A Love for London

It felt good to be back, almost like we'd been on an extended holiday and had just returned. We were able to pick up right where we left off w/ all of our dear friends. Time was short, so we didn't get to see everyone, but we absolutely made the most of it!

We spent many hours in Paddington Park, Hanks old stomping ground

A perfect (enclosed) area for Levi to run and be free

We biked through Hyde Park

On a side note, London installed bikes all around the city just as Paris did a few years ago, which is so brilliant

Visited the Flower Boys new shop

and caught up w/ boys themselves! Simon (one of the flower boys) is recovering from a 2 heart attacks this year...so we just felt lucky to hug him

We people watched

and took time out to relax from all the walking we did

We enjoyed the black cabs, which is such a treat in comparison to US taxis

We even got to celebrate Ulrik's birthday and one of London's yummiest restaurants

I was able to spend quite a bit of time w/ Maureen and Kristi, which was a definite highlight

We took full advantage of rickshaws

We managed to squeeze in a night of drinks w/ old friends, which was just easy and fun (Helen who helped me survive my early MySpace days in London made a cameo)

Our dear friend Carmela and her beau Darren made it (who's not featured)

Ulrik and his other half Maureen, joined by Ben 'the best trainer in London' and his lovely wife Rebecca popped by

One of the greatest highlights was visiting w/ Mama Manjola, who began watching Levi when he was just 8 weeks old (oh how we miss her)

A special treat was meeting her new baby (#4)

It wouldn't be a visit to London, with out seeing the White Family

Freddie kept Levi entertained

for quite some time!

All in all, it was just so amazing to be back in the city where we began our adventures of being married and had little Levi

Levi & Harry still Best friends Forever

After leaving Provence, we arrived in London and had the privilege of staying w/ our dear friends Ben, Kristi, Harry and Emily in their new beautiful flat in our old neighborhood Marleybone. Levi was was able to spend every moment w/ his best friend Harry (who mind you is only 45 minutes younger) and I was overjoyed to spend a entire week w/ his mum Kristi!

Our mornings consisted of our daily walk around the neighborhood, popping in and out of shops until the boys simply started protesting.

We were delighted to finally meet Emily, the newest addition to the Gulliver fam. She's nearly 5 months old and has beautiful blue eyes like her big brother.

The boys truly were inseparable. If one went to wash his hands, the other was quickly behind

Dined together for every meal

Showered Emily w/ Kisses

Learned to share Harry's sporty car....

... and water

Hit the playground daily at Regents and Paddington Parks
Made each other laugh at the littlest things

Watched the rain

Enjoyed snack time together

Even if they were playing with different toys, they were always in arms length of each other

Harry taught Levi how to eat whole apples (a new favorite activity). As Kristi pointed out, it's like giving a dog a bone...they work on them for nearly an hour

Created tidal waves in the bath together

Hugged and snuggled each other daily. For both John and I, watching Levi play w/ his best friends Harry and Nicolaj was hands down the greatest highlight of the holiday.

Our last 2 days in Provence

Ulrik, Maureen, and Nicolaj left a day early, since they were driving back to London with stop over in Paris. We were sad to see them leave, so rolled out when they did to tour Sault, the lavender capital of Provence.

We took the scenic route there along Les Gorges de la Nesque, an extremely narrow, white-knuckled drive that was absolutely gorgeous

Overlooking the recently harvested lavender fields in Sault

Levi learning to use our Flip camera

Why do little boys insist on playing w/ their mama's make up?

Our last stop before flying out was at Isle de la Sorgues (one our favorite antiquing towns)

Picnic by the river at Isle de la Sorgues

Levi, nearly 22 months and as cheeky as one can be

We were sad to leave Provence, but felt so lucky to have an entire week w/ our dear friends in one of our most favorite places.

A day in St. Remy

We packed up our day bags and headed to St Remy, one of our favorite Provencial towns and also where Maureen and Ulrik tied the knot (cocktail fact: we share the same wedding anniversary as the Fugmann's).

Strolling the markets in St. Remy

The boys required a bit more distractions in order to buy us some additional time to shop

Our little Levi is not so little anymore

We then headed to Dalmeran winery (friends of Maureens and Ulriks). The owners (French and English) had prepared the most amazing lunch for us, accompanied by their Rose wine

We experienced a traditional French lunch including homemade pasta, Rabbit, figs and cheese for dessert!

The Chateau sat up on a hill, surrounded by Olive trees and acres and acres of freshly cut lawn.

Perfect for two little busy bees

Complete with garden hoses...

Sprinklers to turn on

and various smaller buildings to explore

Not to mention lots of sculptures and trees to climb

An afternoon of hanging out

and being with our favorite people