London Updates

I apologize to my 3 loyal blog readers (smirk) that I've been "off the grid" lately.  Things have been really hectic with both of our jobs.  JJ has been working over 60 hour weeks and I've been somehow averaging about 25 hour weeks along with caring for Tyler.  Needless to say we are busy and my blog has suffered.  This week gave me a bit more time to catch up on things.  Dare I say it's starting to feel like spring?  As I write this it's 50 degrees and sunny and it feels great!  A couple weeks ago we hit a low point with London.  There was a tube strike making travel anywhere in the city impossible and then our internet went out for about the 3rd time in 3 months at the same time.  Pair that with all the rain and we were about ready to throw in the towel on London and run back to the polar vortex.... But somehow a bit of sunshine and warm weather reminds us that maybe this place isn't so bad after all.   Here is a recap of events over the past 3 weeks.  We are looking forward to lots of upcoming travel and visitors this spring!

Alison took Tyler to the Royal Air Force Museum.  It was his first time there and he was in heaven!

He even got to sit in a helicopter!

I took the train to the mall one day.  This part of the train went above ground and he was so happy to see the sun and demanded his glasses.

The mall!!!  We kind of felt like we were back in the states again!

One warm day the worms came out so we had a worm hunt for a good hour.  Being the mom of a boy is so fun sometimes!

Preview to homework time?  He's very serious about "drawing"

We met up with people from Chicago that Megan introduced us to who live not to far from us one night.  They took us to this adorable speakeasy type cocktail bar called Shebeen in Kentish Town.  The drinks were strong and the atmosphere was great!

Tyler is making progress in rugby class.  Here you see him pulling the flag from his instructor.  He's still the youngest in the class by far but at least JJ didn't have to hold him like that other kid!

"I got the flag!  I got the flag!"

We finally got him some proper sunglasses that he adores.  It was particularly sunny this morning while helping me make pancakes :)

Warmer weather means that it's zoo time again!  We hadn't been to the zoo since the fall and he loves it even more now!  These monkeys were especially cheeky and one jumped on my back.  I was a little freaked out but Tyler thought it was hilarious.  I did not think quick enough to get a selfie with the monkey on my back but a nice zoo keeper helped me remove the monkey from my shoulder :)

Heart shaped rice crispy treats for Valentine's Day!

Cheese!

Tyler helped me bake a cake for JJ's birthday.  It was actually delicious.  JJ likes this cinnamon crumb cake from a box back home but I found a recipe to make it from scratch that turned out even better!  Tyler was especially excited to eat the cake!

Happy Birthday to JJ!  Tyler got upset at one point that we weren't singing to him so we let him get involved in blowing out the candles.

For JJ's birthday I took him on an open top night bus tour of the city.  It was brisk but was fun to be tourists in our own town.

Harrods all lit up

Westminster Abbey

Big Ben - it was too bright to get a great picture at night but I like this one with the full moon in the background.

The London Eye and Thames riverfront

St. Paul's Cathedral

Tower Bridge (again hard to get a good picture but was beautiful in person!)

Tyler and his little London buddies enjoying some park time in the sun!

A Very Tardy Christmas 2013 Recap

I am very, very late in posting the recap of our holiday.  We are so thankful to have spent so much precious time with friends and family.  It was a trip full of both great joy and sadness and thanks once again to everyone that shared their homes, food, kind words and hugs with us.   We can't wait to be home for good.

Theo showed Tyler how to work his super cool Christmas Story train when we stayed with the Chapman's in Chicago the first week.  Tyler was in awe.  

"What is all this stuff?  We don't have this in London... and why am I wearing so many layers???"

Birthday buddies Tyler and Colin, ready to go out for some fun in the snow!

We headed up to Keywaskum to give Great Grandma a visit 

"This white stuff is still coming down up here in Wisconsin!  I can't even see, Dad!" 

"Yep, I'm really putting a dent in this snow with my windshield scraper, I mean shovel...."

The trees stayed iced over for days in Michigan.

JJ and Mary Beth took Tyler ice skating for the first time.  He wasn't too happy with the little carts to hold for support.

He preferred Dad's arms (of course).  Not sure Dad's arms or back preferred this method.

First glimpse of a zamboni machine.  We realized that he's missing out on winter sports by living in London.  

Coloring with Gigi

Tyler wanted his Grandpa to open all of his presents for him.  He has a very special Christmas with Grandpa that we are so thankful for.  He will be missed so deeply.

Tyler was so excited to get all of his presents.  He has special love for all his fast cars from Grandpa.

Kern Christmas Eve

Christmas is exhausting

"Aunt Tari, if I don't get to bed soon, I'm opening fire.  I'm serious."

Storytime with Gigi

Christmas Day at Tari & Chris's.  Nana got him a Thomas roller coster for Christmas!  Weeee!

"Choo choo Nana!"

This giant box is the best!

"I'm so tired but I can't stop the choo choo... Can't stop the choo choo."

Story time with Auntie Kris & Auntie MB

Tyler always loves stopping by Tari's clinic to see the animals, especially Hercules

Tyler really started enjoying hugs after staying with the Stulls.  He sure liked hugging MacKenzie.  Here is is waiting for a hug

New Year's Eve watching the Zac Brown Band at the Joe

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to Brooke & Jenni!

"Nana, I'm ready to see what this Henry Ford place is!"

Wow!!! 

"Come on Nana, come on!  They have cars, trains and airplanes here?  This place is the best!"

Cheese!

Cars, cars, cars!

He sat at this train table watching the trains for a good 1/2 hour.

"You see Nana, just because I'm small doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing under the hood."

That's a big tree!

Back in Chicago for the Polar Vortex.  Brrrrr.....

Tyler decided the hotel entrance needed a little tidying up.

"Gosh I miss riding in the car... we've been about 4500 miles on this trip and I still love it!"

Lunch with Great Grandma!