London 2012

It is a special year for London. Ever since we returned last summer, a palpable buzz has been in the air. The festivities all started in April with the Royal Wedding. And when the clock struck midnight on 31 December 2011, the party had officially begun. Honestly much of London is a royal mess right now. I have never seen so much construction in this city. That alone has me itching for the opening ceremonies when it all must be finished. What has us more excited is that we actually got tickets to a couple Olympic events! 2012 is also the year of the Queen's Jubilee, the Diamond Jubilee commemorating her 60 years on the throne. We were also in London for the Golden Jubilee marking her 50 years as the sovereign monarch in 2002. And just as we did 10 years ago, we're using the extra Jubilee bank holiday (thank you, your Majesty!) and taking off on a short holiday. I feel so lucky to be in this great city during this exciting time. I actually got a little emotional watching the New Year's Eve fireworks display on television. And to cap off 2012, we are going to fight the crowds and be there in person on New Year's Eve this year!

Hampton Court Palace

We live less than two miles from Hampton Court Palace. Our first visit here was when Dallin was 18 months old in 2002. We haven't been back since, and now we pass it every day. Sometimes I forget where we live. It feels very comfortable and normal now, but every time we pass the palace gates I am reminded.



We haven't made an official visit to the palace since returning, because I knew that we'd be hosting interested visitors that would give us the reason to go. Now we have an annual pass.


Scott's aunt here on business from North Carolina












King Henry VIII










The palace gardens are massive. The maze is definitely the highlight for the kids.

Baroness

Today was a day I shall never forget. I had the amazing opportunity to sit in very intimate, small class setting and listen to one of Britain's most well-known modern novelists. Detective author P.D. James came to the English Detective class I am taking to speak to all 25 of us in a small, unremarkable room in a church a couple blocks off Abbey Road. This intimate, rather unremarkable setting almost magnified how incredible this experience was. At 91 James is as sharp as a tack and undeniably articulate without any hint of a failing memory. And yet her unpretentious demeanour and honest sensible manner made her feel so approachable, and also made one feel so at ease in her presence. She is a treasure, and I could have sit and listened to her for ages.

I only had my compact, inferior camera with me, but I at least have these images to remember this experience . . .


The Baroness with my teacher

Five

I can't believe my baby is five! With each birthday, I have experienced a bit of sadness. I have not wanted to let go of any of his enchanting stages. And now at five, I have to face the facts: he is not a baby anymore. For all five years of his short little life so far I have constantly been approached by friends and strangers alike expressing to me what a joyful, beautiful child he is. It's true. He is. His exuberance and effervescent smile have been like an abundant aqueduct delivering endless joy to our family. I love this little boy with all my heart.

His birthday party with friends and schoolmates . . .












Family party at home . . .

Privatisation

Well, folks I think it may be time to officially go private on this blog. I've had a LOT of suspicious activity in the last few weeks with viewers from countries all over the world. I know a lot of people in a lot of places, but there have been many dozens of unidentifiable viewer locations recently. There's enough personal family information on here that I think it's finally time to shut the door on the public platform.



So if you want to keep checking in on the blog, send me a note via email or Facebook with your email address. For those less technologically savvy folks, this means you'll need to sign up for a Google account with a password. When I send you an official blog invitation, you'll be able to use the link in the invitation to gain access to the blog along with your Google password.