Autumn loveliness

Since the last post granny and granda allen have returned to us. It is great to have them back- reuben was glad to see them, although grannys sling means she can't pick him up just yet!

lots has happened in the past wee while- at the start of November rick and I went with friends of ours to the Youth for Christ formal in the Stormont. We didn't feel very youthful in comparison to most other people there but it was a good night and fun to get dressed up!


We went to Castlewellan for the day and it was beautiful. I love the autumn and the walk around the castle was great!



On friday granny winnie got a wee surprise and was given her christmas present early! it was a computer from the whole family and we were (nearly) all there! Here is a really bad picture of us all crammed in her study.


On saturday night stewart took rick and I to the mandella hall in belfast to hear foy vance- it was amazing. The performance was unbelievable so I am keeping an eye out for tickets next time he plays here, i know loads of people who would love him. He is a christian guys who writes everyday guitar music but he is brilliant, and he is from Belfast!

Well reuben is teething so haven't had much sleep over the past few nights- so far so good tonight. please let his teeth come soon!

Christmas Presents

Apparently its only 9 weeks to Christmas and the TV ads have started already!
Well we as a family are fortunate enough to be going to New York for Christmas this year and are very excited about it.
Rick and I decided that as Reuben will not even be 1 by Christmas that we would buy him some developmental toys now while he needs them and not really have any Christmas Presents for him at the time.

My mum thought something similar and so bought him a fire car which he can use from now. Reuben loves it and there are so many options with it- it can be a rocker, a pusher, a ride along and a few other things I think. This is Reuben being pushed along in his new fire car!!

Ricks Birthday

Well. Rick turned 29 on the 3rd of October. Rick being Rick, and being a part of two families who are big into birthdays he had two celebrations.

On his birthday morning he opened his presents and got a couple of nice cheques, a shirt, a dvd, an i-pod case from Reuben and a video i-pod from his mum, dad, granny and wife!! I think he likes his multitude of lovely pressies.



For Ricks birthday dinner we all went to Ballymena where his lovely mother in law cooked one of his favourite meals and we even had a birthday cake!


Then on Friday Reuben and I spent the day with Granny. Rick then joined us in the evening for his birthday tea Granny Carey style!!
Below is a video of a few bits of the day- it is quite long and is really for the benefit of Reubens granny and granda in Canada- feel free to watch it if you wish.

Another video for Granny and Granda

VERY ROMANTIC!

We all knew how romantic Rick is at heart but yet again he proved himself even more by arranging a lovely surprise for me this weekend.

It was our 2nd Anniversary on 17th September and I found out that I was being whisked away to the radisson for 2 nights. We arrived Sunday 23rd and had an absolute ball. My mum looked after Reuben and Rick and I just relaxed- it was great. When I arrived at the Hotel he had further arranged for us to have a swedish massage on Monday afternoon!



He is definitely the best husband EVER!!

We both had a super time and enjoyed every minute- we also had the spa and pool to ourselves as there were only 70 guests staying in the hotel and none of them appeared to be interested in the Leisure facilities.




on Monday morning we went for several walks around the northcoast avoiding the showers. The most beautiful (it was such a wild day) was definitely our walk around Mussenden.

NY VISIT

Well this past week my aunt was over from New York making her annual September visit. It was great to see her and she loved spending lots of time with Reuben!

Not going to miss her for too long though as the entire family are going to New York for Christmas.

New Allen Arrival

Hasn't been long since baby 2 in the extended Allen household but now congratulations to Dave and Stacey on the birth of their beautiful daughter Grace, this morning at 9.30 their time.
Both baby and mummy are doing well!



Take care of your sister Caleb and Reuben can't wait to meet his cousins!

Events before and after the fire!

It has been a busy couple of weeks for us!

Saturday 1st September was snow patrol in Ward Park- what an amazing concert. We went with Elia, Rachel and Stew and met up with a couple of other guys I knew from school. Reuben stayed at Pearl and Archies and had a ball himself.
It really was a great concert and a good night was had by all!



Katie then left to go to Milton Keynes for a week to the final part of her Yamaha training. She is now a fully accredited Yamaha teacher and is starting work in October- see www.ymsireland.com

Friday night was Katies friend Rachels birthday so she headed out for a bit of a knees up in Ballymena- again a good night!



As you will probably have read there was a fire at our church over the weekend. Toddlers was meant to be starting this Tuesday morning and lots of new toys had been bought- however, toddlers went ahead and was a great success. Click on the church link to see more details!

Anyway- busy busy, Reuben has learnt to crawl forward and is showing his appreciation of R&B music by dancing along, video footage should follow soon. Here is a recent pipc of him for Granny and Granda Allen- love you xx

PLEASE READ OUR CHURCH BLOG....

Please read our church blog- the link is to the right under Thriving Life Church blog- for important news!

A special post for granny + granda

Ricks last day off

Well Reuben and I have been so spoiled having Rick off so much over the summer! His last day off (bank holiday monday) was spent relaxing. We all went for a walk around Donaghadee, watched some kids jumping in off the harbour and then topped off with a lovely lunch at pier36. What a lovely summer we have had together (despite the weather!)

The Allen and McClure family holiday

Well since Rick and I had such a great trip last year in Wicklow we decided to head away to Donegal this year. We stayed in a beautiful thatched cottage just between Milford and Kerrykeel. We also went with the McClures.

The weather wasn't great but we had a ball!! The craic was brilliant and the whole holiday was very relaxing. Our evenings were spent eating and watching DVD's!!!!!! We also managed to get to the beach at some stage every day. Here are some of our favourite pics!

Short post

Long story short, bought Reuben a car seat for going on holiday- from Argos. BIG MISTAKE. Ended up with used, dirty car seat from mothercare- 2 hours before going on holiday. Argos owe us HUGELY when we get home.

Ended up after a series of phone calls, that Argos sent us the correct, new, unsused car seat via taxi service so that we had it in time. Anyway- Reuben loved seeing out. Here is a video to prove it!

Getting caught up...

Friday was a very busy day! It started at an early 5.00am when Rick, Reuben and I got up to say farewell to Lindsay and Lilian as they headed off on their three month sabattical. Goodbyes were difficult, mainly because Reuben will be 10 months when they return and a lot happens in a babies life during that time- we'll keep them up to speed! Rick drove them to the bus station where they went to Dublin to catch their flight.



When Rick returned we all went back to bed for a wee while. Later on we went to stormont with Gareth, Melissa and Evie for a picnic. It was a warm day and good craic!


Friday evening the three of us travelled to Lisburn to LMC (Livestock and meat commision) where my dad works. They were having an open day which meant free dinner the night before we go on holidays! We had a great night. Reubens great nana and papa were there and he really enjoyed the train rides. Rick was given an education on classifying meat and I enjoyed my dinner!



Going to Donegal next week- we will update when we get home!

Bath times are fun!!

Reubens cousin Caleb sent him a couple of things home with friends when they were visiting Canada. Here is Reuben enjoying playing with his new fireman duck in the bath- thanks Caleb!!


Rick is officially off on holiday now. The plan was to do some stuff around the house but the weather has been so miserable that we haven't got half of it done!

Going to Donegal with Keith, Jude, Calin and Mia soon so looking forward to that!

Also will be saying good bye to Granny and Granda Allen when they go on their sabbatical for three months. There is a new link to their sabbatical blog now on our links column.

Reuben is teething again and will bite or rather gum anything he can...


apart from that all is well in the allen household!

Its been a while...

It has been a wee while since the last post. We all had a great trip, it went very fast!! Good news though, we are ALL heading out for Christmas which will be great.
The remainder of our time we had a girlie day where we went to the Manadarin Oriental and had champagne and snacks for lunch (girlie day, Bill had Reuben). We also watched a great movie called Monsoon wedding on our last night.

Friday morning we did a little shopping and then soaked up the last of the rays before flying home.

we all had a great trip!

It was lovely to get back to see everyone (especially injured Rick, who had decided to crash into a tree while we were away!)

The 12th of July was very quiet and Reuben was introduced to Lambeg drums! very noisy, but we may have a drummer in the making!


Since then we have all been quite busy. Rick is back to work and is on station again- really loving it while I have got myself a job come October. I will be working at Centrestage school of music in Holywood. Had my interview and audition last week and was offered the job. I will be teaching keyboard! Looking forward to it!

I am heading away on a training course this coming week with my new job, reuben will be staying with both sets of grandparents and daddy!!

Looking forward to getting home from the course and enjoying Rick being off on holiday soon!!

Here is a wee pic of Reuben playing with his Grand papa McCartney...

NEW YORK NEW YORK- Day 4 (Independence Day)

So today is the 4th of July- American Independence day. We woke up to rather gray weather, much to Bills disappointment as he is off for the rest of the week!

Reuben has been sleeping well and has established his pattern New York time. Not sure if this is good or bad with only two days until we go home.

Ryan was heading to a 4th of July party out of the city so we thought we would try and get some photos of him and Reuben in case there wasnt another opportunity. Here are some of those pics...




At 2pm Bill, Jacqui, mum, Reuben and I headed to mama mexico for lunch. This was one stop I requested had to be made while our stay in New York. Delicious meal. 2pm is the best time of day for Reuben so it was very relaxing! Below is a picture of a waiter making fresh guacamole at our table, and Reuben drinking his first margharita (only joking!!)




The rain was so heavy we decided not to go to see the fireworks, we also thought Reuben would be scared so instead we watched them from the comfort of the sofa!



Check out my mum and dads blog for different pics!

NEW YORK NEW YORK- Day 3

Today mum and I had the morning to ourselves while Jacqui looked after Reuben. We got up early and took a taxi to 5th Avenue where we went to the Rockafeller centre and had breakfast. It was really lovely!! Much hotter today so the shopping trip didn't last long but we got oursevles one or two bargains!






In the afternoon we just sat on the deck and enjoyed the sun as tomorrow the weather is meant to break! Reuben had a ball playing in the paddling pool and sunbathing!



Tonight we are having an indian take away and I would imagine another early night. 4th of July tomorrow- missing you all. xx