edinburgh30th December posted by hannah
We've really enjoyed getting to know Neve. Daniel and Boo like him very much and are keen to smother him with kisses and cuddles. We've done some good tea-shop-hopping and enjoyed my favourite kind of leisurely breakfasts that turn into lunch. More photos here.
baby neve28th December posted by hannah
We journeyed up to Edinburgh today to make our aquaintance with baby neve and catch-up with Matt and Catherine. The trip started on a big high with a spin round the fair. Daniel and Bethan twirled in the tea-cups and uncle matt treated us all to a ride on the giant ferris wheel.
boxing day26th December posted by hannah
We went to Rydal this afternoon. It was an epic trip and there were points where we had to push the cars out of the snow but the view was worth the effort. Poor Bethan wasn't feeling well so we didn't stay out long. This is becoming a Christmas tradition that we don't want to perpetuate - last year it was James in casualty on Christmas day and the year before that Bethan was at the doctors on Boxing day. more photos here
happy christmas!245th December posted by hannah
christmas eve24th December posted by hannah
I don't think I've ever experienced a truely white christmas, but this afternoon, we made our way to the crib service in the village through deep snow. We've got a few things still to do (in true Knowles/Burgess last minute style), but I think it will all come together all right tomorrow. Our main preoccupation today has been tracking Father Christmas' progresss across the globe on the brilliant Norad website.
waiting23rd December posted by hannah
Father Christmas, baby Neve, baby Jesus, and Rudolph are all mixed-up in one big mass of excitement in our house. We've made the mince pies, collected the holly and decorated the cake. Now all we have to do is wait.
stamped with success22nd December posted by hannah
One of the stained glass windows in our village church has been featured on the second class christmas stamp this year. The windows were designed by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones and they normally draw some visitors but this year there has been lots of interest, especially from stamp collectors. You might just be able to pick out the angel if you squint at the top left window pane in this photo.
signs in the snow21st December posted by hannah
This is a photo taken by my friend Cath. It's of a fence that you will recognise if you know the village. I must walk past it two or three times a day and have never thought it worth photographing, but today, with the black railings against the snow there was a picture to be taken and all credit to Cath, she took it.
snow20th December posted by hannah
We hit the slopes of the scar this morning, skiving church in favour of a morning sledging. This turned out to be a top idea as those that braved the roads to worship got stranded in Kendal! The snow has fallen on and off all day in beautiful silent flakes and the village is blanketed. This afternoon we built a snow Were-Rabbit, which morphed into a snow mole hill and finally an igloo!
christingles18th December posted by hannah
School's out for Christmas and term finished with a Christingle service in the village church. Bethan and I spent the morning assembling the Christingles which was a lengthy process as I was having to construct them with one hand whilst keeping Bethan off the jelly babies with the other. The end of term hasn't come a moment too soon for Daniel who is extremely tired and looking forward to lots of holiday lie-ins and Mary Poppins on the telly!
christmas tree17th December posted by hannah
It's no exaggeration to say that our children were ridiculously over excited about the prospect of buying a christmas tree. In fact, they were far too giddy to take part in choosing it at all, that was left to Jon and I. Instead, they ran round and round, stopping only to talk to the resident reindeer; Blizzard and Belle and to stroke the sheep. Bethan learnt that sheep don't distinguish between food and fingers.
the school play11th December posted by hannah
Today we took our seats in the village hall for the school play. The reception class were a smiling line-up of cows, donkeys and sheep, their costumes made out of pillowcases. They sang their hearts out to a full house of proud parents and we could pick out Daniel's voice from the back.
first snowfall3rd December posted by hannah
The temperatures have plummeted and it's snowing in the hills. A friend reported four inches of snow on Pike O' Blisco last weekend and we're looking forward to our turn to get up there.
