Autumn 2011 to pre Christmas preparations

Since we returned from our summer holidays time has truly flown by and I type on Christmas EveEve as Megan calls the 23rd December.

Some pictures below to sum up a pleasant few months with family weekends, Megan settling into year one and Jess learning ever more ways to express herself - sometimes through words, sometimes through screaming and sometimes through tantrums - and not yet two.

One reason for time flying by is that we now have hectic weeks as well as weekends. Keith does pilates on a Monday night, Linda Spanish on a Thursday. Throw in business trips to London for both Keith and Linda and social events in the week and we hardly see each other in the week sometimes.

Domestically we are yet to finally decide on an extension versus a conservatory but we do now have 16 solar panels on the roof and Keith is a true solar bore - no surprises there.

All the best for Christmas 2011 and for the whole of 2012.

Summer 2011 - Wasps, Walking and Wonderful Holidays

August was eventful in many ways. We had a great two week holiday in Devon and developed various activities to entertain Megan in her first summer school holiday.

Sandy Bay in Devon hosts western Europes largest static caravan site and what the site lacked in intimate charm it gained in excellent facilities (including great indoor and outdoor pool) and free activities - kids discos, archery lessons, fencing lessons etc. We also has a great beach, good weather, great days out and two visits from Grandma and Grandad Hicking.

Jessica also cracked walking and further developer her vocabulary and personality with the addition of yes, no, wuff, night night and other basic words as she gradually takes over the house.

Keith also discovered he is allergic to wasp stings when an eventful beer after work turned into severe anaphalactic shock, a night in LGI and intravenous anti-histamines and adrenaline. Wasps now get a very wide berth and Keith carries two epi-pens and anti-histamines with him at all times.

Upon our return to Burley we had a great weekend of the Burley festival including live music, the opening of our hydro electric scheme, fairs, pony rides etc etc.

We also has a very nice long weekend in London at the end of August catching up with friends, visiting museums and the like.

So, now we are back in the school return and Megan completed yesterday her first cross country run. Enjoy the pictures!! :)

Keith, Linda, Megan and Jessica

May, June - Music Festivals, Royal Garden Parties, Camping and generally very busy for the Kelly's

We have had a very busy few months with a host of concerts, weekends away, camping trips etc. to keep us all busy.

Jess is an ever developing character and Megan is almost ready to make the leap into year one and out of reception.

We've taken the girls to their first concert 'Erasure' and Jess stayed up dancing until almost 10.

Linda and Keith also saw Take That + Pet Shop Boys which was fabarooney.

We have camped with 5 other families close to the village which was great. Has a weekend in Malham with old Uni friends and had a great weekend at Beryl and Derek's to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.


We managed a long weekend in Swaledale and also a visit to Whitby for a glorious day on the beach and Jess's first experience of sand and the sea - both of which she ate.

Linda's Mum and Dad paid us a visit and Linda's sister has moved a few hundred metres within the village.

Finally Linda and Keith visited a Buckingham Palace Garden Party invited due to Linda's job with one of Prince Charles's Charities - very nice it was too.

Enjoy the snaps.

KLMJ

2001 Flying by - Jan to early April

2011 has flown by so quickly so far and here are a few photos of birthdays, visits and celebrations.

Jess is now 1 and though not walking loves crawling and has the new nick name "gingzilla" as she destroys kitchen cupboards.

Megan blossoms at school and also has her 5th Birthday.

The snow of December went in mid Jan and March was very very dry here. April has started bizarrely with day after day of sunshine and 20+ temperatures. Perhaps snow for Easter.

Linda has returned to work and has been to London twice. Keith coped with the girls on his own.

Christmas and New Year 2010 - welcome 2011

December 2010 was notable for lots of snow and some very cold temperatures.

With us it was notable for a blooming Jessica and Megan's first Christmas at School.

Megan's imagination and character grows stronger as her frequent imaginary parties illustrate.

Jessica now has two teeth and frequently grounds herself on her front in search of how to crawl.

Jessica started nursery in early January allowing Linda to return to work.

Christmas saw Linda;s Sister and Family visit for Christmas Day and a visit to Keith's parents when it became clear crossing the pennines was safe!











In between Christmas and New Year Megan did a big hike to Ilkley with Charlie, his Dad and Keith.

Early New Year saw all four of us go on a good walk at Bolton Abbey.

Megan enjoyed her role as an Angel in the school nativity and still sings the songs to us whenever there is a chance to perform.

Sadly, Keith's Grandad dies 23rd December (aged 99) so there has been a funeral and official business as Keith is one of the executors of the will.

Jessica enjoyed her first Christmas but the next few will see the sisters get more and more excited.

All the best for 2011.

Keith, Linda, Megan and Jessica