The New Forest

So after we visited the beach in Weymouth, we made our way up the coast and visited the New Forest on our way back to Aunt Jane and Uncle Steve's.  The place is really amazing - we could have spent days exploring.  There are a ton of wild horses that roam the area, and do a very good job of keeping the grass tidy and properly landscaped ;)

Sam on my shoulders - he LOVED pulling my hair - he got handfuls ;)

Seeing if Sam can forage for himself ;)

Trying to grab a piece of grass

I am smiling - but it totally hurts! :)

I love how you can see all the fallen trees - thanks to the may horses who keep the grass tidy

More wonderful trees :)

Happy trees :)

Weymouth

We stayed at the Fox Inn on Tuesday night and had such a fantastic time.  We had tea after we arrived and then had a wonderful dinner in their resteraunt at night.  Sam was so well behaved :)  After checking out we headed to Weymouth for a few hours at the beach.  This was Sam's first time at the ocean's edge and he seemed to enjoy the wind in his face.  We did not swim bcs it was not that warm out and the water is pretty cold.

The beach in Weymouth

Sam checking out the ocean for the first time

Salisbury Cathedral

On Tuesday we headed to Dorset to stay for the night and en route we stopped by the Salisbury Catherdral.
It is 750 years old and very impressive.

Family photos

Our wedding photograher, Sarah Bastille, was kind enough to take some photos of us at Habitat in mid-May.  Here are the final 8 images we selected :)

Kew Gardens

Yesterday we had a relaxing day at Jane and Steve's and Jane cooked a wonderful Sunday dinner for everyone.  There was a good number of counsins, significant others, uncles, and aunts and after dinner we dropped in Ruth and Phils to see everyone over there as well.

Today we got up at a decent time and then did some laundry and the like.  We headed off to Kew Gardens (which is just outside of London, actually very close to the airport ;) around 1pm.  We had no trouble finding it and got excellant (and free) parking as well :)  Here are some photos from our afternoon - we spent from about 2-6pm there and saw a godo amount of the gardens.  I think it is around 300 acres so it is hard to tackle all in one go ;)

From the butterfly room

Enormous Lily pads

Geoff and Sam :)

Big greenhouse with Palms in it

Pagoda in the distance

Kelley with Sam

I loved this bridge :)

This bench was under and in a tree - it was really neat and perfectly shady :)

Meeting his Palmer Great Grandparent

So a huge reason for us making the trip to the UK was so Sam could meet his great grand panents and sizeable family over here.  Geoff's grandmother has not been in the best of health, so it was really wonderful to see her face light up when she saw Sam.  She is doing remarkably well and is really amazing :)

First plane ride

This post is a placeholder for a few photos I have of Sam on his first plane ride.  He was just fantastic on the plane - really terrific all around!  It was great to have Jon, Christina, and Nicholas on the same flight as well - we really lucked out :)

No need for Sippy Cups

Sam really enjoys drinking of a glass - I think he just want to skip sippy cups and go on to the real deal ;)

Bouncing at the lake

Jon and Christina brought up Nicholas' bouncy chair to the lake.  Sam had a fun time trying out Nicholas' toy. Sam being smaller than Nicholas needed a book under his feet to properly push off ;)  As his Aunt Christina said "He has the world at his feet" :)

Simming at the Lake

For July 4th weekend we went to the lake.  It was a really perfect weekend - wonderful sunny weather and a lot of family and friends.  Sam used the float that Geoff's Mum gave him for his 6th B-day for his first "swim" in the lake.

 I love this photo of him and Lauren!  His belly is hanging out of his swim shirt and his face is classic Sam :)

Father Figure

Geoff woke up last week with the most amazing hair style - maybe someday Sam will have some hair just like this :)