{India's date}

Sir Thomas is so wonderful!

I  still don't know how I managed to get him but I'm so glad I did.

We were out of town when The Southeast Texas State Fair opened. Usually, we all go together but I think a family vacation is a good excuse to miss one year.

Fortunately, Sir Thomas took India for a 

daddy-daughter date Friday night.

She said it was THE BEST date they've ever had!

They didn't spend much money and only rode a few rides but they had a great time.

One thing we virtually never do is play the games . . . but Friday night was different.

India played one game and WON!

She loves stuffed toys and couldn't have been happier.  You may have noticed how stiff these stuffed prizes are and they're not very cuddly.  India's creativity and ingenuity never cease to amaze me.  

She found the seam used to sew the tiger closed and reopened it . . .

removed the styrofoam filler . . .

re-stuffed it with poly-fill . . .

and sewed him closed again!

(You will notice all the cleaning paraphernalia.  It made a BIG mess.  The styrofoam beads stuck to everything. Luckily, I like to clean.  Guess there's a future for these stiff critters after all.)

It is SO soft now!  Isn't she brilliant!

I have a feeling she will keep this treasure forever.  

(I hope her someday-spouse likes white tigers on the bed.)

{my favorite weekend}

My least favorite weekend of the year comes with the beginning of Daylight Savings Time.

I don't like to lose an hours sleep!

Lucky us!  We got to experience it TWICE!

England did not change the date for British Summer Time when the U.S. decided to change and begin Daylight Savings Time two weeks earlier and end two weeks later.

Yep, it was fun.

The good news . . . I also have a FAVORITE weekend!

(actually two of them)

I LOVE watching General Conference on the first weekends of April and October.

I feel like a new person!

This year was no exception.  All the talks were uplifting and inspirational.  I'm so glad I was able to spend the weekend with my family as we were uplifted and counseled by living prophets.

I definitely feel inspired to be of greater service,

tell people how much I love them,

be humble and work on my weaknesses.

I'm actually really excited to start listening to the talks again.

We started the best tradition a couple of years ago . . .

"Conference Breakfast"

The missionaries are part of this tradition.

They are so nice to go with us to a big buffet breakfast.

Jenkins & Kemp

Axtell & Kaufusi

Smith & Reed

We always take quite a crowd, but it's more fun this way!

 Breakfast was wonderful . . . many, many thanks to the kind people at Golden Corral for cooking AND doing the dishes.

Concerning Daylight Savings Time, once I get adjusted to the change, I actually really like it.  I guess I just want to whine sometimes.

Last, I expect to see quite a few new clocks on the market after hearing the sweet sentiments of Elder Richard G. Scott.  Years ago, he wrote his wife a note saying, "It's time I tell you I love you."  She put it in her kitchen clock where it has stayed for many years.  Etsy will probably be a mecca for such fabulous finds.  I'm hoping to get creative and make one myself because I love it!  I also want to give them to everyone I know.  

He's right, it is time that I tell you . . . I do love you!

{On Holiday - The End}

We are home!  We are happy!  We had fun!

The last full day in London was incredible.  

I have so much to blog about and could reminisce about this trip for weeks.

I think I may know the difference between a palace and a castle . . . SIZE.

"This imposing edifice what first meets the eye is the" weekend home of Queen Elizabeth.

(Recognize the movie quote?)

Commonly referred to as Windsor Castle.

It is impossible to get a complete picture of Windsor Castle . . . unless you are in a helicopter . . . up very high.   (Windsor Castle)

This castle was built 900 years ago and I cannot even begin to describe it in a way that would explain the size and splendor.  It is 480,000 square feet inside (or 150 - 3200 square foot houses)!  That doesn't include the courtyards or walkways or anything else!

No picture taking is allowed inside but trust me,

there's tons of gold leafing throughout.

(This lovely picture can be found on the internet here)

After touring the beautiful Windsor Castle, we made a stop at Costa for the BEST cupcakes we've ever had!

I think the entire day would have only gone downhill if we hadn't been privileged to go see . . .

Les Miserables at The Queen's Theatre!

I still can't believe we were so blessed to see this production in London!

When I asked each of my children about their Top 3 favorite things we did in England . . . they all had 

Les Miserables on their list! 

 It was late when we returned to Greenwich and this darling little place we "letted."

The next morning came EARLY and we were excited to head home.

. . . although everyone was tired.

 I am SO happy we had this amazing opportunity.

I know the Lord loves us and I realized even more how much He loves all of his children. 

I quickly came to love the people we met in England.

I appreciate their kindness to us and pray they are blessed for their goodness.

Here's your movie quote hint . . . 

(It was tough to get the shot on a moving train!)

"This imposing edifice what first meets the eye is the home of Admiral Boom.  The whole world takes it time from Greenwich, but Greenwich they say, takes it's time from Admiral Boom." - Burt

Greenwich = Grenich . . . I love the way they pronounce things!

{Marvelous Monday on holiday}

 Monday was another fabulous day!  There is so much to see and so little time . . . we have to walk fast.  Sleep?  We can sleep at home although our bodies aren't convinced that so little sleep is a great idea.

India's favorite princess is Princess Diana, which made Kensington Palace a must see!  It was so exciting  to walk in her house!

The Natural Science Museum building is breathtaking.  We didn't get to take everything in but we loved what we saw.

 The next stop was the Victoria and Albert Museum and I'm still so sad I didn't have days to walk it's halls and take in everything.  There are some incredibly gifted craftsman that have lived through the ages and England can show you a lot of their handwork. 

Madame Tossauds was really fun!  Rachel & India had this on their "must do" list.  (I think it had something to do with Justin Bieber & Robert Pattinson.)

Sadly, The Lion King wasn't showing on Monday night . . .

. . . so we saw Legally Blond.  The whole day was tons of fun!

One more day in London.  I'm excited to go home and sad to see the adventure end.  Thankfully, it's not over yet!  I need to go have a little more fun.

{Keaton's dreams come true}

All of Keaton's dreams of London came true today!  He had a very short list of MUST-DO things so he was easy to please: 

Hedge Maze at Hampton Court Palace & The Eye of London.  

Actually, everyone has a short list so we're all really happy.

Transportation is still interesting - I think it's due to the weekend at the moment.  There weren't any demonstrators though!

We have experienced the tube, double-decker buses, trains, LOTS of walking (which I love), and even a chartered bus.  The chartered bus was called in to rescue everyone waiting FOREVER for a trip to Hamptom Court Palace.

Thomas sat next to this precious gal on the train.  I think I have better pictures on my real camera but I'm so happy to have iPhone photos for now.  This darling girl was folding paper into tiny paper cranes and flowers.  She even gave us some!  Her family lives in Japan and although they are safe she knows people are still in need.  She was traveling to Hampton today to help raise money to send to Japan for the relief 

efforts . . . the beautiful paper cranes were her gifts for those who donated.  She was just too amazing so we had to donate. Isn't she an angel!  Her Japanese grandmother taught her to make them.

Hampton Court Palace is GORGEOUS.  The inside photos are even more spectacular.  How can a person ever be mean enough OR nice enough to convince so many people to build them this??  (I'm gonna practice being nice to see if it works.)  Technically, Cardinal Wolsey started building the castle but  . . . you know Henry the VIII.  Considering it belonged to King Henry VIII . . . well, maybe I can understand why they said "Yes!" and made it LARGER.

 This breathtaking garden was created for William and Mary years later.  (If I'm REALLY nice, I'd like to have someone help me with such an endeavor in the next life.)

All the grounds were beautiful and the flowers smelled incredible.  Seriously, you could smell them as you strolled along.

Keaton's first dream come true for the day . . . walking  playing in the Hampton Court Palace hedge maze.  There are some things you learn about in homeschool that just grow to be larger than life.  Keaton learned about this couple-of-hundred-year old maze and the London Eye and has been so excited to experience them in person.

The hedge maze was the best!  We found the entrance and exit so many times I lost track but these boys had the time of their lives and we got to cover every inch of this maze.  Super fun day I tell you!

I read the kids a book about the first Ferris Wheel and Keaton's brain started turning.  He researched Ferris Wheels and discovered THE largest Ferris Wheel was in London, England . . . known as The Eye of London.  He decided to ride it some day.  Some day was today!  Thank you Keaton for attracting this experience.  

Big Ben makes a fantastic back drop for these four gorgeous kids!

We had other grand adventures but since it's late in London and I'm going to regret this tomorrow, I'll have to say good-night - hoping my memory will be up to documenting this fabulous holiday a little later.