Ceremony of the Keys!

Here we come!

Where Ann Boleyn got the axe!

Laurie, Allyson & Sara

The Ceremony of the Keys is the nightly ritual held to close the gates at the Tower of London. Each night at 10pm the yeoman warders pass off the keys and bolt the gates. This ceremony has been happening for hundreds of years and even took place during the blitzes of both world wars! We were lucky enough to go on an after hour tour of the grounds, visit the pub (cheapest pub in London) and see the ceremony! It was fascinating. A.Julie loved the tower so much that she spent the day there as well. (I think she wanted to take home some jewels....)

Auntie Julie and Uncle Jim Come to London!

Nana's farewell and A.Julie & U.Jim's welcome!
Julia showing Uncle Jim her new dance moves.
A romantic dinner at Marco's favorite restaurant.

Hmmm, where shall I sit? Oh, this looks like a LOVELY spot!
The National Gallery!

As Nana headed home, Auntie Julie and Uncle Jim arrived via a stormy Ireland. Luckily, they have relatives (us!) in the area so their golf trip was not completely lost! We were sad to see Nana go home but we were happy to have new visitors!

Julia was particularly thrilled to have her Uncle Jim back. She had a captive audience in him! She made him dance with her, hold her hand, follow her around etc. She LOVES her Uncle Jim and Marco loves his Auntie Julie.

Luckily A.Julie and U.Jim were here for a few days so touring was definitely in the cards. They packed it in!

Hopefully we can expect them again next year!

Nana's final weekend in London!

Hampton Court
Daddy and kids going into the palace.
Family shot behind the palace!
Get us outta here! (The maze at Hampton Court Palace)
Over the river and through the woods.... (just kidding, just over the river)

Sadly, Nana had to go home to reality last weekend - or at least that's what mommy says. Mommy says that Unkie Andy and Aunt Cathy have a good thing going with Nana. I'm not sure what she means about that but I think it has something to do with the fact that Nana gets to play with Calvie, Freddie and Drewsie all the time. I'm jealous.

Mommy was really sad that Nana had to leave. Marco and I were too. Marco liked sharing a room with Nana. He said she was a good cuddler. I liked having tea parties and baking with her. She let's me lick the beaters more than my mommy and daddy do. She says that's what Nana's are supposed to do.

Before Nana left we got to go on some fun car trips. The day before she left we went to a huuugggeeee palace called Hampton Court Palace. Mommy said some kings and queens lived there a long long time ago. We got to go see the gardens, the fountains, a cool maze and tons of other things. We even went INTO some of the rooms. They were very big and very loud; I used my outside voice to make lots of noise. Mommy made me go outside!? I wonder why?

We got to play in the fun maze at Hampton Court. We ran around. We tried to find the center but we kept getting lost. My favorite part of the whole day was when daddy got me an ice cream after lunch. I love ice cream. Daddy says I'm my mommy's girl - whatever that means.

I was super duper sad to see my Nana leave but I was REALLY happy to learn that we had MORE VISITORS COMING!!!

Watch Out World! Here I Come!

Marco and his bodyguard.
Huh? You are slowing me down!

Look at me! I am soooo close to walking! I can only take a few steps alone before I fall down but I'm good at walking around tables and chairs. I'm also good at pushing my walking toy. I can push it all over the house. I get a bit tripped up on the stairs in the hallway but I know that if I launch my walker over the edge, I can crawl down behind and then start walking again. I'm very clever.

My sister likes to walk with me. Sometimes she pushes my walker with me. She goes fast and we fall down. I think she wears her helmet so she won't hurt herself when we fall. That's no fair!! How come I get all the bruises!!

Just give me a month and I'll be running!!

Harrod's Fun!!!

Nana and Daddy in the Pizzeria
Tea at Harrod's
Toys, toys, toys!

I LOVE HARROD'S. It's one of my favorite places in the whole wide world! We are lucky because my daddy works right across the street. Sometimes mom takes us there on the big red bus. We go visit daddy at his office first (where I "work" on his computer) and then we go across the street for lunch. I LOVE the bus; I LOVE Daddy and I LOVE going to lunch at Harrod's because my mommy always takes me upstairs to play with the toys.

Last week we took my nana with us. We had lunch in the pizzeria. I like the pizzeria because it's right next to the candy store. Mommy let me pick out a sweet after lunch. She said I was a good girl. I got a pink lolly. (Pink is my favorite color.) Marco didn't get a sweet. Mom says he doesn't like them yet. I'll have to teach him that they are very yummy.

After we got our sweets we went upstairs to play with the toys. Nana and I had a tea party while Marco banged on drums and stuff. He made lots of noise. He likes to make noise. The louder the better.

We had a good time. I hope we can go again soon.

I AM ONE!!!

I LOVE CAKE!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE may I have more?

I am finally ONE!! I'm a big boy.

I can stand by myself for several seconds. I can take a step by myself. I don't walk yet, why should I? I can crawl super-duper fast. I'm lightening fast, according to mom. I can talk really really loud (mom says I take after dad's side of the family). I can say "mama" "dada" "nana" and loads of other words that no one can understand. I also like to shriek, a lot. The more I shriek, the more attention I get. Ha ha ha.

Mom says I am a good eater. I like to eat lots of food. My new favorite is chocolate cake. Mom and dad gave me a really big piece on my birthday. Now I want it every day! I also like tons of other things like chicken, black beans, carrots, crackers, cheese, yogurt, noodles, and bananas - I LOVE bananas. Mom says I'm a good eater even though there are several foods I don't like. I really don't like peas (mom, STOP giving them to me!)! Mom also says I'm a messy eater because I get it in my hair. She says she has to bath me after every meal! Not fair! I LIKE putting banana in my hair.

Last time we checked I was 9.1 kg. I'm not sure how tall I am though. I think I'm probably 3 feet. (Just kidding). I'm tall enough to reach things off the coffee table but not quite tall enough to reach things off the kitchen counter. Darn! Soon enough! Mom says she can wait for that day.

I'm a good sleeper. I LOVE my afternoon nap. I do best if I sleep for 2 to 3 hours which mom loves. She says she gets stuff done when I sleep. Too bad my sister doesn't like to sleep. I think mom would REALLY like that.

I got LOADS of really neat stuff for my birthday. I got a computer, a dump truck, a farm with animals, something to pound on, a ball, and some really good books. I love to look at pictures. I'm sure I'll be reading soon.

I can't wait until my next birthday when I get more cake (of my own) and more good presents!

Fun with Nana!

Kisses for Nana!!

Julia and Nana in the tube!

Julia and Nana making soup.

Nana playing in the sand box with Marco and Julia.

Nana buying treats at the Borough Market.

Stonehenge!

Marco enjoying Stonehenge!

Going to Kensington Palace

A guard booth outside Kensington Palace!

Here are some pics from Nana's visit thus far. We've packed a lot in these few weeks: We've been to Borough Market, shopping for pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, to Stonehenge, we've visited a plethora of museums, we've shopped and much much more. We still hope to hit a few shows before she leaves.

Nana has had A LOT of quality time with Marco and Julia. Julia now won't use the toilet without her Nana in tow (to monitor, of course). And, Marco likes to shower his Nana with slobbery kisses. (Sometimes he bites which is not fun.)

The little swimmer!

Julia "warming up" in the locker room!

Here I come!

I'm a swimmer!

I'm taking swimming lessons and I LOVE them. My instructor's name is Ross and I like him. He sings songs with us, let's us play with pool toys, and he makes us kick our feet and blow bubbles. I don't really like going under water that much but if I do mom let's me stand on the box at the end of the pool.

I suspect that I will be ready for the 2012 Olympics here in London. I think I'll probably be good at breast stroke or back stroke. I'm really good at floating on my back. (I like to look at things on the ceiling when I swim -- it's an indoor pool!)

My favorite part of swimming lessons, however, is the shower we take after we are done! (Mom says that's not a good sign......)

Almost one!!!

Big stander!

A man amongst his friends.

I love my Nana!

I'm ALMOST one!!!

Less than two weeks to go until my first birthday! I'm looking forward to eating chocolate cake and ice cream. I'm also looking forward to real, fat, milk! No more of this powder stuff. It smells and it's really not that good.

I will be able to walk soon. I can stand by myself already. I'm really good at it. I can also crawl. I'm very speedy. Mom is always chasing me down. I can go up and down stairs by myself. Sometimes I go up the stairs outside our house - TWO flights! Mom says I'm not lazy. I think I'm quick.

My Nana is here visiting and we've been having lots of fun. I like it when she feeds me and reads to me. I like to give her kisses (see above). She says I'm a good kisser. I also like to cuddle with her. I will be sad when she leaves. She's here for my birthday so she will be here for awhile - thank goodness.

Gotta run now!!! (Not literally!)

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!

Happy Cinco de Mayo from London!!

To celebrate mommy and Nana (who is visiting for a month -- Yippeeee!) went to Stoke-on-Trent with our friend Laurie to buy things (pottery?). They left us (me and Marco) with daddy for a whole day. We played and had fun. Daddy took us all around town in our buggy which was fun. We had a great day but missed mommy and Nana. When mommy got home we were excited to see her but she was sad because she said that she wrecked our car. It didn't look wrecked to me (or to daddy). Someone just went bump on the back. Mommy said the man's car was way worse. So sad!!!

Mommy and Nana sure have been spending a lot of time doing fun things.... why can't I go too???

Me again!

Look at me! I'm standing!! I'm really good at it too! You cannot tell here but I'm a super stander. I like to stand up and see what's on tables, in baskets, in drawers, etc. I can also stand without holding on to anything! I'm sure I will be walking soon. Just wait!

I'm also feeling much better now. Mom took me to the nice doctor who told me that I looked good. He said I'm not a "large soul." I think I'm a big guy! I weigh 9.1 kg. He measured me too but mom forgot to ask how tall I was. Doesn't she know she's supposed to keep track of that stuff?

I haven't barfed in a couple of days. I still poop alot though. Mom won't give me milk or my favorite, yogurt. She says it's not good for my tummy. Buzz kill.

I'm still sleeping a lot but now my mouth hurts too. Those hard white things in there are hurting me. They do make it easy to chew all the good food my nana, who is visiting, is making for me!

Barfosaurus Rex

There's a new dinosaur in town. His name is Barfosaurus Rex.

I've been sickie-bears..... I look happy now, because I'm finally eating food again but don't let the cute smile on my face fool you! I could barf at any moment!

Mommy says she's tired of doing laundry so I need to stop barfing. I was doing a pretty well until I started pooping alot (which isn't helping the laundry situation)! My belly hurts! I cannot help it! I've been sleeping LOADS hoping to make my hurts go away. It's kind of working. I like it when mommy gives me that sweet drink with the lights in it! That makes my tummy feel good (but where are the lights??).

I'm trying my best to get better before Nana gets here tomorrow!

Happy Easter from Scotland!

The Milani's at Loch Ossian, Scotland, April 2007.

Lucy showing Julia how to pet the ponies.

On a little walk with a sleepy girl.

"Look at me! I like this place!"

Julia and Becca "fishing" in the stream (with the Icelandic ponies).

We just got back from a week in Scotland for my half-term break. It was our first road trip in the car. We drove for what seemed like forever. We stopped alot though. I don't know why but every time I said I had to poop mom would yell at dad to find a toilet pronto. Finally I just started saying I had to poop so they would pull over and I could run around. (I think they were onto me but the time we headed home!!!)

We had a really really good time in Scotland. We stayed at a cabin called the Chapel on a stalking estate. Mom said the men told her that stalking is like hunting and that Unkie Jeff would LOVE it. Does that mean Unkie Jeff is a stalker? That doesn't sound good!!!

The cabin we stayed in reminded me of the Donner lake cabin but the beds were more comfy (said mommy). It was cold just like the mountains at home but I didn't mind because dad made some really good fires. I had LOTS OF FUN. My favorite things to do were to pet the ponies, fish with the big sticks I found outside, make forts on the bunk beds with my friends Becca and Tyler, go on long rides in the jogger (while mom pushed me), and walk in the river and the loch with my wellies. I also liked looking at the hairy ponies (my new friend Lucy said they were Icelandic ponies) and the hairier cows. The cows were hairy and had horns because they were Highland Cows. I thought they were funny looking. They must have thought I was funny looking too because when I mooed at them they just looked at me. ????

I have a new favorite food too!! It's not the venison that the men gave to daddy to cook (for about a 100 people); it's stones (scones) they are sooo yummy. I like them with butter and jam and could eat them for every meal if mommy and daddy let me!! I liked going to the one restaurant at the end of the lake that was also a train station because Beth made the BEST stones in the whole wide world.

I think Marco had fun too but he was sickie bears the first two days. Mommy and daddy were a little stressed because he wasn't himself but he recovered quickly and started to crawl aLOT and get into things. Mommy and daddy had to lift lots of things off the floor. Some stuff they couldn't lift (like the big oven that was on all the time and the heaters); mom said she was tired of chasing him around. Marco also liked to try to climb the ladder up to the loft which made mommy and daddy scared. They said he could break his head if we didn't watch out. Luckily I was there to yell every time he started to climb. I'm a good big sister. When Marco wasn't on the floor he was riding in the backpack that daddy wore. I think he liked it because every time he got in it he fell asleep. He also ate a lot of new things: dirt, rocks, sand, leaves etc. Mommy had to pull lots of things out of his mouth.

Daddy says our trip was a success and that we will go back next year. I just hope we get to stop at a hotel like the one mommy picked out because it had a pool!!

MARCH MADNESS!!!

Nonno and Nonna come to visit!

Regent's Park on a glorious day!

Nonno and Nonna in front of Big Ben on a rainy (typical) day.

Julia and Nonno at the war museum... having a little snack.

An outing with the kids!

Whoa! That's one big horse!

No basketball, no sports, no betting pools: Not your typical March Madness. We had our own Milani March Madness with a visit from Nonno and Nonna.



Nonno and Nonna brought some great weather (and lots of fun gifts). Their first week was sunny and bright. We enjoyed it by sight-seeing and walking all around! We walked through Regent's Park so we could enjoy all the lovely daffodils; we went to the British Museum and elsewhere. Julia and Marco LOVED spending time with their grandparents. They made forts, played, went to the playground, and worked on their "computers." The were exhausted every night (which mommy LOVED).

We got some good sight-seeing in as well. We hit places we'd not seen before. The Churchill Cabinet Room was particularly interesting (for the adults). Julia had more fun running around outside and making the "soldiers" move. (They were policemen guarding the back of Downing Street. She thought they were soldiers and liked that they moved, unlike the soldiers at Windsor Castle or out on Whitehall Road.) The flowers are all in bloom early thanks to the rain and temperate weather. It was a great great few weeks. We were sad to see them go.

Come back soon!

Spring has sprung! (Or so we hope!)

Today was A GORGEOUS day - finally. No rain and not a cloud in the sky. We decided to take advantage of our good weather fortune and take a mini-road trip to the town of Windsor, which is about 27 miles from London. It's a picturesque little town where Windsor Castle and Eaton are located.

The castle itself is amazing and quite impressive. (It's been a residence for over 1000 years!) We toured the state rooms and much of the grounds. Unfortunately, the chapel was closed since it was Sunday but we had enough touring for one day. Julia's favorite part was running around while Marco liked making screeching noises during the tour.

I couldn't get Julia to stand next to the guard for a photo - she was "shy"! (HA.) Good thing, because as I was trying to negotiate (think bribery) with her to pose, the guard began to march and do maneuvers (or whatever it is they call it).

It was an easy day trip which we will undoubtedly do a zillion more times in the coming years.