Snuggly Stuff For Snuggly Girls

So, my cousin Marie had barely announced she was pregnant and I was on t'internet scouring for baby patterns. I found one on Ravelry.com, bought some lovely soft baby wool and got knitting this blanket for little Ruby:

I tell you, babies are a knitter's dream! I had some wool left so I ran up a bunny (pattern courtesy of the other Marie!) that has now been named Ruby Rabbit!

So yesterday we went over to meet our latest addition and give her pressies. Look how snuggly she is with her blanket:

Strangely for a newborn, she did actually spend most of our visit awake:

And of course Auntie Lou got lots of cuddles with her fave bubba:

And the kids absolutely adore their new cousin:

Love that picture!

They're all doing so well. Matt and Marie were always going to be good parents but they've just slipped into parenthood so easily, it was a lovely thing to see their happy little family.

So Ruby likes Auntie Lou's woolly stuff so Auntie Lou is scouring that t'internet again!

More Rubies!

It's all about the rubies round here this week. First we had the gorgeous new addition to our family and today it's my parents' ruby wedding anniversary (that's 40 years if like me you get confused with all these milestone anniversaries!).

They're off on a cruise round the Med at the mo so hopefully they're celebrating in style. Happy anniversary Mum and Dad and I promise no comments about just how any life sentences 40 years is! (ooops!)

Ruby Jane!

Look who showed up yesterday:

May I introduce the beautiful little Ruby Jane! 7lb 12oz of truely scrumptious babyness!

She's the much longed for daughter of my cousin Matt and his lovely wife Marie and we're all so excited she's here! poor Marie went through 2 1/2 days of labour so we've all been on tenterhooks but I think this picture says it all:

Congratulations to Matt and Marie and hello to the latest member of our family, you've been a long time coming but you were so worth the wait!

Birthday Boy!

Xander had a fab day yesterday. He got lots of presents (which we all love, 4-year-old boys just have the best toys!) and he absolutely loved his swimming party!
Thanks to everyone for the cards, presents and birthday messages!

4 Years Ago Today...

...I looked like this: (Impressed much?!)

And the day ended like this:


...and early the next morning, the world changed! ;)

Birthdays with the NHS

So, when deciding how to spend your birthday, not many people would automatically think of spending it in a hospital bed, but sometimes life doesn't exactly give you what you want.

Today was Rob's birthday and the poor guy had to spend it sat in hospital. So, we tried to make the day as good as possible and we can celebrate once he's home. He got lots of cards and presents so thanks to everyone who sent them in. Then this afternoon we went over there armed with presents and cake, picking up Zoe on the way who'd travelled 200 miles just to see her poorly bro on his birthday!

Fortunately, Rob seemed a lot better today (but that could have been the super dooper strong painkillers!) and was really happy to see the kids, especially Xan who he hadn't seen since his op on Wednesday.

So we all made the most of it and it was a lovely afternoon. We left Rob full of Starbucks doughnuts (yum, thanks Zo!) and with lots of good pressies to keep him occupied.

Happy birthday Rob! However, when we said we'd go away for your 40th, can we maybe come up with a different idea than your 38th?!

Louise Gillard BA (Bunny of Art!)

Taken me a little while to get this knitting project done, but I love it now it's done. Back in May when I graduated, there happened to be an Alan Dart pattern in one of the knitting magazines for graduating bunnies. Alan comes up with great toy patterns (remember the tea set?) and I just loved this.

Finally yesterday I finished my very own graduating bunny:

Dressed in the same colours from when I graduated so we match!

I love her! At this rate if I start on another one I might just have it done by the time Em graduates!

Cool Blue

On our way back from Viva las Cleethorpes on Wednesday we called off at The Deep in Hull. It's a really good place but my favourite part is the jellyfish, they just fascinate me how you can see right through them. I also love how the Deep display them in ultraviolet light and got some excellent pics:

Looks fab doesn't it?

Will Somebody Feed My Children?

Because obviously I don't judging by these pictures.

While we were in Costa Del Cleethorpes, we went out to the club one night for the kids disco. Well, my two soon spotted the hotdog stand set up by the door and, even though they'd had a massive tea, soon started the puppy eyes. Now, Rob did buy them both one but I couldn't tell you what they looked like as they were gone!

Gimme food, grrrrrrrr:
Must...get...jaw...wider:

Go on Daddy, down in one:

I do feed them honest!

Shells By Sunset

We've been away camping for a couple of days in Cleethorpes. I'm not even going to go into me and tents, but we did get some really good pictures so here are the first lot.

After tea on the first evening, we walked down to the beach. It was really windy and chilly but we timed it just right as the sun was just going down so it made for a lovely setting while we did some shell collecting!