2 busy weeks in December!

Not only two very busy weeks to start off the month, but Brian was back in the states for a course.  He got to spend time with my sister, I was so jealous.  The night before Brian left we went to the NEX to see Santa arrive and the Christmas tree lighting.  It was unusually cold that night, so we saw Santa and the elves fly in by helicopter then we left.  We also had Brian's Christmas party for work that night, so we were busy already.  Brian left very quietly, early the next morning.  First thing to do to keep the kids busy was decorating the gingerbread house that Nina had sent...check!  Then Shawn had a cake decorating/holiday potluck for cub scouts.  That brought on quiet a bit of upset, as Shawn did not get the cakes he bid on during the auction portion of the night.  We recovered and overall had a fun time.  The kids are really enjoying the decorating of anything they can!



The cake that Shawn decorated.



Other cakes made by cubscouts!



Shawn walking around with his cake while it was being auctioned off!

The next week was far busier, with two field trips.  First field trip was the second graders to a church in Jerez to see a nativity scene and then to a nursing home to deliver donated dry goods and to sing Christmas carols!  Of course the kids favorite part was eating lunch at McDonalds.  Then Thursday we had a field trip with Alyssa's class into Rota to see the cathedral and the castle.  This ended up being a great field trip and those little kids did quite a bit of walking with minimal complaining, I was very proud of them! 



Shawn's class outside of the church in Jerez.

 

Shawn a couple of his buddies from class.

Kids waiting to sing to the nursing home.

Singing!!!!

Lunch at McDonalds....with all the second graders, fun???



The kids loved it of course!

 

I had never noticed the baby Jesus missing from a nativity scene until Christmas eve before today.



The Cathedral in Rota.

 



Alyssa inside the castle, she was a little grouchy, not sure why since her mommy was on the trip.



Dylan!

 

View of the Cathedral and the nativity scene from the top of the castle.



View of the lighthouse from the castle.

 



One of the towers of the castle.

 

Dylan and Ella, two of Alyssa's friends.

Miss Juana, holding up a live prawn, the kids thought this was great!



Alyssa's class!

 

Getting on the big bus!

Alyssa and Dylan!

Last but not least, was the event we had been the most excited about...the Polar Express.  We were really sad that daddy was missing it.  And after going there I was even more sad he missed it, it was very nice, but I could have used another set of eyes and hands.  There was one room of craft tables, another room or bounce houses, and then the train of course!  The kids got to go in their pajamas and of course had a great time!  Next year hopefully daddy can come too!



Kids in their jammies!

 

Kids on the train!

Alyssa with her shiny nose!



On the train, wind blowing through their hair!

Few randoms around Thanksgiving..before and after!

Before we left for London the girls school had a little Thanksgiving parade and a meal that we shared together.  Each of the girls classrooms had a different theme, Kelsey's was Hawaii, and Alyssa's was fruit!  They were really cute! 

When we got home from London and had a week before Brian left for the states.  We had a full week of football and cubscouts and a big name concert here in Rota.  Shawn was the flag bearer for the opening and closing of the pack meeting, and he did a great job!  And then Wednesday that week, Daughtry came to Rota to perform!  I am a huge supporter of any big acts they bring overseas, as that is the way to get more artists to come!  He put on a really great concert, and was available during the day to sign autographs!

             

Planes, trains, and automobiles....

buses and boats!!!  We covered all modes of transportation this last weekend in London, England!  Plane from Sevilla to London, Stantead Airport, then train from airport into the city.  We took the subway from the train station to our hotel.  After we checked in we took the kids to play in the park, then tried to go to the Princess Diana Memorial Park, but we got there as it was closing.  It gets dark early there this time of year, by 4pm the sun is setting.  So, we ventured towards the other end of Hyde Park and walked through a Christmas Festival in the park.  The kids rode a couple of rides, then we made our way to the original Hard Rock Cafe for our Thanksgiving dinner.  Not traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but it was a good meal!



Shawn on the train!

 

Alyssa on the train!

 

Kelsey and Daddy on the train!

 

Kelsey rode on the suitcase, while Alyssa rode in the stroller!

 

Two happy girls got these treats from the restaurant.



Daddy was swinging them really high!

They loved this swing!



Sunset on Hyde Park.



The talking tree at the Christmas festival, Shawn thought this tree was talking to him!

Day two, we got on the Hop On Hop Off Bus and got off to take a walking tour to see the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace.  Instead of standing in the crowds at the gates and seeing next to nothing, the tour guide set us up at two different points where we could see the old guards leaving St. James Palace to meet the old guards at Buckingham Palace.  Then to see the new guards coming in from Wellington Barracks.  Each group of guards was lead by a band. 

The music school where Sir Elton John studied.



Sign I saw on the side of the road.

 

All Souls church, looking onto Regent Street.

Police officer ticketing a car and taking pictures from every angle, genius!

Funny window sign along the bus route!

The Royal horses!



St. James Palace

 

Gate at St. James Park

 

The old guards leaving St. James Palace heading towards Buckingham Palace.

 

View from Buckingham Palace.

After lunch we headed to Westminster Abbey.  The girls both fell asleep on the walk over, which actually worked out great, Brian and I were able to listen to the guided tour of the Abbey!  And Shawn was a good sport while we were there!

This is what they were waiting for...the London Eye, worlds largest ferris wheel!  We were really lucky too, because we caught it just as the sun was beginning to set, so the views were beautiful!  After the London Eye, we got on the bus again and headed back towards our hotel after taking in some of the city sights by night!

House of Parliment



Big Ben

 

The London Eye

 

House of Parliment

 

Sunset over House of Parliment



Kids checking out the view from the Eye.

  



View of Buckingham Palace from the Eye.

 

Sunset behind Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.



Looking up at the London Eye.

  Day 3 started off a little rough, we took a taxi from our hotel to Anna's hotel and left our backpack in the taxi.  We were very lucky that the backpack only had snacks, diapers, and jackets in it.  And even more lucky that the driver was nice enough to return the backpack to Anna's hotel, so we got it back!!  So, with a slow start to the day, we once again did the Hop On Hop Off bus and headed to the Tower of London.  After a late lunch this afternoon we got on the River Cruise that took us on the River Thames back towards Westminster.  The night time views along the river were beautiful.  And I was able to practice speaking Spanish with a little 5 year old girl from Madrid.  For some reason I felt much more comfortable speaking to her than I do adults, I was able to speak nice and slowly.  She also practiced her English with me, which was very good, much better than my Spanish!  After we got off the boat, we started our walk home and took in the sights of Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace at night!  A very long day, and the girls did a lot of walking, until Kelsey fell asleep on Brian's shoulders! 



Shawn riding in the cool London taxi.

 

Alyssa in a London taxi.

 

Kelsey and Daddy in a taxi.



Picadilly Circus

 

Trafalgar Square

Guard Horses



Shawn, Anna, and Alyssa on the bus.



Tower of London



The Tower Bridge

 

The caged animals, the Tower was once used as a zoo.

Tower at night!



Tower Bridge at night!

 

On the river cruise!



Shakespears Globe Theater

 



The London Eye lit up at night.

 

Big Ben lit up at night.



Shawn and the silvermen.

Parliment at night.

Buckingham Palace at night.

Queen's Gate

 

The girls collected leaves while walking this evening, they were so entertained!



Kelsey fell asleep on Brian's head.

Sunday, our last day, we tried to take in the Natural History Museum.  The kids lasted about 30 minutes and learned a little about dinosaurs and had enough.  So, we decided to enjoy the beautiful day outside and head to Kensington Gardens, walked by the Palace there and made it back to the park we had tried to on the first day!  Kids played for a bit, but I think they were tired, so we got lunch and made our way to the airport.

The Natural History Museum



Our little explorers!

 

Although at times it is frustrating to travel with kids, I hope they enjoyed it.  It just seems like everything takes longer with kids...probably because it does!  Now where to go next!!!

I always like to take a picture of the sunset that we see everyday from our backyard.  We are so lucky to live where we do and to have all of these amazing opportunities.