Hyde Park & Harrod's

Today was a lot of walking and shopping, mostly for toys. We strolled through Hyde Park, hitting a few main attractions: the Peter Pan statue, Princess Diana's Memorial Fountain and the Princess Diana Memorial Playground. Then it was on to Harrod's(massive high end department store) for a little browsing(except for toys, that was all we could afford!).

Memorial Fountain

Kids were encouraged to dip feet and hands in the fountain.
If it had been warmer we would have put our feet in too:)

Kensington Palace, in Hyde Park. This is where Princess Diana stayed a lot.

Shopping for toys at Harrod's

Another View

Today we went up in the London Eye. What a view! (Still a little hazy, but most days are) It's like a ferris wheel but you climb in glass capsules that move very slowly and go really high... It was a really cool experience. After the Eye, we walked through the Horse Guard Parade. This is a giant open area for the horses. It's also where the sand volleyball will be held for the Olympics. Then we went to a service at Westminster Abbey, the Choral Evensong service (the choir sings most of the service). It was a beautiful service.

Lovin the view from the Eye

Little hazy, but look at the view!

Mom & dad on the Thames

Wonder who they're calling?

These guys don't flinch!

Horse Guard Parade

Westminster Abbey

Westminster

Very sleepy after lots of activity!

A Visit to the Gherkin

We got up early this morning and headed into work with Doug to get a view from the top of the Gherkin. Unfortunately, it was a very hazy day which limited our view. It was still cool. Doug says on a clear day you can see just about all of London.

You have to get close and look hard but there's the Tower Bridge

We found a golf ball easter egg right outside Papa's work!

We ate lunch at this pub, which use to be a bank. It is HUGE inside.

Park Time

Grandma and the kids spending some quality time at the park. Most weekdays, when we didn't have Doug to lead us around the city, Grandma and Grandpa spent their time hanging out with the kids at the park or entertaining them in the flat. Made it easier on their mom! :)

The Original Bus Tour

Our first day as tour guides. What better way to see the city than an open top double decker bus! It was chilly up there but we saw all the sites! And with the bus tour came a free boat tour up and down the Thames.

An original London bus. There's only a few of these left on the streets.

Driving over the Tower Bridge

The fam on the boat

Look REALLY close at the red ball in the middle of the picture. This is the line at
Greenwich Meantime. It sets the time for the worlds clocks.

The real London Bridge. Nothing special, just concrete.  Everyone mistakes the Tower Bridge for the London Bridge

We've walked over, drove on, and now are going under the Tower Bridge

Mom and dad at Big Ben

Don't try anything dad, I think they are serious!

This and the pic above are of Scottland Yard. Which is a drive or street where police
 headquarters is on. The street is Downing.

They're Here!!!

The day has finally arrived! Grandma and Grandpa are here!!! I would have lots of pictures of the excitment of meeting them at the train station but I forgot to put the battery back in my camera.... But we are so excited to have them hear for 11 long days!! The kids have really missed their Grandma and Grandpa time. We've got lots planned for them while they are here. However, we spent their first day just settling them in and then dinner out.

Mmmm, ribs! He ate a half rack all by himself!

We love the museums....

We were back at the Natural History Museum today... We found more kids areas with some hands on fun! The kids did lots of playing and learning. We watched a few 3D movies too, Deep Blue and Hubble. Very fun day! We are also counting down the days till Grandma nad Grandpa come to visit.......!!!

Making tall buildings with blocks and then an earthquake hits!

Water table

Hoarding boats....

Half-hearted thumbs up for the the 3D movies

Spinning!

Doing experiments