An {Interesting} Day at the Beach

Yesterday the weather was supposed to be completely rubbish (new English lingo we're picking up) - but instead it was absolutely gorgeous, so we decided to head to the beach. Not quite the beach that we native-Californians are used to, but lovely and fun in its own regard.

If you're unfamiliar with Brighton beaches, they're made of stones, not sand. The water must be quite chilly too because there are rarely any swimmers - maybe a kid dipping their toes in or a person wearing a full-body wet suit braving the water. Lincoln loves playing with the stones and was entertaining himself really well by rolling them down a little concrete wall and saying "Rock slide!" Then he decided to toss a stone in the direction of an old man wearing a Speedo laying on his stomach. I don't know if it actually hit him, but we decided it was probably time to leave the beach and give Link a lesson in not throwing things at people...even if you are trying to tell them to cover up more...because, who wants to see old guys (or anyone really!) in Speedos??

Another difference we noted: nude sunbathers!! Yep, we look over and some woman is bearing it all while she soaks up the sun. Are we in Southern France?! Sheesh! I don't know if this is allowed or how common it is here, but next time we come to the beach I'm going to have to bring blinders for Link...and Ryan.

Hallelujah!

We have internet!!! It only took nearly 3 months, but we have real internet - so now we can catch up on blogs, download shows (still haven't seen the end of seasons for Lost, Chuck, 24, or The Office), and generally waste time. It also means that we can post more often (theoretically), and fill you in on all the latest fun from England. Thanks to all who still check our blog, even with the lack of activity!

This is Lincoln's favorite job: watering "his" flowers. He takes very good care of them and gives them PLENTY of water. It's fun to have our own backyard for the first time.



Two weekends ago we took a trip up to London. The purpose was to see "Les Miserables" and Kimber so graciously offered to watch Link while we went to the show. We got to take in some of the London sights beforehand, including an amazing fly-over by old and new military planes in honor of the Queen's birthday. Lincoln LOVED it - but actually we all thought it was really spectacular! Here we are in Trafalgar Square (notice Big Ben in the background):



The story as to why we saw "Les Mis" goes back almost 6 years to the day. The touring show came to Salt Lake and Ryan bought tickets - intending to ask me on a date. He then found out I was dating someone else at the time, so he ended up finding another date. Since then, he has always wanted to take me, but as soon as we moved to New York the show left Broadway. When we moved here and found out it was still playing in London Ryan jumped at the chance to get tickets for Mother's Day. The show was amazing - well worth waiting 6 years to see it with Ryan. I wonder what would have happened if we saw the show together in 2003??

What we've been up to the past month

As unbelievable as it is, we have been living here in England for 2 months already. The time really flies when you are as busy as we have been the past month or so. I would love to have kept up with all our adventures, but we still don't have "real" internet service yet! If everything falls into place we might have internet installed before the baby is born. So here is a quick recap of the past month:

Went to the beach and pier here in Brighton

Brighton Pier has the most fantastic fresh donuts and candy floss (cotton candy). It takes real restraint not to go there every day. Aunt Kimber and Uncle Julian spent a fun weekend visit with us "at the shore".

Took a trip back to the US for Aunt Ashley's mission homecoming and Aunt Kelly's graduation

After serving in the freezing cold (Canada) for 18+ months, my sister Ashley returned home from her mission. It was a joyous reunion and all the family (except Ryan who had business in NYC) was there. Link loved playing with his extended family, going to the petting zoo, and spending almost every day outside in the yard.

Had Nana, Pop, Ashley and Kelly come visit us in England

What fun to have a house full of visitors! Link especially loved all the extra playmates and still talks about his adventures at the beach.


Ryan and I took a fantastic getaway [sans Lincoln] to Italy!

Leaning Tower of Pisa, ride through the Tuscan countryside, great Italian food, The Uffizi, David, shopping, walking along the river in Florence, Duomo, music in the Piazzas, relaxing, and LOTS of gelato. This was the first time I have been away from Lincoln - ever. It was hard to leave him, but I knew he was in good hands with my parents and we had a wonderful time.



Baby Girl Giles continues to grow! Only 7 weeks to go!