Prepare to Sing!!

 I woke up early this morning (about 5:00 am) and noticed that it was raining.  Rain in England isn't rare, and I am usually over the moon excited about rain.  Today, however I was sad to see it raining outside.  Jacob and Rachel had told me the day before that if it was a nice day outside Gavin and Rachel would get to come with us to London.  Seeing the rain was sad, but the true tug at my heart was when Gavin was standing at the door and then handing his Dad shoes to put on his feet.  We said our good-byes though after enjoying some AMAZING pastries that Jacob had made for breakfast to conquer the sights of London that we missed seeing on Thursday!!

We drove to the closest Tube stop and headed off to Notting Hill.  Remember as children, watching Bedknobs and Broomsticks and hearing the song Portobello Road and singing along?  I have really come to love antiques and Portobello Road is actually full of shops and a street market.  Saturdays are the big antique shopping days so that was our first adventure of the day.  An added bonus to this stop is, that Adam and I danced to Ronan Keating's song When You Say Nothing At All from the Notting Hill soundtrack as our first dance at our wedding reception!  I can honestly say that I saw lots of things in the shops, but I'm sad to say they didn't have everything that I needed or wanted rather!

I have been searching for a wash bowl and pitcher for years and I thought I might get lucky.  I didn't find my ideal item, but I did learn however that the true title is a Jug and Bowl.  The older gentlemen that was very adamant!

Once Jacob and Adam had scouted the shops for me and we found we were unsuccessful (yet had an amazing time looking) we strolled through rest of the market enjoying crepes, pastries and Brazilian hot pockets cooked to order!

 A short Tube ride away was Buckingham Palace and The Changing of the Guard.  Jacob and Adam thought it was funny that I was excited to see the marching band.  I think it is kinda funny that there is a daily parade that blocks road and drivers!  The Changing of the Guard went off without a hitch, even in the wet weather.  * Funny Side Story* While we were waiting for the band to march by us a tour guide was yelling at his group.  He wanted them to hurry and move so that they would have great views of the band.  He finally yelled to them "Hurry up and move, this isn't the back roads of California, this is London!", we laughed a few good moments during the remainder of our stay in Europe over that experience!!

 Walking through London we often found ourselves on a walkway that was named for a Jubilee or Princess Diana.  Our walk from Buckingham Palace to the West End took us past the New Scotland Yard.  I also put the Westminster Abbey photos above, we didn't go inside, but it looked very busy!  I was surprised that the clock on the outside of the church was broken.  I guess that if you need the time Big Ben will have to due :)  We stopped off to pick up our tickets to ...WICKED, and then headed across the street to grab a bite to eat.  I enjoyed fish and chips with mushy peas.  I loved the fish and chips, but  I am not a huge fan of the mushy peas, yet!

 Going to London and not seeing a Broadway show would be blasphemous right...the really hard thing is picking just one.  Jacob would suggest anyone visiting London see Le Miserables.  I had already seen a production of Le Mis so I picked Wicked.  We arrived at the theater and Jacob switched seats with me so that I could see and take everything in.  The show was FABULOUS, I loved the story line and purchased the music off of Itunes as soon as I got home :)  Adam on the other had thought it was a great time to nap.  Yep, you read correctly, Adam fell asleep during the first half of the show.  When the lights came up for intermission he stood up and started putting on his backpack to leave the theater!  Jacob broke the news and he saw the second half of the show.  I asked a gentlemen how long intermission was (it wasn't in the program) and his answer took me by surprise.  He said "When people stop buying ice cream".  I was intrigued so I asked for further explanation.  I guess that a lot of the theaters in London don't have air condition and so during the summer they sell ice cream to help cool people off.  Neat tradition huh :)

I was on a complete high and could have happily gone home satisfied with my time in London after Wicked, but there was more daylight and the Tower of London to see.  We were able to get a picture with the Olympic Rings hanging from the Tower Bridge.  We also walked a little off the beaten path and saw a marina.  The boats were all nice, but the gold leafed boat really caught our eye.  We thought it was a boat from the Queens Jubilee, but during the opening ceremonies of the Olympics we saw the boat being used to carry the torch!

Our last Tube ride of the day returned us to our car and we hurried home, by way of the grocery store and a Thai restaurant to pick up our take-out or as the English say "Take Away"!  We enjoyed sharing a run down of our day with Rachel and just catching up.  I must say that some of my favorite moments with my siblings as adults (and their wives) are those evening conversations that make time fly.  I treasure the time that I spend with family, because it just doesn't happen as often as I would like :)  What a fun day, did you sing while you read?!?!?!?!?

My First Traditional Victorian English Tea

 Nap time for Gavin equaled tea time for Jacob, Adam and me.  Rachel stayed with Gavin during his nap time, but she was missed.  I had never experienced a traditional tea.  Emily's Tea Room was everything I could have hoped for though.  The atmosphere was great as well as the ladies working there. 

 We ordered a fruit style tea and I added on the hot chocolate and the white hot chocolate.  Rachel has been enjoying the white hot chocolate for years and I had to try it :)  I must say that the white hot chocolate was better than the regular chocolate version.  The tea was the star of the show though and I enjoyed it immensely. 

So, you know how you order scones at a coffee house or bakery here in the states and they are dry and they crumble and turn to dust before you can eat them....that was not the case here in England.  Our Victorian Tea came with scones, mini sandwiches and dessert.  Jacob and Rachel suggested the chocolate scones and so we ordered them as well as a few plain/regular just to give them a try.    Cucumber, egg and ham sandwiches were our choices of sandwiches and yes, they were yummy. 

You would think that going to tea was a girly thing, but I can assure you that Jacob and Adam were well versed in the art of tea and they weren't the only men in the tea room either!!

On the way home from tea, Jacob needed to make a quick stop.  While he was running his errand he trusted me to take his car out for a spin!  I was nervous I will admit, but we were in a very quiet area and I think I only saw one other car during my adventure.  Driving on the other side of the road wasn't so bad, it is the turns and parking that seemed strange to me.  I was more than happy to let Jacob drive us home and anywhere else we needed to travel during the rest of our stay.  I can however always say that I have driven on the roads of England :)

Bury St. Edmund

Bury St Edmund is named after Saint Edmund.  Rachel shared the history of Edmund and I thought it was worth sharing.  As you can see from the statues above he was a martyr.  The town is small, but most towns outside the major cities that we visited are.  

The Nutshell (top left photo) was the smallest pub in the world until another was built recently.  What you see is truly what you get.  People were packed in enjoying themselves.  The picture of Gavin and I is in from of a hotel, aren't the vines and flower baskets amazing!  

Gavin is a great traveler.  He loves getting into his stroller and seeing sites.  He has been to over 30 countries (I think) and he isn't even two yet so he is accustomed to traveling :)

As we were walking through the town headed to the ruins we ran into a the Elders from Jacob and Rachel's ward.  One of the Elders was from Queen Creek, Arizona!  He was very excited when I showed him pictures of the Gilbert, Arizona Temple that is under construction.  Isn't it a small world :)

 St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Abbey Ruins

 The amazing history that other countries have is very interesting to me.  A lot of the draw to traveling to other countries is in fact learning their cultures and histories.  I enjoyed our time at St. Edmundbury and seeing the ruins.  The church was destroyed after King James changed the church so that he could divorce his wives.  The cathedral and abbey were quite large.  There were graves marked with names of people that fought against the King to try and save the church/religion.  

As you can can see the grounds are gorgeous.  They have a playground that Gavin enjoyed while Jacob showed Adam and I around. 

 The Chapel has been rebuilt and is still older than buildings in the United States!  The colorful item in the two pictures above is actually the Baptismal Font and they still use it today.  As Rachel and I walked around we were able to hear choir members warming up getting ready for choir practice. 

Rachel is a great photographer and she snapped lots of pictures of Adam and I.  The pictures in the archway has become a must for family and friends that visit.  I was excited to be added to tradition!  

The photo on the upper right shows a home on the church grounds that was built with the rubble of the cathedral and abbey.  There were many building and fences that used the rubble.  The homes and buildings around the area are very unique because of look it gives their home exteriors.  

Dadam had fun playing dead!  The door you see on the lower left is a very small door.  It looks like the entry door into a children's playhouse.  We joked that this must have been the Hobbits entrance!!  Hundreds  of years ago people were of smaller stature though.

Gavin and I took a few pictures in the rose garden.  There were a lot of military memorials within the garden.  What a fun way to start our day! 

Being Aunt Jennie Rocks!

 I woke up early the first morning at Jacob's and Rachel's just to make sure that I got to see and play with Gavin before anyone else woke up!  Gavin was a little leery at first, but once I offered to read him a few books and play cars with him he warmed right up!  Late last year I met Gavin for the first time (for three short hours), but seeing how he lives in England and I live in the U.S.A. we don't get to bond very often.  I had to make the most of every sweet moment, and I left wanting more!!

 Gavin is almost two, what a fun age if you aren't the one that is cleaning up the messes!!  Gavin has such a kind and fun loving spirit.  He got to enjoy the sand at the playground with his Mom, while we walked around some ruins. (More about the ruins later!) 

 While Uncle Superstar (this is what our nieces and nephews call Dadam) and I were riding in the back seat with Gavin, Dadam noticed that his face squishes exactly like our little ones used to.  I don't know if Gavin was as excited to learn that information :)  

What a great smile that little man has.  He was such fun to be around and thoroughly enjoy!  I love that he took his cake into the car with him and didn't drop a crumb!

Getting to play with Gavin and see his smiling face was really BIG highlight of our visit to England :)

I think that anyone that knows me realizes how much I love family in particular my family!!  I wish that we could see each other more often or lived closer to one another.  Each time we visit I cherish the time spent together and leave longing for more.  I am blessed with an amazing family that I adore and I want all of my nieces and nephews to always know that I love them and spending time with each of them (even on the phone) truly ROCKS!

London's Calling, Mind The Gap!

 My first traditional English Breakfast complete with beans!!  I didn't however partake of the mushrooms, wink, wink.  As we were eating our breakfast we could look out the windows of the hotel and see the Olympic Park.  Such a fun way to start our trip in London right before the Olympics 2012.  

After breakfast we hit the Olympic store, we took a few pics of with the mascots Wenlock and Mandeville.  After getting our cell phones all set up for our English adventure we were off to catch our Big Bus Tour!!!

 The tour has both red and blue, the difference being a live guide verse a recording.  The blue tour however goes to a few extra stops that I had on my list of must sees while in London.  We hopped on and rode the bus for a good while enjoying the bits of information shared along the way.

Trafalgar Square was a fun place to see and pick up a couple good pics.  I loved the history around the building of the square.  They built three monuments and had a place for a fourth, but nothing was ever put there.  They now allow modern art to sit upon the place for the monument.  When we visited a young boy on a golden rocking horse was being displayed.  We also got to see the Olympic countdown clock.  As you can see we were 15 days early!!

Harrods, need I say more!  I have heard so much about his shopping adventure and I was ready :)  Harrods truly makes Neimaan Marcus look like child's play.  Hours could be spent wondering this department store.  My brother's favorite thing to show people are the 100.00 infants onesie!  I however spent the majority of my time in the sports area (Olympic Merchandise) and the food area.  You could eat in Harrods every day of the year and have something different and adventuresome :)

 Back on the bus and ready for more we traveled past many famous peoples homes.  My favorite of the bunch was the writer of Peter Pan, Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet.  He built a park area for children across from his home with a statue of Peter Pan.  He had the builders erect the statue of Peter in the middle of the night so that when the  children saw the statue for the first time in the morning they would think it had appeared magically :)  

I also liked getting to drive through the streets covered in the flags from around the world in preparation of the Olympics.  Adam and I rode on the top deck until we were rained out!!

I don't think you can travel to London and see Her Majesty's Theater celebrating the Phantom of the Opera's 25th Anniversary and not mention it!   Did you know that it is the only theater that changes names...

 Indian, Italian, Irish...what to enjoy for dinner!  While we were trying to decide we ran upon Durham Street.  Adam whipped out his Duke Fuqua umbrella and we snapped a picture.  Because Adam had been in London for school in October we had the upper had on choosing a place to enjoy dinner, lucky for me he and his friends had scouted a few restaurants.  We found ourselves enjoying Moratti (an Italian Restaurant right on the Thames) for dinner.  The Italian food was amazing and the staff was fun hearted.  During our meal a train went over head and I got a little nervous!  I didn't know that we were sitting right under the tube station!  We finished our yummy meals, I got my hot cocoa for the rainy stroll to the Waterloo Tube stop and we were on our way!!

Our day was coming to a close and as we strolled across the bridge and then back over the bridge (lol) we took some fun snap shops in the rain!  We made a pit stop for a rest room break and I had to take a photo of the toilet, I had never used a rope to flush before!!

Adam and I both had fun on the tube!  As you can see my hair was getting sucked out of a window and then as soon as I would move it would blow the other way.  Escalators were pretty steep in a few of the Tube stops that we were in.  Adam rode backwards, but I wasn't that brave :) 

 We stopped off at our hotel, picked up our bags and grabbed the tube headed towards Lakenheath AFB.  Jacob was waiting for us and I was very excited about reuniting with not only him, but Rachel and Gavin as well!  An end to another adventurous day abroad :)

Au revoir Paris, Hello London

Planning and not being a follower is always a good thing when it comes to traveling.  On our final day in Paris we wanted to finish with some of our "Saving The Best For Last" experiences.  The Louvre Museum was on the top of the docket for the day.  When we got off of the metro and walked into the courtyard where the Pyramid entrance is we were amazed by the line.  We put on our smart hats though and continued walking to the Lions Entrance!!!   There was no three hour line, Adam and I just walked through the door right up to the ticket stand and purchased our tickets.  It took us longer to find a map of the museum than it did for us to gain entrance!

 The museum was truly magnificent.  The art was nice too, but the building itself is the true masterpiece.  I found myself once again looking up as I walked the halls.  Adam enjoyed getting to see the Mona Lisa.  The marble bust above was one of my favorite pieces.  I love the multiple colors of marble combined to create a truly unique piece of art.  The Mary Magdalene statue was nice to see as well.  Her statue was among some marvelous carvings and relics.  There were a few nativities that I would love to have in my collection!!  

We walked the moat to the Pyramids entrance to the museum.  Adam was able to take some fun photos of the chalice!

I could have spent ours walking the halls of the Louvre.  The amazing art truly filled my soul, I think my smile was glued to my face the whole time we were strolling through each of the rooms and exhibits.  As we were exiting we thought it was funny that a mall has been added onto the museum.  Adam got a great photo of the Apple store and the Pyramid!  

  

 As we headed to the Metro we were able to leave the museum to Canon in D.  What a fun way to exit the Louvre!

 Our final place to visit and take in was the Paris Opera House.  We sat at a Cafe right across the street from the Opera and enjoyed "Our Last Meal"!    Rain was falling, a chill was in the air and hot cocoa was on the menu.  Adam enjoyed a burger with fabulous fries/gravy.  I had onion soup and a tomato basil salad.  The experience of enjoying a meal and admiring the view of the Paris Opera House is one that I will savor throughout my lifetime.  I can't imagine a better way of saying farewell, or until we meet again to Paris!

 After stopping off at our hotel and picking up our luggage we were off to Disneyland Paris to board the Eurostar to London.  I was hoping to have enough time to visit the Disney Village, but our time was short due to the amazing things we had done earlier in the day.  As we were checking in I asked if I had enough time to go into the village to buy a Christmas Ornament that I had seen on Monday, but didn't purchase.  The woman said she didn't think so, but Adam told me to go, he even got out of line and sat to wait for me.  I put my long Lund legs to work for me and as you can see from the picture above I have an amazing ornament to enjoy this Christmas and for years to come!!

 Adam and I made it through check-in and as we were going through security we thought it was amazing how many kids were taking their balloons on the train.  They aren't cheap, so I guess I can understand though.  The truly amazing part was that the balloons didn't have to go through the screening process...no x-ray or evaluation was needed.  The security guards just held them for the kids as they walked through the metal detectors!  

This was my first time really riding a train that wasn't for a tourist experience.  This train was Onactually going to make me from place A to place B.  I had fun getting to go the Club Car and buy a drink.  Walking between cars while moving was fun, but I needed a lesson on how to open the doors!!  I was surprised how many people were actually ordering full meals for the ride.  They made everything from burgers to pasta.  The ride was only 2 1/2 hours, but it was a very fun experience.  I even got a train stamp in my passport at customs!!!

Once we arrived in London and went through customs we boarded another train to Stratford.  We didn't want to deal with our luggage on the Tube and it ended up being a great idea because our hotel was right at the exit of the station.  We checked into our room and then headed to the mall for a bite to eat.  I was shocked at how early the mall was closing.  We were able to enjoy some pizza and walk around the mall enjoying Olympic Park in the background.  We were surprised how much work was still going on.  As we ate our dinner workers were driving a huge tractor with a remote control!  They were putting on the finishing touches for the Olympic Games 2012.

Another full day had come and gone with a day of enjoying London, England on it's heals.  We hit the sack and readied for our next adventure :)

Mon amour et je profiter de la ville de l'Amour

 Notre-Dame de Paris

Lines, Lines, Lines!!  When Adam and I arrived mid morning the line to get in was already around the cathedral.  Knowing that we wanted to cover a lot of ground we enjoyed the outside of Notre-Dame!  The garden in the back was truly magnificent.  I enjoyed sitting on the benches and taking in the amazing views and people watching.

 La Mémorial des Martyrs de La Déportation

&

The Pont de l'Archevêché 

The Memorial to the Martyrs is dedicated to the 160 plus French residents (76,000 were Jewish) that were deported to concentration camps in WWII.  The small room inside that has small white bulbs to represent each deportee who didn't return.  The 

The Memorial was very moving.  We were asked not to speak and they only allow a few people into the Memorial at a time.  We walked down into into the Memorial which is right above the Seine River.

 

The Arch Bishop"s Bridge is the narrowest road bridge in Paris. It was built in 1828 and is now covered in Love Locks.  People that visit many cities in Europe place pad locks to represent the love they share or have for the person they are with in the city they are visiting.  

Adam and I enjoyed our walk down the Seine to the park next to the Eiffle Tower.  We had fun taking pictures in the park, as you can see!  One  of the lifts was broken so the line to go up was 4 hours.  We walked around a took a few more photos and continued our sight seeing.  

The romantic factor of the tower is rather amazing though I must say!!
July 14th is French Independence Day.  Crews were setting up stages and speakers all around the Eiffel Tower for the weekend events that were about to take place.  Under the Eiffel Tower I saw the biggest disco ball I have ever seen.  Really, it was HUGE!!!!  I am sure that was one awesome dance party!!

Montmartre
The Romans called it Mons Mercurii, after erecting a hilltop shrine to their god of commerce.  But the area is probably best known for the many 19th-20th Century painters who made it home. As rents were affordable, its working-class streets were full of struggling artists like Picasso, Modigliani, Renoir, Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Utrillo and Van Gogh. 

We enjoyed seeing the artists painting and showing off the their talents.  One of my favorite artists was simply cutting peoples profiles out of paper in seconds.  Street artists were present as well as beggars.  We found it interesting that the beggars don't speak or make eye contact with people.  They tend to kneel and have their heads bowed.

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

 Basilica of the Sacred Heart 

Adam and I rode the metro out to the Basilica.  During this particular ride on the Metro I experienced to many smells mixed with the heat of the day.  When we got off the Metro I just started walking down a street.  Adam and I ended up turned around, but to our advantage.  We ran into a great little bakery!!  After eating a few treats we kept walking and finally asked directions to the Sacred Heart.  As you can see from the pictures there is quite a hill.  We ended up walking up the right side of the hill that didn't have any stairs.  When we arrived at the top though it realized it was very much worth the hike we had just endured.  The church was truly amazing on the inside.  The stained glass was gorgeous and I found it interesting which Saints were being prayed to the most.

When we finished seeing the church we noticed that there was a tram going up and down the hill.  We would have loved that information before our hike, but were happy to see it for the ride down!!

 

Salvador Dalí Gallery

I have always enjoyed Salvador Dali's artwork and so having the chance to visit one of his galleries was a real treat.  Adam rented a headset for me to fully enjoy my experience.  My favorite piece wasn't located this gallery but it was fun to see other works of art including his living room furniture that he had made to look like an actress!  

Can you see the bride and groom?  They were outside the gallery having their wedding photos taken with Paris as their backdrop :)

Our last night in Paris seemed like the most fitting time to enjoy our Anniversary over a meal.  We went to Drouant for dinner and were thoroughly pleased with our experience.  Adam and I enjoyed everything from Foie Gras to Basil Ice Cream!!  The staff treated us very well, they even let us create our own dessert sampler.  We picked one item from each of their preset menus!!  Adam thought our readers might be interested in the Zagat rating which we have added below!

Zagat Rating and Review

FOOD23

Chef Antoine Westermann puts a “modern twist on the French classics” at this long-standing favorite near the Opéra Garnier, offering “pricey”, thematically grouped gastronomic declensions alongside more straightforward, “sure-value” plats du jour; the “elegant” but comfortable rooms and the “warm, attentive” staff make it a “first-class” choice “for business”, “couples” or – thanks to the ‘young gastronomes’ menu – “the family.”

The Louvre and Arch at Night

As we finished dinner and started to leave the restaurant we headed towards the Eiffel Tower hoping to see it sparkle!!  We walked by the Louvre on our stroll and couldn't pass up the opportunity to take some amazing photos of the plaza lite up.  There weren't the crowds that you see during the day, it was really an amazing experience to behold.

An amazing end to our day in Paris...We got to see the tower sparkle at midnight!!  We loved getting to stand next to the Serine River and take in the amazing view of the Eiffel Tower sparkle for the final time of the night.  As we knew it was our last night in Paris it truly was an amazing way to in our very full day!