So much fun...not enough time to blog...May 30, 2009

So much has been going on...here is a quick recap which I know will not do justice to the events!!

Kelleys came to visit

Deb, Tom, Austin and Kate came for a 10 day stay. They arrived with an extensive list of things they would like to do and see, and we achieved almost 99% of their goals!! We started their visit with lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe with Bob, followed by a walk through Green

Park to Buckingham Palace and a pit stop at Bob's office. I left them to walk through Westminster and see the London eye and Big Ben.

We did train trips to Hampton Court, boat rides on the Thames, a visit to the Tower of London, Portobella market, a Chelsea football match (they won), fish and chips in Notting Hill, a pub crawl through Kensington (6 pubs plus Sticky Fingers), a day in Cambridge with a double decker bus tour and rabbits, shopping at Harrods and on the Kings Road, dinner at Wagamamma, Il Portico and Sticky Fingers and an overnight trip to Dublin to tour Guinness and Jameson factories...whew...

Our final night together to celebrate Bob's birthday was a swanky evening at Bob's Club 50, which we overindulged and got home way too late.

It was a wonderful visit and the time flew by. The kids were great sports with everything and I think it was a super way to really get to know Austin and Kate better by having quality time to with them. They are great young adults.

Arthur Laffer comes to dinner

Bob had worked with Arthur Laffer the economist while at GE and he was in London and came to dinner. Old GE friend Joe Nellis was in town as well and we had a lovely evening debating economic and social issues among old and new frien

ds.. The girls really enjoyed the conversation and stories about Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan as well as Kennedy tales...fun night.

The girls go to France

School was out for (another) Half Term break, and the Wills' family was kind enough to invite us their chateu in Canaples, France. The girls and I (plus Ramsay) drove via the tunnel (on a train that you drive your car on) for the 4 hour journey. It was a super few days of chateau exploring, shopping in French shops and antique stores, Patisseries, mussels, and laughter.

The girls took a horse riding lesson which included voltaire (bareback riding and balancing on the back of the

horse while kneeling and standing - very cool)

Ramsay swam in the sea and had a fabulous vacation as the center of attention among 9 females. Thanks Didi - you are a wonderful hostess (Chatelaine)...

Rachel has a class holiday to France

Rachel leaves for her class trip to France on Monday and is excited and is packing as we speak.

Lauren is happy most of her exams are finished and Meg is well.

Bob had a great birthday with his family here to celebrate with him.

Fond thoughts to Nana and Papa as they work through their medical journey.

Love from a sunny warm London....

Amy