England Trip!!

Fair warning. . . . this is going to be a long one. If you'd rather just look over all the pictures - do it! :D I'm making lots of comments for document sake.

So here goes. . . . . . Guess what?  I went to England from March 28 - April 6!!! Can you believe it?!! Sometimes, I still have to say out loud, "I've been to England!"

It was so fun to go Carey and Paula. Carey went there on his mission about 40 years ago and went back about 20 years ago but only for a day or something. So this was really fun planning the trip with him.

I think my favorite parts were riding in a double decker bus, seeing all the villages with thatched roofs and all the old buildings with ornate and amazing architecture.  Oh ya and the doors!! I loved their doors!!

We spent our first 4 days in downtown London. Wow what a huge city!  I mean huge! All the buildings are at least fours stories high. Most of them have commercial stores on the bottom and apartments up above.  I like the look of it.  All the buildings are amazing. Most of the buildings are old, and have amazing architecture and intricate details. There was also a lot of new very modern buildings too. AND there were people everywhere!!

We saw so much while we were here. We traveled on the tube. I sorta felt all Harry Potterish ;)

We saw Picadilly Square

I thought it was really weird how everyone just sat on the stairs - everywhere in London.

Trafalga Square

Buckingham Palace (everything was so fancy here) I wanted to take a picture of the Royal Guard so bad - but he was so far away

The London Tower - I think this was my favorite part of London - although it's hard to decide. I loved this fortress. It was really cool to think about how old it is! Wow!

Sort of a cool shot to show you the old and new here. 

Look at that weird rocket shaped building - it's so cool!!

AND I got to take a picture with a Beefeater check √

He was so nice and pretty handsome - don't you think?

Big Ben and Parliament

the London Eye

Loved these street lights - aren't they cool?!!

St. Paul's Cathedral

Check out the door on this building!! Wow!!

Westminster Abbey

This church is BEAUTIFUL!!! I loved how detailed and ornate it is!!

This is where Princess Diana got married.

Okay. . . so I think I'm going to split this into two or three posts. Right here :D

A Baptism and a Blessing

We made it to Mandy’s house this weekend. It was fun to see the house they are renting. It’s really nice. She has lots of space there. She was so nice to let us use her kids room’s and beds for us to sleep in. I felt sorta spoiled. That was so nice of their family.

The girls have grown up so much. Kali loves her little brother and is such a cute little helper. She was right there many times to help her momma with baby Isaac. It was so cute.

Lily has grown up so much too. She’s a fun loving girl. She has a special little spirit about her.

We got to see and hold little Isaac. Oh, he is such a cutie. Love him so much. He’s so little and just perfect.

Josh LOVE’s him!!  Almost at any moment you could find Josh by him or holding him. I think he’s going to make such a sweet dad one day. He was so cute with him.

We got there on Friday night. Jeff’s parents were there too. We had super yummy fish for dinner. I mention it just because I don’t want to forget and I have to try it. She sprinkled it with Blackened Redfish Magic by Chef Paul then she wrapped it in tin foil and cooked it on the barbecue.  It turned out so good, gonna have to do that.

Then the next morning we all got ready and were able to participate and be a part of 

Jacob’s baptism day. 

I felt grateful to be there and see him. I could really feel the spirit so strongly 

as his dad said a special prayer and baptized him. 

Jacob is growing up so much. I can feel him wanting to do what’s right. My boys love him so much. They were so excited to be part of his special day. We all were.

We also got to be part of Isaac’s blessing day. Two birds with one stone so to say. It was neat to be able to be there. It was a special day and I’m glad they live closer so we could be there.

Zac was excited too, he was just totally into his book.

The girls looked so pretty today and got ready so quickly. 

They were excited to be part of their brother’s special day. 

Mandy with Isaac at home before the blessing. 

So sweet.

Grandma and Grandpa showing the kids the special blessing blanket. Everyone’s name is embroidered around the outside edge. This blanket made each one of them feel pretty special.

The girls played the piano a couple times today. 

Josh finally got to hold Isaac. He was so sweet with him.