.

Day number 2 of our trip provided me this gem.

Best. Family. Picture. Ever.

Matt looking dapper as ever of course, and twinsies with the wife earns him extra bonus points.  Me hoping my dad doesn't drop my phone while figuring out how to take the picture.  Noah in pure travel out-of-his-head exhaustion mode. And dear Gabrielle...It's a framer.

But look at the guy in the red shirt standing on my shoulder.  That is a bona fide punter, leaving this picture as firm evidence that we have been somewhere cool.  Somewhere far away.  Even if we looked like this when we were there.

Here are a few more pics of this fine day...

 The interesting thing about this trip was that we weren't so much tourists.  I mean Sue probably thought different for as many times as we thought the car turning right was out of control and going to hit us...

BUT. aside from that. and the lack of Starbucks...

We were just chillin' with family.  Checking out the neighborhood.  Eating. Drinking. Visiting.  It was really the best. I snapped photos with Instagram but left my big camera at home.

Our daily schedule went as follows:

Get out of bed at 10am. yes please.

English breakfast until noon.

Out the door on a small yet perfect adventure.

on to a pub, or two.

Gabi having at least 3 J2O's a day, wasn't sure how she would live without them.

Dinner. Some out, some cooked at home. All great

and usually capped with some good ol' tele.

I highly recommend:

it is on my Christmas wish list.

That time we went to Europe...

Yea, it was nothing short of pure awesomeness.

We had 10 whole days of being abroad.  How fancy and cool we felt, minus the gazillion times we commented on the driving and the brick houses and the accents and the just-about-everything-in-our-site.   

We are so... 'merican

Anyways... here is how it went down Day Numero Uno:

Despite the fact that I could not, for the life of me, get this picture in its original form onto this here post I just settled for the screen shot because I do love it so.  For this captured the very moment when I saw my life flash before my eyes.  I just knew we weren't going to make it.  I could see this thing just spinning out of control like Dorothy's house in the tornado.  And I did not see any yellow brick roads in our landing.

For God's sake Burlington, get some real planes and one of those jet bridge things... jeez!!!

The picture above is my new xanax.  In years past I have often traveled solo, or just me and the kiddos.  I was always drugged.  I thought it might take a baseball bat to the head to get me to fly over the ocean, because I know for a fact, there is no Emerald city tarmac in the Atlantic...

But no head contusion necessary, for Mister Witt has the ability to calm me with a holding of hands and a gentle look.  The look that says, "don't worry darling, we will be just fine.  and if we are not we are going down together." 

and up and away we went.  drink please!

And to my surprise we made it.  And weren't these two a site for sore eyes.  Grandpa Jay and Lady Sue met us in London, picked our tired ... up, drove us to their quaint village for a rinse off and refresh.  And then for the most lovely walk through Fordham.  Now, our little Vermont village is quaint and I adore it, but their little village is quaint on steroids.  I mean, truly lovely.

We went to the allotment where they are growing some beautiful beans and so much more.  I spotted a textured door covered in ivy that I wanted to rip off and shove in my suitcase.  I settled for a photo.

That evening we also had a delicious curry and some much needed visiting.

Oh, and we were also introduced to this:

 The spreadsheet.

Day two tomorrow!

One of my very favorite people...

This guy, my Papa, is currently at my house.

I am not there.  I am in England by now, but he is there.

In the past 3 days he has swooped in like a super hero and:

Watched the small Witt children while Matt and I worked.  Took Matt to work when he lost his car keys in the ignition mind you, taken us to dinner twice, jotted down notes so he could WATCH OUR HOUSE AND OUR DOG AND OUR CAT while we are away.

I mean jeez.  I couldn't love and appreciate this guy anymore.

Regarding the Isenberg's...

Jensin -

The new graduate.  I adore you darling.  You are a beautiful and feisty young woman and I love your company.  The last six months have rocked your world but have not knocked you down.  Colorado is so lucky to get you!!  I cannot wait to see you grow in these next four years and I will be looking for you in the ski marketing industry come 2016! 

oh, and you totally rock at the double dutch!

Colby - 

You are a mentor. You have taught my children how to be kind to others.  This has recently touched my heart... A few weeks ago we were eating dinner at a friends where an imaginative four year old boy resides.  He wanted Noah to play dragons with him and I could tell Noah was not too interested.  I then notice a little bit later that Noah had become fully engaged with this boy and they were slaying all sorts of mystical creatures together.  When we said our good byes and began our drive home Noah offered his change of heart.  He said that he did not want to play that game with his smaller friend but then suddenly he remembered his cousin Colby and how he always played with him and made him feel special and he wanted be like that.

And I about wept.  Thank you.

Sherry - 

One of the most extraordinary women I have ever known.  Strong, independent, fierce... and loving and kind and thoughtful.  My children are always on your Christmas list, all while wearing your powerful business suit and hopping on international flights.  We are always on your guest list for holiday meals where you prepare a feast for royalty and yet it is just us.  This year is not your best.  You are faced with the challenge of your life.  A simple surgery gone awry.  5 months has passed since seeing you last, laying unconscious in ICU.  When you walked into the room this weekend my heart leaped with joy.  Walking, smiling, talking, spirit still there.  The children's daily prayers for you, answered.  You are recovering. 

The strength you show: amazing

The progress that you have made: defying

The depth of my feelings for you: indescribable    

Our prayers continue.  Our love is here for you.  And I await the call for a girls lunch in the city...

Marc - 

 

You are my hero.  

Truly.  

I sit in silent admiration of your grace and your courage.

You are an amazing man and I feel privileged to know you.

And to Papa, and Uncle Mike, and my Mom....  and Kiel and Marcia who were both missed this weekend...  I sit in peace because you are in my life and I love you all dearly.

For the record...

You are The Man...

Because first thing this Sunday/Father's day morning you got your drill out and fixed our broken door knob. And now we can go out the front door and shut it (naturally) and not say swear words when we realize we have to walk all the way around the house to get back in again.  Thank you.

Also, thank you for being the very best father to our family. You take care of us in so many ways it is impossible to count. You single handily make the three of us feel uniquely special through your kind words and unconditional love.  You are a gem of a man Mister Witt and we love you so.

Lastly, thank you to our Father's, both Matt and my own.  Thank you Mark, for thinking of us at 4am and calling at 7am with all the ideas you have about how we can live a better life.  How we can be secure and happy. Thank you for carrying a 50 pound button press all the way from Arizona so that I can one day make buttons again.  It is the little things you do that make me grin and feel loved.  Thank you Dad, for being awesome and hilarious and supportive and loving. And courageous and adventurous. To show me the way to a fun life that is filled with good intention ...and it is 11:11.  How about that???  

Meaningful.

Love you all.

Yesterday, this girl...

put on some muckers.

stomped into the marsh.

emerged with a ginormous stick.

for her dear friend henry.

broke off the top.

handed it over.

then finished her rhubarb.

she has come a long way from her days in plastic heels and refusal to hike.

well done goosey.

proud of you.

Last day of school dinner...

Looks like this:

Fresh garden green salad with shredded carrot and chopped plums dressed with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and VT maple syrup.

Per request of Mister Witt we had vegetarian chili cheese dogs!!  They were fantastic. I did run 5 miles this morning to burn this puppy off ;-)

The grand finally was a hit... Frozen bananas dipped in milky chocolate and rolled in treats.

sprinkles

coconut

peanut butter chips.

Yes please.

Then the Mister and I looked over the well deserved notes sent home by our awesome teachers.

The kids are amazing.  And at the risk of sounding boastful I must say one thing..

YOU GUYS ROCK

YOU ARE THE BEST

YOU ARE SUPER SMART
AND OH SO AMAZING

and i love ya.

and then we chowed!

and lastly, I thought it was super kick ass when Noah said our prayer and expressed thanks to me for, and I quote...

"these super righteously awesome chili cheese dogs, Amen"