Long Live the Queen

Well. These week has been an AWESOME one. I love to hear of so many fun things happening back home. A while back, John and Jacqueline decided they were going to be wonderful enough and send Jemima and I for a little pre-birthday treat. OH DEAREST ME I CANT TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVED IT. But, I almost can. So I will do what I can and tell you all about it. 

On Tuesday, Jacqueline dropped Jemima and I off at the Darlington train station and we arrived three(ish) hours later to Kings Cross Station. The magic just began from there. 

We checked our luggage into the hotel and we were off! Our first stop was the British Museum. It was fantastic. 

They had these sort of pins in all the gift shops. So being the tourist I am, I bought one at every shop. 

Somehow we figured out how to direct this lady who didn't speak a lick of english to take our picture. Hm. 

Then after that we grabbed some dinner and headed off to our next spot, which was the LONDON EYE. 

It is a giant ride that moves so slow it takes you about 20 minutes to make a full trip. But seeing wonderful London light up the night was breath taking! 

I kept getting funky shadows but I ended up liking this one. Hooray for mishaps that turn into successes! 

After a good nights rest in an awesome hotel we headed of the next morning through Hyde Park and on our way we ran into Peter Pan himself. 

His statue of course;) 

While walking along the street, we learned that the President of China was in one of the buildings across the street. He also brought his country with him and they were all on the sidewalk across the street. So after getting poked and prodded with umbrellas we made a quick escape into the Hyde Park Chapel/ Visitors Center. It was so nice so see the missionaries! They gave us an AWESOME tour and we watched the cutest video about families. Then we all talked and I got to know just how sweet of spirits sister missionaries have. 

After our spiritual uplifting we went back out and made it to the Natural History Museum! I am a museum junky. I don't know why, or how. But this was probably the greatest museum I've ever been to. Infact. I know it was. 

In fact I was too flabbergasted to even take pictures inside. Thats how awestruck I was. 

Then we found lunch and even found Big Ben! 

I got a little obsessed with taking pictures of it. 

How could you not? 

Then we went to see the Queen herself. Sadly, she forgot we were coming so we didn't get to meet up. But I did get some nice pictures. 

The royal crest in all it's glory. 

Then after a trip to an and some food, we did a spur of the moment thing and bought tickets to see Wicked! 

It was the best!! I loved it so much! The man sitting in front of us was from New York. He said it was a lot like the one on Broadway. Just more British. Of course. 

We tucked ourselves in for the night and woke up for round three! 

That included the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, as well as seeing the Tower Bridge. 

This is where the incredible King Henry the Eighth put wives to death and everyone had very exotic pets! There were sculptures of the animals around the grounds and I was very confused until I figured out why! 

The monkeys were my favorite. But a zebra, lion, polar bear, and ostriches were also included in the mix. Peculiar isn't it?

Then we strode across the Tower Bridges! 

After that we went to the National Art Gallery, and then to St. Pauls Cathedral. The history behind that was impeccable. 

Sadly, we were not allowed to take pictures inside. But I can assure you, it was awesome. 

That night for dinner we went and ate at institute! I met more missionaries from Utah! They are everywhere:) it makes me feel a little more at home. Then Jemima and I went to mission prep where we were reminded about the importance of having the Holy Ghost with us at all times. Together, the Holy Ghost and us are a dynamic duo. We studied a talk by the wonderful, Richard G. Scott and he talked about the importance of the Resurrection and Atonement. He stated that, "Your personal witness of their reality will be strengthened... They must be woven into the very fiber of your being." I loved that. 

After being totally exhausted, we woke up again and were saddened at the thought that we were going home. We packed up and checked our luggage in at Kings Cross. Which by the way, did have platform 9 3/4. I tried to take pictures. It turned out horrible and disappointing. I apologize. We went to Piccadilly Circus and Harads. By the time we were finished being dumfounded by a lot of expensive things, we decided the best idea would be to buy a book and read for the remaining couple of hours on a bench in Kings Cross. It was such a wonderful week and I am so so so so grateful I got to go. It was quite magical. 

Remember lovelies, theres always more about the Atonement we can all be learning. No one quite knows it perfectly except for the Savior himself. So take sometime this week and remember how loved you are and how wonderful it is to be surrounded by so many wonderful things. 

Until next time loves. 

-Hanny the Nanny