More Baby Pics

Ok, Ok,..... I know that a lot of you are looking at the blog and saying, "more baby pictures, c'mon man we want to see some of the sights of Europe", in due time my friends, but until then, here you go.............

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Jailee can sit up for about 2 seconds and then she topples over - hence the blurred picture! This is her fisherman shorts outfit from Grama Joyce

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We've opted for sitting up in the stroller like a big girl even though we're strapped in tight and a blanket will have to go over our lap and on either side to prevent a little sliding.

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Here's her new dress from Grama Joyce

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Jailee and her Boppy! While learning to sit up with the Boppy behind her we thought a little break was in order, so relaxing a bit. As you can see she's getting a little more hair - at least enough to brush into a curl or stick up like a Cupie Doll.

An update on school, I got an A on my first test!!! I was pretty excited about that. Now I'm studying for the next one and it's a bit tougher so crossing not only my eyes but my fingers, toes, legs,....you get the picture! Jim is still at the Academy in Germany - hey that rhymes! We miss him tons, but are fortunate enough to get to talk to him every day. This past weekend he and some of the other students went to a wine festival. He'd heard that German wine wasn't so great, but it turned out to be pretty good so he'll be bringing home a couple souveniers. He said the "taste" was about an 8oz pour, and that was the small glass, so he only went to two tables. The festival included not only the tasting tents, but food booths, and carnival rides. I guess it's sort of like a county fair only larger and without the local farm stuff. We may plan a trip over there next year for the same event. Well I guess that's it for now.

jx4

Carrots

Just a few more pics of our little darling!

ENJOY!

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Look at those Chubby Legs!!

Lady Bugs Rule!!

Hanging out in my cargos and sweater!

Anyone up for a jog in the park?

Little girl!!

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Just hanging out again today - did some grocery shopping and picked up something new for the princess.

As you can see, somebody likes her carrots! - Yes there is more in her tummy than on her face and bib!

jx4

Hunstanton

Today Grama Joyce, Jailee and I went to Hunstanton, a small coastal town that looks out onto the North Sea. I believe that is it's claim to fame. Also along the cement walk (not a board walk mind you) there is a small theme park, very small, a putt putt golf course which they call "themed golf", lots of snack shacks, and a place to catch a boat ride. The boat is on wheels and drives right up to the side of the walkway, you jump on, it drives out to the water and floats away - pretty cool! The weather was about 26C - that's close to 80F and with no wind it was even a bit sweaty at the water side. Grama Joyce ordered a ham sandwich for lunch and was surprised to received buttered white bread with some shaved ham - that's it. I told her things are a bit different, and I knew to order my bacon sandwich with tomato and cheese, so I gave her half of mine to share. We had a great time, even Jailee seemed to enjoy her day,....below are some pics.

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A small part of downtown Hunstanton - the North Sea is behind us as we take the picture

Jailee sits in a highchair by herself for the first time. She also had a sip of water from a glass and did pretty well with it!

Grama Joyce and Jailee with the town of Hunstanton waterside in the background.

This is Lincoln Lodge - a lodge on this side and a strip of homes from the middle to the other end.

Grama Joyce and Jailee with the North Sea to their back. The boat directly behind them is the one with wheels.

Keep you posted!!! jx4 + one grama

Bath

Over Labor Day weekend we took a trip to Bath, England. Below are a few pictures and a little info about the town. Enjoy!

THE CIRCUS was designed by John Wood the Elder and was built by his son over a period of fifteen years. The houses, adorned with stone carvings and three orders of columns, form a perfect circle and is the first of it's kind in the history of British town planning. The circle is divided into three sections of equal length, which means that from any one of the three intersecting streets an enclosed facade can be seen giving the impression of a complete circle. The Earl of Chatham once lived in numbers 7 & 8 and the artist Thomas Gainsborough painted some of his most famous portraits at number 17 between 1765 and 1774.

Jackie and Jailee in front of number 7 which is now on the market for 4,000,000.00 pounds! That's close to $8,000,000.00 US dollars. It has 3 stories and a basement flat which includes an indoor swimming pool!

The Sausage Shop with International Varieties

BATH ABBEY ARCHWAY

England's last great medieval church, behind us while taking the picture and which was dissolved in 1539, is today the center of community and cultural life in the city. Bishop Oliver King built the sanctuary in 1499. He employed two master masons, Robert and William Verture, who created the "finest fan vault in England". The abbey is considered to be an outstanding example of perpendicular English gothic architecture. The Abbey Heritage Vaults has exhibitions commemorating the history of Christian worship at the Abbey from the Roman times to the present day, offering an insight into the importance of religion in Bath's history. The museum also displays artifacts unearthed during archeological excavations, including a skeleton thought to be 800 years old.

"JOLLY'S"

Jim and Jailee at the Baths

The lower level of the Baths

Built over 2000 years ago and unearthed by the Victorians, the Roman Baths are built around a natural hot spring, which rises to 46 degrees C and yields 250,000 gallons of water each day. Inside the museum there is a collection of objects including coins, metal cups, a fine bronze brooch and the gilt bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva. Today visitors can dine in the Pump Room, which has been a favorite meeting place in Bath since the 18th Century when fashionable society members gathered to sample the spa waters. We are not fashionalbe society members but we did get a free sample of the water to taste when we left the museum - WARM! and icky!

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A couple other museums include the Postal museum where the first paid postage stamp was sent from, and also the American museum where a reinactment of the Civil War takes place daily. We were unable to visit these two on this visit - the Postal museum was fittingly closed on Sunday and we didn't have time to make it over to the American museum, but is a must do on a return visit. All in all Bath is a beautiful city and we had a great day!

4j's

Cleansing Experience

While visiting the Tower of London our minds were enriched.

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Behold,...the Royal Crapper!

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The window above looks down about 3 stories over the courtyard below, but in times past there used to be a mote just under it. After, well I guess actually during and some time after, your eh..visit your eh....donation would make it's way through a long opening in the wall to it's final destination - again the mote in times past and today a courtyard. Not sure when the mote was filled in - don't think my mind made it past this point.

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"Sir" Jim strains for a picture!

jx4

Sweet Baby

Just a few more pics of our sweet baby

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Jaliee loves her toys!!

Jemma, checking out "sister"

Another toy!!

Bright-eyed girl

Jailee's chillin' and watching Tv after dinner.

Summer birthday bash with Grampa Gary, Grama Marti and Auntie Em'

Jailee found a cozy spot in Papa Fitt's arms

Story time with Nana Fitt

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Jim will be leaving for Germany on Friday, the 8th, to attend a 6wk course required for his job. We are going to miss him soooooo much and I'm sure Jailee will have changed a bit by the time he gets home. In his absence G'ma Joyce, my mom, will be here to help out while I go to school myself. She'll get to experience the sights of jolly ole England as well as her newest grandbaby. I'm sure we'll have lots to report in the coming weeks so stay tuned............

jack,.......jx4

Photos from Home

Hello Everyone! Here are just a few pictures from our visit home to Washington State. We had a great time, but it went by fast!

The Monte at the Gig Harbor Cruisers Car Show


Jailee's Honorary Grandparents, Milo and Monnie Moen,

are the proud owners of these beautiful rays of sunshine!

"Killer Cuda" at the GHC Car Show

Jailee's first visit to a winery was at Columbia Crest

The Gang - Jim, Brian, Milo, Coach Lance, Mark (the groom), and Nate (best man - best at what?)The day of the Bach' party they cruised over to Milo's in Marks boat and then headed to The Tides in Gig Harbor to fuel up on some good pub food!

Jailee gets to sit in the Monte for a while at the car show!

Jailee borrowed Auntie Em's old swimsuit for a quickdip in a bucket outside.

Jailee's first play date is with Chance Hollaway. Jackie's friend Amy moved to Portland shortly after we moved to the UK. Luckily we were able to get together while we visited WA

Jailee sits on Great Grandma Weddle's lap

Jailee and Grandma Marge, a long time friend of the Ottman family

Jailee's first pair of flip flops!

School Daze

So, is old age or motherhood to blame for my not being able to sleep at 5am after a long night at school? Hmmmm,....Whichever I'm up bright and early, staring at the computer.

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Yes, I said school. I've decided to use my time here in the UK to finish school. Right now I'm taking only one class - thought I'd slowly get back into the student groove. My class is Accounting 220 and after the first meeting I was completely confused! Our teacher reminded us that it is not Math, but simply a reorganization of numbers using basic math skills such as addition and subtraction. OK,...I can add and subtract but can I organize? I thought I could. I mean, you should see my cupboards! Well, this is a little different. I've given it some time, visited my teacher during office hours and have come to the realization that it really isn't that difficult as long as you take your time and think things through. Another quality of good accounting I'm assuming is patience - and I must say I'm not too virtuous! Keeping my fingers crossed, we all know C's get degrees so hopefully I can at least pull that out!

Pretty sure this was the look on my face all of last week!

Mark said to call him when I had no class - what's he trying to say?!

Peace out,.....jx4