August 2021
8.29.2021
Hi fantastic folks,
It's only two days until we depart London, which means…
- it’s time for another Covid test (required by British Airways)
- we’ll miss the English language (especially the UK accents)
- we’ll miss sleeping in and taking charge of our travel schedule (Croatia is a preplanned tour group)
Picture credit - Warwick Castle (I left my drone at home)
1) Last week we toured the House of Parliament began in 1097 a.d. by the son of William the conquerer.
2) On Friday we took a train to see Warwick Castle and the Sundown Spectacular.
3) This ‘living’ castle began in 1068 a.d. by William the Conquerer.
4) Today the dungeons are empty and the servants and blacksmiths are Tussaud’s wax figures.
5) It is embellished with period furniture, tables are set for a feast and armor, weapons and tapestries cover the walls.
6) Included in admission are a Jousting exhibition, Bird’s of Prey show, archery demos, and a hedge maze.
7) There are onsite rooms and a knight’s village for lodging.
8) The Sundown spectacular is a 4 1/2 hour evening show with food carts and entertainment.
9) We tried the deep fried cookie dough, Beef on the Block and enjoyed jugglers, acrobats, stilt walkers, the DJ, then the live band..at a 1000 year old castle in England!!!
10) It ended with renditions of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”, “We Will Rock You!” and FIREWORKS!!!
This week:
September 1st - We depart London and fly to Dubrovnick Croatia. We’ll switch back to our regular phone numbers. Texts should work again.
September 3rd - Jerry & Erin are celebrating 17 years as a married couple. The modern gift for year 17 is furniture, and the color is yellow or orange. I suggest skipping the opulent orange velvet davenport and go out to dinner instead.
Last week Britni requested more photos. She may regret that. I sent nearly 40.
So, go ahead. Make my day. Request a few…if you dare.
We love you forever and miss you for always!
P.S. Random foods:
Deep fried pickles at Mayfair Chippy, Sunday Roast w Yorkshire pudding at The Queen's Pub, Bubble Wrap in Covent Garden
Fish 'n'Chips at The Old Bank of England, Milk Train (Covent Garden)
Traditional English Breakfast in Warwick, Bunsik (fancy corndogs) near Leicester Square
8.22.2021
My dear Family,
Before I forget I must mention that we finally got sim cards for our phones last Friday. We won’t see texts unless you use these temporary numbers. Call us if you’d like. Lane, +44 7 861 729 077 Carolyn, +44 7 861 722 611
But emails are still best.
At church: the cute chorister was wearing a ‘fascinator’, we met a family of 9 from Boston visiting the UK for one month, and another family of 7 is traveling the globe for one year - a different place every week.
1) We ‘live’ next door to the Sherlock Holmes Pub and enjoy stopping in for dinner or, like last Tuesday, my birthday cake...
2) “Elementary my dear Watson” is one of the best known phrases that Sherlock Holmes never said, only later in the movies.
3) We also watched “Free Guy”, a new release with Ryan Reynolds, America’s sweetheart.
4) And enjoyed a progressive dinner in Chinatown.
5) We luxuriated in paintings at The National Gallery by the masters. To me it is unfathomable what was created over 500 years ago AND preserved for viewing today. (Even better than Free Guy)
6) We visited Cleopatra’s Needle, completed 1450 B.C. and displayed on the banks of the River Thames since 1878.
7) Our Turkey tour for 2.5 weeks in September got cancelled. Very disappointing.
8) We found another Turkey tour company that is willing to take us, and our money.
9) On Thursday we saw the stage production of “Come From Away”. I blubbered for 100 minutes. LOVED IT!
10) We took a day trip into the country and visited the village of Chesham.
There, those are the basics. If you’d like more info or photos just ask. Otherwise please know that we are thinking of you, missing you, learning a ton, and basking in each day that we share together.
Coming soon:
23rd ~ RayDean & Jon mark their 31st wedding anniversary, whose modern gift is a watch - a symbol of time.
27th ~ Can anyone believe that Darren will be 28?!
We love you forever,
8.15.2021
Hello precious ones,
So many highlights this past week in the UK. We’ll share this one...
1) The Tower Bridge is more famous, interesting and stunning than London Bridge.
2) This vital drawbridge took 8 years to build, 1886-1994.
3) A walking tour took us up the North tower, across a glass walkway, down the south tower and through the engine room.
4) It took 40 workers to raise & lower the drawbridge using coal-powered steam engines.
5) The drawbridge moved to a new electro-hydraulic drive in 1976 and only needs 10 workers to operate it, 8 of which are performing traffic control.
6) It was painted gray during WWII to be less noticeable during bombing raids.
7) It is widely acknowledged that London traffic would come to a standstill if the Tower Bridge failed to function.
8) Historically, just last Monday, August 9th, the Tower Bridge failed to operate, stuck in the open position for 10 hours.
9) Drivers & pedestrians weren’t thrilled but they merely used the 8 other traffic bridges, 3 foot bridges, and numerous ‘Underground’ subway tunnels.
10) If you are ever blessed to be in London check out the walking tour of Tower Bridge. You’ll thank me for it. I’ll even reimburse your ticket. Do it!
Coming this week:
17th ~ I am thrilled to see my 63rd birthday! I don’t like attention on my birthday, but I’m taking a page out of Britni’s playbook. I recall when she was in High School in Little Rock, Arkansas she would wear a sign that said “It’s my birthday! Give me cake.” The cake part is a lie, but I got a kick out of her sign.
My birthday marks the day I met my amazing mother and spectacular dad. In contrast I’ve wept as 2 of my siblings lost children and grieved as one of our kids lost a child. I appreciate that each day is precious. Each year I live I celebrate the accomplishments I’ve been able to witness. I am the middle of 7 siblings (known by some as the 7 C’s). Each is an outstanding human. I’ve birthed 4 incredible children. You are my world! Only a mother knows this feeling. After struggle and heartbreak I took a 2nd chance at marriage, and received 10 bonus children and over the years 14 bonus in-laws...what a deal! A few of those in-laws are taking on a new roll as out-laws. Hey, I‘ve been there. Growth hurts but time heals. And I’ve been so happy; serving 2 missions, moving all over the country and traveling all over the world. Lane is my hero. I love you my P.C. Through my 63 years I’ve met 55 grandchildren, each one is an absolute treasure. You know I speak truth! I’ve seen baby blessings, baptisms, school programs, sports events, dance concerts, been on a few field trips, observed graduations, babysat when I’ve been able, written to a few missionaries, planned or assisted in many happy weddings, traveled with each of you somewhere at one time or another. AND I count myself ultra blessed. I’m not done yet. I look forward to seeing many more weddings and great g’babies. I’m in the middle of another afghan. Who’s next? I smile when I think of you. When I see you again I expect you to come give me a humongous belated birthday squeeze. I would love to get a quick itty-bitty email saying “Hi Mom” or “WHASUP W.S.M.” (some of you know that one) or Hey G’mama” if you read this email.
And to my award-winning mother (who gets Bcc'd on these) I say “Happy 63rd Anniversary of my birth! Thank you!"
Someone in London loves you forever,
8.8.2021
So,
Our first full week in London is complete. The Westend is opening up - we saw “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. Strolled by the New Scotland Yard. Posed as a lion by the Trafalgar Square lions, took a London cab to The Queen’s Pub, climbed Primrose Hill for the wide view of this remarkable city, rode a red double decker bus, captured Big Ben all entwined in layers of scaffolding, appreciated fine art at the National gallery, attended church meetings in the historic Hyde Park Chapel, crossed the Thames on the Golden Jubilee footbridge, watched the Olympics. BUT, what I want to brag about is…
1) Pie Candy - hahahaha!
2) I love meat pies.
3) My favorite is a chicken pot pie.
4) Which movie says “I don’t want to be a pie!”?
5) Greenway’s pie & mash is phenomenal.
6) Every topping is essential to it’s potential goodness.
7) Choices range from beef, chicken, lamb, duck or gourmet veggies.
8) Lane recommends the beef short rib & pearl onion.
9) It’s located super close to our flat.
10) Next time we’ll try the strawberry cheesecake dessert version.
Important dates:
August 8th ~ Happy Birthday Katherine X. 32 years old TODAY!
August 12th ~ Cam & Kim celebrate their silver wedding anniversary - that’s 25 years y’all.
We are cheering for you to overcome your challenges, praying for you to receive strength for another week, encouraging you to persist in your dreams, and loving you without reservations. You are incredible kids. You mean the world to us. Let us hear what’s working well for you, what brings you joy? are there struggles you’d be willing to share with us? or ANY counsel you might seek out? (we might not have the answers but our experiences have taught us a few things).
Emails are a great way to reach us when we travel. Occasionally I’ll see a text or Marco. But these only happen when we are on the hotel wi-fi.
Stay amazing. Stay involved in each other’s lives. We need each other. We love you forever,
8.1.2021
‘ello Mates,
1) This morning we landed at the London Heathrow Airport.
2) The ease of clearing UK immigration and customs had both of us gobsmacked *
3) We rode the Underground (tube) into Central London.
4) These pics were taken on our .5 mile walk to our studio apartment.
5) …all except the 2 with the London Eye. Those were taken from the Thames foot bridge, 1 block past our place.
6) Once we had settled in a bit we sauntered out for some fish’n’chips, a few groceries, returned ‘home'
7) and being cream crackered ** we dozed until 1 a.m.
8) FYI: we are 5 hours ahead of Jami, 8 hours time difference from Jerry, Cam & Britni and 7 hours from the rest of you blokes.
9) Tomorrow we’ll start some serious exploring and pick up a necessary brolly ***.
10) No matter where we go there’s no more excellent adventure than family life.
The key to hanging on when times get tough is to unitedly rely on each other as family members. This big quirky, crazy, remarkable family we share is experiencing some unexpected growing pains. Since no family is perfect it is vital that - during times of joy as well as trials - we hold together and forge stronger ties that will provide a place where all feel loved, safe and essential. Please forgive us our shortcomings. Admittedly we have them. You know it. We are grateful for each of you. We need each and every one of you. It is amazing to us that we can experience this life with you - even while we live our own tiny version of the ‘great race’. This trip takes us to England, Croatia, Turkey, Austria and finally back to Utah in November. We do hope that you learn a little about the world as we share our experiences. We hope to learn a LOT more about you as you share your experiences with us. Virtual hugs!
This week:
August 2nd ~ (our quarantine ends early as the UK has relaxed travel restrictions)
August 5th ~ Slater boy is now in double digits!
August 5th ~ Cheeky Charlie is a whopping 12 months old
August 6th ~ Darling Savannah is already THREE
August 8th ~ Katie X is 384 months. How marvelous!
*** umbrella
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