LONDON BABY!

Greetings from London! Ashley and I were able to find an internet cafe that is fairly cheap for an hour's use, so I thought I would try and post a quick update on our travels.

Our flight went great! We were served dinner and then watched a movie and by the time that was done we were both out. Next thing I knew, Ashley was waking me up for breakfast and we landed about 45 minutes later. We went and dropped our bags off at the hotel which is located in what we have affectionately named Little Iraq. The hotel was wonderful just located in what seems to be the place all Middle Eastern Londoners live. Then we went down to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, a ride on the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus and a quick lunch at...get ready for it...McDonald's. Guess home really is never too far. We grabbed dinner at a little Italian place in Piccadilly area then discovered this little internet place where we did some emailing and planning then it was time for bed!

Friday morning we got up and went to the London Tower and did a tour there. That took us until lunch time which was the typical British meal of fish and chips outside the tower. Then we walked around to the Tower Bridge, found a Starbucks (couldn't live without it) and went over to St. Paul's cathedral. We headed from there over to Harrods department store, which is just amazing and hard to describe. There are all these food rooms that are like nothing you've ever seen. We ate dinner at a little Pizzeria in Harrods and then had this delicious ice cream sundae that was equally amazing. Finally it was time for us to head to our first show of the weekend...Billy Elliot. Super cute! After the show got out it was almost 11 so we just headed back and went to bed.

Saturday we went over to this little outdoor market in Notting Hill. Super cute and we were able to stumble across a cupcake place that had been recommended to us by a friend, Hummingbird Bakery. When I have access to my own computer I will be sure to post pictures to document all of this b/c you have to see how cute this place was, and the cupcakes were quite tasty! We walked from there to Kensington Palace and took the tour there. We were able to see some of Diana's dresses and an exhibit on debutantes. Funny how we still have that in the South at home and it's an out of date tradition here. I have some great pictures of us learning how to curtsy and dance though. For lunch we ate at a Pret a Manger (little sandwich place that is all over the place here) then went and had tea and scones (SO British-gotta love it) at La Orangerie on the Kensington Park grounds. We were pretty tired at this point so we went and found a park bench (well first it was some chairs by a lake that we got kicked out of for not paying) and people watched in Kensington Park until it was time to head back to Piccadilly area for the night. First we came back to our little internet cafe then we had dinner at a Chinese place (we joked that we are making this a world experience). The end of the night might be the most amazing part however. We had tickets to see THRILLER!!! It was a amazing as it sounds. 3 hours of The Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson's greatest hits WITH dancing. AND we got to get up and sing and dance too. SO MUCH FUN!!!

Today we got up and went to Hillsong church. If you aren't familiar with it they have created some fairly popular worship songs that our church at home uses a lot so we wanted to check it out. It was a little like going to a rock concert. Different from church at home but fun to go to. We walked around the stores in that area a bit then grabbed some lunch and headed back to the internet cafe...again. Yes, they are starting to recognize us, don't worry. However, gives me time to document my trip. If you are still reading, props to you b/c this is mainly for me to remember what I did. This afternoon we are going to take a boat tour then grab some dinner and such before heading on the overnight bus to Scotland. Yes, I said overnight bus, we apparently thought we were 18 coming on this trip! Try to post about Scotland when I can.

Smiling's the Best!

So I still need to blog about my amazing year with my adorable kiddos, but first I have to stop and say that my summer is off to the best start ever and I still have so many adventures yet to come. I am so freakin' happy...I just can't stop smiling. Is it okay to say that? I feel like I'm bragging, but I really am just so excited about the things happening in my life. Let me share...

Summer started with the best stinkin' concert of my life with one sweet, cute boy who makes me smile every day (I could brag on him for a while but I'll save that for another time). For non facebookers I will try to post pictures of the concert, but let me just say there is no way to not absolutely love FLOOR seats at the new COWBOYS STADIUM for an entire night listening to LeAnne Womack, Blake Shelton, Reba Macentire and GEORGE STRAIT (yes I know I butchered the spellings but whatever). Seriously I think this deserves it's own post...

I've been spending my days having lunches with my dear friends, laying by the pool, going to those ever so popular workout classes (discovered a new favorite where all you do is booty shake and hop around), running (despite not getting into NY), planning for the new apartment, getting excited for the new job, visiting my parents, and so on.

Nights are equally busy getting to just play with my friends. I do this during the school year, but it's just so much better when you don't have to worry about getting up in the morning!

That's just the first two weeks friends.

In TWO days I leave for EUROPE! AND, I just booked a cruise with one of my very best friends and our wonderful moms, continuing a tradition of what we hope to be yearly trips together. When I get back from Europe I am going to spend my time celebrating America (the fourth) by going to Austin for the very first time (yes, gasp, I'm a Texan who's never been to Austin). After I get back, I get to start a new adventure of having my own place for the first time. Following that, I get to start another new adventure with my new teaching position. Then there's the August river trip with some of those same awesome friends I keep bragging on (and the cute boy!). Finally, I get to jet off one last time before school starts (the weekend before to be exact) and take part in the wedding of another best friend in San Antonio. So much to look forward to I can hardly stand it. The excited butterflies are constant and I just love it. It's keeping my heart happy and me smiling! It's kinda the best!