'Before you love, learn to run through the snow leaving no footprint'

It's December - By far the best month of the year, maybe May as an exception. Our Christmas tree has been up since the end of November, I know, I know.... Shameful - It does look lovely though!
One thing I'm not liking is Archie's constant re decorating of it, removing baubles and placing them in various spots around the house.

We've had snow! - Lot's of it, and it's very, very cold outside - It's like a different world, like Narnia, but with no Aslan.

We're all very much looking forward to Christmas, Grace is especially excited, chocolate advent calendars went down a treat too!

I've not updated my blog for a while but here's a selection of my recent photos from mainly November and some snowy ones!

Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life - John Updike

It's not April, yet I haven't seen this much rain in a long while, I don't like rain, not one bit. The riverbanks have flooded, mud gets everywhere, but more importantly, Grace's pink boots will get wet.

It's been a week where we haven't ventured outside much, the weather has been awful, I've been subjected to repeats of Postman Pat! arrrggghhh. So decided the other day that Grace and I would decorate the bathroom, why not? Grace chose the colour, surprisingly, shocking pink. I asked what she thought Daddy would say when he saw it, she said she thought he'd smile. He didn't. He didn't mind it after a while though.

I took photographs of the adorable Alfie and Woody last weekend, Alfie a little gem, who decided to call me Henry! (photos attached).

We've had a lovely Hallowe'en and bonfire night - We've still got some sweets left, although they're being attacked daily by Grace! Archie isn't too keen on fireworks this year! :( Grace likes them :)

Archie has started to speak better, lots of new words, his favourite being Mammy (Mummy) and Dammy (Dummy), he can count to ten too, although he misses number 9.

Christmas presents bought - 12

Days till Christmas 45 (I think) - I can't WAIT!!!

Dark nights and frosty mornings...

Ok, ok.... so I know everyone seems to get a bit depressed this time of year, you finish work and it's dark, go to work when it's dark, but for me... I love it. There's nothing quite like the chill of a morning breeze, the warmth of a house when it's bitter outside, the smell of fireworks and sparklers, or tucking into shepherds pie after a long walk.

I've started Christmas shopping and for the first time in a long while I have an idea for everyone! even Dad! I'm excited for Christmas with the little people, Grace knows who Father Christmas is, she reads the Early Learning Centre booklet telling him she wants this, and this and this... at the moment she wants a guitar and a kitchen.

Archie can count to ten and Grace now recites the alphabet, hers has two 'f's'.

Photographs have been looking lovely, a real autumn feeling to them, haven't been posting every album as I know some people have wanted to keep them a surprise for family Christmas presents.

So that's it for now, we've been enjoying ourselves recently (not that we don't normally) but we've finished all house projects so have been having lots of fun as a little family.

Number of times I've been forced to watch the film 'Up' = 104

Number of times ran to the central heating swivelly thing to turn it off when I hear Dean get in from work so he doesn't think I've had it on all day = 8 (Our house is weirdly warm, don't you know!)

One last thing, everyone must visit the Bull @ Broughton, I went with two of my lovely friends and it's lovely, log fire and a real atmosphere to the place, and fantastic food!

Autumn Leaves...

Hello! - Firstly, have a look at the You Tube link below, it's one of my favourite songs, a bit.......well, a lot sad, not one to listen to if you're in a good mood, it may just ruin it for you, but I like it!

Autumn is well and truly here, it's the best month of the year, (so I've been told) ;) - we've even brought our woollen hats out on a few occasions, I'm waking in the middle of the night, to find it's not the middle of the night which is very odd, it just suddenly happened!
Grace and Archie are just lovely, Grace, becoming more and more independent by the day, we have proper conversations now. Archie, has become my shadow, wherever Mummy goes, he's very near by!

I've been taking photographs again, and am booked now till the beginning of December! - I'm planning on keeping a weekend free to take some of my children, I'm thinking lots of leaves, woolly hats and rosy cheeks!
Here are some photographs of our friends latest addition, another little Archie, born September 1st, a very beautiful baby boy.

Dean turned 30 on Tuesday, and my brother two days previous... I'm not sure either of them is too happy about it, although it's one of those things you can't prevent, when I'm in my thirties I'll just do what my Mum did, I plan on being 34 for at least 3 years.

So that's about it, for now at least!




Toilet training accidents = 3 (this is Grace, not Dean)

Minutes listening to Fairytale of New York wishing it were Christmas = 36

New outfits for nights out = 2!

Paolo Nutini Autumn

'Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile'

It is officially Autumn, I like Autumn, I like the sound of leaves being crushed underfoot, I like the chill of the morning air and the darkness of early evening, for around the corner awaits Hallowe'en, Bonfire Night and Christmas!!! - and I, I love Christmas.

I've been busy on photoshoots again, Lara - A beautiful young girl - Aireville Park, Skipton the location - Sunday morning arrived and I became worried we may have rain, however, it turned into a glorious afternoon and we managed to get some really lovely photographs.

Bank Holiday was glorious too and we had a very lovely weekend.

I'm photographing two shoots tomorrow and looking forward to it!

Time wastes our bodies and our wits, but we waste time, so we are quits. ~Author Unknown

It's only been a week and I'm back - no need to wipe your eyes, it is indeed true! - The title I chose talks of wasting time, I haven't wasted any time... I truly wished I had... I want nothing more than to lie in until midday, like I did when I was a teen.

We've been decorating the living room this week - and have had new flooring put down in the living room and the hall, I've chosen Cath Kidston Mono Rose wallpaper for the living room, it's lovely and I *should* have it up in some way by the end of the week. The flooring looks gorgeous, it looks like real rustic oak - I'll add photos when it's all finished.



I've been doing more photographs! - Met Joshua & Hannah on Sunday (pictures attached) - They were adorable, Joshua is 6 years old and loves his little sister a lot, though I was told by their Mummy that it's not always the case... I'm sure it's not.


Archie and Grace have been very amusing, Archie is now talking, the odd few words, Grace repeats everything I say, it's very difficult to think before I speak, I've always struggled with that, she told her great gran it was 'bloody raining', didn't go down too well - I dropped my door key whilst trying to open the front door the following day (was still raining), 'bugger' was the word of the day from that moment on.. Ooops!