Wrapping Things Up

It's hard to believe it, but it's already time for us to start packing up to head back to Utah! Spencer's mom (Kaye), brother and his wife (Russ and Rachel), have been out to visit us since last Thursday, which has been really fun. It's also been a fun way for me to see all the sights one last time. Spencer's final day at Barclays is TOMORROW, and our visitors will be flying home on Saturday afternoon. We'll then whirlwind pack up and clean our flat to be ready to fly to Germany on Tuesday night. We will then spend the next 19 days visiting German Christmas markets and castles, skiing and sightseeing in Switzerland, and exploring Italy (I know, it's a rough Christmas break). We'll then be on a plane back to SLC on Tuesday, January 7th. 

Once we get home it'll be time to settle back into real life. Spencer has officially accepted a full time job as a Business Development Manager at a company called BeesPath after turning down a permanent job offer from Barclays. I know what you're all thinking, it seems crazy we would choose to leave London when we had the chance to stay!  It did take some serious back and forth talking and thinking to decide what we wanted to do. On the one hand, we have loved our once in a lifetime experiences here. We have loved the culture with the food, the sights, the accents, the endless adventures, our ward, as well as the simple things like reading the Metro newspaper on the Underground and eating Chinese food in Chinatown. Plus, there are still so many things we'd love to do. But on the other hand, our lives have felt like they were on pause the entire time we were here.  I'd like to be able to work again (anyone know of a good nursing job in Cache Valley or the Wasatch Front?), and we know we'd like to build our lives and eventually start a family closer to home. I think we'll miss London even more than we realize right now (like a lot!), but we're excited to see our friends and family, drive a car to the grocery store, and not feel like we've smoked a whole pack of cigarettes while walking down the pavement. 

There are so many things I've never blogged about, including Barcelona and my mom's trip to London. Hopefully I'll get to those at some point, at least for my own "journal" purposes, but for now here are a few more shots from  our final days in London.

Don't mind my oober attractive tennis shoes with a skirt.  I know, I'm stylish.  Comfort trumps beauty. 

In case our future children are wondering, yes, we are in charge ;)

The London Temple

The whole gang at Kensington Palace

How many hours of my life have been spent sitting at a bus stop? Far too many.

Obligatory bagpipe man picture.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...don't taste very good.

Warwick Castle at Christmas Time

St. Paul's and Millennial Bridge

Outdoor ice skating at Canary Wharf

One of my favorite parts of London has been the West End shows.  Les Miserables, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wicked,  Mamma Mia, and The Lion King.  Les Mis was definitely our favorite, but they've all been beyond fantastic!