A Decade of Dallin

It is a little difficult to believe that we have a child who has left his single-digit years behind. Now every time I refer to his age in writing instead of spelling out the word I must type the numerals for grammatically correct notation of Dallin's age. Forms will require two boxes to fill the digits. And somehow this move to double-digits seems like an official step away from childhood. Just three years until the word "teen" appears, which seems impossible. Where has the time gone?

We celebrated 10 years of Dallin with a fun laser tag party with all of his friends. Happy birthday, Dallin!

Ritz Holiday Party

We were lucky enough to get another invite to the holiday party of the year. Pretty much a repeat of last year's party, it was once again utterly dreamy and magical. I was too distracted to take photos, so this is all I got.

Downstream

I think I could live in London for an entire lifetime and never feel bored. There's always something new and fascinating to discover. A ways downstream on the Thames lie these magnificent structures.



They almost look like modern art, but they're not actually river pendants. These massive structures are the Thames barriers, the world's second largest movable flood barrier. Built in the late 70's the Thames barrier is designed to protect London from being flooded by an exceptionally high tide moving up from the sea.



I doubt they'd help in a "Day After Tomorrow" or "2012" kind of scenario, but they're still cool!



Upstream from the barriers is Canary Warf, a large office and shopping area.



It rivals London's traditional financial centre and also contains the UK's three tallest buildings.

Trev

I want to remember this face forever.

'Tis the Season

Dallin and his BFF at St. Paul's waiting for the annual Thanksgiving service to start.


The service was amazing. Imagine a couple thousand Americans in a foreign country gathered together on this most uniquely American holiday standing to sing America the Beautiful. I couldn't keep my eyes dry.


Despite the fact that it was Thanksgiving day we headed for Italian food across the street. Like last year we held our traditional feast on Saturday.


After lunch we strolled down chaotic, but festive Oxford Street, which is London's Fifth Avenue.


Merry Christmas!

Santa's Workshop

* WARNING: If you are 10 and under and live in Indiana, do not view this post!*

We've surrendered fully to the holiday spirit. Who cares if it's November! We've put on Christmas albums. We've done most of our Christmas shopping. We've even trimmed the tree!

The kids are also busy in their workshop making fun things to bring to their cousins when we go to see them at Christmas. It will be the first time the kids have been on US soil for a year and a half. So many emotions. Cousin party. Jet-lag with a two year-old. Being "home" for the holidays. Visiting favorite American dining spots. Shopping spree at Target. Painful flight itinerary which includes a 13-hour layover in Chicago. But mostly the kids are simply over the moon to get to spend time with their cousins. In fact they are so consumed with excitement that I can get them to do just about anything when I mention this trip (which begs the question, will I hold any leverage whatsoever once we've returned!?!). Until then, they are busy in Santa's workshop . . .

Boo!

Happy Halloween!



We carved pumpkins . . .



























We went to a Halloween party . . .

















We went trick-or-treating with lots of super cool friends . . .