Conquered North, Lake District

JWG, LHG, Hanky, and I spent the Bank Holiday in The Lake District at the Fellside Barn cabin. Albeit, I'm a bit spoiled growing up in the NW, but it really was beautiful. This was the view from our deck.

We managed to fit in a few long walks when the weather cleared up!

Levi's getting use to his new pack. Note... the weather was a bit colder than we had anticipated so Levi wore a variety of outfits at once (including his leg warmers).

One of these sheep is doing their own thing...we had know idea Hanky was a sheep herder.

Buggy continues to get bigger!

We mostly hung out with Levi, made yummy food and took family naps. I've rediscovered Paul Newman and am in love so we watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (a treat to see such a well written and acted film).

Anniversary follow up

I just have to share with you all about our lovely evening JWG planned. It all started with a phone call from John in the afternoon telling me to grab something for him out of our closet. When I opened the door, there was a beautiful dress hanging up with my name on it (I'd had my eye on it but funny enough when I went back to buy it the dress had been sold)! We then celebrated at Tower 42, of course on floor 42 sipping champagne and recounting the big day. We finished off at a quintessential English restaurant that served everything from pig head to duck hearts. I had fish. :) All in all, it was lovely and just a treat to have time with my JWG.

R&R with the Texans

Levi's determined to get those glasses!

Neither Hanky or Levi could get enough of Uncle Jimmy!

Granny Franny loving her baby Levi

We spent the last 24 hours eating yummy food, looking through old photo albums and laughing about the week. Went sent them off to Madrid this morning via our usual stand on the corner of Bickenhall and Baker and wave them off as they drive off in a black cab. It's always a bit lonely when our friends and family leave!

Group Swim

Levi and Harry warmed up on the playground before the group swim at Swiss Cottage

Post swim Levi, Harry and Nicolaj snacking away after many kickkkkk kickkkkk kick kickkkkkks

Bonne Anniversaire Monkey!

The courting began 6 years ago at IMDb...

It included many adventures in SF, NYC, Mammoth and lovely Seattle...

It was going so well, that we decided to get our 1st baby....Hankadoodle (who's now 3)

Two years ago today, we tied the knot (officially) in Seattle. What a start we've had....moved to London 3 weeks later, started new jobs, had baby Levi 9 months ago and even managed to see most of Europe (pre and post Levi). I've never said marriage is easy, but I really do feel thankful for my partner in crime. I'm quite proud to be Mrs. Gibbons (and yes I do plan on changing my surname when we move back). I love you John. My life is so much richer with you by my side.

LHG turns 9 months

I'm sure everyone says this about the 1st year, but where does the time go? I'm amazed that when I now watch Levi he's either standing on his tipy toes repeating mama, speed crawling into another room or banging away on his tambourine. He's quite a clever little boy and what I love most about him is his his disposition. He's just so smiley, you can't help but smile back!

Mind the Gap

We're weeks away from our 2 year mark living in London (gasp) and our friends and family always ask us how we like living here without a car. While tubes are definitely a breeding ground for mysterious illnesses, it is so nice to be able to hop on and go (definitely easier with a buggy and a huge labradoodle). We can be in Notting Hill, the West end or East London with in 10 min from leaving our flat. I must admit I sometimes miss the flexibility of having a car, but all in all I love city living...especially black cabs!

Breaking News...London...12:10pm....

First assisted walk with new toy (however no help from us)

Texans part two arrive!

Grandpa G, Granny Franny and Uncle Jimmy arrived from Houston! Levi (and Hank) are in heaven having them here (as are we)

Uncle Jimmy teaching baby beatle fan Levi some tunes on the infamous Tamberine!

Old Texas past time...bbqing with Papa Gibbons and step-brother Jimmy!

Smiling & laughing as usual

The breakfast scene at the Gibbons Flat

A perfect Sunday in Regent's Park

We met up with our dear friends Simon & Serena and their darling boys Felix, Freddie and Oscar. It was a hot afternoon and we did it all..

The boys warmed up for the tennis match on the new mega cool spinning toy (Felix in the middle)

Followed by a strenuous hour on the courts (the boys just returned from a week long tennis camp in Barcelona). Needless to say JWG and & I lost...

Followed by homemade fried chicken and potato salad...

and a crisp Sancerre

a few snuggles of course

and the boys even starred in an impromtu drama play

Finished off the day with ice cream cones. Now that's a proper English summer day at Regents Park!

Guess who's turning 92?

FRONT OF LEVI's ONESIE: "I'm 91 years older than you! Guess who I am?"

BACK OF LEVI's ONESIE: GGMA! (made of course by Grandma B)

I can proudly say our Grandma B (Levi's GGMA) is turning a whopping 92 today! She not only jet sets to Hawaii every year, but she also does multiple visits to California and she even celebrated her 91st birthday in London with us last year! If that doesn't impress you, how about a 98/100 on her driver's test last year (practical and written). Aside from all of this, she's still has her charm, she's healthy and still has marbles!

Grandma B in London on her 91st Birthday!

4 generations...not bad! I'd say we have pretty good genes...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA B! WE LOVE YOU!

A Sunday at Harry's House!

Harry and Kristi always come to us, so we decide it was time to go to them! We took the train to SW London and hung out at the Gulliver Maison for an afternoon. Feasted on lamb, bbq sausages, amazing salad (I have a new fav recipe) and a delicious chocolate mousse dessert made by Kristi's darling mum.

Harry and Levi continued to try and play with the same toy (seems to be a pattern)

We all hung out with full bellies on Kristi and Ben's lovely garden space.

Levi was in heaven because Harry has a bazillion cool toys!

Finally we get the husbands to join us for an afternoon (was such a treat to have JWG and Ben with us)

Proud Papas of the boys who are only 45 min a part in age (and born in the rooms next door to each other)

Levi studying one of Harry's favorite toys

Levi wore his daddy out...train ride home.

An afternoon at the Adamo flat

Levi spent the afternoon admiring Baby Ivy (now 3 months) while Court and I tried to squeeze in a Babyccino power session!

Baby Ivy is near 3 months and is pacing to look like her mama (lucky girl)!

Big brother Easton was very sweet to get some of his former baby toys out for Levi. Little brother Quin missed this play session as he was snoozing away.

No more than 5 minutes away from Court's house and Levi was fast a sleep (he's definitely my baby).

Texan Aunties come to town

Auntie Betty & Joan visited us for 2 weeks. We took them to some of our favorites spots and even joined them on some of their tourist outings.

The Aunties love their Levi...(at the British Musuem)

And of course Baby Hank.