New year photos

Obviously i took the opportunity to take soem pics of New years Day. Mainly of the kids but there is one of Beccy and myself that we are happy to have on here...lack of chins on show!! LOL

David & Stephen show off their go-go's!

Rae on her flute.

K and his lovely Katie sharing a tender moment.
(i just love this pic)

My two girlies.
(Another pic i simply love)

Yes! The corners of the heads of two best mates!

Am i too late

to wish everyone a very happy new year and all the very best for 2009? Gee i hope not!
It has as always been manic off the new year starting blocks, no excuse for me lack of posting i know, but i have just been enjoying evenings with the kids on the sofa. We have been watching the diary of Anne Frank, which has been raising questions and debates, that have just been wonderful for us to enter into as a family. I guess learning doesn't always stop when the school day does! The kids have been thoroughly moved by the story so we are now getting the book to read. They were (i hesitate to use the word delighted or pleased) proud to know that they have been to Bergen-Belsen where Anne and her sister, Margot, died. They (the children) were very small when we took them, but it was an experience we wanted to share and since we lived near there at the time we did not pass up the chance.
And that my dear friends is where we are at up to this point in the new year!
We did start the year with our very good friends and as usual it was just a wonderful day. Chilling out, relaxed and just enjoying each other. All children are back to full health and we are looking forward to a lie in tomorrow!! (Still not too used to these early mornings!!).

Pics of Bergen-Belsen as requested by the girls:

Main Entrance:

reads: Here Lay 500 Dead. (so sad, R.I.P)
Looking at the wall with all the names on it.
Becky laying a stone out of respect.

Christmas photos and merryment!

One of my favourite things about Christmas is when the kids are all asleep and the tree is surrounded by gifts, the lights are low and the wine is flowing! Our tree always looks so small compared to the amount of gifts under it. (Then i think of "Octamom" and "Boy Mom" and smile at the thought of how their trees look!!) So here is our tree before the children woke on Christmas morning.

The Tree.

Then there is the childrens faces when (if) they get the one gift that they wished so hard for, the gift they did the dishes for (in December anyway) the one prize that would make this Christmas the best one "ever".

Rachel and the "new coat"

Becky and the "grown up make-up set!"

And David the "Clone Trooper" with "Gordon" the monkey puppet!

Then there is family! Since Christmas day we have now spent 2 days at home, yesterday and today! On boxing day we visited Rich's family (no pics i forgot my camera..aaaagh) and then on the 27th we visited my family. It is always so great to see the cousins together and here the all are..

Back - Becky, Elouise and Rae.
Front - Jack and David!

So yes it is pretty safe to say that this was their "best Christmas e-v-e-r". With all gifts opened and peace restored the children are playing with their toys, or watching new DVD's, reading new books, applying make up or bathing with bath bombs! Lego all over the place and go-go's under foot we can now sit back and enjoy the gifts we recieved...until our next Christmas...Jan 01. 2009 when we visit our "best friends in the world" for the day, a tradition we started around 3 or 4 years ago. We stay away from each other over Chrsitmas to allow family and other friends to visit and new year is our day. I am looking ofrward ot it very much particularly this year as K has been seriously ill recently and we were all worried that Christmas may not go ahead as planned with them. All is well now though and we can look to 2009 without worries and concerns for him. (K - i am so glad you are better we love you tons!).

I'm back

from the limbo status i have been in this month!
So much has been happening here that i do not know where to start. I am seeing a specialist at the hospital on the 20Th Jan '09 for a few girly issues i have going on. The down side is after a week of running i was told i can't do any more until the specialist gives the go ahead. But i will go back to it!! Becky has finished her show of The Wizard of Oz in the theatre in Guildford, although she was quite poorly and had to withdraw from 2 of the performance because of it. Rae sang a solo in the Church carol service (yes i cried) and it was so lovely to have people tell me how she has the voice of an angel! She also sang and played her sax in the school Christmas concert (Becky missed it due to being ill).
So with Christmas drawing nearer and nearer my life has been a whirl of hospital appointments, sick child, shopping, school concerts and more sick child!
So now i find myself halfway through the day on Christmas Eve trying to play a quick catch up and do justice to my disappearance from you all. Thank you for all your comments lately.
So from my corner of the world to yours i wish you all a Very Peaceful Christmas and a Wonderful New Year for 2009.
Blessings to you all.xx

The run!!

So many of my blog buddies are runners or have been nothing but supportive towards me as i embark upon a new part of my life, as a runner!
Well today was/is the start of the new improved, slimmer me!
I ran 1/2 mile in 7.09 minutes! I may not be setting records but it's a start..and i am glad i did it even if my legs aren't too impressed with the new plan. I guess i forgot to warn them!
Still i made that move today, it took 7 minutes out of my evening and i am still alive..what doesn't kill me does make me stronger right?
And yes, i do plan to run tomorrow night too..and knock at least a second off my time!!

Thanks for inspiring me and supporting me everyone.