family...

The last 2 weeks our hearts have been full. Chase's parents came for a visit to spoil Finn. Before they made it up to Chester we met them in Kent to visit some long lost family that my father in law Dave hadn't seen since childhood. I can honestly say that both Chase and I have never had a more pleasant evening with complete strangers, who also happened to be family. It was refreshing to have a proper English meal, watch others love on my baby boy, and hear stories of Dave's youth (I'm pretty sure the actual term was "little hellion" when my father in law was described). I cannot express what a delightful evening we had with these lovely people, Chase and I are looking forward to visiting them again very soon. 

L to R: Jane, Howard, Miriam, Libby, Denise, Kim, Chase, Denise, Dave, and Finnigin.

After settling in for a day or so into our Coach House Stable, we packed the car and headed to Scotland! We made quite a few scenic stops along the way including a wakeboarding run for Chase at a ski and wakeboard club in Manchester that Chase has been dying to go to for weeks. If you talk to Chase about this he will go on and ON about how awesome it is for over 20 minuets, caution. But I do love that he has been able to find things that he loves to do while we're here in between his very long hours.

Up in the Lake District. Neese and I hopped a fence to get this picture, Neese stepped in sheep poop, and below is where I got poison ivy on my foot...ahh memories : )

Finn and Daddy walking along Hadrian's Wall.

As you can see from the plaid covered bus seats that we are in SCOTLAND! We got to tour the "Scotch Whiskey Experience". We tried 4 different kinds of scotch from the different regions that they make it, and we got to see the single largest collection of scotch in the world. Of course we got to bring Finn with us (I say of course because it is completely normal to bring your "baby into a bar"), and of course he pooped in the smelling and tasting room tainting my "Scotch Experience".  

At the Edinburgh Castle.

At the Bamburgh Castle on our way home.

Finn breaking the rules and running on the grass.

Perhaps it's just my Nordic heritage, but I just felt so peaceful and at home on the North Sea. 

At the railroad museum in York. 

Finn, Chase, and Dave went nuts here, it was pretty cute to see 3 generations on these Nichols men share their love for trains.

And this is me just putting the Bob to good use.