we are still here...

and still having fun, with limited access to the internet at the moment however, but working on getting internet. Be patient...
more posts with pics to come...

London

We made it to London, a member of the church let us stay at his house for a few days until we could find something else. Which we did today, and are excited to get closer to the city. We will be walking distance to Hyde Park and our church. It will only take Jeff 10 minutes to get to his work. We have a ton of free museums just on the otherside of hyde park. We are excited to be here, even if it is for just a short time.

I have mixed feelings about leaving the double jogger at home, but totally glad we brought the single jogger instead of the crappy umbrella type one. Like when we are on the subway i'm glad we brought the single but when we're trying to walk fast wish we had the double. It is a lot of walking for Zack so we have to make Reagan share. Sometimes she is okay with it, other times she just screams until she realizes he's there to stay.
Freezing in Hyde Park.

*Christmas*

We couldn't believe all the snow! This was just in one day and it wasn't done...
Thanks papa and grammy...

Cousins...well, 1/2 sisters in a way

We had a fun christmas the boys went shooting....

Reagan hated it...

We Miss You Grandpa

My grandpa John passed away the day after Christmas he was 88 years old. He lived a great life and we will miss him so much, but glad that he is no longer suffering. I will miss all of his old war stories and boxing stories. He was also great at telling jokes. He was a great man. These pics were taken in April it was the last time I saw my grandpa. I am sad that there is not one of Zack and him, but Zack just wouldn't do it.

try these

recipe is on the right under all of my recipe postings...enjoy!

playing in the snow

We didn't have any of his snow stuff except his boots and hat so we had to make do with what we had. He didn't care though, he just wanted to get outside and play in the new fallen snow, who can blame him. We had fun. I pulled him around the yard on his sled and then we found a "sledding hill" it didn't work very well, but he had fun.

He started off dry and warm....

And a couple face plants later...the happiest, wettest and coldest little guy in town...time for hot cocoa

did we mention we LOVE midway

It's good to be home

I am so glad to be home. I can't post pictures because our stuff hasn't arrived yet and I do not have the cord. It seems like we have waited for this since we moved to Michigan. And now we are back! Such a good feeling.

The weather for the first week was amazing. Zack was riding his bike outiside and playing in the grass in December! When we left Michigan it was cold and snowing/icing whatever you want to call it. And this week we have been hit with a huge snow storm. Perfect for Zack to go sledding...pics to come...

We finally put a tree up, our only chirstmas decoration, but it's huge so it can count for most of the stuff we didn't put up.

We are missing everyone in MI and hope you all have a wonderful christmas.

This post is for Brittney Osbourne, I can no longer view your blog. Will you please re-invite me...cpriddle23@hotmail.com

Happy Birthday Jeff

Here's a post to my hubby for his birthday.
Thanks to all you have done for me and the kiddios. Thank you for being a hard worker and setting that example for Zack. Thank you for going to school. Thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for two beautiful children. I am so blessed to have you in my life and look forward to the years to come.

MY HUSBAND
1. What is his name? Jeffrey Keith Riddle
2. How long have you been married? 6 years as of June 7, 2008
3. When is his birthday? November 30
4. How old is he? the big 30 today
5. Who eats more sweets? definatley Jeff, but I eat my share
6. Who said I love you first? Jeff
7. Who is smarter? I'm sorry I just can't compete with a physics major...he is. I can ask him any random question and he always knows the answer.
8. Whose temper is worse? lol, it's his and he knows it!
9. Who does the laundry? I do for the most part unless he has ran out of socks, then he takes the initiative.
10. Who does the dishes? We both do.
11. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do
12. Who pays the bills?I do. but he's supposed to take over after law school...we shall see
13. Who cooks dinner? If I don't cook that night, he's fine with making his own food.
14. Who drives when you are together? I usually do, it goes back to his temper, he has road rage,
15. Who is more stubborn? He is on some things, but I definatley am.
16. Whose parents do you see the most? We are lucky we both live in the same town but since we usually stay at my house i'll say my parents.
17. Who proposed? He did
18. Besides you, who is his best friend? His twin brother, Brian
19. Who has more siblings? There are 7 kids in his family, and only 4 in mine.
20. Who wears the pants in the family? Jeff does...
21. Do you have nicknames for each other? He ususal he calls me chooch, babe, honey etc. I call him Jefe, babe, honey the normal ones.

Time flies on wings of lightening

Especially when you are surround by good friends and people who will drop everything to help you. Thank you to all of you out here in Michigan who made it just that much better to be here. We came here not knowing anyone and we are leaving with friendships that will last forever.

It doesn't really seem like it has already been 2 1/2 years. And now in just 6 days the kids and I will fly home for the last time from Michigan. It's been fun out here and we were so blessed for the opportunity, but we are ready to begin the next chapter...one that includes a paycheck and no student loans.

I have to admit that I love packing everything up, it gives me the chance to get rid of things and deep clean. I have already made 3 car loads to good will (it helps that it is just down the street) and I have thrown away atleast 10 trash bags thus far. I LOVE throwing things away (especially clutter) and reorganizing everything. We are definatley leaving with less stuff than we came out here with.

Thank you to everyone out here. It was a fun ward to be in and definatley the only one of it's kind. It's sad knowing there are so many new people I haven't gotten to know. But our paths may cross again.

Day at the Museum

last day at the zoo

and that's a wrap

OK, These are posted backwards. But oh well, atleast they are posted. What a busy month! I am semi glad it is over with Reagan's bday, Zack's bday, and all of the halloween festivities, it was a really busy month. That is really all I have to say about that.

Here is Zack with some dracula teeth he got, we decided the red eye was a nice touch...
A quick trip to patriarche park for some fun pics....

We went to impression 5..... Zack decided that day he wanted to be an army guy instead of a fireman. Thank heaven most of the costumes were on sale. Thanks again mindy for Reagan's cute costume. I got so many comments on it!

Dance Pary to Jock Jams...Zack got into this way more than I thought he would have. It has now become a daily event. Reagan even had fun shakin' her booty.

Pumpkin Carving: Reagan and Zack both really enjoyed themselves. Reagan wasn't afraid to dig right in, and even tried a few pumpkin seeds.

conversations with a 4 year old

here is my conversation with my 4 year old on our way to school today:
as we passed a borack obama campaign sign

Zack: mom, we don't like barack obama do we?
Me: it's not that we dont like him, we just don't like what he thinks (trying to keep it simple)
Zack: we have to kill him don't we
Me: NO, we don't want kill anybody!!
Zack: If he becomes president I will die...(at this point I see the wheels turning)
Me: really?!
Zack: We can't shoot him?
Me: We don't shoot people, we shoot deer.
Zack: how about the arm?
Me: lol No we don't shoot people.
Zack: then we have to put him in a big (he holds his hands out) container and like hide him.
Me: ummm, no let's just not vote for him.

It went on like this til we saw a big dump truck and I was able to change the subject. It is so funny what kids pick up when you don't think they are even listening.