The big freeze

Well we didn't have a white Christmas, but we certainly had some new year snow. Sussex was well and truly hit by the wintry weather and Worthing got a good smattering of snow. So when snow stops you from going to work, what else is there to do but build a snowman?

What a way to start the new year!

Despite feeling awful on New Years Day having come down with the dreaded cold that everyone had over Christmas, we still made it out for a walk on the seafront!


It was rather cold, but a hot chocolate in Costa soon warmed us up again!

2009 - the highlights!

Sophie and Dave's wedding in April ...














My 30th in May ...











The birth of my niece Kaylee in June ...












My hen do in September ...











Our Wedding and Honeymoon to Egypt in October ...




















A new house in October (yes it was a busy month!) complete with terrible décor and curtains ...














A new hamster, Honey, in November ...













And of course Christmas ...














All in all, a very good but a very busy 2009!

Foot Spa Time

Nice to see the modern man embracing the concept of unisex pampering ...

Compliments all round!

Am well chuffed. We were down at the allotment today and one of the more seasoned Allotment-ers said our patch wasn't look too bad! Brilliant, all that hard work is paying off!

Varekai

Today I was lucky enough to go and see Cirque du Soleil perform Varekai at the Albert Hall in London. It was totally amazing and would heartily recommend seeing them. I spent the whole performance on the edge of my seat as their performers swung from the rafters, bent themselves into all kinds of positions, threw each other around and generally looked brilliant in their costumes.

Thanks so much to Helen for talking me as her 'plus one', Helen's Aunt and Uncle for buying her the tickets for Christmas, and also to her whole family who I spent a lovely day with!

Give us a frown Freddie?

Over the festive period we had the chance to catch up with little Freddie. He has changed so much in 4 months and is looking like a proper little boy now. He has certainly become more aware of the people around him and has slipped into that shy stage which all kiddies seem to go through. He didn't seem too sure about me and when i tried to play with him, he looked as if he wasn't sure whether he should join in or cry at me. This is way different to how he was when I last saw him! I guess that is one of the problems with not seeing your family that often what with distance and all.

Something that did make me laugh was the fact that when anyone is taking a photo of him now, his new 'pose' is to strike a frown! As you can see, Freddie is frowning and Jenny is demonstrating!

He did lose the frown when Auntie Jane fed his chocolate from the Christmas Tree. We are soooo related!!!!

Shooting for all the family

Something else which seems to have the makings of a family Christmas tradition is Clay Pigeon Shooting. This year we managed to get Helen and Mum along with us.

And with a bit of persuasion we managed to get Mum gun toting as well as the rest of us!

It was cold, icy and foggy, but we had a fab morning, great bacon sarnie and even hit a few clays!

The Vox go a busking

Tonight was the traditional Brighton Vox Christmas busk and meal. It was a most special evening as this was the last time we would be singing and conducted by Anna - blub.

We started outside the Fisherman's Rest in Brighton with a drink in hand and great resolve ...

however we soon got a little nippy and persuaded the landlord to let us sing inside, which was much better!

We then had an amazing Xmas dinner and got all teary as Anna gave us medals and a little speech about each individual member of the choir. She did look fab in the new hat we bought her!

Thanks Anna for all the hard work you have put in to the choir over the last five years!

We're all booked!

Well, we have finally done it, we have booked our wedding venue. We will be wed at Rushton Hall on 10th October 2009! Hoorah!