Thomas the Train

Lyla loves everything Thomas the train.  She watches Thomas movies often, plays with figurines, she has Thomas panties (don't tell her that they are boys underwear), pajamas, backpack, slippers - you get the idea. :)  When we learned that Thomas' 'birth' place is just about 40 minutes north of us, we took advantage of the opportunity to go and see him and ride on the train.  Lyla was ecstatic when Thomas approached.  It was fun to see her so excited.  She was a little disappointed that we didn't get to ride on Thomas himself.  But everyday since our ride this past Sunday, she has asked to ride on Thomas again. 

Watching Thomas get hooked up to the passenger cars

Lyla sat next to her friend Deyton during the ride.

Marrakech, Morocco

Jack and I took a trip to Morocco.  Thanks to our awesome friends, the Reddingtons, we were able to go without Lyla.  Since we have hardly had any time alone since moving to England, it was a much needed time away for us.  It was great to be able to have time to lay in the sun and enjoy uninterpreted conversation with Jack.  Since we were in a very different place with a foreign culture, we were able to see a different side of each other.  It was a good experience for us to have to work together to navigate the ridiculous and mostly unmarked maze of streets that were swarming with annoying shop owners trying to get you to buy something.  It wasn't the most restful trip I've ever taken, but it was a fantastic new experience.

Jack in the Riad that we stayed in eating breakfast.

Spice Market

Stopping for a mint tea and coffee

Jack loved the mint tea

Bahia Palace

Jamaà El Fna square during the day.  At night is was a crazy mess of people and stalls.

Snake charmers in Jamaà El Fna square

Walls around the Medina

Koutoubia Mosque

Getting ready to leave for the hot air balloon ride over Marrakech

A Berber village

Apparently the wind was a little stronger than expected and we had a bit of a crash landing.

breakfast in a Berber village

freshly picked parsley, olive branch and cashew leaf

at the Majorelle Gardens

in the Souks

I have no idea what this is but it is something I did not taste.

The tanneries, which smell every bit as bad as people say. Yuck!

 

Ben Yousseff Medersa

Jack on a scary bridge that didn't look very secure.

Atlas Mountains