a first class anniversary: Quick Boat ride on the Thames

After our visit to the Tower of London we headed to Westminster Abbey. Instead of taking the tube we decided to take a boat up the Thames so we could see some of the sites. There was a ship right in front of the Tower of London and in honor of my dad I took several pictures of it :) I really enjoyed the ride. We didn't get to see much of Westminster Abbey since we had High Tea reservations and had to get back to the hotel to change. But it looked very lovely all lit up at night.

 

A first class anniversary: Tower of London

One of my favorite things we did on our trip was visit the Tower of London. We took one of the Yeoman tours which was very interesting and funny (I know it sounds weird to say that a tour of the Tower of London was funny, but it was)

Something that I thought was interesting was that the Yeoman guards live at the Tower of London and are locked in every night with their families. Our tour guide (the picture of the man in the funny hat is of our guide) said it's great cause every night he knows exactly where his teenage daughter is.

Below are pictures of the Bell Tower. One of my favorite plays is a Man for All Seasons which is about the last days of Sir Thomas More before he was beheaded. This is the tower that he stayed in.

Of course we checked out the Royal Jewels. Jeff was a little disappointed that they didn't have very many and thought what they had wasn't that impressive. They basically just had the coronation crowns and "toys" :) However, I was impressed. The picture below is of Jeff and the guard in front of the entrance to where they house the jewels (picture to the left is the place where the jewels are kept)

I had a to take a picture of the ravens. Supposedly there is a belief that when there are less then six ravens at the tower the kingdom will fall. So, the Yeoman guards are responsible for guaranteeing that there are always six ravens on the grounds at all times. They even have cages for them.

Below is a picture of the excution site memorial (right) and the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula (left). The execuation site memorial is for the royals that were beheaded at the Tower of London. King Henry the Eighth Second and Fifth wives (Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard) were among the Royals that were killed here. Their remains are buried in the Chapel Royal of St. Peter

A first class anniversary: Hyde Park

After our trip to Kensington Palace we walked through Hyde Park. (Kensignton Palace is located at one of the ends of the park) The park was so beautiful with all the fall colors. Unfortunately we arrived right when it was getting dark so I wasn't able to get all the pictures I wanted. Since I didn't have my tripod a lot of pictures turned out kind of blurry.

Once we left Kensington Palace we came across a large lake with a bunch of swans. It was so beautiful. People were feeding them so some were out of the water kind of "attaching" people. I secretly wished my sister was there cause she is terrified of birds and it would have been a good laugh.

One of the things I wanted to see in London was the Peter Pan statue. (confession: I always wanted to see this after watching the Mary Kate and Ashley Winning London Movie. I secretly love that movie. Don't tell Jeff!) I was totally upset cause it was almost pitch black by the time we found the statue. I guess I will have to go back in the daylight sometime :)

The picture below is the view the Peter Pan statue stares at all day

 

I really like Hyde Park. :)

a first class anniversary: Kensington Palace

Last time Jeff and I were in London we didn't do a lot of the tourist stuff. We walked around a lot of went out to great places to eat. :) This time were a little bit more touristy. I really feel bad for Jeff cause I made him go a lot of the historical places. He was a good sport about it.

Our first day we went to Kensington Palace. I was really looking forward to going since I'm such a huge Royal Family fan (especially Diana). I loved the grounds! They were so beautiful! Of course a large part of it was under construction so we couldn't see everything. :( There's always next time.

 

We went inside to see the Enchanted Palace exhibit. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed. I just wanted to see some of the rooms and learn about some of the Princess that lived there, but they had these modern fashion installations which told the stories of some of the Princess that lived there, but in a modern art way. While I did get into learning about the princesses, the fashion/modern art part was a little over the top for me. It was really dark with black lights in there and you couldn't really see the rooms.  I think I will have to try and see it again next time we go when they have something else in the rooms. Here are some of the pictures of the things I thought were cool.

and a year ago today...

Jeff and I were sealed in the London Temple. 

I'm such a lucky girl. Not only do I get two anniversaries, but I get a great husband too! (sorry for the cheese, but it's true)

I can't wait for year two!

The Wedding Saga - Part 2 London Sealing

Jeff and I arrived in London at 6:45am and headed straight to the hotel. We stayed at the Lanesborough. It's at the corner of Hyde Park. It was amazing! We got to stay in the bridal sweet for our first two nights, so we had a nice big room for everyone to get ready in.

Mom, Dad, and Kari joined us while we got ready for the little photo shoot with the photographer and to go to the temple.


We then spent some time walking around Hyde Park getting pictures :)


We then made the trek down to the temple. The temple was about an hour drive from the hotel, and Jeff and I both ended up falling asleep in the back seat. I ruined my hair, but I couldn't help it. I was so tired.

We then met up with the family at the temple for a few pictures before the sealing. It was nice to see everyone.


After the sealing we headed back to the hotel for dinner. I don't think I can image in a more perfect dinner. The hotel took care of everything. They had waiters serving canapes and drinks before dinner was served. They had a beautiful room set up with a banquet table and the wedding cake at the end. They really did a nice job. The food was amazing! It was absolutely perfect!

The Wedding Saga - Part 3 Honeymoon

Jeff and I spent the week in London seeing the sites and relaxing. It was so nice and just what the doctor ordered.

So, you may not know this about me, but I have this obsession with Tiffany's and have a goal to visit everyone of the stores and buy something :) I know it's an expensive goal, but I've been having fun doing it. I've only been to 15, so I have a long way to go. Jeff and I were able to go to four Tiffany's while in London. I bought the new Tiffany Christmas ornaments. Well, the four ornaments that are available in London. I love Tiffany Christmas ornaments and I'm so glad I got to get four more to add to my collection.


Our hotel was down the street from Buckingham Palace, so we took a little stroll through the park to see it. I have a bit of an obsession with the British Monarchy. I was soooo excited to see it. When we arrived there were a lot of photographers around taking pictures, we thought it odd, but something told me it was about William and Kate. It was. I got a paper with their engagement as the head line. I was so excited.


After a lovely lunch at Clariges on Wednesday, we spent the evening checking out Big Ben and the London Eye. I was so excited that we were able to make it to the London Eye cause it was something that I've been wanting to do. It was so beautiful.


Thursday we went to the Langham for afternoon Tea. It was perfect! I totally recommend doing afternoon tea if you go to London.


We went to see Billy Elliot with my family on Friday night. Billy Elliot is one of my favorite shows, so I was ecstatic to see the London Production.

We flew home in the Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic. It was amazing. We spent a few hours in the lounge before we boarded the plane. The lounge was so cool! We walked into the lounge and order anything we wanted. Burger, soup, cheese plate, drinks, desserts! I even got a massage!


The flight was very relaxing as well. We watching movies and ate a really good dinner. After a quick nap I woke up to Jeff sitting in his chair having afternoon tea (scones, hot chocolate, and little sandwiches)