last one....

she was inthe mood to dance!

too many music videos take 3

Too many music videos take 2

Too many music VIDEOS

Dancing Girl

This is the only close-up I could get of Carys. She really worked that Palm leaf!

Nativity

Carys is a dancing girl whose accompanied her king to give gifts to baby jesus. She was suffering from a case of stage fright but LOOKS gorgeous! Her fellow servant boy was super hyper and I couldn't help but chuckle a few times!

Enjoy!!!

Christmas Celebrations

We have had a very busy December with lots of preparations fro the BIG DAY. First and foremost was Christmas Card Photos. As they are probably still on their way to the good old USA I thought I woudl finally post the picture we used.

Please note the collection of baubles just to the left of Adam's head and you'll realise that Carys did not take direction very well. Our instructions of 'Don't put them all in one place' was not understood adn we ended up with several 'clusters' like the one you see.

We had many ups and downs this night... including
- the tree falling over (well nearly)
- a moment I like to call "The Leaning Tree of Piza"
- bauble mayhem


This is our second year with a real tree. Last year we bought a monster of a tree adn were convinced we were not going to make the same mistake again. WRONG! This tree seemed so 'in proportion' out in the wide open spaces of Christmas Tree Lot. We all fell in love with it and handed our £40.00 over to Mr Molloy who gave us a discount (should have been £50.00) and gave the kids a lollipop.

Molloy's garden centre gives me goosebumps, especially at Christmas. It reminds me of the small town feel of a feed store on a Saturday morning. The place where you walk in and instantly feel welcomed and recgonise your fellow shoppers, smiling and greeting each other and actually get a reaction back. Somewhere you are sure to see someone you know and somewhere where you get satisfaction from seeing several generations of a family working together toward a common goal. Its not something I see very often here suburbia, maybe because there are so few businesses like this one left. Thats the difference between country mouse and city mouse isn't it. I suppose my children are city mice and it makes me sad that they won't have this 'comparison' to make.

Anyway.. back to Christmas Tree....

Last year we struggled keeping our tree straight! We carted bricks in from outside and placed them strtegically in a bucket to stabilsie the tree. It worked like a charm. This year we bought bucket/tree stand that was designed to hold the tree in place. After struggleing to keep the screws tight enough to hold the tree we were able to decorate it and take our photos!!!

.... and so the Christmas season begins......

Liverpool.

DSC05655, originally uploaded by the_stakes.

We gave up after we saw this one!

Granny glasses

DSC05656, originally uploaded by the_stakes.

Carys has no bridge to hold up her glasses. So she has adopted the Granny glasses look and looks at you over the top. Cute! Here she has decided that it is too cold to continue looking fo rhte penguins so she has decided to go for alounge.

The Penguin Hunters

DSC05650, originally uploaded by the_stakes.

Penguin Hunt

DSC05639, originally uploaded by the_stakes.

The first of the penguind found inthe penguin hunt around liverpool.

Here comes Santa Claus....

Right down Santa Claus lane! I am so disappointed. Its December 3rd and I have no tree up, no lights, no deocrations. Scrooge is visiting and has refused to get my bits from the loft!!! Scrooge is out at a party on Friday night so he'll be in no fit state to get them down Staurday morning! Mr Marley help me .. where are you!!!

Mrs Christmas (thats me) is not very organised this year. Presents still to buy/make, little time or money to do it in/with!

We shall persevere! I have asked santa for a small NORMAL camera so I can start taking photos and posting them again as Scrooge is obsessed with his camera photos going on flickr. Scrooge will probably stop talking to me as I may have said one Scrooge to many. :)

Kiddos are excied abotu SANTA!!!! Carys thinks he can come over everyday and give us a present for waking up. She doesn't understand the day yet!!

Monica