Henry turns one

Happy Birthday Henry!

How can you be one, sweet boy?

Seems like only yesterday that we brought you home!

Since then you've charmed us with your constant smile, boyish laugh, and head bobbing dance moves.

Everyday with you is an unbelievable blessing.

We love you so much!

Party time!

We had an Octoberfest theme: bratwurst, sauerkraut, corn muffins, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, salad, and don't forget the beer and cheese fondue!

Cake time!

How will Sir Henry do with his first real sugar?

Delicious

Lucy and Rosie test out Henry's new haul of boy toys including a hammer and peg set, and a singing and dancing "Handy Manny" tool set!

Fresh from the bath with Auntie Hezzie

We love you Sir Henry!

Storytime LIVE

Our friends Jenny and Mike (and their amazing kiddos Maddie and Wil) invited us to go with them to Downtown LA to attend the Nickelodeon Live show at the Nokia theater. Our friends Sarah and Tony and the twins came too.

What an amazing show!

Lucy sat perfectly still for the first half, taking it all in, eyes glued to the stage. Henry, on the other hand, clapped and bobbed his head through the whole thing! 

I'm the map! I'm the map! I'm the map!I'm the map! I'm the map!

The Hunt men gave the show two thumbs up

Fletcher, Fallon, Maddie, Lucy, and Wil. . . seasoned theater-goers

The crowd!

(Thanks for letting me swipe your pictures, Sarah and Tony. Swiper no swiping! Swiper no swiping! Swiper no swiping!)

Hunt Family Farms Strikes Back!

In your FACE mediocre carrots and non-existent corn!

St. Fagans

Last Wales post. . .

We took a short day trip to St.Fagans, a Welsh historical site in which village life is represented and restored beautifully. It was amazing poking through old village shops, seeing the blacksmith work, and seeing the old castle site.

Despite the dodgy name, St. Fagan's was a beautiful place to stroll around.

Thanks for another incredible trip! Can't wait to play again soon!

Pub lunches and then some. . .

There was just too much fun had on our trip to Wales for one blog entry.

I have to add one more (ok, maybe two.)

This is the Ty Mawr

It is a lovely old pub on a hill that overlooks the city. Simon and I came here a couple of times in our no-kids-what-do-you-want-to-do-tonight-I-don't-care-let's-walk-up-to-the-pub days.

Turns out, it's fun up there WITH kids too!

Kids menus and cutlery. . 

Then something amazing happened! 

Terry and Sharon watched the kids and Simon and I went out for a 

. . .wait for it. . . wait for it. . . DATE!

We headed out via train to Cardiff for a night on the town.  We walked around the shops and had dinner at Wagamama, another old favorite.

We stayed out till a ripe old 8:00!

Oodles of noodles. 

Yes, please. 

We popped over to Jane and Justin's house for lunch one afternoon. 

The boys had a lot of catching up to do.

Uncle Si tells it like it is

Wales Watching

A short walk from the Hunt's home is a little park by Simon's old "scout field." We walked the kids down for a little romp in the sunshine. Simon got a bit misty eyed and wandered off at one point to look around and recall old shenanigans from his younger days.

Lucy teetered and tottered

Nana Wales pushed enthusiastically (per Lucy's request)

Henry got in on the swinging

We also had a chance to go up to Thornhill farm. Simon, Sharon, the kids, and I all squeezed (yes, I sat sideways) into Sharon's Volkswagon Polo for the short trip and we were so glad we did.

What a wonderful little farm!

The farm had goats, ducks, chickens, cows, sheep, donkeys, and yes, a couple of reindeer, just for kicks.

We loved it!

And a nice stroll around Roath Park is always a good idea- More teeter totter action. . .

To Be Continued. . .

Wales

It was time.

We hadn't been back since 2008, and we were ready to head to WALES.

We were beckoned by the promise of Autumn, pub lunches, and the Ryder Cup.
However, the most compelling argument for getting on that 11 hour flight was family. Nana and Papa Wales were seriously missed and due a trip, and we had new cousin Baby Ben Watts to see. So, we got on that flight, crossed our fingers and flew.

The flight was fine- though neither child slept.
We arrived sleepy and happy and dopey. . .and one bag short (soon to be delivered.)

While the men attended the Ryder Cup, the ladies took a little stroll through Cardiff. My mom, the history buff, took the tour of Cardiff Castle while Sharon and the kids and I took the tour of Jamie Oliver's new Italian restaurant, Jamie's Italian.

Sharon and Lucy

Lucy peruses the kids menu via View Finder- 

(she chose the ravioli, by the way which Henry promptly devoured)

Henry, feeling inspired by the local flavor, tries his hand at "colouring"

Cardiff Castle and Kids

We were treated to some Watts time as Simon's sister Jane and her son Ben joined the mix. We took walks and had meals and let the kids crawl around together.  

We looked like we meant business walking down the street!

Nice to meet you, Baby Ben.

We had several fun and memorable pub meals, this one is the Traveller's Rest.

As we drove in my mom squealed, "It's THATCHED!!" What a great evening.

The Welches headed off to do some sightseeing. . .

and the Hunts stayed with the Hunts to do some Hunting.