More Visitors

I met Jessica about eight years ago when we were both singing at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC (that has to be the longest name of any church!).  We sang together for three or four years and even got to go to Rome together for a recording project in 2005.  Here is a picture of us in front of the Vatican:

Jessica is a high school music teacher and was in Germany with a group of students for two weeks before heading to visit with us here in London.  She and her boyfriend, Matthew (also a singer) stayed with us for a week.  They were busy touring around during the day, but we were able to get a few lovely dinners with them.

Last night was Matthew's birthday, so Jessica took us all out to a lovely restaurant near the common called Old Town Italian.  The food was excellent and we all had a great time.  Here is a pic of Jess and the birthday boy at dinner:

Charlotte came out with us and the restaurant was extremely accommodating.  Multiple employees came over and offered to rock her to sleep or push her up and down the street in the pushchair.  It was very sweet, but we didn't mind giving her some of our attention.  Jason walked her around a bit and eventually she fell asleep.  We will need to be more organized (and less cheap) about getting sitters as she gets older, but it works for now. 

When we got back to the flat, we had some of the amazingly delicious cake that Jessica bought from Esca (one of our favourite local eateries/bakeries). 

We then had a brief photo shoot and for some reason all of the pictures came out with me looking about double the size of Jessica.   Por ejemplo:

Perhaps it was the influence of the wine, but we thought it was pretty hysterical:

 It took us a few more tries, but eventually we got a good one:

I intended to get a few more shots of the two of them before they left, but I didn't think of it until after they had left.  Boo hoo.  Well, let's just hope this isn't their last time visiting!

It was great having an old friend around and we always enjoy having visitors.  Luckily, we will have another visitor in just a few weeks time!  I am headed to the states for a tour and my mom is coming to help out with Charlie.  We timed her visit so that I will get a chance to visit with her as well.  We can't wait!