WE'RE HERE!!!!

What a wild and crazy ride we have been on!!! I have to say that the kids were fabulous on the flight!!!! Of course it helped that Toy Story 3 was playing on the plane!!!!



So even though we sent a TON of stuff by both air and sea, we still had a TON of suitcases, seven to be exact, plus two car seats and four carry on bags!!! So because cars in England are typically so small, we had to have two cars drive us to the house...kids and I with carry on in one car, Keith and all the suitcases in another!!! The kids and I arrived first...with no key to the house!!!

Our front garden has a hydrangea bush!!!!

 

 

Once we got in the house...The kids loved the big empty rooms and immediately set off to explore, running up and down the stairs trying to figure out which room was theirs. We couldn't figure out how to unlock the back door so Keith and the kids climbed out the window so they could play in the backyard....looks like we made friends with someone in the neighborhood!!

After the cable man left at 3pm, we decided to take a walk to Richmond center to pick up a few things. We went into the first store and Ryan fell asleep on my shoulder, right about the same time that Mandy began to have a meltdown...Nice! After we finished up there, Keith needed to run across the street to the bank...I went to Starbucks...Mandy and Ryan both asleep!!! When Keith comes in to Starbucks, he finds me pinned to a chair with two sleeping children...in his arms, a toaster, stereo and a 32 inch TV....now what??? So Keith hops the bus, takes everything home then comes back to get us. I did have a great time people watching, and noticed a cute flower stand right outside the window...

Oh, and in case you're wondering....the kids not only slept through the night, but slept in until 8 am., that's 16 hours!!!

Today, after waiting for the new dryer and the first furniture delivery, the kids and I decided to venture out. Where was our first stop??? You got it, McDonald's!!

After lunch we decided to head over to Richmond Green for a little game of chase the pigeons!!

And what did we find on the green....good ol' fashioned telephone booths!!!!

We did actually get to the grocery store today. It was interesting carrying the groceries, holding the kids hands and getting on and off the bus...Doable for the small trips, but near impossible for larger shopping. Now for the grand tour of the house.....Come on in!!!!

Can anyone find the refrigerator????



There it is...about the same size as the one in my college dorm room!

Making themselves right at home.... 

Crazy new cartoons on Nick Jr....

 Let's go upstairs....

Ryan's Room has a decorative fireplace and a nice view of the backyard

Kids' bathroom has a funky toilet seat cover and cool tile design in the shower.

Mandy's got a nice sized room

Check out the crazy toilet in our bathroom...what's up with that?!

Up to the third floor.....

So that's about it for now.... I will update pics as we furnish and make it feel more like home. Tomorrow we are off to see Marshgate Primary School!

Cheers!

More Pictures from Keith

So this is the final week. Keith flies home Friday night and we all make the journey back together on Monday. I promise that once I am out there the pictures will be far more interesting!!!! Love to all!!!

Rainy Days in Richmond...Sainsbury's is our Big grocery store...it has delivery services!!!

Amsterdam Airport

 

A Sunny Day in Richmond....A look down our road and a view of the backyard...No John Deere Necessary!

YAY!!! More Pictures

Keith sent along more pictures today!!!

The top left picture is a view from our front door,

the other shots are sights around our neighborhood

Hahahaha! --->

            

These are pictures of the kids' school, Darell Primary School.

The one below is a neighborhood park.



Some new shots!

Keith left for London on Sunday night. He got off the plane and walked right into a three day sales meeting...wasting no time getting into it! On Wednesday afternoon he was able to get the keys to the house, unfortunately it is completely empty so he can't move in until we get some beds ordered!!! That's on my list today! Here are a few pictures he took of the first floor....

















We were also notified that our air shipment will be arriving at customs today so hopefully by Monday or Tuesday of next week it can be delivered to the house. We were able to get most of our clothes, kitchen, bedding and bath supplies on that shipment plus the ever so important Barbie Dolls and Trains!!! The sea shipment will be arriving at customs on October 16th so we hope that won't be delayed too long before delivery.

Keith will be home for a quick visit September 24-26 and then will come home again on October 8 to make the flight with the kids and I on October 11...Crazy huh?

Stay tuned, I will post more pictures when and if they arrive!!!

A Day of Many Emotions...

So the moving company came today....in five hours they managed to pack, inventory and load all the items that took me about 3 weeks to organize!! It was a whirl wind day filled with a variety of emotions... stress, sadness, excitement, but at the end of it all, relief that it's done. 

Keith leaves on Saturday...it's going to be a weird month for us. He will be figuring out his new job and organizing house details in London, while I maintain a routine for the kids and organize house details here...like I said weird....Anyway off to have a glass of wine!!! Cheers!