October

So 3rd October was Ricks big 30!!!
We celebrated over several nights- had a great time with family and friends!!




It is approaching half term hols again. I love this time of year when it is crisp and dry and the leaved are golden and red!
Reuben has been practising for an autumn parade that he may take part in while we (mum,reuben and I) are in New York visiting my aunt and uncle.
Looking forward to the trip- although not the flight!!

Ross visits from NY

My cousin Ross stayed at mum and dads on Friday night! One night only before he goes on and has his summer holiday. It was great to have him. Didn't do much really, had nana and papa over to mums for tea while Reuben entertained. We then watched Tim Burtons version of Sweeny Todd. I loved the movie but then I tend to love Tim Burton movies (does that make me slightly twisted??. Stew, Dad and I were the only ones that made it to the end- faders!

Anyway here are a few pics of Ross and others!

Stewart singing at Asha

For auntie Jacqui- stew singing live at Asha concert- April 2008

Parties and adventures

Last Friday was our friends (Nicola Whytes) birthday. We had a great night with friends, a lot of whom were on Edinburgh camp at the same time as Rick and I. The meal was lovely and the dancing was great!!



Today Rick, Reuben and I went to Exploris in Portaferry for the morning. Reuben really enjoyed it and can now do an excellent fish impression!



After walking round and looking at all the fish and the seals, as well as captaining a ship, we had a bite to eat but Reuben got very tired! He was able to finish his sausage though.

Back in business

Unfortunately our computer died on us a number of weeks ago so there were no blog updates in that time! good news- computer fixed and blog entry with pics on their way.

May day bank holiday

Last Monday was a glorious day in Ballymena as we set off in the car for carrickfungus, as we reached Doagh the clouds loomed, it turned cold and so did my mood! I was not happy.

After giving off stink about the weather in "the northern ireland med (according to Lindsay)" we decided to bite the bullet and go for a walk around the reservoir. Thankfully the clouds fizzled away and Carrick turned out to have a lovely day too.



Since then the weather has stayed quite good (apart from Friday). This is Reuben enjoying the sunshine and getting a chance to wear his new shorts!

Jacquis visit for nanas 80th birthday

My auntie Jacqui arrived from NY last Tuesday as a surprise for my nana- it was her 80th birthday on 4th May.


Jacqui seemed to have a great time and really enjoyed Reuben! It was so good that the weather was lovely, Reuben even helped papa cut the grass!

Among other things (including a lot of eating) we played the big taboo- this was great fun and jacqui even got a go with bendy bob!!!!




On Saturday we had a party for nana and mums house. It was a lovely evening and nana appreciated her crossword cake!


On Sunday we all (minus Rick because he was working) went to the Dunadry for lunch. Really good meal- of course we had plenty of photo moments outside.




I thought I would also include a picture of Stewart with his hair blonde. His friend Ruth dyed it for him last Wednesday night. It was only this colour for 24 hours but its funny and slightly embarassing!

Weekend antics

On Friday I had arranged a surprise scrapbooking evening for lilian. It was her birthday on Monday 14th so I thought this would be something she would enjoy. It was great craic and I think everyone enjoyed themselves!!



On Saturday was Hill St. ladies walk. It was a glorious day. 24 of us headed up to the giants causeway and some of us did the cliff top path. After working up an appetite we went for a lovely buffet meal to the Royal Court Hotel. It was a great day!



As always there must be a picture of Reuben somewhere, so here he is. It didn't come out too clearly but his mouth is actually kind of black as he had been playing in the coal bucket and then licking his fingers... mmm nice!!

Reuben loves to puddle

This is Reuben and his new apron enjoying making a mess-
ah well, its only water!

"A LIST" Celebrity family

My family really are a bunch of "A" Listers.

For a start this weekend was my brothers CD launch concert in Ballymena. It went really well with over 300 people turning up in West Church for the event. It was such a blessing to have so much support.

The concert appeared to be a success with many songs performed from the CD recorded by my brother and his friend Sam Murray. There were also a few extra songs thrown in. Money from the CD sales all go to a charity called Waakisa Ministries. They raised over £2,500! Quite amazing!

Here are some pics from the night. ( I was playing violin, can you spot me?)
Stewart and Judith Orr singing Great is Thy Faithfulness
Audience in West Church
The band on stage


Reuben also made his debut modelling appearance this week. Unknown to me Ricks Granny and cousin had entered a picture of Reuben into a magazine called My Weekly.


His picture was printed in this weeks issue. It is a bit blurry but this is what is says...
"Little Treasures
Here is a picture of my great-grandson, Reuben, aged 11 months, learning to walk.
Mrs W Carey, Belfast"



How precious!!! That is one for the scrapbook!!!

After being told that he sings like his dad, Reuben has decided to take him on at guitar too!!!

What reuben did next...

You know when children are being quiet you should ALWAYS go and see what they are up to.
A few days ago we were still in bed and reuben had woken up but was playing very quietly and contentedly in his cot- we thought we would leave him and enjoy our lie in.

Reuben was being quiet because he had to concentrate very hard on the picking and peeling method that he had obviously mastered very well!!!



Who could be cross with this wee face?? (apart from mummy and daddy!)

EASTER

Good Friday

On good friday rick, reuben and I went out for lunch to Ballyrobin with my nana and papa, mum, dad and brother. We had a lovely meal. When we got to Ballymena Reuben got his Easter egg from my mum and dad! A keyboard. Check out lindsay and lilians blog for a video of him playing it! I think we have the next frank sinatra in our house!


Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday we were in Carrick. We had great fun!
A lovely meal was prepared for us which was delicious. Afterwards we designed and rolled our Easter Eggs.


Reuben also tried on his daddys old wellies but he couldn't walk in them and didn't like them very much!


Easter Monday

We all had a very relaxing day until rick and lindsay took reuben out to play football and he came in with a split lip! Apparently I took it worse than reuben- first of many falls I would imagine!
Monday night we had an indian night. Lindsay prepared an amazing indian meal for us. We all dressed up and had a great night. Finished it off by watching catch me if you can.



They served candy coated fennel after dinner. Just flooded all my senses with memories of Oman!

Easter Tuesday

The men went and played golf in Portstewart while the ladies and Reuben relaxed in Ballymena. In the evening we had a lovely meal and played the big taboo- great end to a great Easter, the boys just couldn't keep up with the pace!!