Josh travels to London

Why Hello there dear friends!

I'm a young chap from the States with a hankering for authentic fish and chips.

Why don't we travel on over to London for a bite and I will give you a tour on our way!

After that 10 hour flight I need to stretch my limbs.

Let's start our walk off at Trafalgar Square!

Look, look...look!  Over there!

Aw, you missed it.  The Queen was waving at us from Buckingham Palace!

Don't I look good next to the gold plated gates?

Right around the corner is the Tower of London Castle and the Tower Bridge!

The gate at the bottom is the Traitors Gate where prisoners would enter the castle.

My favorite song is "London Bridge is Falling Down,"  I like to do the actions and everything!

Let's sing it a round or two while we gander at the London Tower Bridge!

Some signs in London look different than in the States.  

Instead of Yield look for "Give Way"

Instead of Exit look for a sign that reads "Way Out"

And if you see a sign for a Queue...that is where you should line up.

Also, KFC is much nicer here and is two stories tall!

Let's take a picture in front of the London Eye.

You won't get me up there until I have had my fish and chips.

I don't want to get queasy now.

Do you have the time?  Oh wait, I think I hear the chime of Big Ben.

It is so convenient having a giant clock tower I can see almost anywhere in London.

You may have hear of St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Winston Churchill's funeral was held here.

Now you can see it!

 

London is busy busy right now getting ready for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Let us get some snap shots of Westminster Abbey!  Remember when Princess Diana and Prince Charles were married there?  Carla Laney does.

The city of London is three times as busy at night than during the day.

It is fun to see the city with the lights of Harrod's, Big Ben, and the London Eye.

Let's go grab a bite before it gets too late or too busy!

Ah, these pepper and vinegar fish and chips were just what I needed.

Thanks for the company around London!

Until next time!

Cheers!

Where Josh was today...

I am officially jealous.  Just look at this!   I don't know if Josh is drooling over all of the awesome architecture like I would if I was there.  All of my art history teachers would be scolding me for not hiding away in Josh's suitcase.  I am getting a passport ASAP.

Westminster Abbey

My mom will probably try to tag along if Josh goes to London again anytime soon, or in her lifetime!

Makes me miss Princess Diana just looking at it, and I am almost positive that my mom knows everything about Princess Diana.  I can't wait to see pictures of the upcoming Royal Wedding.

Where Josh is Sleeping tonight...and tomorrow...

Talked with Josh twice today...and I wish I was in London with him.  

Here is his place for the next couple of nights, not too shabby!

He left 7:00 pm Saturday, arrived 1:15 pm in London Sunday where they are about 8 hours ahead.  He slept 3 hours on the plane which meant he got in 3 hours of sleep in 32 hours. Not much different than here at home lately during this crazy busy season.

Josh saw all that he could in 1/2 day today, but tomorrow it is work work work.  Tuesday it is work work work, and then catch an 11 hour red eye to Chicago for a lay-over.  Then another 5 hour flight back to SFO.  I am not jealous of the lay-over and flights, but I am sure he will use it wisely for sleep.

I can't wait to see all of his pictures and get my prize!  He got me a prize. :)

Where Josh is Sleeping tonight...

Not like our bed, but at least it is Business Class!  In 10.5 hours Josh will be in London.
I am just a little bit envious...

He was practicing his British accent all day. :)

Happy Valentines Day!

What I love about my family...

Josh: Enthusiasm for life.  He really wants to add exciting things everyday.  Right now he wants to move to London.  Don't know if that will happen, but it is exciting just to think about!  Also, he is never worrying out loud about things.  Very good at keeping his cool when I, as you know...am not!

Kadie: Wants to make everything she owns/touches just a little bit prettier.  I feel like I am watching an 8 year old movie of myself.  She worries about everything, makes crafts with anything she can find, and doesn't like when someone is mad at her.  She also loves to talk and tell stories, and she thinks she is so funny - which makes her even more funny.  She is my mini-me.

Laney: Seems to make everything in all of our lives a lot funnier and more exciting.  She is also the most sensitive and loving 5 year old I know.  She hugs me when I am sad, and smiles at me when I am getting frustrated.  She can raise my temperature to a boil, and then simmer it down just as fast. :)  Never a dull moment with that one. :)

Crew:  I love his French accent.  And he loves me so much.  I love how much he loves me so much.  He always wants me to hold him, and he snuggles now.  And he says everything so cute and in a positive tone - even though we can only understand 5% of it.

I also would like to tell Diet Coke that I love it too.  And I miss cheese a lot...  Even though I don't eat it hardly at all anymore, I still love it because of all of the good memories of eating it before now.

Happy Valentines Day!

What do you love?

The Fancy Schmancy Tea Party Birthday!

Look who is now a 5 year old!

Laney asked to have a "Fancy" party for her big 5 year old debut.

I was just a little excited when Kadie suggested a Tea Party and Laney jumped aboard that idea.

I will admit I went overboard, but it was definitely worth it!

The Birthday Girl!

Simple decorations outside...

Inside Decor...

We used my pop-up tent and set it up in the play room so that we could have decorations hanging above the tea tables.  We had to put together 3 tables for the "Fancy Tea Table" because 18 of the 20 children we invited came to the party!  Streamers, Doilies, and of course PINK!

The Food...

Tiny treats for those with a sweet tooth

The Cake...

Believe it or not, this was my first attempt at fondant.

It was like playing with playdough.

I covered the cake with fondant flowers, and adorned it with a tiny fairy tea set.

Laney LOVED her fancy cake.

The People...

I am so lucky to have a mother, sister and brother-in-law that were willing to dress-up and put on an act for the kids, Queen of England style!

Arrival: 

Kids decorated name cards and placed them at the Giant Tea Table

in the open spot they wanted to sit.

Game:

We played a Tea Party Spoon race outside.

Kids had to scoop up a spoonful of tiny marshmallows and race to the end to fill up their tea cup.

There were a lot of marshmallows in the grass afterward.

Dress Up:

After the racing, we came in and played dress-up to get everyone fancy for our tea party.

The girls made Fancy Tea Party Hats with butcher paper and adorned them with flowers and feathers.

There was candy jewelry, feather boas, and beads galore for the girls as well.

The boys decorated top hats and cardboard ties with stickers and crayons.

How to make a Fancy Paper Hat!

For more detailed instructions, you can click here.

Tea Time:

Once we were all dressed, it was time for tea!

Or at least, sandwiches, crackers, and snacks.

Tea Party Etiquette:

My favorite part of the party, was when all 18 kids sat at the table,

and they were almost completely silent, eating their snacks.

While they were eating I told them some silly tea party etiquette.

For instance: drink with your pinky's up, and perhaps they could talk with an accent!

Laney almost freaked out when she had to wait for her birthday cake while everyone ate.

But soon enough, it was time!

I am so fortunate to have a brother-in-law that will act as a servant to 18 little 3-5 year olds.

Thank you Cade!

I think Laney's favorite part was everyone singing "Happy Birthday to You!"

and of course blowing out the candles.

Present Time:

Laney opened some presents, and actually it was A LOT of presents with 18 kids attending.

While that craziness was happening, we turned on Alice in Wonderland for the kids to watch.

End of Party Activities:

Kadie put herself in charge of a ribbon dancer follow-the-leader game,

and some kids continued watching Alice in Wonderland.

Crew was happy as long as he had his "Nanny" (Candy).

Picture Time:

Before anyone left, we had to get some pictures of these fancy little kids.

I have to say...I think they do fancy quite well.

Thanks everyone for helping to put on a great show for the kids!

And most of all...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANEY!!!

We love you the mostest. :)

P.S. Josh (below) after the party and an 82 hour work week,

not counting commute time.  Poor Joshy. :(