Kendal and Family Come! 13 - 19 October 2015

The week began with making plans for Kendal and family to come.  We had several phone calls in planning activities and a grocery list.  We had doctor appointments and hair cuts.  We were busy with our first week of being shift coordinators on our own!  It was scary as a lot was left to us to do and we wanted to be sure it was done right.  Planning rotas for the next week took time and we wanted to be ahead of the one two weeks out as we would be planning that one when Kendal's family was here and that would really be a conflict.

We made it through to Friday and Kendal's family came in that evening.  They were staying in the accommodations centre and having meals with us in our flat.  She surprised us by stopping in at the temple and I got a call to come to the front desk.  What joy to see her!!

Saturday, began with Nate baptising Bridger and Kendal with Dad assisting.  I was at the flat with Sam, McKenna, and Eme.  I told Eme on the phone that when she came I wanted a big, big hug from her, and she was good on her word.  What a hug I got!

Dad and I were off to begin our shift and they headed out for a day of adventure, going to Hughendon for family activities, touring, and seeing the sites.  They also spent time with Sister Reeder, a senior missionary here in the mission from their ward.  We see her when she comes to the temple and always enjoy a hug and hello.

We all met up in the evening and enjoyed sharing experiences, laughter, and fun being together.

We were off to church on Sunday and we enjoyed listening to the Primary Sacrament Program.  While we  prepared a meal, Grandpa took the kids to the prime meridian line in East Grinstead.

 Bridger, Sam, McKenna, and Eme.

 They found time for Grandpa to give them a spin in the park.

Whee. . . . .around we go. . . . .

 

An empty car park at the temple makes for a quiet weekend.

 and then met the Vowels family at the dining room in the accommodations centre for dinner and visiting.  Kendal and Nate had met them last year and wanted to reconnect with them.  We had chicken and rice casserole, peas and carrots, salad, rolls, and Natalie brought a huge apple pie from Costco for dessert.  Tony & Denise Vowels brought the drink and then we had ice cream cones for the children later.  It was a great time being together.

Back:  Natalie Green, Denise Vowels, Nate, J.J. Vowels, Steve Vowels, Tony Vowels.
Middle:  Kendal, Penny Vowels, McKenna, Mark Vowels, Sam, Bridger, Lizzie Vowels, Adam Vowels.
Front:  Leah Vowels, baby Becky Vowels, Stevie Vowels, Eme, Anthony Vowels.
Tony & Denise Vowels are Steve's parents and are missionaries at the temple with us.  Natalie was baptized last year and we have been teaching her the temple preparation lessons.  She will be going to the temple the end of the month.

Monday was our day together with sight seeing planned.  We began by going to breakfast at Toby Carvery in Old Windsor.  We had a great breakfast buffet meal with plenty to eat.  We then went to the castle.  The family enjoyed all there was to see and changing of the guard.

Bridger, Sam, McKenna, Eme, Grandma.

Grandpa enjoying his comfortable seat.

At Windsor Castle:  Nate, McKenna, Bridger, Eme, Sam, Kendal, Grandma, Grandpa.

We had packed sandwiches for lunch and enjoyed them as we left Windsor, headed to Stonehenge.  It was another wonderful English day with plenty of overcast, rain, wind, and cold.  When we arrived at Stonehenge we were all too lazy to get out of the car and go see the stones.  I had already seen them and Kendal and Nate weren't up to spending the money to get in.  (We saw the stones from the road as we arrived at the car park.)  Grandpa took his pass, which allowed up to 6 children to get in with him, and took the kids.  At first some of them didn't want to go but when they saw he was serious about going, they got shoes on and off they went.

Bridger, Sam, McKenna, Eme, and Grandpa.