Rupert got baptized this year

 

It's been a good several months since posting anything here.  Honesty this year was packed and just flew by.  So many high highs, and low lows too.  I wanted to return with a highlight - Rupert's baptism! 

It was just him getting baptized from the stake at that time so we had the whole program to ourselves.  We had Rupert make a lot of the decisions, like who would give talks and who would be the witnesses.

Honesty I don't remember all that but I do know Rupert asked me to give the talk on baptism.  I literally wrote it that morning so it was rather thrown together but I thought it was sweet he wanted his mama to talk.

Rupert is such a happy boy.  He has such a light and a lot of energy.  He's easy to love.

Everyone is growing so fast.  Elliot is taller than Andrew now, Avery is looking more and more like the teenager she is, Zara has a big heart and is a big helper, and Beatrix is one of a kind and so smart.

So grateful to Andrew for baptizing our kids.  Only one more of our kids to go!

Bridlington coast

We almost completely missed this magical place in Bridlington.  The first time we went to Sewerby Hall Andrew saw on a map this coastal path nearby.  We didn't have time to see the North Sea then, so when we returned to the zoo at Sewerby Hall this was the perfect time to check it out.  So glad we did because it was just breathtaking.

The cliff was beautiful and we all braved a look over the edge and kept walking down the path.  There were lots of people walking and dog walkers too but we were so excited to discover stairs to the beach!

Here are the stairs you take down to the beach.  This really was such an adventure!

This photo reminds me of one I took of these two girls at the beach in Bridlington years ago.  Wish we replicated it there but glad I have this one. :)

I learned on at this place that chalk comes from nature.  The while rocks there write just like chalk!  Andrew drew this cute heart and initials. :)

These leafy things were so slippery.  It was tricky getting across without slipping into puddles.

So many cool rocks and shells.  Beaches are the best for exploring.

We found several of these rocks with wholes in them.  Wonder how that happened.

Bea refused to wear her coat at this point but loved this polka dot sweater from Niamh.

We could have spent hours here walking around the coast on the top, and the beach at the bottom, and discovering cool things.  It would be fun in the summer with swimsuits on the beach.  Looking forward to return here.

Sewerby Hall Zoo

 

Sewerby Hall Zoo was paid for on our tour of the house on Saturday but we didn't have time before close to visit the zoo and I am so glad we returned Monday before the seaside to see it.

It's pretty surprising the amount of animals kept here on this estate, and some unique ones like penguins.  The penguins were so cute!  It was a tie between them and the guinea pigs for cuteness factor.  Just adorable and funny to watch, but there were also lots of birds and goats, pigs, and alpacas.  Not a full zoo, but so fun to walk around.

We had the place almost to ourselves since it's off season and pretty cold and wet but we fully enjoyed ourselves.  There's even a playground, cafe, and formal gardens we never got to see so this would be a great place to return to, better yet in the summer months.

Bishop Burton

 

Bishop Burton is a village the we pass through on the way to Bridlington, or Scarborough, from Hull.  We've passed through it many times over the years but this is the first time we stopped and walked around for a bit.  Kristy highly recommended it and I'm glad we did.  Such a beautiful little village.  The houses were well taken care of, and you can feel the history.

This cute little house faces The Mere on a street called The Green.  I mean, can it look more English and historical?!

This is The Mere, a pond that the highway drives right along the side of.

Trying to imagine what it would be like to live here.  This is School Green where the local school used to be.

We went down a long lane where there was a long row of these bushes with orange leaves dividing the properties.  Such a pretty color!

Up on top of this hill past The Mere is All Saints Churchyard. A typical church in England that has been around a long time and has an old, cool looking cemetery.

I couldn't get enough of this white house that faces the church.  Those bushes are so cute.

That lantern past Elliot reminds me of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.  For a minute I thought we might have crossed into Narnia.  These lamps are not uncommon in England.

I mean . . . this old brick wall with the vine and moss is just so interesting to me.  It tells a story.

Love a good front door/porch situation.  And that redbrick!  We probably only spent 30 minutes or so and so glad we did.  A beautiful stop on the way to Bridlington.  

I love when a house has a name.  You just don't see that here, especially not on the West coast.  Glad we didn't just drive through like normal.