OFF THE SLOPES

After a LONG day of skiing we walked to the cattle tram to bring us back to our car. As you can see Mark decided to carry too much stuff.

But leave it to Mark to find a place for every piece of clothing and equipment:
SKIS in left hand
POLES in right hand
BACKPACK on back
HELMET stuffed in the backpack
SKI BOOTS strapped through the ties of the backpack (look closely and you can see)
SWEATSHIRT wrapped around his waist

Tom's family drove back to L.A., but the four of us stayed the night and skied a 2nd day.

The first night we went back to the hotel, washed up and took some naps. We then went out to dinner and tried to go out drinking, but we were just too tired. So we went to the liquor store and got snacks, Jaeger and BLACK Sambuca. We didn't have shot glasses, so we bought ourselves a souvenir. I will admit it was a fun night, although I missed a lot of it cause after one shot of sambuca, I fell asleep.

The next morning we were ready for another day of skiing. Well half day anyway cause we couldn’t get our asses up. We did find time to take some pics outside our hotel room, it was a very pretty view by the lake.

ON THE SLOPES

Mark took some really good pictures of us on the slopes. Tom, his brother and his dad are REALLY good skiers. I was very impressed with Tom's jumping ability.

I myself have been using blades the last few times we've been skiing. They are smaller skis that give me a little more control and balance. No pole necessary, which I really enjoy. Mark keeps on practicing and is getting better and better, I'm amazed by how much he has improved in just 2 years.

Michelle was the lonely snowboarder, but I give her props because as I have experienced... Snowboarding is impossible! I found it very difficult when I tried a few years back. Michelle can definitely hold her own.

In the videos we have Tom doing little jumps. The 2nd video I couldn't catch up to him because he was going so fast... I tried, but wasn't really watching were I was going and almost hit a jump blindly. Check out the videos.

BIG BEAR - January 2008

Sorry for all the posts in one day, but I'm behind and need to catch up.

Mark, Tom, Michelle and I went up to Big Bear a few weeks ago when the city was dumped with snow. Tom's Brother Sam, Sam's fiance Christy and Tom's Dad Alan also joined us for one day.

Driving up there was a little scary. It was the first time I've ever needed chains. I was VERY proud of Mark for figuring out how to put them on the car, cause there was no chance I would be able to figure it out. I'm so lucky!!!

It was freezing, but a lot of fun. I've divided the trip into different posts cause we took A LOT of pictures.

KINGSLEY'S FLAT

There are so many strange ways to build a flat in London. Kingsley lives in a downstairs apartment of what was once a very big manor in the 1700s. The original house was 4 levels with the bottom level (where Kingsley's apartment lies) was dedicated to the servant living quarters. There is even a blocked off staircase which leads to the other apartments. There are 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms (which I thought was unheard of, but you can't have too many bathrooms in my opinion).

Mark and I enjoyed staying with Kings, because
1. The price was right
2. The flat was beautiful
3. We had our own bathroom (SOOOOO important)

Here are some pictures of the strange layout, and interesting appliances :-)

BIG BEN

So we didn't do much site seeing. But I HAD to get some pictures in, just to have proof I was actually in London. So we went to Parliament, we tried to get there before sundown, but failed. I've never been to Europe in the winter time, and I discovered that in London in December it's gloomy all day long and gets dark around 3pm, so that doesn't leave you much time to get good site pictures. But we tried!

HAMLEYS TOY STORE

Mark I think went back 3 times to the toy store to try and fix that damn helicopter. Once with me and twice with Kings... It was CRAZY!!! The store was called Hamleys. It’s the equivalent to FAO Schwartz in NYC. This store was huge, with multiple levels with elevators and escalators. And kids running around EVERYWHERE (obviously, it's a toy store) But serious... so crowded. I was quite content in the stuffed animal section, this was if some child ran me over (true story) I'd at least fall on something soft.

DIFFERENCES IN LONDON

So there are so many differences in the city, from the coffee to the cars on the street. Not to mention they drive on the wrong side of the road... which I don't think I'll ever get use to.

We went to a Pub for Lunch one day, and all I wanted was a good cup of coffee. We at this London pub I had to brew my own. It was VERY good I have to say!

Walking around London in December was cold and wet. But the cars were so interesting. It's not every day you see a Ferrari and a Lamborghini parked side by side... or a car so small you could probably pick up and move to a different location.

HELL - ICOPTER

So Kingsley got Mark a miniature helicopter for xmas! Just what Mark needs... another helicopter. So of course the boys broke it multiple times, and so Mark went back to the toy store 2 or three times to replace some of the parts.

It starts all pretty good, until the little bugger looses control. Why did they have to replace so many toy parts? Take a look and you'll see...

OUT AND ABOUT IN LONDON

Kingsley took Mark and I out and about in London. We went to a few local night clubs and had a few drinks. It was just fun to experience the night life as a local. First drink Mark picked was a snake bite. I wasn't brave enough to try, but they sure were pretty. I did although gladly take a Berry Sambuca Shot! Mark and I LOVE our sambuca! On our way back to Kingsley's flat we found a photo opportunity in a London Phone Booth.

MARK'S LONDON ENTOURAGE

Just another Sunday Pub-Day in London! Mark invited all his friends & family to a Sunday Pub Lunch by Hyde Park. A little pub called The Swan. It was nice to meet his friends and his cousins. We talked so much that we were there for about 5 hours. Times flies!

MARK'S LONDON ENTOURAGE
Cousin Lloyd
Cousin Kate and her husband... AND their baby girl Taylor Grace
Maurice (Mark's previous boss) & his wife
Michelle (Mark's X)... don't worry she was VERY sweet and we got along great.

NEW YEARS EVE

I know it's taken so long to post our New Years in London, so I apologize. On New Years Eve Sinead, Kingsley, Mark and I went to dinner at Frankies in London. We met up with Kingsley and Sinead's friends for a wonderful dinner. There were 26 of us and we were packed into our table and booth like sausages. I didn't know they guy next to me very well, but by the time we had dinner and had a few bottles of wine we became friends and it was less awkward.

After dinner we went to a club called Eclipse. It was very small inside, but it was very nice. Mark and I had a lot of fun! And as long as there is champagne in my presence I'm just fine.

WINTER WONDERLAND - Hyde Park

New Years Eve Day myself, Mark, Sinead & Kingsley walked to Hyde Park and went ice skating. There was a little fair going on, so after ice skating we met up with Mark's Cousin Cathy and her boyfriend and had a light lunch. The Park was decorated beautifully. It was a nice day activity before we got ready to celebrate 2008.