Boxing Day at Stowe House

The day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day in the UK, and is a national holiday. It's a very popular day for people to go out and take a walk (a very British pastime), so we were not alone in our decision to visit Stowe House in Buckinghamshire. It was a beautiful National Trust site, dating back to the 1500s (although the house was completely rebuilt in the late 1600s). It was a huge estate, and we only covered part of it during our walk. It was a chilly day but nice to get out and see a little sunshine (rare in the English wintertime). We at lunch at the cafe on the property before going out to explore.

View of Stowe House across one of the lakes on the property

Crossing the lake via a footbridge

Ceiling of the footbridge

Stowe House

Our new 3 year old enjoyed independently exploring the steps of Stowe House

Sun was starting to go down by around 2:30 pm

Another view of the footbridge from a different angle

 We enjoyed a quick hot chocolate to warm up before heading home!

Christmas 2016

As has been typical of both our Christmases in England, we celebrated the holiday multiple times! Between Christmas itself and Charlotte's birthday (3 days before Christmas), we were lucky to get so many special packages from friends and family back in the States. Once January hits, Charlotte's fully expecting gifts every day and is a little disappointed ;) 

Charlotte and our mini Christmas tree

So proud of her new nightgown and a matching one for "Baby Doll" from Grandmom & Granddad

A couple of days before her birthday, Charlotte got to go to breakfast with Santa at our local garden centre in Waresley. She got dressed up and was excited (and just a little nervous) when Santa showed up! He read the boys and girls a story, took pictures, and gave little gifts to each child by name. She was brave and went up to the front to get her gift with only minimal encouragement.

By the Christmas tree outside the garden centre 

Meeting Santa!

Looking very grown up as an almost 3 year old! With Grammy & Papa

Listening to the story from Santa

More Christmas celebrations!

Her new watermelon blanket knitted by Aunt Paulette

ROLLER SKATES from Aunt Katie!

All ready for Christmas (after Santa's arrival)

Loving her new bathrobe from Aunt Allie & Uncle Matt

 On Christmas morning, we opened presents as our family of 3 and enjoyed cinnamon rolls and scrambled eggs. We then went to services at the small village church in Caxton (where we live). They had a nice little children's area to keep the kids quiet, so we sat in that area. For dinner that night, we popped Christmas "poppers" and wore the included paper crowns to have a tasty dinner British-style at home.

Charlotte is 3!

Just before Christmas, Charlotte turned 3! Her grandparents (Paul's mom and dad) were visiting for about a week at the time, so they were helpful with planning and prepping for the little party we had for her. She was thrilled to have a surprise "3" balloon when she woke up from her nap, and (since I'm so behind in posting) it lasted until March!

She was very excited to have a cake with pink icing and sprinkles and candles :) Her friends Auri, Calvin, Ellery, and Camilla came over to celebrate with their families. We ate chili and macaroni & cheese for dinner, and enjoyed visiting with everyone!

Kids' table!

Winter Lights at Anglesey Abbey

Slightly out of sequence, but more appropriately seasonal for December than November anyway :) My aunt Carol and Jensen were in town to visit over Thanksgiving, and we had purchased tickets earlier in the year to attend Winter Lights at Anglesey Abbey. It was a cold night, and we were out for longer than I thought we would be as the crowds are pretty slow-moving through the light displays. However, the trees were beautiful all lit up, and we enjoyed eating street food sausages and donuts while watching a shadow performance of Peter and the Wolf. We were glad to return to the warmth of the car after sufficiently numbing our toes for nearly 2 hours :)

The birch grove illuminated

Another view of the birch grove

The plane trees lit up alongside the mill canal

The main house, lit up at night

Italy: Rome and the Castelli Region

On our first full day in the Rome area, we caravanned with Elisa's parents to the Castelli region, which is just outside of Rome. We stopped at Castel Gandolfo, which is the historic summer residence of the Pope (although Pope Francis has opened it as a museum now). We enjoyed the sights of the town, including the view over Lake Albano, before driving down to the lakeside level for a late lunch.

The town square outside Castel Gandolfo

Entrance to Castel Gandolfo

Fountain outside Castel Gandolfo (and a dove [pigeon] of peace??)

Lake Albano

Paul got gutsy and took the wheel to drive in Italy... I thought he was crazy to drive with
how insane the Roman drivers are!!

View of the hills around where we ate for lunch

The group at lunch!

After leaving the Castelli region, we drove back into Rome to visit Eataly, a big superstore with various restaurants that specializes in local Italian food and drink items. It was fun to wander and see what they had to offer!

Outside Eataly

Chandelier of espresso cups & saucers

Charlotte and Auri enjoying some gelato at Eataly

Festive wine bottles at Eataly -- and a baby bump starting at 7 weeks (ack!) 

That night, we went back to Elisa's parents' house (Rini & Enzo) and enjoyed another delicious dinner, this time shared with Elisa's sister Danila. The next day, we drove into Rome and parked near the Spanish Steps. From there, we explored the city by foot!

The Spanish Steps

At the base of the Spanish Steps

Mid-roundhouse kick!

Statue of Mary near the Spanish Steps

Mary's statue had been decorated the day before for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Pantheon!

After lunch, we grabbed gelato!

After enjoying gelato, we walked to Piazza Navona (Paul's favorite spot in Rome), where there was a small festival going on. Charlotte enjoyed the carousel and seeing a band march through the square.

"Fireworks" Christmas tree at the Spanish Steps

After returning to Rini and Enzo's house, we ate dinner and got the kids to sleep and then enjoyed relaxing on the couches with Dan and Elisa with a cup of chamomile tea to settle my stomach. The next morning, Dan and Enzo drove us to the airport, and we headed back to England.