London 2016

We spent a very merry Christmas week in London taking advantage of the prolific holiday theatre schedule in the West End. We also got to meet new cousin, Max Vartanian.



Our first priority in London was to visit new cousin Max Vartanian and parents Adam and Pat.
20161223.0812-IMG_3307-by_CE-Max_Vartanian_visit
20161223.0812-IMG_3307-by_CE-Max_Vartanian_visit

Matt and Max bonded immediately.
20161223.0812-IMG_3309-by_CE-Max_Vartanian_visit
20161223.0812-IMG_3309-by_CE-Max_Vartanian_visit


20161223.0813-IMG_3312-by_CE-Max_Vartanian_visit
20161223.0813-IMG_3312-by_CE-Max_Vartanian_visit

A little Paddington action from second-cousin Allyndreth...
20161223.0840-IMG_3323-by_CE-Max_Vartanian_visit
20161223.0840-IMG_3323-by_CE-Max_Vartanian_visit


20161223.0938-IMG_2860-by_MPS-Max_Vartanian_visit
20161223.0938-IMG_2860-by_MPS-Max_Vartanian_visit

...and having a laugh with second-cousin Evya.
20161223.0939-IMG_2869-by_MPS-Max_Vartanian_visit
20161223.0939-IMG_2869-by_MPS-Max_Vartanian_visit


20161223.0939-IMG_2870-by_MPS-Max_Vartanian_visit
20161223.0939-IMG_2870-by_MPS-Max_Vartanian_visit

Max, age 4 months.
20161223.0831-IMG_4702-by_AMS-Max_Vartanian_visit
20161223.0831-IMG_4702-by_AMS-Max_Vartanian_visit

During the holiday weeks, London theatres run matinees far more frequently than the rest of the year. This sign on the Tube summed it up nicely for us!
20161229.1035-IMG_9551-by_MPS-tube_to_Heathrow
20161229.1035-IMG_9551-by_MPS-tube_to_Heathrow

We stayed in a flat near Covent Garden, conveniently located near 90% of Theatreland.
20161228.1137-IMG_3578-by_CE-Covent_Garden_tube_station
20161228.1137-IMG_3578-by_CE-Covent_Garden_tube_station

From our penthouse terrace, we had views of three of our four theatre neighbors. We were directly on top of the fourth (Duchess Theatre)! Directly across the way was the Novello Theatre. This facade was also the view from the master bedroom. Pinch me now!
20161225.1258-IMG_3491-by_CE-Christmas_morning
20161225.1258-IMG_3491-by_CE-Christmas_morning

The Lyceum Theatre was south.
20161225.1259-IMG_3498-by_CE-Christmas_morning
20161225.1259-IMG_3498-by_CE-Christmas_morning

And the Theatre Royal Drury Lane was north.
20161225.1300-IMG_3500-by_CE-Christmas_morning
20161225.1300-IMG_3500-by_CE-Christmas_morning

Stairwell sitting.
20161227_1236-IMG_3539-by_CE-London_stairwell_cropped
20161227_1236-IMG_3539-by_CE-London_stairwell_cropped

When not in the theatre (we saw 10 performances in 7 days), we enjoyed the holiday decorations of London. This was the Lego display in Covent Garden. Evya had to stop and check it out every time we walked by.
20161228.1107-IMG_9490-by_MPS-ERS_with_Lego_Santa_in_Covent_Garden
20161228.1107-IMG_9490-by_MPS-ERS_with_Lego_Santa_in_Covent_Garden

Every neighbourhood had its own light display.
20161224.1728-IMG_3393-by_CE-Streets_of_London
20161224.1728-IMG_3393-by_CE-Streets_of_London


20161225.1641-IMG_4748-by_AMS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster
20161225.1641-IMG_4748-by_AMS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster

We spent some time strolling and visiting parts of London we hadn't hit in 2012.
20161224.1402-IMG_3356-by_CE-TAS_Birthday_streets_of_London
20161224.1402-IMG_3356-by_CE-TAS_Birthday_streets_of_London

King's Cross Station (yes, we looked for Platform 9 3/4)
20161228.1155-IMG_4755-by_AMS-Kings_Cross_station
20161228.1155-IMG_4755-by_AMS-Kings_Cross_station

King's Cross had a birdcage with a swing in it.
20161228.1212-IMG_9499-by_MPS-Kings_Cross_station
20161228.1212-IMG_9499-by_MPS-Kings_Cross_station


20161228.1213-IMG_9515-by_MPS-Kings_Cross_station
20161228.1213-IMG_9515-by_MPS-Kings_Cross_station

Traipsing between King's Cross and the temporary theatre behind the station where we saw "The Railway Children."
20161228.1533-IMG_9531-by_MPS-Kings_Cross_station
20161228.1533-IMG_9531-by_MPS-Kings_Cross_station

We also checked in on some old friends. Westminster Abbey.
20161225.1555-IMG_9423-by_MPS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster
20161225.1555-IMG_9423-by_MPS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster


20161225.1450-IMG_3519-by_CE-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster
20161225.1450-IMG_3519-by_CE-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster

Our quadrennial family photo with Big Ben.
20161225.1606-IMG_9429-by_MPS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster
20161225.1606-IMG_9429-by_MPS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster


20161225.1447-IMG_3512-by_CE-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster
20161225.1447-IMG_3512-by_CE-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster

Big Ben and the London Eye are the two distinct memories Evya has from 2012, when she was just shy of 3-years-old.
20161225.1441-IMG_3506-by_CE-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster
20161225.1441-IMG_3506-by_CE-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster

You can't get too many pictures with Big Ben.
20161225.1607-IMG_9431-by_MPS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster
20161225.1607-IMG_9431-by_MPS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster


20161225.1500-IMG_4730-by_AMS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster
20161225.1500-IMG_4730-by_AMS-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster

The London Eye.
20161225.1624-IMG_3526-by_CE-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster
20161225.1624-IMG_3526-by_CE-Christmas_afternoon-Westminster

St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
20161224.1407-IMG_3366-by_CE-TAS_Birthday_streets_of_London
20161224.1407-IMG_3366-by_CE-TAS_Birthday_streets_of_London

Alas, our trip was at an end so the girls plugged in and relaxed on the ride to Heathrow. Till we meet again, London...
20161229.1053-IMG_9555-by_MPS-tube_to_Heathrow
20161229.1053-IMG_9555-by_MPS-tube_to_Heathrow

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