Leaves are Falling, Autumn is Calling

When the kids are away, the grown-ups will play! Seth and I have been blessed with time this year. Time together, just the two of us, to go for a hike, grab a cup of coffee or breakfast and to explore our surroundings. For some reason, jobs, young kids, have prevented us from having that time back home. We truly feel blessed and won't take this gift of time for granted.

October 25th: Another beautiful fall day. Seth had class, so I had some alone time until picking Asher up at noon. We are still in awe of the beautiful Holyrood Park right in the middle of the city, so every chance we get that is where we are drawn.

Views from Arthur's Seat

 October 26th: Seth and I hiked the Salisbury Crags followed by a yummy breakfast at South Pour.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse - is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II, but only for one week out of the year. Located at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century, and is a setting for state occasions and official entertaining.

The ruined St Anthony's Chapel stands above St Margaret's Loch. 

October 27th: Prepping for Halloween with a little Halloween party at our flat complex. A few of the older kids prepared games and yummy sweet treats. The kids were good sports with letting me practice face painting!

 2 Unicorns and a Batman

October 28th: We carved pumpkins with our good friends the Burris'!

When did scooping the goop become the
least favorite part?

Easton and Isabelle

Kylie and Macyn

Kylie, Asher, Norah

October 31st: Halloween fun for all! Asher had a party at his school, Kylie and Norah had a party at theirs and our flat complex did trick or treating! (If ever in Scotland and going trick or treating be prepared with a joke, that is how you earn your candy!) Kylie will help you out with a couple: What do you call a witch that lives in the sand.... a sandwich!! Why did the skeleton go to the party alone.....because he had no BODY to go with!!

Isabelle and Norah

Norah's book buddy Lily. She is the sweetest
and Norah really looks up to her!

Norah's good friend Sesughter, from Nigeria

Sesughter, Norah, Kylie, Asher and Sophia (Kylie's good friend from Iran)

November 3rd: Loving this fall weather! From what we hear back in Virginia it is STILL raining! Morning at The Meadows!

November 4th: The Battle's are in Edinburgh: Kimberly, Ryan and their two cuties, Parker and Olivia! We were very excited to catch up for an evening! We met for appetizers at our flat and walked to our local pub, The Old Bell Inn, for dinner! We had a wonderful time to say the least! As you can tell the kids loved being together!

Kimberly and Seth graduated HS together!

The end of October and beginning of November has been fun and the weather has been beautiful! The kids are settling in nicely to their new surroundings, but deeply enjoy familiar faces!

We are very blessed to have three wonderful kids!