Christmas 2010

It was such a lovely Christmas this year. We spent it at my mums, who as usual put on a lovely spread and ensured a good time was had by all.

The kids pretty much got everything they wanted, and it was great to see Kaz and Chris and Max too. We don't all get together very often (every couple of years or so) so it was nice to see them.

It was good to see my brother Tom again, he's mad but totally fun. And I managed to get a few pics before he became completely incoherent due to vodka intake. lol.

There were of course the obligatory party games (designed by my folks) which was well received, great fun and caused much laughter and hilarity.





As always, it is necessary to dress the youngest members of the family up...purely for entertainment value. tee hee.

and as always...me and Steve engaged in camera wars too.

Ethan and Daniel had a great time, although we didn't see much of them, as Ethan was busy constructing the model kits we bought him, and Dan was engrossed in his new game. but so long as they were happy, that's all that matters at Christmas time. it's about the kids after all.

Thanks for the wonderful Christmas everyone. Lets hope for a happy and healthy New Year, with lots more get togethers. xxx

Loz x

It's snowing !!!

Well, they said it was coming, however, we didnt think it was coming with such gusto!

I still havent got anything other than my phone to take pictures on but it doesnt stop me from snapping off a few choice photos to try and capture the moment.

Loz x

Christmas Party

Today was Laurence's Christmas Party at pre-school. It was really nice, and although I didn't managed to take very many pictures - because of child protection etc, I did manage to snap one at the end.

I always find it hilarious at toddler parties, especially Christmas parties, when Santa finally makes an appearance, and all the kiddies have been so looking forward to it...the door opens, the jingle begins to play....and in walks some skinny thirty something with a poor excuse for a Santa outfit on, a badly fitting beard and a half-hearted ho ho ho!

The kids freeze, panic, then run screaming to their mums and dads.

It's a classic moment too, when Santa begins handing out presents, calling each child's name in turn, and although each of them is waiting with baited breath for their name to be called, when it is, they freeze (again) the bottom lip starts to quiver, and eventually, it is mum which has to go and collect the present.

Somehow, it seems vaguely cruel to start off a child's expectations of Christmas this way.

Funny though. :P

Loz x

Christmases all at once.

For those that don't know, for 10 years we lived next door to a very unsavoury family that went out of their way to make our lives a living hell. The son, Mark Weston, has today been found guilty of murder, a murder which took place 15 years ago. He was tried for it once, but was found not guilty because of a lack of evidence, however, since the double jeopardy law was relegislated in 2005, it was reopened. He was tried at Reading crown court, and today found guilty because of new DNA evidence.

For the last 6 years mark weston made our lives unbearable, he made countless anonymous phone calls to the police with ever growing accusations about us, including, firearms in the house, our home being used as a drug factory, child abuse, violence etc etc. The list is endless. The police couldn't do anything because the calls were made anonymously, our housing association had their hands tied too.
To be honest, we were afraid of how far the harassment would escalate. To the point where I would no longer take the dogs for a walk, or feel comfortable letting the kids out to play.

He and his family lied about us constantly (as they had done the previous occupants of the house we lived in) and the verbal abuse was daily. They turned the rest of the village against us, turned my husbands parents against us, and caused us to live in fear and isolation.

We moved because of them, and had to rebuild our relationship because of them. But we pulled through. Knowing that justice has finally been served has made today one of the best days of my life.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-11982681

Loz xxx