Ella’s Dancing Show

We were up to see Ella in her dancing show – she was great.  She is the 4th pair to come on from right.  3min 10sec – I was there from 7:00 until 9:30!!

Aviemore 2011

The Monks’ clan were up at Aviemore for the weekend.  The count is now up to 19, but Nicole didn’t make it because she was right in the middle of her exams.  On Saturday we went to Loch Morlich for a wee walk and then back for lunch.  After lunch some went to Crazy Golf, some went Quad Biking.  Mo Ella and I went a walk down to the park with Siobhan, Stewart and Rory.

We headed down to the Cairngorm Hotel for our dinner – ate far too much, but it was great.

On Sunday we went to Loch Garten for a another wee walk, back to the holiday house for lunch, before getting packed up and heading for home. 

Another great weekend – again we were lucky with the weather.  

All my pictures are here

This is the third Aviemore weekend to be recorded on the blog – you can see the previous ones here 2010,  2009 Part 1 & Part 2.  It is amazing to see how much everyone has changed – not just the kids.

Patrick’s 11

It was Patricks birthday on Sunday. We had Jean, Eddie and Mikie over for dinner and the Mejury’s came round for birthday cake later on.  Good night.  We got him shin guards for his ski racing, sweatshirt and fancy boxer shorts – called “Bawbags”!!  He got loads of vouchers for Tiso (new ski poles) and Braehead vouchers – (hi tops and a new jacket).

Mo made a great dinner – roast beef, roast potatoes and veg.  Homemade birthday cake too.

September Weekend Away

It was mum and dad’s Ruby wedding Anniversary in the summer and the kids (Mikie, Fiona and Gerry, Mo and I) had chipped in and got a holiday house for the weekend as a gift.  We had a “rer ter”.  We pulled into the drive just after 2 on the Friday and Mikie and Emily had just arrived.  The Wedlock’s and Mum and Dad were not far behind.

The house was amazing – a huge big kitchen and lounge and a dinning table that we could all sit round – all 13! We had arranged to have turns about with the dinner – we were first, then the Fiona & Gerry and Mikie & Emily on Sunday.  Mo had made a big pot of Steak and Guinness the day before, so all we had to do was heat up the pot and make some rice - magic.  After dinner we sat in the kitchen and Mikie played the accordion and the kids ran around before they went to bed.

Next morning we were up and out for a wee walk up the farm road.

Daisy picked up a worm – I thought she was going to eat it at one point!!

We got back to the house, got into the cars and headed into Melrose for a wee walk around and some lunch.  We went down to the river and watched huge salmon leaping out of the water, before heading back to open the bar.

Fiona & Gerry had made Spaghetti and Meatballs – great.  After dinner there was the X-Factor camp and the rest.

Next morning we all went for another wee walk – we went down the hill this time, and after we headed to Berwick upon Tweed.  He had lunch and a walk round the walls before making our way home. 

Mikie and Emily were on dinned duty – Chilli, which hit the spot.  After dinner it was another lounge about with a few glasses of wine before bed.

Monday morning started with a wee walk before we had to start packing up.

At about 2 o’clock the owner came to get the keys and have a quick check round the house and she gave us the all clear, we headed to the local pub for a great lunch to finish off a great weekend.

All the photos are big here

South of Clyde Ski Race

Ella and Patrick were entered into the South of Clyde Ski Race on Saturday.  I didn’t catch Pat, but here is Ella in one of her races – not a win, but still a lot quicker that I would get down!!

A wee aside – Patrick cycled to school yesterday to practice for his cycling proficiency test.  So rather than his uniform, he was wearing his track suit.  He got to school and took off his tracky top, his pal sitting next to him asked “is that your pyjama top?” – Pat looked down and said “yes”.  He is Primary 7 and he went to school with his pyjama top on – and he didn’t die of embarrassment!!