Dad's 80th Birthday Lunch (Photo heavy ;o) )

Today Dad took all the family local to us, out for lunch at the Rose and Crown Pub in East Grinstead to celebrate his 80th birthday which is tomorrow. He had a full house with everyone within driving distance coming together for the occassion. We missed the family not able to be with us (Norma, Chez, Ciaran and Caelen; Robin; Renee, Colin, Marc, Shannon and James) but hope you know that you were in our thoughts. The meal was delicious and the service faultless. We had a few brief speeches from Jon, who was acting as MC, and a reply from Dad. Below are a some of the photos taken today

Had to have a helium balloon for Dad (and we made him walk back to the car carrying it ;o) ) People arriving at the pub

Dave, Emily and Debbie

Iain, Dad and Louise

Louise offered to take a few family photos before everyone sat down for lunch.

My sister Kay; my brother Iain; Dad; Mum and me (we just needed Norma and Robin to make the gang complete!)

There then followed a large group photo. As is often the case in big group photos not everyone is always looking at the camera, has eyes open, etc., so I'm putting the three we did take on the blog.

Claire and her boyfriend, Craig. Jon standing next to them during one of his speeches

Emily

Sarah (Hugh's girlfriend) and Hugh

We took a token cake to the pub and Dad asked Tyler to help him blow out the candle - Dad being the eldest person there and Tyler, the youngest great grandchild (at the moment - new brother/sister due early November '09). Tyler was a very willing helper

But not as willing to have his photo taken with Grandpa afterwards

The birthday boy

From the pub we went on to Mum and Dad's house for another birthday cake and tea/coffee.

Once again, Dad had a willing helper

We hope you enjoyed the afternoon as much as we did Dad and we'll see you again tomorrow.

Love you lots

xxxxx

A quick review

I know I haven't done terribly well with the blogging this week but thought I'd do a quick review of what we've been up to. Wednesday was my friend Alison's birthday. I spent the morning at home doing some catch up with washing, ironing and housework but in the afternoon, Emily and I went round to Alison's for tea and cake. I always enjoy going there because it feels like home - I've spent many an hour there over the years ;o). Ali and Leah had made the birthday cake the night before and Leah and Jake iced it for her in the morning. I had to take a photo of the cake before we got stuck in and I love the way you can see a Bratz doll head and the Tigger mug in the background. Yes, feels like home (though we don't have the Bratz dolls around anymore :) This crystal angel was her present from Marc. It's about 10 inches high and is absolutely beautiful. It feels wonderful too and I kept running my hand over it.

On Thursday, Pam had invited the coffee ladies round before she went back to school on Friday. Unfortunately, because Pam changed jobs within the school she can't get to our Thursday morning coffees any more :o(. In the end only Carol and I could make it as Sarah had had to take her son Matt to hospital that morning with apendicitis.

I was also meant to go to Ikea with Iain and Louise on Thursday afternoon but Emily really didn't want to go and because it was her last day of holiday I decided to stay at home. I ended up phoning Iain during the afternoon to ask if he could pick up the bookcase I had wanted to get, which he did. We got it assembled on Thursday evening and I'm really pleased with it. I know it still looks a bit bare at the moment but I'm sure that'll change soon enough.

Friday was back to school day for Emily. I can't believe I didn't take a photo!! I'll have to rectify that by taking one on Monday instead. Her first day back went well and she went round to her friends house after school which meant I could go to the quilt exhibition at Hever Castle. Myung San has asked me to go a few times but this is the first year I've actually gone. We enjoyed walking round looking at all the quilts on display and also enjoyed looking at the stalls with quilting supplies. Makes me want to get started again .... watch this space!!

A quilt on display at The Quilt Room from Dorking's stall. Loved this one!!

This was a quilt submitted for display. It was so quaint and reminded me so much of Kath Kidston's things - I had to take a photo!!

It's now Saturday lunch time and I haven't done half the things I had intended to do this morning so I need to get off the computer and get to work. Enjoy your weekend.

xx

September already!

Can you believe we are now into September! Where did the summer holidays go? Emily goes back to school on Friday and we'll then be back into the school routine. I don't know if I'm ready yet, I enjoy the lazier relaxed days of summer! This morning we needed to be up fairly early because Emily had a dentist appointment at 8.45am - baby tooth extraction! Her new tooth had grown down in front of the baby tooth and the baby one was making it difficult to brush her teeth properly. Emily wasn't looking forward to this at all because she had been warned that she would need an injection. Over the weekend, however, the tooth had become wobbly on its own so when we went in we asked whether it would be possible to leave the extraction and let the tooth come out naturally? One very happy girl when she was told that would be fine - lots of wobbling to be done to get it out as soon as possible but no extraction needed :o) Definitely made her day!

I then got to go round to my friend, Pam's house for coffee and a chat before Pam returns to work on Friday. I got there around 10am to find freshly brewed coffee and homemade scones - add the excellent company and it was a fantastic morning.

So much so that next time I looked at my watch it was after 1pm and time for me to leave. I love how sitting and solving the problems of the world with a friend makes you feel so much better. Thanks Pam!

And to end this post, a photo of the roses outside our back door. I wish you could smell them - the scent is heavenly - another little thing that makes me happy!

xx

PS I have joined up to take the "Learn Something New Every Day" class on Shimelle's website. I did it last year and can now join in every year if I want to. I'm going to attempt to keep up and, hopefully, it'll result in me being more consciencious with my blog posts - time will tell ;o)

Theresa's birthday

Yesterday afternoon we went round to my niece, Theresa's house for her birthday tea and cake. Tyler was so excited that it was his Mummy's birthday and couldn't wait for everyone to arrive so we could have cake.

While we were waiting for the others to arrive, he helped to open the presents. In this case it was a photo frame with three photos of him at different ages.

What I hadn't stopped to think about was that because the photos were of him, he thought the photo frame should be his ;o)

Tyler was also a great help at blowing out the candles on the cake

Any guesses who helped choose the cake ;o)??

And finally, a couple of photos of the current new addition to their family. Minnie was Theresa's birthday present from Kay and is 16 weeks old.

Tyler likes to carry her around and this photo gives an idea of how little Minnie is.

A lovely afternoon spent catching up with family. Thanks for inviting us round, Theresa!

xx