HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHLOE

Today we celebrate our oldest and her 15th birthday.  We are starting to feel old to think we have a 15 year old daughter, but the reality is we do.  We love how each of our kids are uniquely and wonderfully made by God to be something unique and Chloe is just that.

She has many qualities that both Kel and I wish we had in ourselves at her age - she is such a hard worker - organized - diligent about all things - funny - has the ability to laugh at herself in a very healthy way - and all around amazing young lady. 

This move has been the hardest on her of all the kids and she has persevered and showed herself to be stronger than she thought she was without losing any sense of her self along the way.  We are proud to be given the chance to parent her to date and are excited to be along with her on the journey as she becomes a successful adult someday soon!

Happy Birthday Chloe!

You can see some great pictures of Chloe at the blog posting I did a year ago today on the occasion of Chloe's birthday.

http://ourroyaladventure.blogspot.co.uk/2013_04_01_archive.html

BOLTON ABBEY - SKIPTON - AMERICAN DINER

We spent the last day with Mom and Pop visiting the Dales where we visited Skipton, Bolton Abbey and Billy Bob's American Diner for some yummy American food!  Kel paid $5 for a glass of Mountain Dew - but I think she thought it was worth it as we can't find that over here.

There are over 3000 miles of navigate able waterways/canals within England.  They were used many years ago during the Industrial Revolution to carry goods throughout England.  Today they are largely used for recreational use. We passed by one, where they had to turn the bridge around so the boat could come through and we enjoyed watching it.

 We also saw a big puff of smoke as we were traveling the Dales and pulled over to watch a steam engine make its way through the hills.

 Bolton Abbey

 KC has such a reputation for BBQ we even saw it on the menu here in the UK!

MISC PICS

Chloe got all dressed up for a friends birthday dinner this weekend. 

She is now sharing clothes with Mom.

 

Mom and Pop visited Hallmark this weekend where I work and saw a bit of Bradford

BATE

Last BATE with Grandma and Grandpa...we invited some other friends to join us as well!

 

NORMANDY TRIP - SOME MORE PICS

Rapeseed is the plant that is in bloom here - they harvest it to be used for cooking oil here.  As it is growing it turns a beautiful yellow color as you can see. 

The Bed and Breakfast we stayed at near Normandy

BARLBOROUGH CASTLE - FAMILY HISTORY

We had visited Barlborough Castle a few months ago as a family on a trip to London - which was the location of our ancestors (Cole) in the 1600s.  We were able to stop by and see it on the way to Normandy this past weekend.  It is still a school today.

 

NORMANDY FRANCE - DAY 2

Kel wasn't doing a lot better - but she toughed it out and wanted to press on.  We drove another 3 hours to the Normandy area and checked her into the Bed and Breakfast.  She got as comfortable as she could and wanted the rest to get the touring out of the way.

We made it to Omaha beach, the American Cemetery and onto Utah Beach where my mom's father landed in 1944.  It was an important journey for mom and memorable.  Enjoy some pics of our visit.

 

That evening we ventured into Port En Bessen for dinner.  Beautiful seaside village.