April 2- April 15, 2011
Mom, Dad, Nancy and Grandma made the trip over the pond for a visit!!! After an initial bump in the road (I stayed out a bit later than expected with the ladies and was not there to greet them...) I needed to redeem myself!!! I made sure I jammed all the sights possible into their two week visit and I think if you were to ask them now, I more than made up for being late the first night!!!
During the first week, we went to Windsor Castle, spent two full days in London, checked out the sights around Richmond and Kew, watched both Mandy and Ryan in their school assemblies and attended a tee ball game! While I know they all enjoyed the sights of London, I think the day spent in Windsor was the most impressive for them.
Windsor Castle has the most amazing detail inside. The ceilings and chandeliers are breathtaking, you can feel the royalty within its' walls. I wish we were able to photograph the inside, though I doubt it would do it justice.
I Love these photos of St. George's Chapel
Through this archway, are stores and restaurants...lots of fun shopping!!
While in London, we went on the London Eye, took a ride on the Double Decker sight seeing bus, ate an awesome fish n' chips lunch at an authentic pub, spent some time in Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, Dad walked across the famous Abbey Road crosswalk, saw Buckingham Palace and a changing of the guards, strolled through Green Park and St. James Park, Toured Westminster Abbey and did a bit of souvenir shopping!!
The London Eye
Big Ben
Big Ben & House of Parliament
Buckingham Palace from the London Eye
Fab Four on the Eye
Love the Shadow
The Eye through the Blossoms
St Paul's Cathedral
Going over Tower Bridge
County Hall
Big Ben From Trafalgar Square
Countdown to the Olympic Games
National Gallery
Fab Four in Trafalgar Square
Nelson's Column
Gotta Love the Eye
Dad on Abbey Road
Green Park...Tents in the back for the Royal Wedding
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
St. James Park
Westminster Abbey
That Lady is like " Ugh...Tourists!"
The Courtyard in The Abbey
Over the weekend, we took in one of Mandy's tee ball games and also spent the afternoon in Kew Gardens. The Royal Botanical Garden of Kew, is 297 acres of beautiful gardens and huge opportunities for learning, not to mention the kids love the playground!
"Museum No. 1" which was opened in 1857. The upper two floors are now an education centre and the ground floor houses the "Plants+People" exhibition which highlights the variety of plants and the ways that people use them.
The Palm House
This is Kew Palace, George III once lived there, but most recently, Prince Charles held Queen Elizabeth's 80th Birthday celebration there in 2006!
After a quiet weekend of tee ball and Kew Gardens, we packed up and took the Eurostar train to Paris for a three day trip. I was really excited to show them parts of Paris, it is a beautiful city that is very different from London. When we arrived we went straight to the hotel to check in. Let's just say, the staff was great, the breakfast each morning was nice but man o man were those rooms
small...!!! I literally had to walk on top of the beds to get to the bathroom because there was NO floor space!!! Total flash to European Vacation with Chevy Chase!!!
As far as the sights...I think they were all struck by the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower as I continue to be. It is truly amazing! Speaking of amazing...Nancy and Grandma were sitting at the base of the Tower and started a conversation with another American. Long story short, not only was she American, but she was from Westbrook Connecticut (4 towns away from where we live in Branford), and her husband knew Uncle Bo (Nancy's late husband)! Small world!!!!
Overall it was a great trip, filled with great weather and beautiful sights!
I love taking pictures of the Eiffel Tower...just wish the pictures made as much of an impact as standing beside it!
Mandy Loves Paris....These pictures are taken from the second observation deck.
Arc de Triomphe
Basilique de Sacre-Coeur or Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Hotel des Invalides or The Dome Church
The Mall at the base of the Tower
Mandy and I walked down all the stairs from the second observation deck and counted 825 steps!
The Dome Church
Open Top bus ride
My little Parisian
Arc de Triomphe
The Opera House
Notre Dame Cathedral
Awesome Shopping area!!
Seine River
Grandma and her Expresso!
Mandy lost her first tooth once we returned home!!!
I hope that Mom, Dad, Grandma and Nancy had a great time here in London. I know that we loved having them here and showing them a piece of our new life here...Richmond Center, Bus 65, taking the tube, Kew Center, our favorite Italian restaurant, the walk to school, my super fast hand mixer, 36 steps to the third floor, the cats on the glass roof, the narrow streets and playing chicken with the other cars...
We love you guys and can't wait to see you in August!
