Wicked Weekend!

Yes, Robert and I did get to go and see Wicked on Friday night. It was our first night out together in London and to say it was highly anticipated would be an understatement! I was sure somehow we'd get a stomach bug last minute and not get to go.

But go we did, and it was so fun! We left the girls with our friends, Mae & Halbo, and they would later be with Paulo & Paula - date night was a group effort for sure! We're so thankful for trusted, generous friends here at LTS!

We ate a quick dinner at Pret (our quick-serve chain restaurant of choice) and made our way to the theatre. We were a little nervous when we sat down and found binoculars for rent, but we could still see and hear it all really well. And WOW, it was just fantastic. I even shed a few tears during Defying Gravity - not because it's a sad song, but the human voice can just be so beautiful and powerful.

Saturday morning came a little too soon, but Robert still encouraged me to spend some time out, so I went to a coffee shop in town and read for a bit. That afternoon we all headed to the southern part of the city to eat dinner at a friend's house from church.

On the "tuba" as we call it...

I think they're playing our version of "Quiet Mouse" where you try to make the other person laugh. 

We left a little early and took the Underground into the city so we'd have a minute to take a look around on the London Bridge. 

And, yes, we did sing the song... is that bad?? We certainly weren't hoping for the bridge to collapse!

Making our way through the crowds

View of Tower Bridge 

Then we got on an OVERground train to finish our journey. It was fun looking out over the city as we rode by.

View from the train

I'm sure Robert would want me to include this picture of a football stadium we rode by.

Millwall Football Club

Then we made it to Ben's house, which is truly a different part of the same city altogether. Different restaurants and markets - even music playing on the street. Everything felt a little more lively and colorful. The walk to Ben's flat felt like its own little adventure.

I really do think Ben deserves host of the year award for being SO accommodating to our entire family!

He found two aprons for the girls and set them to work making dessert.

Then, while dessert was baking, we feasted on Ben's slow-cooked ribs. I mean, I just wanted to cry eating them... just fall-off-the-bone delectable! He gave me the recipe a few weeks ago when he mentioned he'd started making them... there were like 8,000 steps... he's way out of my league!

In between dinner and dessert, Ben let us go up on his balcony to take in the incredible view over the city. You can see the London Eye from his roof!

We were late getting back so our hero, Robert, ended up carrying passed-out Meg home from the tube station. We opted for knocking out the overdue baths in the morning and dumped those tired cuties in the bed!

Wet hair & church dresses on Sunday morning

We had another fantastic morning at Westminster Chapel and fit in a few family pictures by the Christmas tree.

And... I, of course, cannot forget to mention all the Auburn induced excitement of Saturday night! Robert found a way to watch the AU vs Mizzou game (in the dark in the girls' room while they were sleeping, no less) and woke up to an exciting text in the middle of the night saying the #2 team had lost and Auburn was going to be National Championship bound. I think he smiled in his sleep the rest of the night. WHAT a SEASON!

Robert wearing his Auburn bow-tie to church

And to think... the only blemish of their season was a loss to that wonderful purple and gold team from the bayou...