Family photoshoot for Sam's parents

A few weeks ago we got together in our garden with Sam's sister, her partner & our nephews to take some family photos for Sam's parent's 25th wedding anniversary! The weather was so good to us. I took the photos mostly & the big one we set up on self-timer. I have to say I think we did a pretty good job getting some good shots in and the boys did amazingly well after #25367 of the self-timer family ones!

We framed a big family one & one of Sam & his sister, Emma for his parents; with the rest we made a photo book. I think it was a pretty special gift and it looked like they loved it. These are the best kind of presents. 

We realised that there weren't many photos of Sam & Emma together other than a few of them when they were little so it was nice to finally get a good picture of them both for their parents.

We celebrated with champagne on their anniversary & then had a big family BBQ over the weekend. It was really great to all be together. 

Here are just a few:

Happy 25th wedding anniversary Sue & Mal!

Baby Sister's Wedding (Natalie & Sam)

Isn't she the most beautiful bride??!! When I saw Natalie the morning of her wedding she still looked like 'Little Natalie' to me. She is only a year younger than me, and she will hate me for saying it but she always seemed much younger! Maybe because she is so much shorter than me and sweet! Weddings are pretty weird. It didn't really feel like her wedding day, even when all us bridesmaids were doing each other's hair and makeup and fussing over every little detail. The wedding wasn't until 3pm either so we felt (or it seemed) pretty relaxed. 
Then I started to do her makeup (I'm pretty proud of the job I did on that!) and all the emotions started rushing in. I wanted everything to be so perfect for her. Then she put on her dress and she was suddenly this grown up girl I'd never seen before! She really looked amazing. 

The ceremony was beautiful and the reception soooooo much fun. I loved hanging out with family I hadn't seen for a while and loved seeing Natalie surrounded by all her friends and people who loved them. It's funny when you see your sister interacting with the people she went to university with or new friends she's made since becoming a couple. I felt like everything was going to be alright. I'm always worrying about her. She always tells me to stop playing 'mom' but I can't help it. Maybe a little bit of me let go of that when I knew she was married now and had her own life and family to create. 

It was a joyous day anyway, I survived wearing my bridesmaids dress and my Sam kept making me laugh. I love marriage! 

I didn't take my chunky camera on the day and I only took a couple of phone photos. Maybe Natalie will let me share a few pics when she gets them back because this is the only photo I took of her wedding cake that I made. SOOOO proud of it. It turned out so good. You might not be able to tell from the picture but the purple icing has an ombre effect as you go up each layer. It was fruit, lemon and chocolate! Yum. 

Baby Sister's Hen Weekend

My little sister got married on April 12th but the weekend before that we had a family girls weekend away. We did something similar for my hen, just momma and my sisters so I think it's going to be our tradition and when big sister gets married we'll do the same. It's such a special time for us all. Even though it's not the last time we'll be together it's still so lovely to get away to our own space and create special memories. Of course, we're going to probably fall out a little bit too (too many personalities in one family!) but ultimately this was a really wonderful weekend together!

Apologies for the photo below. hah. Looks so staged - never take photos against a white background!

Of course, any good weekend (or any weekend for that matter) involves really good food. The first night we ate in our hotel restaurant, thanks for the 25% off voucher we got when booking. It was pretty good, even if mom's salmon was a little funny for Natalie's pasta was too spicy! These are the memories we make. hah. The starters were good though.

We might have had a cooked breakfast both mornings but I won't tell if you don't!

As per tradition we ended up at a National Trust place Tatton Park. The day was VERY wet but that didn't put a damper on any of our plans. It was a really nice place with a gift and tea shop (obligatory). The place was so big I don't think we fully explored the place. Maybe another time when the sun's out and we're a little more motivated to wander.

That evening we went to Bridgewater Hall to hear classical concert "Holst's: The Planets". Natalie has always wanted to hear them so it was a big treat for her. To start with I wasn't too bothered but hearing classical music live is soooooo good. It felt really emotional, especially 'Jupiter'. There may have been a few watery eyes from a few of us. Worth hearing.

JUST A LITTLE BIT EMOTIONAL thinking about her being married!

AND WHAT A TREAT to return to our hotel room afterwards to champagne (actually perry!). The hotel staff had no idea we were on a hen weekend until late into the day and then left this as a little surprise. SO NICE. We opened up a box or two of ferreo rocher, got into our pjs and cuddled up into one big bed to watch a bit of tele. Perfect.

This was earlier at the National Trust house. Maybe don't do this in the future, you might get asked to 'move on please'. Ooops.

Father's Day

This is my dad on my wedding day looking totally handsome. I am so proud & lucky to call him my father. He is hardworking, beyond generous, supportive, hilarious & fun to spend time with! He is one of my best friends.
I just want to take this moment, this father's day to say I am immensely privileged to be his daughter. He has been a rock to Sam & I throughout our time together but especially this year.
He has cared for us, guided us through lots of important decisions, supported us when we've chosen an unconventional route for things, has had faith in us even when we've failed & picked us up when we've fallen. He has loved us always and in everything.

Dad, you are a huge part of my world. I love you so much! Xx

Let's just take a minute...

...to introduce this beautiful boy! My nephew!

JOSHUA GABRIEL born on the thirteenth day of may two thousand and thirteen!

I have never been in love with another boy until this little one arrived nine days ago! He is total joy! I am totally smitten and I am so proud to be his auntie! I am so proud of my brother & sister-in-law. They are doing so well & although it was so strange at first to think my brother has become a daddy I knew he was always born to be one. He's always been so great with kids and kids adore him. I can't wait to see little Joshua looking at my brother like he's the most amazing guy in the world when they can start doing more things with each other & have big long conversations! This little one is so lucky and his parents are even more blessed!

I'm a little obsessed. I can't get enough cuddles with him! Oh, and he smells so good! I am totally broody, like crazy broody but I think we're going to wait a little longer, I think I still need a good amount of cuddles & quality time before someone else gets all the attention. Hehe.

Little Joshua Gabriel, YOU ARE SO LOVED!!

Dear mom & dad...

WARNING! This is a total gush post.

This post is dedicated to my momma & poppa! They will quote me all the time on this but I'm going to say it anyway, I really would spend every waking hour with these two. 
They inspire me every day to be a better person, to look for the good in everything and give me the gentle reminder that I can't do anything in my own strength; that it all comes from God.
I am thankful that they have loved each other through all the good times & the hard times and have been a great example of how I want my marriage to be. I have seen them lose themselves & find themselves again, struggle financially & celebrate living comfortably, be generous beyond their means & give their time, advice and wisdom to anyone and everyone. I have seen them cry, fight, hurt & yearn but I've also seen them laugh hysterically, love, forgive & choose happy. 
We were never without anything growing up. My dad grew a great business & my mom stopped work to bring us up. She was with us every day, every hour teaching us, loving us, making us into creative and hardworking people.
We would have an activity to do always, bath times, story times & bed times were exciting and any health issues, sickness and poorly sleepless nights they were both around for cuddles.

They taught us about Jesus, they taught us to pray, to hope, to dream, the difference between want & need, good & bad, happy & sad. They praised us, encouraged us and loved us through our tantrums & teenage years.

They said NO! but they also said YES! and they were always right. They knew, we didn't, but now we see. They've done the hardest job in the world & they are still doing it. Even in the moments I packed my tiny suitcase & left home (hid behind the alleyway) to spite you and yelled 'I hate you!' you loved me. Even when I hit you or refused to eat the dinner you cooked, you loved me. Even when I trashed my room or slammed the doors you loved me. Thank you for loving me through all that. I bet that was one of the hardest things.

Thank you for family film nights, english country holidays, 30 mile family bike rides (ok, we did that once!), sugar sandwiches, handmade birthday cakes, dancing in the rain storms, singing us to sleep, making up stories, car games during long journeys, activity packs and dooey boxes, foreign holidays & much much much much more!
I am thankful for you and so proud to call you mom & dad. You are my heroes, my best friends!

Thank you for being here always.

Xxx