Gillen Highlights

Alyssa Gillen was one of my college roommates, and is forever a friend. She lives in New York, and has three children who are pretty close in age to my children- Caleb (8), Cassidie (6), and Serena (3). She and her husband Kevin were brave (or crazy) enough to bring all three children over the ocean to visit us this past summer! I know it's been a few months since they came, but I am still pinching myself at the thought of it!

Here are some highlights from their week-long visit.

Fountains Abbey- The kids made their own paper versions of stained-glass windows, and got their faces painted.Ripon Cathedral
Day trip to the Lake District- We visited Beatrix Potter's Home (Hill Top), and The World of Beatrix Potter AttractionGirls' Day Out in Harrogate for some shopping and lunch at Betty's
Day Trip to York
We started our day at the National Railway Museum

Outside the museum they had a lot of fun activites for the kids, including the human hamster ball. (I was practically crying-laughing the whole time the kids were in there-- too funny!)

York Minster

Knaresborough Rowing on the River NiddWe spent the last few days of their trip in northern Wales
We really had a wonderful time being together. Yes, we saw some wonderful sights, but it was just so nice to be together with good friends. Alyssa and Kevin are the kind of people who are so much fun -- I kept wondering if I really knew how to have fun without them! Yes, we had our fair share of "moments"- kids throwing up in the car, waiting in long lines, waiting for food with cranky kids, etc., etc., but we always seemed to find a way to laugh out of the situation.

Until our next adventure together.......