The kids and I are back in the USA. We're over our jet-lag now and having a blast. It's great to be back and be able to see family again. I'm amazed at how different things seem this time. The UK has been 'home' for 2 years now. It's been 1 year since we've been in the US. Here are a few uniquely American things that I've noticed this trip:
*The roads are so WIDE. It didn't take me too long to switch over to driving on the other side of the road, but I didn't remember the roads being so WIDE. Which is a good thing because the cars and trucks are GIGANTIC. American 'compacts' aren't really that compact at all.
*Cafe Rio salads and all Tex Mex for that matter. I can't get enough of burritos and real chips and salsa.
*Shakes-- every flavor you can imagine. Late at night and absolutely HUGE.
*Stores are open past 5pm. I can put my kids in bed and still have a couple of hours of shopping time. It's beautiful!
*I can whip out our laundry in nothin' flat. The mammoth washer and dryer is a real treat.
*Free parking. I love pulling into a huge parking stall and knowing that I don't have to scan the parking lot to find a 'pay and display', search my purse for money, and buy a ticket for my dashboard.
*Selection, selection, selection. I stopped by the store for toothpaste the other day. There was an entire aisle of toothpaste.
*Endless breakfast cereal possibilities. Our kids are in heaven. Lucky Charms is a favorite. Life and Kix are a close second.
Our trip isn't complete though. It won't be the same until our daddy can join us. Come soon dad. We miss you!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Burnham Beeches
Holly and I took the kids on a walk through Burnham Beeches last week. Burnham Beeches is an area of 540 acres of ancient woodland saved from development and managed by the City of London Corporation since the late 1800's.
Many movies have been filmed here including; First Knight, The Princess Bride, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Many movies have been filmed here including; First Knight, The Princess Bride, and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
We had a picnic and walked for as long as little legs could go and we only saw a small portion of the Beeches. Amazing!
Odds and ends in London
It's hard to believe that Holly's time here with us is coming to an end. She had a few last minute things that she wanted to see in London. The Dr. Who phone booth...
Trafalgar square and the National Gallery...
And 221 Baker Street.
Trafalgar square and the National Gallery...
And 221 Baker Street.
We had a great day in London. The weather was perfect. I'll take a breeze and a few sprinkles over the sweltering humid heat any day!
Surrey
Last weekend we spent some time at the London temple in Surrey. The temple and its grounds are beautiful.
We also spent some time exploring in Surrey. How can you resist exploring when you drive past houses that look like this?!
And roads that look like this...
And still more incredible houses...
We also spent some time exploring in Surrey. How can you resist exploring when you drive past houses that look like this?!
And roads that look like this...
And still more incredible houses...
This country is so charming and beautful.
A date with the boys
I had the chance to take both of the older boys out on a date of their choice. Benjamin chose our family's favorite Italian restaurant for lunch...
followed by Toy Story in 3D complete with a milkshake.
Michael chose McDonald's in London...
followed by the Winston Churchill WWII war rooms.
followed by Toy Story in 3D complete with a milkshake.
Michael chose McDonald's in London...
followed by the Winston Churchill WWII war rooms.
I love these boys so much! Good times!
Loosely cooked egg & cashew nuts
Luke is allergic to loosely cooked egg and cashew nuts. He also has a grass allergy that will probably manifest itself as hay fever later on. Here's a little about the event that sent us in for allergy testing:
A few weeks ago we visited Warwick castle when my sister was here. After lunch Luke had an allergic reaction that had us all a bit scared. We were buying ice cream for the kids and the guy at the ice cream cart called for first aid after he saw Luke swelling and coughing. The first aid people called for the ambulance and before I knew it I was in the back of the ambulance with my baby. They decided to take him to the hospital. I sent my sister and Michael in the ambulance with him while I followed in my car with the other kids. My sister said that Michael answered all of their questions about Luke. Michael knew his baby brother's birthday, our address, phone number, etc...
We spent a couple of hours at the hospital. They gave Luke an antihistamine and he improved quickly. We were released around dinner time on a promise that we would get him seen by a dermatologist for testing.
We've had to completely re-think what foods we eat. Breakfast is especially difficult. Luckily he likes cereal, yogurt and toast. He never liked scrambled eggs anyway (now I know why).
A few weeks ago we visited Warwick castle when my sister was here. After lunch Luke had an allergic reaction that had us all a bit scared. We were buying ice cream for the kids and the guy at the ice cream cart called for first aid after he saw Luke swelling and coughing. The first aid people called for the ambulance and before I knew it I was in the back of the ambulance with my baby. They decided to take him to the hospital. I sent my sister and Michael in the ambulance with him while I followed in my car with the other kids. My sister said that Michael answered all of their questions about Luke. Michael knew his baby brother's birthday, our address, phone number, etc...
We spent a couple of hours at the hospital. They gave Luke an antihistamine and he improved quickly. We were released around dinner time on a promise that we would get him seen by a dermatologist for testing.
We've had to completely re-think what foods we eat. Breakfast is especially difficult. Luckily he likes cereal, yogurt and toast. He never liked scrambled eggs anyway (now I know why).
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
By the sea
It's hard to believe we just passed our 2 year date from when we moved to England. This is our 3rd July here and the warmest one yet. We decided to take a break from the heat and spend the day at the beach.
At the end of the day, when we were covered from head to toe in sand...
we stopped by a Stake pool party to rinse off. What a fun filled day!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Shakespeare's globe theatre
This week Holly and I went to a matinee performance of Shakespeare's Henry VIII play at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.
Shakespeare has always been a bit over my head, but it didn't matter this time. The theatre was amazing. This theatre was reconstructed like the original Shakespeare theatre from the 1600's. Holly and I decided to pay for seats instead of standing for 3 hours. We even paid an extra pound for seat cushions. Well worth the money.
The original Shakespeare audiences didn't have to try and hear the actors over the occasional helicopter or plane fly-by like we did, but it was still fun to feel like we were experiencing what it must have been like way back then. Here is a picture of the stage.
Shakespeare has always been a bit over my head, but it didn't matter this time. The theatre was amazing. This theatre was reconstructed like the original Shakespeare theatre from the 1600's. Holly and I decided to pay for seats instead of standing for 3 hours. We even paid an extra pound for seat cushions. Well worth the money.
The original Shakespeare audiences didn't have to try and hear the actors over the occasional helicopter or plane fly-by like we did, but it was still fun to feel like we were experiencing what it must have been like way back then. Here is a picture of the stage.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Southern Spain
Our visit to Southern Spain was fantastic. 
Saturday we woke up to a few sprinkles and some clouds, so we headed out for some sightseeing. We drove along the Mediterranean coast and went to the rock of Gibraltar.
We walked to the top of the rock and along the way we saw a few of these Rock Apes (the only wild monkeys found in Europe).
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory. There's a superstition similar to that of the ravens at the Tower of London stating that if the monkeys ever leave the rock, so will the British.
Here we are at the top of the Rock of Gibraltar. It was an amazing view. It was a bit cloudy but we could still see the outline of Africa across the water.
The weather cleared up Saturday afternoon so we took a walk along the beach after dinner. I couldn't resist putting my feet in the water, but then the tide came in.
We came home Sunday night after the kids were asleep, and we found this on our bed.
The kids had such a great time with my sister and niece. Benjamin told me today that we can go to Africa for a few days and they will be just fine. Speaking of Benjamin, he lost his front tooth while we were away. The tooth fairy took good care of him in our absence.
We spent the day Friday by the pool and at the beach...
Saturday we woke up to a few sprinkles and some clouds, so we headed out for some sightseeing. We drove along the Mediterranean coast and went to the rock of Gibraltar.
We walked to the top of the rock and along the way we saw a few of these Rock Apes (the only wild monkeys found in Europe).
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory. There's a superstition similar to that of the ravens at the Tower of London stating that if the monkeys ever leave the rock, so will the British.
Here we are at the top of the Rock of Gibraltar. It was an amazing view. It was a bit cloudy but we could still see the outline of Africa across the water.
The weather cleared up Saturday afternoon so we took a walk along the beach after dinner. I couldn't resist putting my feet in the water, but then the tide came in.
We came home Sunday night after the kids were asleep, and we found this on our bed.
The kids had such a great time with my sister and niece. Benjamin told me today that we can go to Africa for a few days and they will be just fine. Speaking of Benjamin, he lost his front tooth while we were away. The tooth fairy took good care of him in our absence.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Costa del Sol, Spain
8:30am- woke without an alarm clock to the sound of the ocean waves outside our balcony and the sea breeze gently blowing our curtains.
9:00am- went for a walk along the beach.
10:30am- breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
11:00am- read a chapter of Persuasion and had a nap.
noon- shopping.
3:00pm- laid by the pool and read.
4:00pm- walked in the waves of the Mediterranean. Pulled up a chair and soaked it all in.
5:00pm- went back to the pool and for a swim.
6:00pm- looked at restaurant menus to decide where to make a dinner reservation.
6:30pm- worked out at the spa.
7:30pm- got ready for dinner.
8:15pm- called the kids to tell them how much we love and miss them.
8:30pm- dinner outside with the palm trees and the sea breeze. laughed with my sweetie and talked about what an incredible day this has been.
10:30pm- lay in bed and eat chocolate covered almonds and blog while Todd watches Uruguay vs. Ghana in the World Cup.
Adios!
9:00am- went for a walk along the beach.
10:30am- breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
11:00am- read a chapter of Persuasion and had a nap.
noon- shopping.
3:00pm- laid by the pool and read.
4:00pm- walked in the waves of the Mediterranean. Pulled up a chair and soaked it all in.
5:00pm- went back to the pool and for a swim.
6:00pm- looked at restaurant menus to decide where to make a dinner reservation.
6:30pm- worked out at the spa.
7:30pm- got ready for dinner.
8:15pm- called the kids to tell them how much we love and miss them.
8:30pm- dinner outside with the palm trees and the sea breeze. laughed with my sweetie and talked about what an incredible day this has been.
10:30pm- lay in bed and eat chocolate covered almonds and blog while Todd watches Uruguay vs. Ghana in the World Cup.
Adios!
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