Our Expat Summer ’13

Kisses on the Avon River as we pulled our two kayaks together close for a photo op. 
Still cannot believe we have been married for ten years

This is it.  Though autumn does not begin for another twenty one days, this is our last weekend of summer.  My husband has been back to work since our 10th Anniversary trip and this week my kids go back to school.  While both my sons and my husband and I are glad to have a new school term starting, it makes me a bit sad to know that summer is coming to a close.  However any sadness is overshadowed by the immense thankfulness I have for what a great summer it has been.  Not counting the week my boys and I spent at the Jersey Shore last year with my family, it has  probably been 2007 since the four of us have really experienced and loved every moment of summer. 
All the family dramarama stayed stateside and our entire vacation in Wales was but perfection, including our Vow Renewal. We got to experience a lovely two days in London with my mum and sister, a city the three of us have not all been at together since we lived in England back in the early 90’s.  Another ‘this is your life’ moment was when my mum and I got to show Ryan and my sons the city of Oxford, the place where I was born during my father’s second out of three tours stationed in England.  The rest of our summer has been filled with country walks, picnics in the park, kayak journeys on the rivers and canals around Bath, and enjoying food and drinks at our favourite pubs. 
With summer getting ready to be behind us I can now count out the rest of the year by upcoming events and birthdays through the last four months of 2013.  It really surprises me every year with how fast the months go by and this year is no exception.  
Q: What has been your favourite thing about this summer 
and what are you looking forward to in the last third of 2013?

* Photo belongs to Bonnie Rose Photography © 2007 – 2013 All Rights Reserved | http://www.bonnie-rose.co.uk
  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Have I told you yet how much I LOVE your new look? It’s so pretty!
    I hope you’ve enjoyed your last weekend of summer, it sounds like overall it’s been a good one for you anyway!

    My favourite thing about this summer was being confident in a bikini for the first time in 5 years, it just felt good to not be stressing out about what angle I sat at or how I looked. The last third I am 100% looking forward to visiting home (England) for Christmas :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Kate, thank you that is so sweet! That is so awesome to have that confidence Kate! That is an awesome accomplishment :) Yay for English Christmases! I am most looking forward to Christmas time. I love it here at that time of the year. x

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    I haven’t had a summer holiday yet so what I’m most looking forward to in the last months of 2013 is my ‘summer’ holiday 😉 but my favourite from this summer is spending time with my family. I love spending time with them and summer allows for fun filled BBQ get-togethers

    I love the new look of your website :) very lovely.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Oh well then of course, and I hope you have fun Chantal! Family time is the best and what better than bbqs? Thank you Chantal, its been a work in progress, but judging from the response I think it is a good change! Hope you are having a good weekend babette. x

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    I refuse to accept that summer is over (even though the crisp air tells me differently.) We had such a busy but enjoyable couple of months but I still can’t believe that it’s already September. September is definitely one of those months that seems to sneak up!

    (By the way, the new design looks great!)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Autumn has arrived I agree and I have to say I am happy about it! Summer was amazing with so many memories being made but being back home feels wonderful!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    So true, September creeps up and its not until it is already September that I take notice. Once October is here I am going to know it is definitely Autumn/Fall. Thank you Jay, i am glad you love the new look! x

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    I think that is what is so great about having a great summer. It makes being back home and with the normal grind so good because its fueled by a great summer of memories. x

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Aren’t layouts always a work in progress haha, I’m always thinking of things I want to change and tweak but I never get around to it 😉

    And thank you, I hope you have a fantastic weekend too x

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    he has a SW tshirt <3 so darn cute!!!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Oh yes… I think it was a gift from one of the boys during their stay in the US. We love SW.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    I was just thinking about how quickly this summer, and the year, has gone by! I did a recap of my summer of my blog too. Crazy to think that it’s all over!!

    mysmallrayofsunshine.blogspot.com

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    i can’t believe how fast the summer is going!if feels like it just started and now it’s almost done! even though, i can’t say that i’m too disappointed. this summer has been great but i’m really excited for things to come!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Right? So fast! But looks like you are on the right path with keeping the memories well documented! You guys are going to love looking at that with your grandkids (if you have grandkids, dont want to assume) but how awesome to be living life so large so young. Have a great week! x

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Sweet I will go check that out Sarah Beth! x

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    really?! 😀 touche! I adore it since I was a little child. And I manage to get my fiancee to watch it and he became a fan 😀 SCORED!!! Not to mention that last week we started re-watching it 😉

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Did you redesign your blog? I like it! What a cute pic! 10 years is awesome!!!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    CUTE photo!
    Every year does seem to go by faster and faster and that scares me!
    I’m planning on spending the last third of the year soaking up every second and being present in the moment x

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    You two are adorable! I love seeing couples that have been together for a long time and are still so in love! (Isn’t it funny that by today’s standards ten years IS long?)

    I was really sad to see the summer come to a close, too. Although I have missed having some sort of routine to depend on, when school starts it always feels like our days are so busy that it leaves little time for family. It always takes us a month or so to find that balance between being scheduled and being over-scheduled!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Yep! Just making a few minor changes here and there, but wanted to maybe try something that was not a union jack theme (its been my major concept since my blog’s creation in 2005). Thank you sweet girl!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Being present is the best advice I can give anyone. I love that statement. x

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/05022023043718407104 Bonnie Rose

    Aww thank you so much Sarah. Its nice knowing theres other people out there like you guys that have been married that long too! We were previously in the military world and we knew more people in second marriages or getting divorced and name changes than we did that were still together in their first marriage. We almost did not make it, which is why now that we are as happy as ever wanted to renew our vows. That balance between over scheduled and being scheduled is always an interesting one. I look forward to seeing how things progress once mine go back tomorrow.