Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath

We were able to take a tour bus and see some amazing sites. 

Windsor castle - home of the Queen. Buckingham is the office, Windsor is home. 

This was my favorite place on the trip. 

Jack liked listening the tour. We were able to go inside, but no pictures allowed. 

We also were there for the changing of the guard. 

And they let us bring the kids right up close to watch. Luke was fascinated!

Stonehenge 

The boys were a little cranky here, but it was amazing to see this remarkable structure and imagine just how it was made. 

Then we headed to the beautiful Bath. We passed Jane Austen's home on the way in, the lines up to see the Roman Baths 

Crazy to think how long this has been here! 

We even tasted the healing waters. 

Afterwards we had a little snack before the long bus ride back to London. A pigeon kept crawling underneath our table and it was the highlight of the trip for him. He still talks about it. 

We were so lucky to see such amazing things!

Christmas!

We had a great Christmas!

On Christmas Eve Eve we put on our jammies and drove around looking at lights. 

Our favorites were Santa and his alligators on Shell Beach Road and the Trahan's house. Mr Alfred really outdid himself this year. 

In Christmas Eve we ate a delicious dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing and rolls with peanut butter cream pie for dessert. Then the boys each got to open one present. 

It was their matching Christmas pajamas!

Then they got a plate ready for Santa and his reindeer. 

And watched Frosty the Snowman before they had a sleepover in Luke's room on the air mattress. They were so excited that they had a very hard time falling asleep. 

Santa and his elves worked late into the night to put together this awesome bunk bed. 

About midnight Luke woke up and couldn't stop talking about Santa. He had a very hard time getting back to sleep. We were up at 6 and excited to see what Santa brought. First we explored our stockings. 

Then we realized that we needed to look in Jack's room for the big present. They were very excited !

We had fun opening presents 

And spent the rest of the day eating, playing with our new toys and talking to family!

Merry Christmas from all 5 of us!

Out and About in London

We spent the next day exploring London. We walked through the park 

And saw the RAF Memorial built during the Queen's Jubilee. 

We stopped off to give our regards to the Queen at Buckingham Palace. 

And enjoyed seeing some of the parade coming in for the changing of the guard. 

Then we were whisked away in a taxi to ride The Eye of London. 

This was one of the highlights of the trip for Jack. 

There were some amazing views of London. 

After lunch we walked over past Big Ben

To Westminster Abbey!

Unfortunately they don't allow pictures inside but it was amazing all the history there. Anyone you could ever imagine is buried inside - from Queen Elizabeth I to Jane Austen to Handel. 

They even had a kids tour where they found the answers to questions throughout the abbey 

And received a gold coin as a prize!

Then we headed back towards the River Thames 

And caught a boat 

We rode under the current London bridge. 

And arrived at the infamous Tower of London. 

Off with Jack's head!

We saw more guards protecting...

The Crown Jewels. Again no pictures inside, but wow - the Queen is one lucky lady!

We also toured inside another area and saw Henry VIII's armor. He sure thought highly of himself!

It was dark when we came out and we were tired, so we ate some delicious Italian food and called it another awesome day!