LONDON: Day Six

Steve and I joined my parents on a double-decker bus ride to Hamley's toy store (yes, we went twice!) and Fortnum & Mason, the iconic tea emporium at Picadilly.  Many jars of jams, honey, and tins of biscuits (translation= cookies) later, we headed back to the flat in time to change and hop back on the Tube for a trip to All Souls for the wedding rehearsal.

Sitting on the top level of the bus, we happened to see cousin Bryce walking by on his way to our flat from Regent College:

We passed by the Institute of Directors, the wedding reception venue:

The Lego floor at Hamley's.  Here we are waving with the Royals:

Fortnum and Mason's:

LONDON: Day Five

Rachel's sisters hosted a really nice bridal brunch at our rented flat for all the American ladies as well as Rachel's mum and godmother.  We had some "Buck's Fizz" (otherwise known as mimosas), berries, bagels, smoked salmon and cream cheese, jams, and-- thanks to a last-minute internet Martha Stewart recipe search-- some all-American pancakes with lots of maple syrup.

Steve, meanwhile, met the groomsmen at Borough Market-- one of my favorite London places.  They got some lunch (Steve ate a bratwurst and a sausage roll), and Steve bought some turkish delight for the girls.

Later in the day, Aunt Becki and Bradyn joined our little family for a jaunt across the bridge to Southbank, where we watched some street performers, Avery chased pigeons, and the kids played at a park.

That evening was spent relaxing at the flat, and Steve and I had time to sneak out onto Villier Street after bed time for yet another bratwurst, and fries dipped in mayonnaise (genius).

LONDON: Day Four

On Wednesday, we all went to the Tower of London.    

The Tower of London is in the distance.  To the left you can see the remains of an ancient Roman wall:

Once inside the grounds, we began by walking all around the outer wall.  In each tower there was some sort of display.  We happened to meet some sort of Royal Bookkeeper for Henry VIII while we were there; I love the look on Grace's face:

The gate that prisoners would enter through by boat:

Throne room:

A nice view of Tower Bridge during our walk around the wall:

We spotted Barb...

and George...

On the wall, with the White Tower behind us:

A few of the towers served as prisons.  Really, really old graffiti was left on the stone walls by prisoners:

Photo op while waiting in line to see the Crown Jewels:

Ravens are significant to the fortress, but someone needs to fill me in as to why...

After spending a few hours touring the Tower, Steve, April, Bradyn, myself, and the three oldest girls went to the British Museum.  Our goal was to see some Egyptian mummies!

The kids were definitely exhausted after a full morning and afternoon.  We were able to leave them in Aunt Becki's capable hands that night while Steve and I went our separate ways for the hen party (translation= bachelorette party) and stag party (translation= bachelor party).  I opted to leave my big 'ol camera at home, but had a great night of cocktails and dinner near Covent Garden with the other bridesmaids and some really lovely friends of Rachel's.  I ordered fish pie for my entree.  Hey, when in Rome...

Steve had a cheeseburger.

P.S.  Steve defends himself by saying that it was Irish beef.  On a bap, not a bun.