More from Momma

This is Lareen, I wanted to write a few more thoughts…so here we go.

We were really tired when we got here. It is tough to fly all night. We checked to see if there were any other flights into Shannon Ireland to avoid the all-nighter…there is not right now because it is the off season for tourists. Come spring they offer another flight, meaning if you fly from SLC into JFK airport (we had a 4 hour layover) they would have an earlier flight so you do not have to wait 4 hours. Another idea is to fly into Chicago and then over to Shannon or Dublin and not through the night. Another thought is to spend the night in New York or Chicago on the way over and do something that night and then fly over the next day. Just a thought. When Brian and I came over a month ago we flew 1^st class and the seats recline, you get a real pillow and blanket. The chair has an extra thing that folds out for your feet so you can stretch out a bit. They keep the lights off too. OK, so if you come to see us and you choose the all night flight just know that your buns are going to be sore. This particular airplane that they use on this flight is too small for the flight…3seats on one side and 3 on the other. I know all you men out there are saying to yourself the actual name of the airplane size…silly meJ I am not complaining although it sounds like it I think.

When we got to customs everything went really smooth. It is a bit different when you are moving to another country verses visiting. Brian had all the documentation needed and the officials were really kind. Only a few days later we would be coming back from London and when we were again at customs the same woman was there. She called us by name and stamped our passports with a smile. The Shannon airport is an international airport but it is pretty small…nice for us.

LONDON…was super. We went to the famous Hyde Park. There was a Christmas fair there with vendors from many countries. We ate real Belgium waffles and sausages from Germany. Emma made a deal all by herself with a young man from Italy. He made jewelry and she wanted to spend part of her money on a ring he made. It was too much and she offered less…he sold it to her, sized it to her finger and gave here a little bag for it. Brian and I were watching her a few feet away…she did not know we were there.

We watched the guards in front of Buckingham Palace march back and forth protecting the place. There were music stands close to the fence. I wondered if there was some group there that day performing some Christmas carols.

When we went to the play Wicked…I could not believe we were there…it was unreal to be sure. The theater was 2 levels. We were on the main floor about 2/3 back. When it was intermission the kids thought it was over. They were thrilled to find out we were only half over. When it was over Logan said that the play wore her out J The whole premise of the play is how easy it is to judge something or someone before you really know the whole situation. Gooooood lesson for our little family, especially me I think. We were all stunned by the performance. It was a chance of a lifetime for sure.

One of days there we went to the London Temple. We rode the underground train, overland train and a taxi to get there. It took us about 2 hours to get there. Once we got off the overland train we were now out in the country. The train station was just like the movies. It reminded me of my mission in France. There was a small little place to wait indoors where we talked to a man about how to get a taxi. He asked us if we were going to the temple…we were surprised and said yes.

Brian had called the temple ahead to make sure they were open. When we arrived they welcomed us as if we were old friends. Some of the missionaries that are serving in the temple right now are from Idaho Falls and Sugar City, Idaho. Since Brian is from that area we had fun discussing all the places and people that we knew in common. It was WONDERFUL to feel right at home.