Celebrating 35 Years of Life!

I’m way behind on the blog (I’m starting to wonder if I will ever catch up?!), but want to make sure to document the awesome way I got to celebrate my 35th birthday. Before I begin, however, I should note that the distinguished looking gentleman with the moustache is my handsome husband.  He is participating in Movember, a month dedicated to raising awareness for men's health.  It's pretty huge here in the UK, and he is on a team of coworkers raising money for the cause by sporting ridiculous looking facial hair. 

As I was saying, Doug’s come through with some pretty memorable birthday weekends…a surprise trip to Savannah when I turned twenty-something (can’t quite remember!), organizing a surprise visit from Andy, Christy, Katie, and Rob for my 30th “birtday”, and taking a trip to Paris for my 34th while my mom watched Kate here in England. For my 35th he discovered that one of our favorite bands (Mumford & Sons) was touring in the UK and picked up a couple tickets on eBay. My mom made what will be her last trip across the pond while we’re living here, which allowed us some time to get away alone. Years ago, we committed to sneaking away at least once a year. We feel like it’s really important for the health of our marriage to have time away from parenting and just be a couple. We’ve been fortunate enough to make this happen, despite living so far from doting grandparents, family, and neighbors to help out.

The concert was in a little town called Ipswich located in Suffolk, England, which was about an hour’s train ride away from Oxford. This particular tour is called “The Tour of Two Halves”…the first half being in small, intimate theaters, and the second half being in huge arenas. Our concert was the third in the tour lineup and took place at the old historical Regent Theatre (that’s how “theater” is spelled here!) Opening in 1929 and only seating roughly 1,500 people, it was one of the first theaters to play movies with sound. The stage has seen musical greats like Buddy Holly, The Beatles, and Tina Turner.

Regent Theatre, Ipswich

We explored the town a little before heading to Alaturka for a delicious Turkish dinner before the concert. It was fabulous!

Enjoying some Turkish coffee

The concert was incredible. These guys have some serious musical talent. We were amazed by all the instruments that were scattered about the stage prior to the show beginning – a piano, accordion, banjo, string bass, violin, numerous guitars, a keyboard, drum set, separate bass drum, tambourine, trumpet, and one or two trombones. What was particularly awesome was how the four band members were constantly switching instruments. The lead singer would go from guitar to drums, the drummer would switch to the string bass, the banjo player would move to the guitar, and the keyboarder would switch between the keyboard and the piano. SO much talent!

Getting ready to rock my 17 1/2 week pregnant belly out!

Opening band called "Dawes"

Waiting for the show to begin!

Even better in person!

After the concert, we stuck around in hopes of meeting some of the guys. We’d read that they often come out and chat with the fans. Sure enough, Ben, the keyboarder/pianist came out to meet everyone. With a Guinness in hand and cigarette behind his ear, he stopped to sign autographs, take pictures, and talk to the concert-goers. He signed our poster, and even used my back to sign someone else’s!



Starstruck!

Ben signing my poster!



On the walk back to the hotel, we ran into the banjo player, Winston, and stopped to talk to him. He was so personable, noting my name and American accent, and signed our poster! Unfortunately, we didn’t think to get a photo with him. Duh. It was SUCH an awesome night, and we can’t wait to see Mumford & Sons again on another tour!

The next morning, we were off to London for the night. Despite the rainy weather, we ventured out to enjoy the beautiful city. Ohio State was playing Michigan for the final game of the season (which they won) so Doug found the local Alumni Association and we watched the game with them at the Jet Lag Bar.  For the record, there were only two teams to finish the 2011-12 season undefeated...Ohio State and Notre Dame!!  We are one happy college football household this year! 

Watching the game American style

After the game, we walked down Oxford Street (Europe’s busiest shopping street) to Hyde Park to take in all the beautiful Christmas lights…

Corner of Oxford Street and Regent Street



Selfridge's Department Store

then walked along the Thames River to the London Eye, enjoying views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben…

The London Eye...still beautiful in the rain!



Look kids, it's Big Ben!

This is such a spectacular city. I’m so sad that it won’t be at my fingertips for much longer.

After a massive full English breakfast the next morning (sausage, eggs, tomato, mushrooms, ham, and some pastries), we checked out the British Museum…

The Rosetta Stone dating from 196 BC

walked through Covent Garden to have lunch at our favorite London restaurant called Wahaca…



Mmmm...

stopped at Trafalgar Square where we came across Tom Cruise’s set for the filming of “All You Need is Kill”…



No Tom to be found anywhere :(

strolled down the Mall to Buckingham Palace and through St. James’ Park…



The Queen wasn't in either.

Us!



then back to the London Eye for the beautiful walk along the river to our hotel…







It was a fabulous little getaway to celebrate my birthday. While I know that my 36th will be in a much less exotic location of Springboro, Ohio, it promises to be just as exciting, as we will then be a family of 4. And really, it doesn’t matter where in the world I am as long as I’m with the ones I love.