Happy Birthday Alice :)

Yesterday was Alice's 3rd birthday :)  She had been counting down the days and was so excited! 

 

 I went round to the house by 9 and the presents were soon being opened.  The tutu, wings, tiara and wand were a big hit!

Alice changed into the tutu straight away and then went to have a look in the mirror to see what she looked like :)

 before trying out a few ballet moves! So sweet :)

 However, there were more presents to be opened (this one from Uncle Iain and Iris in Australia)

 Lambie (from Doc McStuffins) is another hit - especially when she asks "Do you need a cuddle?"

Alice had been waiting to blow out her candles since morning so as soon as family arrived in the afternoon we agreed it was time. Such a good job - all candles blown out in one go!

Emily snapped this photo of me holding Megan. She was a bit bewildered by all the goings on especially seeing as there were all these new toys and she wanted to play with them too - only to be told no, most of the time.

 Megan got cuddles with Uncle Hugh.

 Alice just loved the whole day, the presents, the playing, the people and the cake!

 Nana Linda and Richard arrived a little bit later with a bike for the birthday girl. Great excitement :)

 Showing Grandpa and Theresa how she can ride (or try to!)

 We love you lots Alice, enjoy being 3!

xx

Once again, it's been a while!

The past few months have been a bit of a roller coaster for our family. 

 

The 29 September saw us celebrating Emily's birthday. We went out for breakfast to start off her birthday but while out I got a phone call from Jon telling me that his brother Mike had had a heart attack at Church.

An ambulance got there quickly and the paramedics spent time getting his heart going again before taking him to the main Cardiac Unit in Brighton, about an hour from us. Sadly, Mike passed away in the early hours of Saturday, 05 October.

We're thankful that he was in Church when it happened and help was quickly on hand. We are also thankful that his sons, Ryan and Darren were able to get to the UK from Canada and South Africa respectively, that his sister Deb came down from Yorkshire and brother, Simon, flew in from America and all got to say their goodbyes.

Ryan's wife and sons flew in from Canada, Darren's girlfriend arrived from South Africa as did their mother, Merle and Mike's sister Penny. It was lovely to get the opportunity to spend time with extended family in the run up to the funeral and to see the other family members who were able to make it to the funeral from the UK.

 Family

Deb, Simon, Penny, Ryan, Jon, Darren, Ryan's son Owen, Mike's son Steve, Mike's step father Frank and nephew Mark.

 Siblings Deb, Simon, Penny & Jon with Frank

 

 Alice loved having young cousins to play with - seen here with Owen (thank goodness for iPads!)

 Ryan's wife Shannon - love this girl and so glad we got to spend time together.

 Claire and Megan

 Merle with Shannon (her daughter-in-law)

 Sarah (Mike's daughter-in-law), Emily and Norma

 Darren and Natasha

 Emily and me

Finton, Ryan & Shannon's younger son.

 

Despite the sadness of the occasion, there were many happy moments, lots of memories shared and Mike's life celebrated. I'm sure he'd have been pleased to see so many family members together again and enjoying each others company.

 

I hope to post again in the next few days.

 

xx