Time flies when you are having fun, making memories, experiencing the world with a whole new perspective and trying to drive on the left side of the road without mangling your entire family.
As we enter into a new year, here is a quick peak into some highlights of 2013.
We came. We saw. We conquered.
We came. We saw. We conquered.
JANUARY 2013
So lucky to have one of my BFs come for a visit! Cathie and I met in Paris for a couple of days and then "Eurostared" it back to London so she could check out our hood, crib and look for Prince Harry.
What We Learned:
- That January in Paris is lovely but cold and possibly snowy.
- Travelling on the Underground with large suitcases, on a Friday, during rush hour/commute time, can make you sweaty.
- Wearing a jaunty hat you bought in Paris is a commitment-once it's on, it needs to stay on, or risk severe jaunty hat head.
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| Morning power walk to the Tour Eiffel |
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| Jaunty Parisian hats in London |
FEBRUARY 2012
Half term break brought a Davis family road trip in Ireland
What we learned:
- Irish roads are even more narrow than British roads.
- Guinness is brilliant and so are the Irish folk.
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| Cliffs of Mohr |
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| We enjoy staying in "manor" houses |
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| Our room is HUGE! |
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| Fish are hard to catch no matter where you are... |
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| Doing donuts on the beach in your rental car is great fun! |
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| Ireland really is the "Emerald Isle" |
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| Guinness is good |
MARCH 2013
Explored London and the surrounding area
What we learned:
- That no matter how many times we venture into London, we always discover another magical area...
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| Seven Dials in Covent Garden |
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| May is great at running! |
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| England's countryside is mind-blowingly gorgeous! |
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| A canal runs through Northern London - right outside of Paddington Station. Who knew? |
APRIL 2013
More BFs arrive - the Basch family comes to stay at Hotel de Davis. BFs reunited all around!
Hip hip hooray!
Davis fam rendezvous with Basch fam in Paris.
Davis fam carries on to Bruge and Brussels
What we learned:
MAY 2013
Camping with our new British friends in the New Forest.
Swimming in the Thames River
What we learned:
Davis fam carries on to Bruge and Brussels
What we learned:
- That no matter how far away you are from friends, you can always "pick up" where you left off, even at age 12.
- That Sir Tom Jones enjoys eating in Henley and Ty Burell likes "modern" art.
- That a duck confit sandwich and a glass of Proseco at the Borough Market might be the best lunch eva.
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| "Pick Up" friends like no others |
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| Sisters |
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| Beers as big as your head are good |
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| How can you not be all smiles in Paris? |
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| Borough Market |
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| Stonehenge is cool! |
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| Sir Tom Jones is sitting to the left of my large head, behind that door... |
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| Bruge is charming |
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| Seeing the world by bike ROCKS! |
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| There are a lot of windmills in Holland |
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| This dog might have the best napping spot ever! |
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| Fun art in Bruge |
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| Singing in the rain in Brussels |
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| Always be prepared! |
Camping with our new British friends in the New Forest.
Swimming in the Thames River
What we learned:
- Camping in England is the same as in America: takes forever to prep and get ready to go, campsite set up and take down is a pain in the ass, and cleaning up at home after camping sucks. But it sure is fun.
- Camping in England is different then camping in America: you must have a cricket and football pitch set up, instead of being worried about bears, one must mind the wild ponies and cows, and the showers and loos are spotless!
- Swimming in the Thames in May sucks.
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| Brits and Americans can get along! Looks like we have buried the hatchet. |
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| Camp cooking means a trip to the pub for dinner |
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| Fast friends no matter the age difference |
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| "We go slow for ponies"
Holtzclaws and Davis kids in front of our house
A pub
July 2013 A visit from the Holtzclaws! A visit from the Taylors! A visit from Gainer! A visit from Lentz! A visit from the Smiths! A visit from Stacey! May graduates from "primary" school! A Royal Baby is born! A visit from the Olsons! What we learned:
Butter Beer at the Harry Potter Tour
Pints at the Duke of Wellington (local pub) with the Taylors!
Lentz, Gainer, Freeling and husbands (sans Dave) reunite in London!
Royal Baby mania in front of the Lindo Wing!
May's "house" wins the Polehampton Swimming Gala!
Year Six Leaver's Prom and feeling SASSY!
Best British Buds!
May graduates from Polehampton and on to "secondary" school!
Pints with Gibson!
Cousins on a hike in Turville
Catching the train to Edinburgh
Excited in Edinburgh
Pinkies UP! High tea in London!
AUGUST 2013
Road trip to meet the Olsons in Normandy
More road tripping thru France and on in to Switzerland ~ 7 days hiking in Zermatt and Grindelwald
Henry turns 12 in Grindelwald, Switzerland
What we learned:
      
Beware of French restaurants by the sea if you don't speak French-cold snails and lots of mini lobsters!   
 Steep-Mummy was hyperventilating!            
Henry is 12!
SEPTEMBER 2013
School starts again...both kids at the Piggott School!
A visit to Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey)
Jen completes the 21 mile walk in Stroud for the 2nd year!
What we learned:
      
Quaint Cotswaldian homes
Thea, Jen and Suzanne
2 Brits and an American at Downton!
 Having a cuppa at Highclere-not quite up to Lady Mary's criteria I say!  The grounds were lovely!  
It is an imposing place to say the least!
Love the door knockers at Highclere!
So glad we got this hard to get ticket! Sells out months and months in advance!
No photos inside please...shhhh
Cheeky Suzanne breaking all the rules on the current bell system at Highclere
OCTOBER 2013 A day trip to Corfe Castle A week in Florence - back to the scene of many crimes! What we learned:
                  
Muggy and hot at the end of October
                        
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013
Thanksamas - a dual celebration of Thanksgiving and Christmas with the British Branstons
A decision to move back to the USA was made-Feb 2014!
A last European trip to Amsterdam
Enjoyed the Christmas season in London
Spent the last 2 weeks of the year in Seattle, Sun Valley and Galveston, Texas!
What we learned:
British Branstons-always up for anything!
 
Quaint A-Dam
  
Anne Frank
 
Hey a HUGE wooden clog
Carry on is the way to go
 
Tulips in December
Cards and pancakes on a Sunday morning
 
Nicest man ever!
Meeting the Fonz and getting his autograph...again!
J Crew comes to London just as I am leaving...
Covent Garden
Spamalot
Christmas at Harrods
Reconnecting with BFFs in the Squah at XXX
We got to go to our first Bat Mitzvah - fun!!
And we are skiing!
Skiing with cousins is super fun!
   
1/2 had been thru the flu at this point...
Sun Valley gangstas...
Traditional photo around the table opp...super casual. May in PJs
 
Rye sitting on Santa's lap
 
Walter White was good to Uncle Saul, I mean Will
Even Lionel Richie made it to SV
  
Girl cousins making cookies
From snow to sea...
I have more Texas pics but sister in law needs to email them to me - hint hint!
Well that is the year in review - not too shabby at all I must say. We are completely fortunate to have been able to experience all we did this past year! Sorry to be so braggy - look at us in all these awesome places. Just delete this entire post!
Now we are into the 15 day countdown of our remaining days in the UK. So bittersweet but looking forward to being closer to our family and friends. See you in the US...although I am sure I will write one last UK blog before I go...
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