Christmas, December 22-28, 2014

Josh's brother and sister have arrived in London! We took them to the Southbank Christmas market, Trafalgar Square Christmas tree and they went ice skating. I stayed home for that event! 

After looking around the Southbank Market we headed to Old Spitalfields Market. My mom really liked it so I'm sure we will go back. We had a mission, Josh was looking for a specific winter hat. We didn't find it, but I found one. I'm a little obsessed with my new hat!

One of the great things about London/city life is you just come upon cool events all the time. Outside the market the Coke Cola truck had an event going on. They were giving out soda, had carolers, and pictures with the truck. So fun, and getting us in the Christmas spirit.

Katie, Josh, and I

Picture with the truck

Dr. appointment, Dec. 23
Wearing my new hat, and Josh's shirt!

Trafalgar Square has been presented with a large Norwegian tree each winter for over 60 years as a token of friendship and gratitude for Britain’s assistance during World War II. This year marks the 68th tree to come to London from the City of Oslo. The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree is decorated in traditional Norwegian style with hundreds of individual white lights. The tree itself is traditionally 20 – 25 meters tall. It was cool to see such a big tree, but none of us were impressed. I really think they could have put more effort into the decorations. After the tree lighting we grabbed dinner at Olive Grove, then walked around a pop up carnival in Leicester Square. We ran into Paddington. I had been wanting to see this one but had given up on the hunt after Bobbi left. This one is called Blush and was designed by Nicole Kidman.

Mom, Josh, and I

Blush #30

Ice Skating

Christmas and Harvey's due date:

Mom and I attended Christmas Mass at the Westminster Cathedral. It was beautiful!!! Mass was lead by the Archbishop and there was a huge choir and it was just breath taking. The cathedral is the mother of the Catholic church in England and Wales, and the largest.

Outside the Cathedral

Beautiful decorations

Alter

Outside after Mass

Nativity

Josh and the gang went around London with some friends to see the big sites with less people around. On Christmas, all public transportation shuts down- no buses or trains! They had fun but more people were out than expected.

When everyone got home we opened Christmas gifts!

A Baylor "Mamma Bear" shirt from my mom

To Harvey from Josh, the cutest sack for his future
Christmas gifts

We had planned a Christmas dinner with the Stones. No sign of Harvey yet so dinner was on! We had a big spread and enjoyed time with family and friends!

Ron, Danielle, Matt, Mom, Katie, Me, Josh
Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas from The Kinsells

Boxing Day:

Basically the are trying to do a Black Friday like in America, but the deals were super lame. We saw signs like "Up to 10% off"...10%! That's not worth leaving the house for! We ventured to Oxford Circus along with everyone else in London. It was super crowded but fun for Ron, Katie, and my mom to experience.

On Sunday, mom and I went to see Paddington the movie. It was soooo good. Not sure if it was because of all the London sites I recognized or the fact that I have now fallen in love with Paddington because of this bear hunt but it's in my top 10. The movie comes out in America in a few weeks and I hope everyone goes to see it! Mom thought the theater was funny...buying tickets online is an ordeal, then the actual theater is tiny. I think this one had about 12 rows of seats. No sign of Harvey yet...he is now 40 +3 Oh! Today marks our 6 month London anniversary. 

After the movie we walked around Sloane Square. We thought maybe this would get Harvey to come, you know his name sake and everything! I had to take mom to Partridges so she could see the outrageous American food prices!

Mom is here, December 15-21, 2014

We had our wives Secret Santa exchange at an Italian restaurant called, DaMario. I had the ravioli and it was yummy! Apparently this was a place the Princess Dianna had been to, so they made an interesting painting of her looking longingly at a pizza. I got some cream soda (really hard to find here!), nail polish, and Bert's Bees body cream set. Thanks to Kate my Secret Santa! We had some fun with the English tradition of the Christmas crackers. Ours had a fortune, crown, and a mustache inside.

DaMario's

Ravioli=YUM

Princess Diana

On Wednesday my mom arrived from Houston!!! It was so exciting to see her AND she made it before Harvey arrived. She helped me decorate the tree. We were not planning on putting one up, but I'm glad we did. The house seems more Christmasy already!

Cricket checking out the loot Granny brought

Mom is here!

Thursday my mom and I went to check out the famous London pantomimes. We decided to see Cinderella at The New Wimbledon Theatre, because my mom had a friend recommend it AND Linda Gray from the tv show Dallas was the guest star. I was not familiar with a pantomime, I thought it meant no words just acting out. It really is a big thing here at Christmas time. Its a great way to expose kids to the theatre at a lower price and not so stuffy environment. So it was the basic story of Cinderella but with current songs, innuendos, jokes from Dallas, and jokes from London. I didn't get some London jokes, but some I did I must be becoming more of a local! You are encouraged to interact with the cast, yelling things out like "its behind you"... At one point they all put on cowboy hats and did a line dance to Sweet Home Alabama when they were talking about Texas (a bit random of a song, but that's the British way). My mom loved seeing Linda and we both enjoyed the show. If you are in London in panto season, you should go check one out.

Linda Gray as Fairy Godmother

Good seats

Wahaca for lunch

Friday, we ventured back to St. Paul's Cathedral. At the Thanksgiving service we got the Christmas schedule and saw they were having a "Ceremony of Carols". Well, this was not at all what we were thinking. I thought it would be Christmas songs we knew, but it was a little boy choir singing some British composer's music. They did have great voices and and wished they would have sung Carol of the Bells, they would have been perfect! It was great for my mom to see the beautiful church where Princess Dianna got married, and the Queen had her jubilee ceremony. After the concert we went with the Stones to The Diner SoHo. Josh realized we had been to it before in a different location when we first moved to London. We all got breakfast and it was pretty delicious. The hash browns were the best I have ever had...better than McDonald's!

39 Weeks at St. Paul's

December 8-14, 2014

I have been getting all of Harvey's stuff washed and put away in his new dresser and packing our hospital bag. I had a doctor appointment this week and all is continues to look great!

A few of the wives met at Rachael's flat to binge watch a British show called Gavin and Stacy. We were having so much fun our day lasted 9 hours! I made peanut butter cookies for our event (thanks Julia!).

Some exciting news...I found my favorite restaurant in London! Its right by the hospital/doctors office. I found it when I got lost last week. I walked by and saw chips on the table and put my face up to the window like a little orphan. I took Josh back this week after the dr. appointment. It's right by Oxford Street Station, and called Wahaca.  I can't wait to share it with our fellow Texans, Matt and Danielle! We sat down and the waitress actually introduced herself, asked if we had ever been there before, explained the menu, made recommendations, and actually checked on us many times...felt like I was back home. These actions are not common at all in London. You are lucky if you get a water refill after asking multiple times. Josh got some tapas and his favorite was the plantain tacos. I got British steak the Mexican way, which was basically fajitas, and the marinade was awesome! Here is a picture of our black bean and chips nibble (appetizer).

I saw what looked just like a Texas taco salad on our way out, and that's my plan for next time! When you leave they give you what looks like a match book, but its actually chili plant seeds. Really cute idea. I'll let you know how our seeds do...once we get a container and some dirt that is...maybe wait for the Spring before you ask me about our plants!

Friday was Christmas Jumper (sweater) Day. In America we have ugly sweater parties, well here (I'm not sure if its a joke or not because I have never heard the word ugly) they sell said ugly sweaters and people wear them all the time. They use this day as a way to raise money for charity. They  even sported them at Josh's work! Of course we had to join in the fun!  Josh got more compliments then me...even from strangers on the street. In case you can't tell they light up!

I did a little shopping at a store called Seraphine. It is a cute little boutique style store for maternity/nursing clothes. Guess who wears a lot of their clothes...that's right Princess Kate. Well I think she is still visiting America so I didn't run into her, but I'll let you know if I ever see her wearing the same shirts I purchased!

We went back to Wahaca for dinner with the Stones...I know so soon, but I can eat Mexican food everyday! I got the taco salad and it was good, the pumpkin seeds were an interesting touch but I still loved it. Danielle tested out the margarita and said it was just like home! Good news all around! This won't be our last time here.

Saturday was a special day...our sister graduated from Midwestern University. Congratulations Katie, we love you! Wish we could have been there! We will see you guys soon!

Ron and Katie at graduation

Oh and in the Christmas spirit these guys were in Victoria train station. Goes to prove you never know what you will see in a train station!

Harrods ice cream, December 1-7, 2014

The girls and I met at an Italian restaurant called Zia Teresa, located right across from Harrods. We decided to do a Secret Santa exchange and drew names. After lunch we headed over to Harrods to check out the ice cream parlor (parlour). It was actually a great time to go, not crowded at all. I have read reviews that it gets crazy and there is no where to sit. Wow! Its fancy with expensive ice cream but such a cool experience. I felt like I was in the Polar Express movie when they are serving the hot chocolate..."Hot, hot, hot, come get it...". The ice cream is pretty pricey so we decided to pick 3 different sundaes and split them between us. There was plenty to go around! I will definitely be going back with visitors!

To our surprise it smokes!

Peanut butter and Oreo sundaes (with Meg and Kate)

This weekend Josh and I celebrated my birthday! We headed out early to do some Christmas shopping. It was so cold! Its only 50 degrees but feels like 30! Burr...these Texans are wimps! We went to The Portobello Market in Notting Hill, since Josh has not been . It of course was crazy crowded but I loved all the Christmas decorations and trees. We got some Christmas goodies and then had lunch at the Electric Diner. I had been there with the girls and wanted to introduce Josh. It was very yummy! I didn't get a peanut-butter shake this time but I would HIGHLY recommend it! I got the cheeseburger and Josh got the avocado on toast. We split fries which are also very delicious. I think Josh said they were his favorite fries in London (wow!).

Salvation Army choir singing

Electric Diner in Notting Hill

For dinner we met up with a couple from work, Mary and John. They were so sweet to take us out to celebrate my b-day! We met in SOHO and tried an Italian place called, Amalfi. I had the ravioli and Josh tried a pasta dish recommended by the waiter. We had a fun time chatting!

Sunday we ventured to Ikea...its a pretty long trek for us but we needed to get Harvey a dresser for his stuff. Just like Ikea in the States its takes all day no matter how prepared you are going in! Except here you get to CARRY all your goods home!