Christmas 2011 and Sophie's 3rd Birthday

Happy 3rd Birthday, Sophie! Its so strange to think about our life here her perspective - she doesn't know any other home. We just can't believe how big she's gotten over the past 2 years.

Christmas Dinner!

Opening presents! The girls loved the little gifts they got from each other.

Dad really wanted to go to the Sherlock Holmes museum and so off we went! Sophie and I joined Noni and Papa and we had a great time at this little attraction. Good suggestion Papa!

No time like the present to get writing about events from 7 months ago!!

Because of our extended holiday over the 2010 summer to MN/IA we asked around to see if anyone was interested in visiting us this Christmas instead of us staying here by ourselves. To our surprise, my parents were happy to make the flight and stay for Sophie's big day too. Record snowfall and ice nearly sidetracked them on their way here and definitely changed their plans to go north for a few days to York. One thing I should make clear is that when I say "record snowfall and ice", I mean one or two inches of snow that melts right away and refreezes - nearly a daily occurence in MN 6 months out of the year. The difference is that there are no snowplows and NO ONE owns a snow shovel in London. So 1 inch here equals about 18 inches in MN. I am not exaggerating when I say this place shuts down.

Regardless, my parents were able to see the charm of London at Christmastime and Sophie had a little party with some important people in her life! The girls got a dollhouse from Tim and I, college money from my parents (yay!) and barbies, polly pockets, dress-up clothes and books from many generous friends and family. We had a lovely time!

Grandma Anne's visit

Once again we were able to talk a few family members into visiting us later in 2010. She came alone this time - without her boyfriend Pat. We missed Pat but he didn't have to deal with crazy girls swirling around the house playing Barbies and the hubbub to get out of the house in the morning. He stayed in Peace-And-Quiet-Iowa...maybe I should have joined him there!

Anne was able to be here for a week and Tim even took a day or two off of work. Anne is always looking forward to spending lots of quality time with the girls which they love. Anne helped walk them to school, had tea parties, played dollies and read a lot of books to the girls. We were also able to have some adult time with her and went to WICKED which was AMAZING, dinner and tea at Harrod's. Tim took some time to go to Windsor with his mom and it happened to be the day that Kate and Wills got engaged. The Queen was at Windsor that day and the news crews flocked to the castle. Tim and Anne dodged an interview but were excited by the hubbub!

Uhhh... Where Did the Last Six Months Go?

So somehow it is May and my last post is from November. I am definitely failing at posting on this blog. Its not hard and I often have things to write about, so I really have no excuse. I'm not impressed with myself. No wonder I only have 11 followers. Good thing I'm doing doing this for pay. I've even had people ask me to blog about certain things we've done, and still... nothing.
OK - enough of the hairshirting (is that even a word?).
Let me travel back in time and search through photos...
Cue the wavy screen and crazy hypnotic music.