A lovely start to the year

Firstly let me share with you the lovely gift my Secret Santa made for me - a beautiful afghan and a selection of fabrics just in my colours - thank you so much my handicraft friend and thanks to Donna for organising it too

As for the festive season we had a lovely relaxing Christmas with Nigel's family, easy going with no conflicts, a lovely lunch and some quality family time. I can't pretend I wasn't a bit reticent about it but in the end it was great! Just what we needed

Then a leisurely few days around home until New Years Eve when as usual we joined lots of other families with children similar ages to ours in a local hall with a disco. Eveyone takes their own food and drink and no-one has to worry about babysitters or taxis home. It always has the comfortable feel of a wedding evening do with all ages mixing successfully.

On New Year's Day we had our own Christmas Dinner with turkey and all the trimmings but in a less formal way eating when it was ready in the evening rather than standing on ceremony eating in time for the Queen's speech and all that. The turkey was wonderful if I do say so myself.

Then Nigel returned to work for one day before taking an extended 4 day weekend to travel up north for my nephew's christening.

Initially we travelled up to Ambleside in the Lake District to my sisters for a couple of days. Someone was smiling on us from on high as, although heavy snow was forecast, we didn't see a flake and the usually congested motorways were crystal clear too - a very easy 300 mile journey.

However to the children's delight the Friday morning dawned with a good covering of snow. Although it had started to thaw slightly by the time we all got out they did manage to build a snowman, albeit a little one, and get some serious sledging in further up the fellside where the snow was deeper. The absence of sledges was no deterrent as thick plastic fertiliser sacks were a worthy alternative and Nick and Nigel particularly managed to build up quite a speed - great fun as my three have virtually never seen real snow.

Then on the Saturday we travelled across country to my brother's in South Yorkshire for his little boy's christening on the Sunday morning.

At almost ten months Spencer's turned into quite a charmer and the whole family enjoyed the event.

Here we are with mummy and daddy in the church after the service.

And then with Aunty Lorna and her partner Dave at the reception - mmmm that finger tastes yummy!

It was lovely to catch up with my siblings and my parents - these sort of dos make me feel just how far away I live from them all and how little we get to see them because we're so tied up with the kids' activities down here.

Yesterday Nigel and the children returned to work and school respectively - I go back this morning - I wonder just how many invoices the postman has managed to store up for me.

Never mind only six weeks until half term!