A Scary Evening

First off, we are safe. But anytime you need to start off with this is not a good sign.

Tonight we had our dodgeball game. We won and went out with our team for celebratory pints at a nearby pub. We'd been there for about 20 minutes and were drinking when we noticed an increased police presence inside and around the pub. We thought they were looking for someone until the bartender came up and asked us to leave because there was a bomb threat nearby.

We immediately evacuated and found an alternate route home as our normal transportation methods weren't options. There was a large area around the pub cordoned off, and traffic and people around the area had to be diverted. Apparently there is an abandoned car across from the tube station (and the pub we were at). but reports are still a little bit unclear.

It was scary, but luckily it sounds like that's all it was, thankfully.

The Lord Mayor's Show Goes On

For the past few days, London landmarks have been lit up in blue, white and red to show solidarity with France. The terrorist attacks that occurred on Friday were horrifying. There are no words to describe how disgusting and inhumane the actions that took place were, and no emotion that can adequately sum up what the families and friends who lost their loved ones are now feeling.

On Saturday, the Lord Mayor's Show took place in London. It was the 800th anniversary of the parade which marks the new appointment of the Lord Mayor (different from the Mayor of London), and is supposed to be a carnival-like celebration. The mood was much more somber. Flags were at half mast and fireworks were cancelled. The show still went ahead but there was a two-minute silence before it began.

Originally, the show was on the River Thames which is where the word 'float' comes from when used in the context of parades. Today the procession is 3 miles long through the city of London. There were all kinds of floats: British military, non-profits, schools, businesses and more. A few of our favorites were Santa's sleigh (with two real reindeer), a robot made out of recycling containers, an old steam engine, a giant pig balloon, four wheelers doing wheelies, and giant meat balloon (from butchers of London).

The floats were creative and entertaining, but the one thing on everyone's mind was the attacks in Paris. In such difficult times, there is hope in the outpouring of support and solidarity. But it always seems that two minutes is just not long enough.

Meet Caroline Christine Wham

Last week, our beautiful, little niece was born!



Caroline Christine was born last Saturday at 3:22am PST... and we were up for it thanks to the time zone difference! I was just about to get on a 12 hour flight to Brazil and was worried I wouldn't get to see her. Luckily, she made her appearance early enough for a quick Facetime with her Auntie and Uncle in London. She was 6 pounds and 14 ounces- so precious!

We are thrilled for Jake and Katie, and incredibly excited to be Auntie Ashley and Uncle Aaron to another little one : ) In exactly one week, we will be home to meet our new niece! And as the British say, I can't wait to give her lots of cuddles!!

Christmas has Arrived with the Annual Oxford Street Lighting

With Halloween now over and no Thanksgiving celebrations in sight, Christmas has officially arrived in London. The air seems colder, storefront windows and shop displays have changed, and lights are going up everywhere.

On Sunday, we decided to brave the crowds with our Seattle friends and get in the festive spirit by heading to the annual Christmas lighting of Oxford Street. Every year the busiest shopping street in London is transformed into a twinkling spectacle of holiday cheer. The road was closed for the event, but it didn't make Oxford Street any less busy!

The evening featured Kylie Minogue, who sang a few songs and then did the honorary 'flipping the switch' for the lights. We ended up finding a spot near the stage that was set in the middle of the road, but as the time got nearer to the concert, the crowd organizers came in and cleared out the area we were in. We were pushed past the stage so we couldn't see it, but we didn't mind because we weren't there for Kylie. The whole event started 20 minutes late, so after an hour and a half of standing around, they finally turned on the lights (before and after pics below).

Let's just say our experience at the Oxford Street Christmas lighting was a bit of a bust. It's not very often that I our activities are but this one definitely was. The organization was terrible (this coming from an event planner) and the lights were a little underwhelming, but... it still made me very excited for Christmas!!

As a side note, Aaron's in Germany this evening for work, and I'm gearing up to head to Brazil next week for work. Then we are headed home for Thanksgiving... get excited!