Wonderful Weekend

As I sit writing this, it is Sunday evening - the end of a very busy but wonderful weekend. My family joined us for a pre-Christmas get-together. Everyone had a great time - food, fun, walks,cookie decoration, games, movies, gift-exchange. The children were allowed to open one gift, much to their delight! Of course that meant the tree is up! But of course - one special part of our family was missing.....The Thompsons, but we were able to talk to Caroline & Katelyn by the wonders of technology courtesy of Skype. Mum is off to the States over Christmas. The last time she went was when Katelyn was very small so this should be an even more enjoyable experience! Amanda, Daniel & India drove up for the first time in their new car - Amanda is expecting April 28th - baby bump definitely there! Caroline got very emotional when she saw it! A few photos from the weekend to follow...... DAD SIAN INDIA ASHLEIGH & SOPHIE ETHAN DANIEL & AMANDA IAN & ASHLEIGH DAD, HELEN & STACEY MUM JOSHUA RYAN SOPHIE & COLIN

Bonfire Night

Earlier this month we took the children to Arrow Valley Lake to see the fireworks. It has been some time since we last went there. The children really enjoyed themselves. The weather held - no rain! Trying to get back to the car was an interesting experience - never been part of a human traffic jam before!!!

Wii fun

As previously mentioned some time was spent at the weekend with some of my extended family. At one point during the afternoon Colin decided to set up the Wii and challenge all to a round of Golf..... I haven't seen so much competitiveness and humourous antics in a while...

Playing catch up ..... again

Spare time has been lacking of late and it appears I have to play another game of catch up. As it stand right now probably one of the most significant events that occurred is the pasing of my Nana - Joan Ruth Beswick.
Her funeral service was last week and was held at Lodge Hill Crematorium in Birmingham. I had not seen my grandmother for some time and had an unusual relationship with her so was particularly overwhelmed at the level of emotion I experienced. My uncle came over from the States - it was great to see him even under the circumstances - we had an opportunity to spend extra time with him and his wife "Roo" and Seamus, an old friend of Martin's. Dad and Helen came too. We spent a really pleasant afternoon with them all.
On Sunday Dad, Martin & Liz (my aunt) travelled up to Hale to scatter my Nana's ashes. A couple of my aunts didn't go. I understand from my dad that those that went shared a special experience!