When dawn erupts with sunshine, it fills our heart with warmth, hope, and happiness...

I'm a bad blogger, I've not been on here in ages! To be fair, I've been rushed off my feet, I've had to cancel shoots because of bad weather then do two on a weekend, rather than one, which means double the editing during the week... so I just haven't had time to update this.

We've had some glorious weather on the days we haven't had torrential rain! There's nothing quite like summer days, and long, light evenings - the children in the paddling pool, and I decided the other day my favourite sound... Grace and Archie giggling, I sat listening to them having a good o'l chuckle and realised how damn lovely it made me feel!

Archie is amusing us all at the moment, he's exceptionally cute, singing, dancing and has become very protective of his mummy. He's the first up in our house, usually waking me my prodding my face, forcing my eyes open, whispering for me to wake up or climbing into our bed and plonking himself in the middle.

Grace is equally funny, and this summer has decided she likes the playing in the paddling pool, especially with cold water and especially naked! (weird) She seems to be growing into a child right before my eyes, her limbs are like child limbs and she's lost that toddler chubby look, though she's always been petite she's not a baby anymore...

Speaking of babies, we've had the arrival of my neice (shown here) Sophie Isobel :) and my best friend has had a little girl called Elvie Jeanne, both absolutely gorgeous..

So here are some photographs I've taken recently, there's quite a few because of my lack of posts

recently!

'The happiest place on earth'......Disneyland Paris

Whoa! So it's been 2 months since I last made a comment - I am indeed bad .

We've been so busy, had the most amazing time in Paris, though it confirmed for me that I really do not like flying, but Disneyland is an other world, the little people absolutely loved it and I'd never seen them as excited for anything before, especially Grace, all Archie wanted to do was meet Jessie (from Toy Story) - We spent the first few days in very hot weather, eating lots of ice cream and generally getting messy.
The rides were amazing, Grace and Archie both loving a ride they called 'the little people ride'.

We've booked a camping trip in September so I'm looking forward to getting my camera out for the sequel to 'The Becks in Disneyland' album, being 'The Becks go Camping' Should be great fun, we're also planning a day at Flamingoland and the Zoo on our way back home.
I've been busy every weekend taking photographs :) - I've taken some of my nephew that I absolutely love and lots more of other little people (which you'll see here)...

It's father's Day on Sunday and so Grace and I are planning on some bun making this afternoon... :)

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty...

It's been absolutely glorious over the last two weekends with temperatures up in the mid twenties - the paddling pool has been out, BBQ's, evenings in the back garden and plenty of trips to the park (though not in that order).

The little people have loved being outside and we've visited nearly every park in a 10 mile radius, Cononley being our favourite... though Archie just likes the swing and persists on staying put the whole time, crying when I attempt stop pushing him! Grace enjoys building sand castles in the sand pit, she's not got the knack of tipping up the bucket quick enough and keeping the contents inside... We took a trip to Hesketh farm on Tuesday and they enjoyed stroking the piggy pigs (Guinea pigs) - Archie nearly squashing one with the special guinea pig hairbrush and Grace having a fit when one tried to wriggle up her tummy, they still want one though, Grace was adamant we were taking two home (I have no idea who told her this).

It's been lovely to get outside at the weekend taking photographs, I've been busy every weekend in Skipton with Charlotte and in Saltaire with Lola, I've also been taking some of my little people too, a lovely one of Archie who I cannot believe will be 2 years old in only 4 days time!



Days till DisneyLand - 24

It's a nice day for a white wedding!

I didn't sleep the night before the wedding, awake at 2.30am and having tried every method I could to get back to sleep I admitted defeat and decided to watch 'Embarrassing Bodies' (previously recorded), so by the time 5am arrived and with my Sky Planner nearly empty I thought I should try again...

With a few hours sleep I stumbled out of the house with Grace, telling her on the way how today would pan out, referring to the Lego wedding I'd conducted earlier in the week, Grace was now the yellow brick for real, me?......Just bricking it.

Time soon passed and upon entering 'The Tempest' - I found myself getting hotter and hotter, maybe the open log fire? but undoubtedly suffering the effect known as 'pressure', and as I wiped my forehead for the umpteenth time I realised I'd wiped my 'face' off... arrrgggghhh - there was no time to reapply 'face' - arrrrgggghhh - it was happening! The ceremony was lovely, both my children being the only ones to have tantrums (grrr! - Thank goodness for Rescue Remedy!) then Grace getting upset because the best man removed the rings from the cushion! repeating aloud during the vows how she wants the rings back - The ceremony continued... (3 year old attached to my leg, head under the back of my top).

Gorgeous food, and lots of snapping later, my camera took itself off to bed, the night ending with myself forcing the DJ to play nearly all my favourite songs; The Proclaimers (500 miles), Dire Straits (Walk of Life), Bonjovi (Livin' on a Prayer), Bryan Adams (Summer of '69) and The Conga... I LED THE CONGA!!!! Well, the first half of it...




Number of times Mum fell whilst Conga-ing = 1

Attempts made by a tipsy Bride & Groom to sing 'The blue ridge mountains of Virginia' = 11

Bribes offered to Grace to behave = 1 (She was a good Bridesmaid)

Snow, Sun, Spring??

Well, it's March. The dark nights aren't as dark and neither are the mornings... Which I like a lot. I never really miss the hotness of summer till Winter's nearly out, then I long to be burnt by my seatbelt whilst driving, plus there's so much to do on an evening when it's still light, and beer gardens, and BBQ's, long walks and gardening... It's pretty clear, I'm rather looking forward to it.

We've got Uncle Matthew's Wedding at the end of the month and Grace is a bridesmaid, she may well be a little angel on the day... but the likelihood is pretty medium at the moment, that said, I won't be too bothered as I'll be taking pictures! Hurrah!

I'm on a mission to find myself a new mission, I always need something to be doing, usually some kind of DIY project, I can't keep decorating rooms of the house, when they've only been done a year! - I thought about making a patchwork quilt, which I'd still very much like to do but Mum's told me I need templates and what not, and that I can't just cut and sew squares together like I want to!

Hmmm... I'll get back to you!

Soooo... photographs! - I've started getting busier again, warmer weather is always a bonus and especially nice if the sun makes an appearance, though I had to cancel one the other weekend as we had snow! Yorkshire weather needs to make up it's mind!

Tantrums (of the embarrassing, world please swallow me up type) - 3

Number of doors in the house I've glossed - 2 (You're welcome)

Days left till Euro Disney - 75

Fun in the Forest take 2!

I lied, I said I'd inform you of our trip upon our return and I didn't - I've been very busy! - January is the busy birthday month for our family, with my Nephew, Dad and Daughter all having birthdays within a week of each other.

So upon our return home we were birthday'd out and caked up.

Grace is now three, and someone should have kindly informed me that being three doesn't mean that the terrible twos are over, in fact, it's a new ball game all together!

We've not really been up to much, but it's February already!!!

I'm doing photographs on Saturday so 'I'll be back'.

“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul” - G.K Chesterton

It's 2011! Happy New Year - We've had an absolutely delightful Christmas, and New Year albeit with the compulsary arguments and tantrums, usually by myself when playing 'Family Fortunes', re named by my family as 'Family Feuds', I don't like to lose... and I'd also like a word with the 100 people surveyed for some ridiculous answers *shakes head*
Christmas Day morning, was, well, one I dreamt about - My little family sat by the tree opening presents, the look on the little people's faces was tear inducing - Soon ruined when Grace demanded more presents....and Archie wanting to go back to bed.

So it's a new year and we're off to Center Parcs, Sherwood Forest this time, I can't wait, it's been lovely having something to look forward to after Christmas, when I usually get post Christmas blues - I'm especially looking forward to being in the woods, with all the animals and having Starbucks Coffee first thing... Mmmm

(Just read this bit back and it sounds as though I go to Starbucks with the animals, I don't


I've had a break from photographs and start again Saturday 21st which I'm very much looking forward to.

The pictures you see here are from a shoot I did before Christmas, a very cold afternoon in Saltaire which has so much more than I realised and a lovely location at Roberts Park.

So, that's me for now - I'll be back very soon with details of our break in the forest, you're excited aren't you? Well, you should be.

'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!

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”

Hello! So, it's been nearly a month, you're very welcome to slap my wrist and remind me I have a blog to update, I wonder if anyone reads this... someone will, maybe, one day, hmm.

There's been so much happening over the past month - It's August and it's supposed to be warm, and it's not, in fact it's thrown it down nearly every day recently... Mum & Dad went to Tunisia for 10 days, Mum send me text messages telling me what items of theirs had melted in the heat, she does this to make me jealous, it does work only I tell her it doesn't.

We have booked a break to Center Parcs (why spoil a habit) and we're off to see Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest. It's the best Center Parcs we've found, we're going in January, so I'm hoping it's cold, and we need to wrap up warm with thick coats, scarves and wellington boots!

We've been very busy at home, had our garden re-vamped by the husband (thank you Dean!) It looks really lovely and the little people love it!

Archie & Grace updates - Archie has started talking, says about 5 - 10 words now, Grace, is, well, Grace, funny as ever, we've not had any public tantrums though! Yey!

I've been more than busy taking more photographs, I really feel confident in taking them now and can see my work progressing when I look through my albums.... The ones on this post are some recent ones that I like :)

.

Lastly, I've developed a liking for reading a good book, I have no idea why, but nothing suits me more than sitting down with a coffee or glass of wine, I'd prefer the wine, but I don't think it's acceptable at 3pm, well, no, not really. I've just finished the Lovely Bones, and have now started on Harlen Coben...

Hours spent reading - 6 ish

Ice pops eaten on the new lawn - 5

Number of times I've told Grace not to climb Archie's drawers at 6am, grab the talcum powder, cover herself and the floor, the bath and the landing carpet, then try to 'ceen up' with baby wipes....' - 1

(I don't want to have to do that again!!)

Photo madness!

Hello! - well it's been a while - We've been very, very busy. In fact it's all been a bit of a blur and I have no idea what has actually really happened over the last month!
Holiday = No,
Days out = No,
Birthdays = No...

I have no idea - this reminds me of when I'm driving sometimes and I end up at my destination with no recollection of how I've got there, it's like I've been in a trance, a trance that's aware of other cars and pedestrians (the best kind).

I have been taking lots of photographs, I do know that! Here are some I've taken of Grace
& Archie.


Archie can now walk, he's walks like he's drunk, only he puts his arms in the air too (must get that from me)

Grace has started to sing all the time, only she can't sing (must get that from me too) - Here's a little bit of her singing below :)


.

Websites bought = 1

Archie walking accidents (usually include head banging - not the punk type) = 14

Haircuts = 1

Wine consumed on school nights = I don't get under the affluence of Incohol.... EVER ;)