February Half Term Break

 We had a week off school in February so we were able to take advantage of the longer break to play slightly further from home. 

LDS Preston Temple

This was our first stop of the trip. It is beautiful and I liked the grounds around it. A missionary training center is also located next to the temple.

The temple is so special. We hope that our children will always have a great love for the temple and set their hearts on attending the temple. 

In these temples, people are sealed to be with their families for eternity... where if we live faithfully, we will forever, be bonded and linked to each other. It is here, we were can do service by performing this and other special work (such as baptism) for people who did not have the opportunity to do so before they died.

The kids and I went out to eat alone while Jon was at the temple. Being the only parent with three kids in a restaurant makes me nervous, especially when you order at the counter after choosing a table. But I was grateful that we had a pleasant and not to chaotic dinner experience. They kids put on their best manners and even ate well. :)

Hadley has decided the the Preston temple is her favorite temple, because right behind the hotel we stayed in when visiting the temple, was a pretty neat place. It was  a small "farm" of ponies, horses and goats. Camps are held here for kids to learn, play, and I think help work with the animals. We originally planned on admiring the ponies from a further fence, but after causing the dogs to bark loudly at us, the nice woman in charge, offered to let us in so we could pet them.

Once a bigger animal unexpectedly turns it's head towards ya... it catches you off guard.

The dogs were the highlight. Hadley is currently in love with dogs and wants to touch and play with everybody's dogs. The little dog loves to play ball.

Macie is telling me to come and follow her to the goat.

Hadley greatly wanted to hold this little dog, but he wasn't quite so comfortable with the idea of it and it greatly saddened her that he wouldn't want to sit on her lap.

 

Whalley Abbey Gatehouse

This is a 14th century gatehouse and probably had a church on the floor above it. We can't say there was anything extra special to this gatehouse. But as always, the ceilings are decorative and neat.

I can't remember what Macie's fuss was about.

I'm not really sure what this place is/was. There was a little tea and gift shop next door. I'm guessing it was someone's old estate, but it requires tickets to go through and we had other plans for the day, so a picture of the outside with the wonder of it's stories is all we get. I think it's a neat looking place though. Notice that grand stairway... wouldn't that be a girl's dream of walking down in her fancy gown? ;)

Sawley Abbey

Sawley Abbey was a quick stop. Founded in 1147. The last two abbots here (leading monks of the abbey) were put to death for their resistance of the dissolution of the Catholic church from England. (King Henry VIII separated from the Catholic church to start his own (the Church of England) and naturally, a lot of people, especially those of the church, were not in favor of this.)

Macie was having a very difficult time all of this morning. (She also chose not to eat much of her breakfast.)

Since Macie was having a rough time, she and Jon waited in the car and snacked while the rest of us looked around and played.

I think this would have been looking down the chapel.

They had these shelves of carved stone that I assume was cleaned up from lying dispersed on the ground.

 

Cycling in the Peak District

 We were excited to do something new by renting bicycles and taking a path through the Peak District, which is a national park in England. I've noticed one way England's national parks differ from America's is that there are tons of homes and farms still throughout the park.

Our original plan was to have Macie in a baby seat on the back of my bike, while Hadley would ride on a tag-along bike connected to the back of Jon's. Macie screamed and threw quite a fit over putting on a helmet and Hadley was scared of the tag-along, so we changed to the trailer which allowed them to entertain and comfort one another. But Jon was then stuck to pulling both girls on his own.

 

Riding by these tires was really neat to Koen.

Someone's pretending to be asleep.

 

 I tried getting one of us all but Macie decided to hide under the table.

Macie was making me laugh. When I asked to take her picture, she was more than willing... but really wanted to do this pose:

 We're happy to sit on something else and soon, the softer seats in the car... our tushes were sore. (Koen took this photo by the way!)

 Woo hoo! We finished!

 We rode about 19 miles and had a good time doing it. Cycling was a great holiday activity and I loved seeing more of the countryside. We were so proud of Koen for pushing through the hard parts.

Extra scenery of our drive

 

We stumbled upon Bolton Castle. It housed Mary, the Queen of Scots for a time as Queen Elizabeth was not so found of her. This looks like a good castle to return and tour on another day. Unfortunately, we didn't have time this go through.

Tis the season of new born lambs! The mamas stared at me as I excitedly stared at their babies. I would love to hold one.

 Yes, more sheep. I can't seem to get enough of them yet. I love seeing them.

Family Football

Koen participates in the football club during lunchtime at school. So he was very willing to help outline the rules of our family game.

 Boys....

against girls.

 Due to Koen's brotherly kindness and sacrifice, Hadley was able to get a couple scores past Koen, giving the girls a win.