Happy New Year

Well, I know that it has been absolutely ages since I published a post, so apologies to everyone. Time is flying by so quickly and the weeks seem to end as quickly as they start.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Frank, Heidi, Leah and Alex came over from England for a three week holiday in Australia. They spent a couple of weeks visiting Sydney, Cairns, and then driving down to us. We had ten days together and managed to fill each one. The children all got on really well. Matthew and Alex played well together and Alex was great in the role of mentor. Leah did a wonderful job of looking after Sophie. We spent Christmas Eve on the beach at Moololaba and had a little picnic. Christmas morning was lovely. The children had their stockings and plenty of presents under the tree to open. We then headed off to Mum's for a monster lunch and swim. It was great....

Thank you to everyone for the lovely presents you sent the children.

We had a quiet New Year, Frank and Heidi left in the afternoon, we had a quick sort out of the house and then headed off to dinner at Mum and Dad's. We did manage to stay up until midnight, which was amazing for us!

Things have been pretty busy since then. Dave went back to work on the 8th and I have been doing my one day a week at Econova. I'm really enjoying it and it's nice to have a break from my usual routine. Dave is enjoying his new role and seems to have really settled in.

As for our monsters, Matthew and Sophie are doing fantastically and growing at such a rapid rate. Matthew, who will be three this year, can you believe it(!), is doing fine. He talks for Britain and has really started to take a big interest in Sophie. He encourages play with her now and will always make sure she is ok. It is wonderful to watch. We are going to start having a look around at some schools in the area and at least get his name on the lists. We have explained to him that we are going to England in May to visit family and friends and at the moment the biggest excitement is about the fact that he is going on an aeroplane!

Sophie has gone from a baby to a toddler in no time at all. She follows her brother round like a little sheep and always wants to be involved with what he is doing. This usually is ok but it depends on what kind of mood Matthew is in. Sophie is getting much better on her feet and I don't think it'll be too long before she is walking about. Heaven help me then! We still only have two teeth but I think there are a few more on the way judging by the amount of drool and finger biting that is going on. Will keep you posted.

My friend Sue had her baby on the 2nd January, a little girl, Lola. She is beautiful and has a full head of black hair. It has been really strange seeing a newborn again.... Abi and Julia are doing well. We see Judy and Chris for a curry now and again, and I see Jude most Thursdays. They are going back to England in February for a holiday with their son Sam.

Anyway, I think that's all the gossip for now. There are some piccies on the way.