Family Feud

Big B. Squared.

Lost in thought.

While we were there, the Olympic clock stopped working and there was so much talk about it and we were in the square while they were trying to fix it. They were interviewing people and asking, "Is this an omen?" or "What other bad things are going to happen?" It must have been a slow news day.

This is for my father-in-law from B.

So an Englishwoman, a Scottish woman, and an Irishman walk into a bar...

Changing of the guard of the royal jewels.
The jewels aren't even that pretty!

The Chapman men sure love their cannons.
Stop giggling.

Who designs military attire? This does not make me feel intimidated at all.
Doesn't it look like a dress? Maybe even a little Gustapoish?

Ancient military attire worn by the modern man.

Chelsea chum checking out the chimney.

Castle. ooooooo pretty.

Tower Bridge. Normal haze.

I've already been to London a few times for medical reasons, so how fun can that be?, but this time was my favorite! B and I were able to meet his sister and brother-in-law there for a sweet vacation. The kids were home with a babysitter getting spoiled and Logan was getting spoiled by being with us 24/7 in my favorite ERGO carrier.

There were many of jokes going back and forth because I am Scottish, the two Chapman siblings are English, and then the bro-in-law is Irish, so you can see how there could be constant banter back and forth. It's so funny how Europeans are so territorial. They are the United Kingdom for Pete's sake. I guess we get that from Texans and Californians. Weirdos. :) Can you imagine someone fighting over how cool it is to be a Montanan vs. Ohian? We are the United States people. I digress.

We stayed in the Wimbleton area this time, which was new for us and a away from the beaten path. We stayed in an apartment that hosted many of the players of Wimbleton. Very posh!

We had a grand ole jolly good time!

We Have a Royal One Here!

The Scotland Castle. It's been rebuilt WAY too many times.

We bombed an innocent bystander to take our pic. Logan was a dream tourist! And more often than not, he was more of the tourist attraction for everyone else. People in Europe just don't see many babies, I guess.

I've never been prouder to be a Stewart than when we were here in Scotland. Everyone kept asking us if we had Scottish ancestry and when I told one man that I was a Stewart he put his arm around me and yelled to all in a 40 foot radius with the heaviest Scottish accent, "We have a royal one here!" I've never heard someone roll their r's as much as he did. And then when I told him Logan Scott Chapman's name, he proclaimed, "My what a grand first two names you got yourself, my wee friend." And then he looks at me with disdain on his face, "You married an Englishman, did you?" Poor B. :) All he could muster, later of course out of earshot of any Scottish man, "Yea. We just conquered you!"
Defensive much?
He's just jealous. ;)

Us on the hill behind our hotel overlooking the city.

Who can't resist getting a pic with a bagpiper??

We got an email from B's sister and bro-in-law telling us that they were going to London for a week and so we decided that we would like to go and meet them for a few days. Since they wouldn't arrive until a Monday, we though we would go somewhere for the weekend before meeting up with them. We decided on Ediburgh, Scotland. It was fantastic! Not only did they speak our language (somewhat :) this is where much of my heritage is from, so I felt a special connection with them. It brought back memories of my Grandmother and all the stories of our Scottish ancestors and how she would tell us how proud, noble, and royal we are. It meant nothing to me back then. Okay, so it doesn't account for much now either, but I've changed a little bit since being there. I have bonded, if you will, with the people there and can seriously say that they are my favorite people on Earth. We were always greeted with smiles and people went out of their way to help us. Knowing how AWESOME these people are, I, too have an inkling to strive to live up to my ancestry.

Oh, and did I mention the food? We loved it! The Scottish porridge, the meat pies, and the flapjacks (oat bars) were the bomb. And these were all that I thought I wouldn't like.

So the quote of the day was when the tour guide at the castle was speaking of a Stewart that gained throne in (blah blah blah) and was great (blah blah blah) and he was so great, he said, that they gave him the highest honor in Scotland. They named a pub after him! Ha!
Okay, so you have to go there to see how they worship their pubs.

Lucky we have Logan

My little cuddle-buddy.

Happy to play play play!

Not so happy to be on the tummy.

HAPPY!!

Uh-oh. We are trying to nip this in the bud already. He takes a binky, thank goodness, but what is it with my children and having to suck on something? I have pics of my 1st 3 with their thumbs in their mouth IN THE WOMB and this one is already doing it, but prefers his 2 middle fingers upside down. We are replacing it with the binky whenever possible. Believe me, the binky is WAY better than letting them suck on appendages.

His chipmunk-like laugh with his mouth wide open is my favorite!

Logan finally got a hang of the bumbo. He would rather lay down than sit up for sure.

Sporting a onesie that his cousin made for him at Activity Days. Can't you tell he loves it? It's my favorite one to put him in. Thanks Kaela!

Again with the tummy time. He won't cry, but he refuses to smile when he's on his belly. He just looks at me as if to say, "Are you happy now? Is this enough?" And I have to help him roll over becuase he gets stuck.

So 6 months have gone by. Who blinked? This little man has been the BEST baby. Even better than Haley was and I figure it's my awesome parenting skills. Pashaw! (Who really believes that?) After having 4, I think that less and less because I have realized how different their dispositions are and how innate their personalities are. Yes, we can mold their behavior, but I really don't believe that we have anything to do with their personality.
Darn it... or I guess I can say, Phew! :)