Every year, ACS has a bake day where all the parents bake yummy treats, create a theme and invite EVERY single staff member up to the Mansion Assembly room to receive some baked goods for the Christmas holiday. The staff love it.
This year was a Hollywood Theme
One of the mom's replaced all the teacher's heads with a Hollywood actor/actress. She did such a great job..Here is a couple of them...
This is Miss Lester- Anne's Teacher and below is Mr. Patterson - 3rd grade
Going to church
Our first train ride into church. We were encouraged to take the train
instead of driving our cars because parking was limited.
Richard and Charles were ordained as Elders. It was such a special day.
Spencer, Bishop Knight and Nigel Price were there to assist.
Waiting for the train in Staines with the Frost's, Seth Wilkinson and Rachel
Walking home in the rain after conference
Ike teased me when I told him, "The train station is 'right across the street.' He said, "MOM! It's not across the street because we have to walk a quarter of a mile to get to the street from our house!
THEN it's across the street!" LOL (He's got a point)
Ike teased me when I told him, "The train station is 'right across the street.' He said, "MOM! It's not across the street because we have to walk a quarter of a mile to get to the street from our house!
THEN it's across the street!" LOL (He's got a point)
We were invited over to Sister Angela Mount's home for a dinner after Stake Conference. She was so kind to open her home to our large family.
We love you Sister Mount!
Thanksgiving!
Ike and Tyler warming up the Playstation before dinner
We were invited to the Frost's home for dinner. She went all out with beautiful china, goblets and we both cooked ALL day for an amazing feast. I believe we fed 26 people. It was such a fun and delightful evening. Great, great missionaries...
Our amazing missionaries in the Staines ward!
Elder's Bradshaw, Boudaine, Piseth, Cluff and Sisters Chamberlin and Green
We were so blessed this week (seriously, we were blessed) to have had the sister's apartment malfunction and they needed a place to stay for the week. Ike graciously gave up his room for the week and we got their cheery personalities that filled our home whenever they entered. I realized how fortunate we were to have missionaries in our home, where my children could watch them in action, and see first hand how missionaries work. They were so obedient, happy, positive and willing to help with anything. I almost cried when I had to take them back to their apartment. It made me SO proud of Vanessa, Jessica, Kalani and Chase!
Sister Green (Australia) and Sister Chamberlin (SLC)
Meanwhile...Spencer was in Shanghai working with the China sales team.
We missed him big time over Thanksgiving. (Especially his crazy turkey bowl outfit)
We missed him big time over Thanksgiving. (Especially his crazy turkey bowl outfit)
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| Over-night temple trip with the Staines Ward youth. We got to stay on the temple grounds in their accommodations with about 30 ward members and take the youth into the temple for service. It was such a beautiful weekend and this picture was taken the morning of our walk around the grounds. |
Service project after being in the temple
YM group
Hever Castle
We went and visited Hever Castle which was Anne Boleyn's castle after the temple.
It was festively decorated with lots of decorated trees inside. Much of
her story was retold inside. What a sad story...but the grounds were really pretty.
The entry into the castle ground was very grand and quite bold
with statues and arches everywhere surrounding the castle and boarding the lake.
Ike thought this swan was wicked
Coming out of the castles maze
Holt and Frost kids and Lauren and Emily Carroll from our Ward
I'm not sure if the kids enjoyed the castle more or this sweeeet swing??
We ran into the "Angel Gabriel" as she announced birth of the Savior
Joshy's violin debut
So each of the kids are able to learn a new instrument each year at the school. I hadn't paid that close attention because they weren't allowed to bring the instruments home. Anyway, I went to Josh's "Celebration of Learning" day and when they played, they sounded like angels! I was SO surprised! I cried my eyes out! It was so precious!
Needless to say, Joshy is taking violin lessons now and absolutely loves it.
Josh showing me his work he's done over the past few months.
He's growing up TOO fast. (Sob sob)
Anne and Stijn Satter (from the Netherlands) jamming out at Rock Band practice
Anne at dance practice - (that is her doing the back walkover in the middle)
PTO excursion to the Windlesham Christmas Market
Eating a Dutch "Chocolate Kiss" so yummy
The market next to the cathedral
Inside the cathedral - They didn't allow too many pictures.
My shopping buddies for the day- Marc, Robyn, Christel, and Iris
Christmas Concert in our upper ballroom hall
This was put on by the Salvation Army Band/ Choir and they were WONDERFUL!
It made me so homesick for my choir in Ripon!
The music was beautiful and the kids really enjoyed themselves.
The kids got to play musical instruments in one of the the numbers
It was built in 1592!!! Over 400 years old! It's now a restaurant/pub.
What fun! Love all the details you're sharing and the darling crooked house! We miss you too! Thanksgiving wasn't the same without Spencer's outfit and mashed potatoes and YOUR happy, sweet spirit around. xoxo
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