Pre-Christmas Fun in Texas

Finally we were on our way to Texas, leaving Daddy behind to work an extra day in London.  When you're ready to be home you don't care about flying alone with 3 kids.  The boys were a huge help!   Seems like when we give our kids no choice to step up, they do.  And eventually the plane has to get there and the flight is over :) Our only hold up was a very long passport control line 300 deep.  We made a few friends and of course met someone who we shared mutual friends with.

As many times as we've flown the boys have never seen a cockpit or been offered to meet the pilot.  This time we scored! 

 

 

After landing we made a couple of drive thru stops to please everyone and their Texas cravings.  Then headed straight to bed.  Our cousins were over first thing the next morning!  We were all so glad to see each other.  Jumped right back into where we left off!

2, 1, 4, 3, 6

 

On Tuesday we were able to see Anna's Christmas program which is a double dose of fun because she goes to Honey's school. 

Who doesn't want to eat her up? 

Cookies!

Honey's fan club!

  One afternoon we got to stop and visit one of best friends, Shannon.  Feel the BU love and spirit!!  It abounds in all of us bears! 

Our kiddos...Georgia's getting fired up for Santa! Next stop! 

She appears more pleasant than she actually was, which is good.  Brooks loved chatting with Santa but Barrett got a little star struck.  He wasn't scared, just seemed nervous. He told Santa said he wanted trains...what? Brooks corrected him and we were set to go. 

 

Having a little fun after pics in the Real Book Store.  Such a cool place for Santa to be.  

Oh boys! 

 More mexican food! 

Mission accomplished!  She's in love with salsa and queso! Praise the good Lord, she knows what's good for her!

 

Santa could have brought rain and that would have made these boys happy!  They wanted to run around in the rain but settled for umbrellas. 

Happiness!

 

 

Muppet movie and slumber party with Anna Lou!

Girl cousins ROCK!

 

Friday morning we were up and out the door to play with puppies!! My aunt and uncle recently had 5 Westie puppies.  We had to have a playdate before Santa delivered them to their new owners on Christmas Day. 

 

Watkins cousins, babies and puppies!

 

Not pictured are the multiple trips to Cabellas and Bass Pro Shop by Daddy, Papa and the boys! But of course we documented once again MORE MEXICAN FOOD! This time dinner with Aunt Rosie! 

...queso trumps hummus any day! This is a bit ridiculous!

 

Day 4 - Friends and Simba!

Our hotel was in an incredible location and had a beautiful view of Hyde Park.  The kids and I enjoyed breakfast before catching a taxi to meet our friends. 

 A bit uncooperative but mommy was a little nervy considering once again the 3 crazies and lots of breakable china! We survived.

 After breakfast we were off to meet some Doha friends who just moved back home to London.  Anni and I had our baby girls just a few weeks apart.  We were sad to see them leave Doha a few months ago but so thankful they were up for taking the train to come spend the day with us.

Big Ben, double-decker Red Bus plus gray clouds = London :) 

 

Anni and sweet Heidi

 

Of course Anni knew just the place for lunch and little ones. It was such a treat to hang out with them!

 

After lunch we headed back to the hotel.  A hotel room isn't a good place for boredom but we all survived.  I packed our suitcases for leaving the next morning and as soon as Daddy walked in the door, Brooks and I were off for a special date.  We had tickets to see Lion King!  Barrett, Georgia and Daddy had a dinner date.

 

 

I wasn't sure Brooks would enjoy it or last through the whole show...I was totally wrong. He was in awe and remembers so many details.  He hadn't seen the movie but the costumes and singing were so incredible it didn't matter.  A blessed memory with my Brooks for sure!  The next day we were up and ready to head for DFW! 

Day 3 with Friends!

Our last two days in London were spent with friends.   A little less walking and a little warmer.  Nick was working Wednesday through Friday all day so we made plans to get out of the hotel. Wednesday we met up with Christine and Megan in Covent Garden (my favorite area of town)!  We started off at the Transport Museum which came highly recommended by everyone!  Christine pulled Megan out of school and took the train into the city.  We were all so so thankful to have a little more time with our friends.

 

 

 

Covent Garden where the decorations were amazing! 

 

 

 

Lunch where we were not ashamed to pull out any available Apple products to keep people quiet. 

This is one of the Chapman's favorite coffee places, Nero...and now its mine, all because of the Amaretto latte. 

 

Took the bridge to walk Megs and Christine back to their train station.  

On our way back to the hotel we stopped for a ride on this beautiful carousel, in what I think its called the South Bank area.  Its right on the river near the Eye. There were little Christmas markets set up.  It was like a movie, once again.

 

After Daddy finished with work, we took a taxi and were dropped off for dinner.  Every where we looked was WAY too sophisticated for us and the 3 babes so we walked some more and decided to just go ahead to, Winter Wonderland.   A popular Christmas festival in Hyde Park full of incredible food and drink, ice skating, rides, entertainment, games, etc.  Since the British schools weren't out for the holiday it was line-free but plenty full of adults enjoying some mulled wine after work :)

I don't have a picture of our dinner which was mouthwatering!  Real Belgium waffles and German sausage.  Good lordy! 

The boys enjoyed a few rides.  No fear. 

 

Brooks and Daddy screaming!

 

Barrett and I loved the bumper cars. 

 

One last game (almost injuring the poor guy working the booth). 

That finished up day 3 in the city!