On Saturday we celebrated Karis' Gotcha Day.  It was nine years ago that we brought our 5 month old baby girl home from an orphanage in Aš, Czech Republic.  

All of 9 years old!

Living in England, it's been harder to let go of summers.  I do however, think that Starbucks has this right:

For our little town we have a good selection of events throughout the year.  This past weekend was a French & Vintage market and Aston Martin road show.  The cars were more exciting than the market and I love a good market!

This steam omnibus made an appearance.

A monthly trip to Costco.  They had pumpkins!


Found canned pumpkin on sale!!  Score!  Much more pumpkin baking in my future!


Autumn decor might have exploded at our house.

Headed to the Vienna Christmas markets this season?
A friend in Vienna posted this article on facebook, a Comprehensive Guide to the Christmas Markets.

Do you decorate for the season or plan on making some kind of pumpkin goodness?

Each, Most, Some Fridays I hope to be doing a daily diaries post so you can see into our weekly happenings.

About a year ago we started a tradition of taking the kids for some one on one time on Sunday mornings before church, rotating each week.  Jerry takes one one week, I take one the next.  We've had some great times.

We love our church family!  It's fun doing life with these guys.  We've been hosting a home group at our place and we're just finishing up The Basic Series by Francis Chan.  It's amazing stuff!  Church isn't about a building, traditions, being religious.  It's loving God, loving others and being a family of God.  Doing life together, being there for each other, whatever our personalities or circumstances.
 

I attended my third London Bloggers Tea on Sunday.  Always great to see so many bloggers together and catch up with some I haven't seen in awhile.  More about the tea coming soon!


We've had some unseasonably warm weather.  Doesn't keep me from wanting things of Fall, like making pumpkin shmear!!


Now if I could only find pumpkin bagels, I'd be set.  I know, I could make these.  Maybe, just maybe I'll do it one day!

Happy Weekend to you!!


Linking up with Kate's series Daily Diaries from The Lotus Creative.

Our tradition of giving the kids pjs on Christmas eve.  Onesies for everyone!

The kids made us homemade gifts for Christmas.  I thought this Christmas tag from Reegan was so cute!

We had a white Christmas in the form of hail!

We spent the morning doing our family thing, then headed over to some colleague's home for a Christmas dinner of Italian food.  It was yummy!  Oh, and played some Chicken Foot!

We introduced our kids to a game of White Elephant!

Then we headed to our house for dessert.  Jerry had been working on a Christmas puzzle, so Robert and Elaine helped us finish it up.

Sunset at about 4 o'clock!

Our new year's celebration was not one to go down in history as a great one.  Jerry had a stomach bug.  We all rang in the new year by going to bed before midnight!  We lead such exciting lives, wouldn't you say?! 

All different kinds of bicycles.





Come for a visit and we'd be happy to show you around!

 Around town.

My beach-combin' family!

Isn't that sand gorgeous?!

The Old Course was preparing for the Women's Open.

Eric and Bethany offered to keep the kids for us to have a date night!  Woohoo!!  Thanks guys!!

 Saint Andrews University

It gave such a quaint feel to see these painters!

The Museum of Saint Andrews University has several activities for the kids.

Saint Andrews castle ruins in the background.

 Old city wall

The fishing village of Crail.

Give us a big wave guys!!

See the lobsters by the little window at the top of this house?!

We stopped at this amazing little church between St. Andrews & Crail.