I actually had my camera handy when I saw this at a stop sign…

WHAT CLAY SAW TODAY:

Big Ben

Ethan’s only reference to London

View of the city from the London Eye (I’ve already put in a request for Clay to make a really sad face in the next picture he sends – I would hate to think he’s actually having a good time there without me)

Houses of Parliament

Westminster Abbey

WHAT I SAW TODAY:

At Celebrate Freedom in Frisco

Unfortunately they weren’t giving rides

At the splashpark with cousins

Okay, I didn’t actually take this picture, but that’s only because my white-knuckled hands were glued to the steering wheel on the drive home tonight.  I guess the upside is that the rain was pounding our car so hard that I didn’t have to hear the same Mickey Mouse movie we’ve been watching all week.  I’m trying to focus on the positives…

To ensure she makes the right college choice in 17 years, I decided to go ahead and start the brainwashing process today.  My sweet girl stuffed her face with a Freebirds burrito and loved every minute of it.  Admittedly this wasn’t my original plan.  I ordered my custom burrito and had them make a cheese quesadilla for her – you know, to ease her into it.  I sat her down in her high chair with her food while I got our drinks, and then heard the ever-popular and questionable, “UH-OH!”  She had dropped her entire lunch on the floor, so then we went to plan B and shared my burrito.  It actually turned out okay because now I know she can handle hot sauce – I’m so proud!

WHAT CLAY SAW YESTERDAY:

Covent Garden – where the opening scene of My Fair Lady was filmed 

View from the pub’s balcony

WHAT I SAW YESTERDAY:

E&R with the Davis Trio at music class

E & JoJo cooking (Ethan told me repeatedly on the way home that he had fun cooking like Nana.  The next logical question was if he was also cooking like mommy.  He casually responded that he was cooking like Nana because Nana cooks good.  It’s a good thing I ordered all of that Pampered Chef gear a couple of weeks ago!)

His first self portrait

WHAT CLAY SAW TODAY:

His cousin Susanna’s house outside of London (she’s not actually his cousin, but it’s a really long story that I’m not sure I even understand – Susanna, Clay kept talking about how much fun he had and how good the guacamole was!  Can’t wait for his next trip so we can all come!)

WHAT I SAW TODAY:

At the pool with some sweet friends – this was of course before we all had to evacuate because of the diarrhea in the pool…and before Ethan’s fever set in…somehow I think Clay is getting the better end of this deal.

With no daddy around to bring home the bacon, we’re resorting to junk mail to keep our heads warm.

WHAT CLAY SAW TODAY:

Admiralty Arch

Buckingham Palace

random restaurant

WHAT I SAW TODAY:

Ethan’s allergy testing

Rachel feeling better

Our week in Branson was fabulous!  The kids did great on the ridiculously long trip there and back, and we enjoyed every minute of being there with my parents, brother, SIL, nieces and nephew – I really loved getting to bond with Levi.  And one of the best surprises was that Rachel was healthy and happy the entire week!  Praise God!  (Her fever came back the day after we got home, but we’re blocking that from our memory.)  The guys golfed on Father’s Day while Ginny and I shopped, we went to Silver Dollar City one day, rented a boat for half a day on the beautiful lake there, Clay and I had a date night with Bryan & Ginny (and Levi!) one night and enjoyed sushi and the New Shanghai Circus, we went to a city park, shopped at the Disney outlet, rode the Ducks, and did a lot of eating!  We stayed in a very spacious house on the lake for the week which made it that much more memorable.  Already looking forward to our next vacation!

VIEW FROM THE BACK PORCH

FATHER’S DAY

SILVER DOLLAR CITY
 
how many pairs of Crocs can one family have?

both of the babies were so sweet about sleeping wherever

Ethan was thrilled about running into CG

ON THE BOAT


Libby fell off and came back for more

despite his back problems, Poppa was a trooper

Addi wanted to go faster while Ginny was yelling to slow down!

Ethan tried to have fun, but he really didn’t enjoy tubing

She was amazing – slept for almost 2 hours on the boat

Nana catching some rays

BEFORE THE SHANGHAI CIRCUS
 

AT THE CITY PARK

RIDING THE DUCKS

Ethan got to drive when we went in the lake

Addi was completely worn out

This is really random, but I don’t want to forget how odd the movie theater was in Branson.  The last night we were there Clay and I went to see the late show of the Hulk (which was really good).  The theater was in a Bransonized mall that looked kind of like a log cabin.  We went inside and there were some interesting jewelry shops, a clothing “store”, a red hat store,  a fudge place, a really random shop blaring their Hebrew-Christian music, and just stuck there at the end was a lady standing behind a counter shouting out movie times over a loud speaker.  We bought our tickets and entered the “theater” to be greeted by a magic shop.  Yes, I’m serious.  To our left was a Quiznos, and the snack bar sold the worst popcorn I’ve ever had.  I should have known better since they sold pre-packaged popcorn there as well.  Oh well – it was clean and the movie was good, and it was nice to have a date since Clay is now on the other side of the pond for 2 weeks.  More on that to come later…

E:  Mommy, can I stay up real late tonight?
Me:  If you take a good nap, you can stay up late.
E:  Well, actually, we’ll have to ask Daddy.  If he says yes, then I can.  But if he says no, then I can’t. 

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In other news, we’re going on 18 hours of no fever for Rachel.  HALLELUJAH!  Last Friday and Saturday were fever free, but somehow it crept back into the house Sunday afternoon, and stayed until around 5:00 last night.  I took her back to the doctor late yesterday afternoon, and she had some bloodwork done this morning.  Crossing our fingers to get some answers.  But, fever or not, we’re going on this vacation!

MONDAY - went to the zoo with the Fab Five (aka the Davis’) and had a blast.  Got to hang out with Cara at the house for almost 2 hours without anyone needing anything.  Seriously – that was the highlight of my week.

TUESDAY - E hung out with my mom and Rachel and I surprised Clay at work for lunch.  I love how everyone digs out their vendor giveaways while we’re there to try and bribe a hug out of her – I’m not sure if Chelsea’s ball or Dana’s Mardi Gras beads were a bigger hit.  Ladies – thanks for always making us feel so welcome.  You are my connection to the outside world (and my fashion fix) – you don’t know how important both of those things are!

WEDNESDAY – Took Ethan to a new asthma/allergy doctor to get a new plan of action.  Rachel went into the office fine, developed a 102 fever while in the exam room, and proceeded to vomit all over the carpet by the checkout desk, herself and me.  Spent the rest of the day cleaning up vomit and diarrhea and giving lots of Tylenol and Motrin to combat the 104 fever that poor baby was fighting off.

THURSDAY – More fever and diarrhea.

FRIDAY – Fever gone – hallelujah.  Doctor appointment for Rachel since she’s down to 20 pounds now (I just looked back and that’s how much she weighed at 9 months…but who’s counting).  No ear infection – hopefully nothing a little Yo Baby yogurt and ice cream won’t fix.  We just need to get her well – really well – before we leave on vacation next week.  And Amber – thank you so much for giving Ethan a nice break from these walls and taking him out for the day.  He’s still talking about it!

At the zoo last week…