calvin takes england by storm

We headed down to England on Friday to visit the rellies. Driving there was complicated by a storm, a lightly flooded motorway, and a baby who didn't like being stopped in traffic jams. We made it though, and relaxed in Market Harborough for the weekend. We didn't do much except visit and ask lots of annoying questions about the Battle of Naseby, since we drove by the site several times and which I'd only heard of because of a song.

Coffee and gossip in Market Harborough.

Relaxing before a barbecue in Long Buckby.

On the way back we drove along Hadrian's wall. We stopped (briefly- one of us had a screaming fit and needed feeding [Sam]) and Calvin and I pretended to be Roman soldiers for a few minutes.

Team Moeckel on patrol at Housesteads fort on the Roman frontier.

Then it was back up to Dundee. We once made fun of the font that Dundee used on it's signs. They've had a makeover and change of slogan! Go away for a weekend and your world changes.

cute! a bunch of pictures

thursday pictures

An objective observer would say that we overdid it with Calvin last weekend. It may be a coincidence, but there were a few pretty terrible nights as far as sleep goes in there- payback for too much tourism? We've been taking it easy this week mostly, here are some pictures.

Mr. Mouthy

Well-deserved nap after solving astronomy. All of it- solved.

Not quite calm, but not screaming either.

He enjoys baths a little more as every week goes by. By the time we visit Minnesota, he'll be ready for the hot tub.

Uncle Alex and Castle #2

This was a big week for Calvin because he got to meet the first of his four uncles, my brother Alex. And Cal was thrilled with Uncle Alex's gifts for him: Badger bibs and onesie! This little boy definitely wants to be a Badger. I'm already teaching him the songs. (sorry non-UW readers)

Cal contemplating the best place to spit up on Uncle Alex's shirt

It was also a big week for Calvin because he got out to see more of Scotland. On Thursday, he took his first bus ride with Alex and me to St. Andrews where we had some delicious ice cream that Cal will just have to wait to try. On Friday, it was a beautiful day so Nick took the day off and we drove down south to some of the quaint fishing villages along the coast of Fife. There was a beautiful coastal path that we walked along and we really made use of our rugged stroller. Cal is already getting used to the technical sections of trails.

Uncle Alex and Cal rocking the technical sections of the path

Saturday turned out to be another nice day so we drove over to Castle Campbell about an hour away. Nick and I both rank this place as one of our top castles, mainly because of it's picturesque location. The castle itself is a ruin but we really enjoyed walking around the tower and taking in the gorgeous views.

Our first view of Castle Campbell when hiking up to the entrance


Moeckel Family portrait

We have a lot more pictures from Alex's visit that we've posted here.

Cal thought the week with Uncle Alex was A-Okay

a mostly uneventful week

Nothing too amazing happened- Cal tips the scales over 7 lbs now, but mostly he's been saving up his energy for Uncle Alex's visit this week. If Sam can be persuaded, Calvin may visit his first pub.

More and more helpful with science every week.

Awww....

Whoever invented the vibrating bouncy chair deserves prizes.