Re-entry

We've been swimming in the land of re-entry and detox. We knew our life was busy and crazy before this trip, but after stepping away from it for a week, we have a renewed appreciation for just how crazy it is. Especially with children who had enjoyed some extra love and attention from their dear grandparents. Detox. Oh, and jet leg was surprisingly rough. We were VERY thankful that Grandma Kathy had the foresight to stay about 6 days longer. It was so nice to have some extra time with her, and settle in a bit (and get the dahlias planted!).
To make things more exciting, Dave left just a few days after Grandma's departure for a week long trip to Florida with the rising college freshmen. The Lord was very sweet to us in providing many wonderful friends who popped to give me a hand (and break!). Here's a bit of what we've captured in pictures.

Enjoying the cherry blossoms in Kenwood with Grandma and Grandpa the day before we came home.

Silly time with Nathan - it isn't Spring until we've had a popsicle in Kenwood.

Back for more Kenwood fun a few days later.

Walking with Grandma.

My big boys - this is Caden's camera face.

Taking it in.

The next day we enjoyed the Spring Festival at church, which daddy had been working on planning for months. It was so fun to see several of our neighborhood friends and preschool buddies there.

This obstacle course was their favorite.

Riding the train with Grandma.

baby chicks!

The following Sunday was my birthday. Since Dave was out of town, he hid these Georgetown cupcakes in our basement (he called and had the boys lead me to them that afternoon). I also enjoyed a morning out with a dear friend on Saturday, flowers from sweet friends, and then dinner out with Dave's parents and Monie on Sunday, and a garden picnic with another dear friend on Monday. So thankful to be so loved.

This past week Caden has been on Spring break. We've enjoyed slower mornings, a few Starbucks dates, but his favorite part of the week was meeting up with his classmate Avery. Apparently he plans to marry her someday.

Tubby time with all 3 - surprisingly, a first. And later that night, Daddy came home! We were all a bit excited.

London Calling

And then came London.

We took a train Saturday morning (through the chunnel), which got us in around 10:30. We got to our hotel around noon. Since our room wasn't quite ready, we left our bags with the concierge, and set out to start exploring this amazing city.

First stop - Bourough Market. An outdoor food lovers heaven. These "take-home and bake" pies looked incredible (so many amazing combinations of vegetables, herbs, meats, and wine). We were so sad we couldn't take one!

People sitting out in the yard of this church next door to eat. From there we took a beautiful walk along the river towards Waterloo (past Shakespeare's Globe theatre and the Tate modern art gallery).

We then took the metro over to Westminster Abbey, so we could attend a 3pm evensong service. The above picture was in front of the Parliament building.

Outside Westminster Abbey, just 3 weeks before the big royal wedding! No pictures were allowed inside, but I did intentionally stand at the altar for a few moments ;).

In front of 10 Downing Street, residence of the PM.

That evening we rode a double decker bus up to Notting Hill in search of a few spots a friend had recommended (in particular, a pub by the name of Windsor Castle).

We walked...and walked, and couldn't find it. We weren't able to look up the address before we left, but I assumed we could get to the area and ask around. Everybody seemed to have heard of it, but kept directing us to other pubs.

We ended up eating at this beautiful pub (Ladybrook Arms), and actually enjoyed one of our favorite meals of the trip.

The place was packed, the service slow, but with yummy bread and no place to be, it didn't matter. At the bartender even gave us good directions to Windsor Castle.

Yum.

At last we found it.

And immediately understood why our friend loved it so much. Amazing atmosphere - funny small doors you had to duck through between each room.

The phone booth picture you HAVE to take in London.

Preparations were in full swing for next summer.

We started Sunday afternoon at the British Museum - amazing. So many OLD, fascinating artifacts. We spent more time here than anticipated.

The Rosetta Stone likely being their most famous.

We then took another double decker bus over to tower bridge, where we were brave enough to walk across ;).

THERE we are.

We then took a tour of the Tower of London. I had never heard of beefeaters, and had forgotten the rich history of this place. Our favorite part of the tour was sitting in a small chapel where Henry VIII and Queen Victoria had worshipped, and seeing the crown jewels.

Armor for Henry VIII (and possibly wee King Edward??)

The tower.

We then walked up to St. Helens church for their evening service. It was wonderful to worship with them, in the heart of their city. Dave also attended All Saints that morning, while I slept in (I wasn't feeling great).

After church we found a pub (the Clarence) which our senior pastor had recommended. The techno music and preppy interior led us to believe it had changed a bit since his last visit ;).

But the food was excellent.

The next morning (our LAST!), we took our time getting started, and then ventured over to Buckingham palace for the 11:30am changing of the guard. This is something they do every other day, so I was not expecting such HUGE crowds.

This was as close as we got to any of the action, but it was fun to see.

Parts of the surrounding areas were closed off in preparation for William and Kate's wedding. Had to take a picture of this sign.

Our wonderful hotel was located in Piccadilly, just a few yards from here.

After visiting Harrods department store, we metroed over to St. Paul's cathedral, and walked across the river to the Tate Modern gallery.

The exhibits were incredible. The picture on the far left is over 100 million hand painted porcelain sunflower seeds, which the artist created (and employed many to aid him in making) in a remote village of China. We also really enjoyed Gabriel Orozco's work.

Dave was excited that one of his favorite sculptors (Richard Serra), had a few items on exhibit.

Afterwards we walked back over to St. Paul's, and popped in for a few minutes before their evening prayer service began.

The inside was truly spectacular.

We then popped into one last (insanely old) pub on the list, which proved to be more true to our senior pastor's style.

A small Gentlemen's room as you entered.

And then a beautiful upstairs.

The lobby of our hotel, which we had to document. Each night they held a ceromony for the placing of their lanters. We happened to walk through as they were doing in on two different nights. Picture new age music playing loudly, while the staff lined up and walked in straight lines. Super special.

That evening we saw the incredibly popular show, Billy Elliott. We were amazed at how talented the lead boy was, and it was a wonderful way to spend our last night in London.

And the next morning we were off to Heathrow airport!

We were very excited to get home to these little guys - too excited in fact to take good pictures :). And Caden was too excited to sit still for any of them.

We came home to balloons, precious welcome home signs, fresh cut flowers on the table, a clean house, and very happy kids. My parents took amazing care of them, and claimed to have a good time doing it. Words can't properly explain how incredibly grateful we were to have had this time together. Such an amazing, sweet gift.