So let us catch you up.....

A few months ago Spencer was asked about working in London for a couple of years. The position is to deal with leadership development for the company and is in line with his PhD and school work. We thought about the adventure it could be for the family. So we fasted and prayed, and prayed some more. We felt like this was the right decision for our family. 

So the next few months have been a whirl wind....here we are. In case you think it has been all romance and lollipops.... The first night in the new house it rained, and yes the roof has a leak in it :(  Bucket underneath and all. Nice. Hopefully some one is coming to look at it tomorrow and we can get it fixed. 

Getting over to London has been a whirlwind/adventure all of it's own. You'd think I'd have it down by now with all the moves we have made. Yes, we have moved now 17 times...7 major moves, 10 within cities we were living in, 3 countries, 2 states and 1 province. My favorite comment was from Spencer's aunt last Christmas in her card to us, "Updating your family's address is a Christmas card sending nightmare." That was her letter to us! LOL! Sorry. 

We have loved everywhere we've lived, but Ripon, CA was like home for us. It reminded me of my hometown in Lewisville, ID but with WAY better weather (and I will always miss living close to my family). Ripon is charming, friendly, and our neighbors, running friends, Spencer's biking/swimming buddies and ward members were wonderful in every way, and the sushi at Masumi was to die for. I am especially fond of the Ripon, Spicy Eel, and Hot Night rolls. Leaving Ripon has been hard. We hope we'll be able to go back after our adventure here in the UK. I want to thank everyone who made us feel so loved, so so loved. Friends threw us going away parties, arranged special breakfasts and night-outs with us. We were given loving cards, pictures, memory jewelry, a picture wreath full of many of our friends from Ripon, more parties, dinners, and lots of hugs. My children were flooded with attention and love from friends and family. In fact, today they have said, "I miss everyone. When are we going to have friends over? Who's going to come visit us?" We've been here less than 24 hours! Yes, we have a little empty hole in our heart today but all will be well I'm sure of it. 
I want to give special mention to our cousins the Remington's. They hosted us for the past two weeks. We were so welcomed and assisted in our final doings with everything that needed to be done before we left. We couldn't have done it without them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

 Leaving the Remingtons...Sniff Sniff

 Another shout out to Caroline and Darlyn for driving us all the 
way to SFO to get on our plane! Love you so much!

Below are a couple of pictures of the journey over:

 Yes, our kids are ruined.....part of the deal of coming over is that the family flew business class. I asked Spencer's Mobility Partner if we could have the money and fly regular economy class, and she said no. We could travel with the luggage if we wanted or we could travel business class...our choice. We chose the latter. When we landed all the kids voted that was the best ride ever - they wanted to do it again!!!! 

Special shout out to Jeremy West who provided our kids with "I love Teeth" t-shirts. 

When all their clothes were packed these came in handy. Plus, I could identify them easily!

Anne loved the breakfast and the flight attendants


Ike loved the continuous flow of food and movies

Ty loved how the seats went flat and all the movies.


Josh got VIP treatment with a tour of the plane upstairs and food when ever he asked. Josh gave the flight attendants the smolder and it was all over!!!!

Best compliment of the trip...when the flight attendant came up to me and said, "All the other flight attendants have voted your children the most polite they have come across."
A happy moment for a mom. 

We were so glad to see dad!

Entrance to our new home (Kilmacoe)

Spencer's Euro Car

Our new home, please come visit!!

Welcome to Englefield Green 

Sunday August 11th, 2014: We had a serious shower of rain as we were leaving for church. So the kids quickly grabbed their rain coats. 

Today we went to church in Stains for the first time and were welcomed by some amazing people. The kids already made some great friends. The Bishop practically flew off the stand after sacrament meeting ready to shake our hands, and asked, "so are you visiting or are you new in the ward?" When we told him we had just moved into Englefield Green he promptly set up an interview to "get to know us" during the last meeting! Great guy :)


Some pictures since we took after church at the Royal Holloway College. This historic college was the first college women could attend in the UK built in the late 1800's. It was built by Thomas Holloway in memory of his wife Jane. Queen Victoria sanctioned the building of it. 

College chapel 

 The main quad where all the student meet between classes

The main entrance into the college

The stunning grounds and paths surrounding the college