Days 3 & 4: Edinburgh

Here's a fun game: Use the clues from this picture to figure out our location.

Now, find the castle in this picture.


The Royal Mile is a succession of streets which form the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh. As the name suggests, the Royal Mile is approximately one Scots Mile long and runs from Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Castle Rock down to Holyrood Abbey.

Preston & Mel Gibson

Preston stands at the top of the Royal Mile in front of Edinburgh Castle, and next to the Tartan Weaving Mill (where we purchased a kilt for Mitch).

A view from Edinburgh Castle

Another lovely view from the castle on the hill

The Great Hall

Mitchell had a peaceful time within the walls of a castle that doesn't have such a peaceful history

My sister and I pose in front of Edinburgh Castle with our dear, sweet ancestor, Robert the Bruce.

Holyrood Palace, The Queen's official residence in Scotland

Holyrood Abbey

We went on a "Ghost Tour" in Edinburgh, where they told us some crazy historical stuff and took us underground to these "haunted" vaults

Vaults

Edinburgh is even more charming at night

St. Giles Cathedral

Inside St. Giles

Isn't that a cute house?

Day 2: Alnwick Castle (pronounced 'ah-nick' or 'Hogwarts')

Alnwick Castle

Preston and the Whomping Willow
(He was urged to maintain a safe distance.)

Cute little ladies in the courtyard...or schoolyard

View from the castle wall arrow slit

That's a cannon.

It looks like we're riding a broom, huh. No? Well, just pretend.

Another view from within the castle walls

In the garden

Hadrian's Wall

Feelings expressed in this tower alcove were mutual.

Day 1: York

We're just enjoying walking "The Shambles". Look it up.

Clifford's Tower stands as a proud symbol of the power of England's medieval kings. Originally built by William the Conqueror to subdue the rebels of the north, it was twice burned to the ground, before being rebuilt by Henry III in the 13th century.

We climbed to the top of that hill. (There were steps)

Here we are inside York Minster, Northern Europe's largest Gothic cathedral.

What...we missed Bear.

Preston is in front of York Minster, posing with Constantine, who was proclaimed emperor near this place.

Preston and the po-po (a.k.a. bobbies) in York.

I'm unsure of the significance of this. I just thought it was neato.

Happy Birthday Mitchell!

Someone fun turned 1!

We had a huge party with cake...

...and some more cake...

...and even more cake!

Mitchell's parents have had such a fun, active year! This little mover seems to cover miles in a day, whether he's crawling, walking, or going up and down the steps. He's a cute little copycat and imitates facial expressions, sounds, several words, and hand gestures. He keeps us laughing and has such a fun-loving, sweet disposition. He loves dancing/listening to music, playing with any ball, hollering when there's an echo, emptying and re-filling bags/containers, laughing, and chasing his "dog-dog" Bear.

Mommy's Little Helper

If Mommy needs to organize her purse, I can help.

If Mommy needs to fold the laundry, I can help.

If Mommy is bored and needs something to do, I can help!