Leaky Charm: Our Super-Spidey Hero Dad

Happy 70th Birthday Dad!

I'm quite certain there aren't many 70 year olds who are being compared to a Super-Spidey Hero! But, that is my dad. He had a big birthday this week and I'm so happy he was thrown such a fun celebration to show him our love. Thank you so much to my amazing family for putting together such a great par-tay to celebrate our wonderfully amazing dad!

Dad, you are such an amazing father. You have always been there for me. ALWAYS. Thank you for being you and setting such a perfect example of love, service, hard work, loyalty, and the importance of family. I feel so lucky and blessed to be your daughter.

We can't wait to get you over her so we can spoil you with a few extra 'ditties' of our own.

We love you Papa!

Our cruise together up the Eastern Coast of US/Canada

Shopping with Dad is seriously a treat!

Goin' to Miami...

Yep, Spence was off on another "work" meeting; this time in Miami. Rough life.

I have to hand it to him though, he never (okay rarely) brags about his trips and always comes home upbeat, ready to pitch in, and even has fun little gifts for all. Besides, it's not like he's there for a vacation. It is hard work... no play...

So Spence and Max decided to run on the beach and ran into some guys who had been partying all night and these guys decided to join them!

Spence said it was hilarious

Nice...

And then there's our week :)
Scouting was a hit this past week. Our troop leaders were all over it and the boys, and even Anne, had some great adventures.
Ty got to whittle his first ivory soap bar and LOVED it! He's be ironically asking for a pocket knife for the past month for Christmas, so this activity was a tender mercy.
He was in heaven.

Joshy learned all about the leaves and even quizzed Ike on them when he got home.

Their conversation, "Ike what leaf is that?"; Ike, "I don't know!"; Josh, "Just guess."; Ike, "I don't know, a maple leaf." Josh, "WRONG! Hah!! It's an elder leaf!" And on and on as Josh kept following his annoyed big brother around quizzing him on everything he didn't know! It was hilarious.

Anne and Ava practicing their dance for school.

Ty's finished product: A FISH! Go Ty!

Egham Firehall

We made a trip to the Egham Firehall. This was the 'Green Team' and they were awesome. They let the kids see so many things. They let them explore their equipment, try on gear, spray the firehose, and ride in the truck. We went so quickly around a corner, the kids all shifted to one side of the truck, while laughing and whooping it up. I got to ride in the front seat and I loved it. It was really fun! It's amazing how the Brit's can handle these big trucks on such narrow streets and small spaces.

It was probably my favorite trip to a firehall.

Oh, the kids had a fun too.

Yes, they boys were VERY impressed

My picture as our fearless driver took the corner!

It was a blast to ride in the front seat

Fortnum & Mason

Alyson needed to run some errands in London and asked if I would go. Of course!

She took me to a true British Department Store - Fortnum & Mason.

(Yes, I understand this is one of Kate Middleton's favorite place to shop.)

Okay, if you are looking for an amazing British shopping experience, this is the place. Especially at Christmas! It was magical. SOOOOOOO expensive. Ridiculously so, but it was really beautiful. It's been open since the 1700's. Isn't that crazy?

Anyway we looked and looked,

Alyson bought. I drooled...'someday' I thought...'someday'..... :)

Sandhurst Military Academy

"Serve to Lead"

I joined a women's group called AWBS and we went on a tour of Sandhurst Military Academy. It's America's equivalent to West Point. Many of the Royals have come here. Winston Churchill also attended here as well. It was impressive with a rich, long history.

A painting of her majesty the Queen, William and Harry on the front steps of Sandhurst.

(It's where our picture was taken with the group).

This is their Catholic/religious sanctuary. The 14 portraits of the Saviors death circle the room. They have a 15th picture of the resurrected Lord.

This is our tour guide deep in thought as he recounted some of

his memories of attending Sandhurst.

This is their main cathedral in Chapel Square. All of the soldiers who have ever attended Sandhurst over the past 200+ years, and have died, are remembered on beautiful marble tablets around the room.

Our tour guide did an incredible job linking the United States to Britain. This marble step was given as a gift from West Point to the cadets at Sandhurst who died during WWI.

This is what the soldiers at Sandhurst live by. It's very inspiring.

Watching some of the troops march.

Our guide described how terrible war is and that leaders are so quick to forget the massive tragedies a war holds. He talked about how it doesn't matter what country or nationality we are from, we can and should work together. War is not the answer. He quoted President Eisenhower at the end of the tour and I was so touched I almost stood and clapped. We have had some incredible leaders in the past. What a blessing, and we need to find and elect great leaders again. There are so many good people all over the world who want the same things we all do... peace, freedom and respect

One of the last and still used Victorian mailboxes used at the academy.

This was a great story of Edward Bear. He was held by paratroopers for years and years as they did their first jump. He went on over 400 jumps before he retired.