Sunday Lunch at The Turnpike

As the weather is changing and winter is fast approaching we decided to cheer ourselves up by treating our selves to Sunday lunch with all our friends. We needed somewhere child friendly as me and Adele have now caught the others up and have children of our own.
We chose the Turnpike at Knottingley as it has an indoor and outdoor playground and even better all the meals were 2 for 1!
Adele turned 39 this week, Helen already is and I'm fast approaching so we thought we'd get a picture of the old girls, I don't think we look that bad on it!






Nell the youngest of our group slept through the whole thing and was no trouble at all. Everyone wanted a cuddle and Isla was off playing which left me and Andrew chance to relax and chat with our friends over a nice leisurely meal and drink.















It wasn't a bad day so the kids spent a lot of time outside, Matthew & Rebecca were in charge with Becca's boyfriend Ben and they kept them out of trouble for us. Isla and Isaac enjoyed playing together, maybe a future romance in years to come?!
















We all had a great time and the food was cheap as chips, so we'll probably all go again. What is really good is that now all the pubs are no smoking there is no problem taking the kids and you don't stink of smoke when you come home.
It may not seem like a great day out but with a toddler and a 4 week old going anywhere is fantastic!

Friends Reunited Place Gallery

Friends Reunited Place Gallery

Chalk Is that you on backrow? Richard Cooper placed this on FR website!

Lotherton Hall

As the weather has finally picked up and we are getting a bit more organized since the arrival of Nell Eve ( yes have finally settled on a middle name) we decided to have an afternoon out at Lotherton Hall. So car packed with kids, double buggy and a picnic we set off.

It was probably one of the warmest days I can remember for ages so the jeans I had on were a big mistake!


We found a lovely spot in front of the house which we had to ourselves. Nell slept the whole time we were there but Isla loved running around the gardens and hiding in the long grass.


The picnic was great and it was really nice to spend the afternoon as a proper family, with our two girls.
Isla doesn't sit still for more than a minute and was off exploring the flower gardens with Andrew in hot pursuit.
I chilled out on the grass with Nell trying to find a bit of shade from the sun.

Andrew played with Isla and was throwing her in the air and catching her, it didn't look that high until you see the pictures.

There really is loads to do at Lotherton, Isla particularly likes the playground, climbing and sliding!


We gave the bird garden a miss on this visit as we planned to come again at the weekend with Antony & Jo.


It takes a bit more effort and organising to get out these days but we are thoroughly enjoying being parents and are looking forward to plenty more trips out. Andrew is keen to take Isla to see Blackpool lights! (not)


Lesley

Welcome Nell Williams

Nell Williams was born at 6.03am on Friday 24th August 2007 weighing 6lbs 2oz. The birth was ery quick in the end with the pushing stage only taking 3 mins! Despite that its not like shelling peas, and I'm glad I don't have to go through it again as Nell makes our family complete!



Isla came to see her new little sister in the hospital and was quite taken with her. We have to remind her to be gentle but she gives her lovely kisses to welcome her to our family.

Isla seems so much more grown up now we have Nell and is no longer our little baby. It seems hard to believe that I was on this ward April last year having Isla, how much she has changed in that time and now she is a big sister!


Although there are some similarities Nell doesn't look too much like Isla, they were both born with dark hair and blue eyes. We can't really work out who Nell takes after! I have studied her now and think she is like her grandad Williams. As Andrew also looks like his dad I guess Nell will take after Andrew,where Isla is starting to look more like me!

This is me just after the delivery, can you tell I have just given birth and have been up for 30 + hours?! So there you have it, the first pictures of our new arrival. The Williams family are very happy at the moment and Andrew and I are looking forward to life with our two girls!

Dexter's Birthday Weekend

We braved the floods and travelled down to Hereford to Antony & Jo's for the weekend to join in Dexters first birthday celebrations. The journey wasn't too bad but there was no doubt as to how bad it had been as we passed countless abandoned cars and caravans with water up to the roof.

Jo had planned a big garden party but it was so wet it had to be cancelled and it was a family only do! Despite the change of plan we had a really good weekend and all the cousins enjoyed playing together.

Thankfully the weather wasn't too bad on the Sunday, Isla & Dexter were glad to play outside for once! Antony stoked up the barbie and we had a lovely lunch of sausages & burgers before heading off home.

A really nice weekend so a big thank you to Antony & Jo especially as they gave up their bedroom for us!

Sunny June?!

Following on from the storms and floods in Sydney and not to be out done the English summer decided to join in. Talk about flaming June, you should see the flaming weather!
Hundreds of homes across North & South Yorkshire have been flooded and we have never seen scenes like it!
Andrew & I went out on Monday and couldn't even get out of Garforth and it never floods here!

This picture shows two people struggling to get past the Old George. Behind them is the roundabout but no one could get round so it was about turn for us. Just as well I wasn't at work as I wouldn't be able to get home.

This is a view from the other side of the roundabout, because it was flooded cars were having to go round the wrong way round the roundabout, which is pretty weird when you're going the right way and cars are coming at you!





Whoa mind your brolly mister!







Back home and Isla was dressed for the weather but it was throwing it down so we didn't let her out, instead she had to make do with watching through the window. Doesn't she look cute in her raincoat and hat though? just as well you can't see her feet as we only have sandals that fit her currently.

So its been pretty wet and miserable lately, despite it being brighter today the forecast for the weekend is more rain. Good job we live on the highest spot in Garforth so not much chance of our house being flooded.

Lets hope the sun decides to make an appearance soon, we're ready!

Birthday Boy

Uncle Bryan turned 65 last week but is still only admitting to 27! It seems the Mortimers have trouble in revealing their age, I don't know why cos none of them look it!

To celebrate we had a family meal at Maxi's, we couldn't ask anyone else as that would give the game away!

I think Mum,Bryan & Sandra look fab so hopefully it bodes well for me Chalk & Kim!


We had a lovely meal, the lazy susan was piled high and we kept spinning the wheel so we could try a bit of everything. It has been a long time since we have all been out together and it was a really good night. It's great to have Kim & Phil back in Yorkshire, I wonder if Chalk & Bek will see the light and return to Gods own country!






No clubbing after the meal, Andrew & I had to get back for the babysitter. Kim & Phil had a long drive home and lets face it the others are just too old! ONLY JOKING!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Uncle Bryan for a lovely night. I look forward to the next family celebration if we have one eh Mum!

North York Moors Railway

The North Yorks Moor railway have recently extended the line to go to Whitby. This being one of Andrews favourite places we couldn't pass up the chance of a fabulous steam train journey!

Andrew had just finished nights so it was a bit of a mad dash to get to Pickering in time but the traffic was kind so got parked and on the train with ten mins to spare.

Isla has been on the train to Leeds but this was a very different experience. We had a carraige to ourselves and she loved wandering from window to window to look at the views. With the windows open you could smell the smoke coming from the steam engines.

As it was such a lovely day we had a wander round Whitby and then went down to the beach for a picnic lunch. Isla has been on the beach before but only in the pram so feeling the sand between her toes was a whole new experience but not one she liked! It reminded me of Chalky at Great Yarmouth, she was pulling her legs up every time you tried to put her down and was less than impressed by the whole beach thing!

Andrew & I laughed at the funny expressions she was pulling. Andrew said it was just as well we hadn't wasted money on a beach holiday abroad the month earlier, as on this showing we wouldn't have had much quality beach time.

Isla you will have to get to love it as Mummy likes to laze on the beach! Andrew took her for a paddle but she cried, mind you not surprised the water was freezing!

So time for home, all aboard the Whitby Express for the return journey to Pickering.

We had one of the nicest days out so far as a family. Now Isla is getting bigger and taking more interest its fascinating to watch her take in and explore all the new sights & sounds. I wonder what goes on in that little head of hers? I hope she enjoys her time with us as much as we enjoy our time with her!

Till next time..........

Birthday Girl

Welcome back to the blog! have a new laptop so all systems go!

Well its been a full year since we welcomed Isla Jane into the world and for Andrew & Me it has been the best year of our lives!

What a year a difference a year has made, we now have a little girl and not a baby.

To celebrate Isla's big day we had a party for all her friends. All her lovely grand-parents clubbed together to buy a play house and as you can see she loved it, Isaac enjoyed playing with her too. Isla enjoyed opening all her presents and was thoroughly spoilt by everyone.

Not to leave family out we had another party on Saturday, we were s lucky with the weather as it was glorious sunshine both days.

I even made a birthday cake and 48 buns for everyone to enjoy! and despite me making them they tasted great and they scoffed the lot.

I guess in years to come it will be screaning kids, jelly & ice-cream and pass the parcel. The first birthday is a little more civilised!

Lion Tamer

Check Isla out only 9 months old and riding on the back of a ferocious lion!! She really is on the move now and can support herself really well. She loves this rocking lion that Paul & Laura bought her for Christmas. She has so many toys now she stuggles to play with them all.

Isla has started to crawl now too and can scoot from one end of the room to the other. You have to have eyes in your backside. We have had a couple of minor injuries where she has banged her head. When she cries she holds her breath for ages before letting out a scream, you shouldn't laugh but it is funny!

Being a parent is such an adventure, you can't beleive how much they pick up. Isla can now clap her hands, wave and touch her ear on request. Do you think that she is going to be talented?!

Happy New Year

We didn't so much on New Years Eve in fact I was in bed for 11 and only got up with Isla to watch all the fireworks that were going off all around.

New Year meant back to work for me and all of us into a new routine. Isla stays with Daddy for 2 days and goes to Helen's for the other.

I miss Isla when I go to work but we catch up on a night and play together. Shw does something new everyday and we can't help but marvel at how special she is.

As you can see Isla is really growing up now and we think she is the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. On my days off we go to the baby cafe and meet up with some other mums an babies. We have made a few friends now and have our own little social circle.

Daddy has been busy at work, he is now fully qualified as Crew Manager and both me & Isla are vey proud of him. Still lots to do inthe house, we have 8 new doors waiting to be put up but don't seem to have the time to do it. Isla always wants to play.
We are loving family life and our little routine suits us fine. Our recent trips out have included the swimming baths and Wetherby, I really must remember to start taking the camera so you can see what we are up to!!

Christmas Day

Isla's first Christmas and to celebrate she had her baby's first Christmas bib sent by Granny & Grandad Chambers. I hope Grandad Oldfield hasn't slipped any whiskey into Isla's drink. What a clever girl she is holding her own cup now and feeding herself.


Nana helped make it a special Christmas too, apart form spoiling Isla with lots of presents she made a wonderful table decoration for us to enjoy, it made our Christmas table look very festive. Good to see the night school classes weren't wasted.




















Isla got loads of presents and enjoyed tearing the wrapping paper off. Nana & grandad Williams were there to assist. She loved her new baby walker that Mummy & Daddy bought her, there are loads of different buttons to press and it sings and talks to you. I think it may get on the grown ups nerves before too long. We had a lovely first family Christmas, even though we missed the family that couldn't be there.

Looking forward to an exciting 2007, love to all!

Isla the red nosed reindeer

Look how Isla is getting into the Christmas spirit, she is really cute as rudolph! Won't she hate us when she gets older for dressing her up like this. We couldn't resist though, it was this or a little snowman suit!

There's all kinds of Christmassey stuff you can put babies in these days!

I wonder what Santa will bring, I bet she will get really spolit as she has been a very good little girl!



See she's smiling so doesn't mind dressing up too much!

Isla & Gramps

We seem to have more visitors now Isla is here I wonder why?!

Isla loves being with Gramps as he makes such a fuss of her, she is no 10 to him but will always be no 1 to us!

She is supposed to be ready to go to bed but is too excited to go to sleep now!

Wait until she is old enough to hear all Grandads interesting stories.

Visiting Amelia & Ruby

It was a long time since Isla had seen Amelia & Ruby so they all had fun together. Isla has grown quite a bit and is sitting up now which makes it easier for them to play with her. Even though they had lots of toys out they still founf time to pose for a quick picture. Amelia has shorts on even though it was cold as she has very definite ideas as what she likes to wear! whereas Ruby was well wrapped up, she will put anything on which makes life easier for Gaynor! Isla was looking cool in her new pink tracksuit!

Norfolk Nov 06

It was Dave Walkers 40th birthday and to celebrate he hired a cottage in Norfolk for the week. We joined his family and friends for 3 nights.The cottage was lovely and as you can see both Andrew & Isla enjoyed having some time to relax. We all took turns in cooking and on a night played games and had a kareoke session. I loved it! The games got a bit heated I think everyone's competitive spirit came out, no blood was shed though!
We were near the coast so went out to explore. 18 years ago me & Andrew came to Hunstanton for the weekend so decide to pay it another visit and show Isla where we went all those years ago! It was freezing and the beach was deserted so we all wrapped up well. Andrew found the same helter skelter we saw when we were there last so had his picture taken for old times sake! Maybe we'll do something like this when I'm 40!

Hasn't Isla got the biggest blue eyes! She was snug as a bug in her pram. Maybe we'll go back for her 18th and see how the place has changed! I think Isla will look a bit different.

Isla & Phoebe

We all went to Nana & Grandads for a family get tohether before Christmas. Antony Jo Phoebe & Dexter were up North delivering presents so all the Williams clan went. Isla loved playing with her big cousin. Dexter slept most of the time as we all caught up with each other.
Nana did a lovely buffet which we cleared in no time.
When we came home Isal had a quick play under her gym before going to bed, families tire you out don't they!

Happy Birthday

Remember remember the 5th of November! yes it's my birthday and for a treat we all went out for Sunday lunch at Bella Vita. All being me, Andrew, Isla, Mum, Dad Marje & David. The food was good and the wined flowed.

Isla had her own highchair and sat patiently whilst we all tucked in. This isn't her first visit to a restaurant so is already getting a taste for the high life!



No one would tell the waiter it was my birthday (where's Bek when you need her!) so there was no singing or a desert with a sparkler in it!


I don't think Isla had any of the wine but as you can see she had a little nap on Grandad Oldfield. She had been really good all day and it was lovely to share my birthday with my beautiful daughter for the first time.

Daddy enjoyed himself too, I think he was still pleased with himself for coming up with a great present for me, an Nano Ipod, pity he downloaded 121 AC/DC tracks onto it, they had to be removed!

All in all a very enjoyable day, despite this being the first year since I can remember that I haven't been to a bonfire or had any fireworks, perhaps I'm a bit old for that now?!

Lesleyxx

Welcome Home

Well the day had finally arrived when it was time to pick Mum up from the airport, it seems ages since we last saw her. We waited paitiently for her to come through but she wasn't one of the first, I think it took her all her time to lift her case!! Isla and I were keeping watch waiting for her smiley face to come round the corner.


Andrew spotted her first but I pushed him out of the way for our big reunion! Of course I didn't get a look in as Isla was whisked out of my arms! It was great to see her after so long and I thought she looked really well with her lightened hair and healthy glow.


Even though it had been a long flight it was all smiles as Nan and grand-daughter were together again, even Nellie got in on the act, there's no keeping that bear down after she heard about the antics of her cousin down under. So all together at last at least it was a nice sunny day if not a bit cold. Just enough time for Mum to re-charge her batteries before the big event on the 5th.
We'll keep you posted.

Till next time!

Mwah!

Lesleyxx