Xmas 2007

2007 has been mostly trying not to do too much - and failing!

The big event of this year was the birth of our son Dougal in April weighing 7lb 10oz after a Cesarean section. Loveday was hoping to give birth normally and had been lulled into a false sense of security with Isabel's birth, but it wasn't to be - Dougal was transverse and there was no way he was coming out in the normal fashion. Dougal has been a joy for our whole family. The other children love playing with him and he loves it too, giggling along with their jokes as if he knew what they were talking about.

As ever, Cornwall has been a popular destination this year with a fabulous day at Rick Stein's cookery school in February, dinghy sailing in the summer, playing on the beach (see enormous crab), surfing and a family walk around The Rumps. In March and November we visited Winds Point in the Malvern Hills with windy walks up British Camp - including a lovely lunar eclipse in the clear air - the red moon is hiding in the picture somewhere. A trip to the Dr Who set in Cardiff turned out to be a fantastic day, meeting the cast, crew and significant props. Also in September we had a 20th anniversary re-union at Emmanuel College with a lovely dinner and a great morning punting. In November we joined in the torch lit procession to the Guildford firework display and you can see the young pyromaniacs with their first flaming torch.

Amy (11) has just started secondary school. She is settling in very well, making friends and working hard. Her favourite subject at the moment seems to be Chemistry. Ed (10) is having a good time at school and is reading lots. Both Ed and Amy managed break their arms this year! Isabel (6) entered year 1 with enthusiasm and has now read her first proper book. She is a little dynamo on the cutting, sticking and drawing front. Dougal (7 months) has just about learned to eat solid food, sit up and crawl. He is a very happy baby most of the time! Holly (13) is getting rather old but is still frisky at times. Daisy (1) has stopped chewing things mostly (except for the mail) and greatly enjoys fetching tennis balls out of the river. You can also see Ed's hamster, Snoopy, in the picture.

In August we had an all day party to celebrate both our 40th birthdays. The weather was perfect and we had a lovely time. This year Nick has been spending more time with his Internet hosting business and less time with satellite software. He is happy to have done a bit of sailing and has done the first half of his Day Skipper course as an evening class. High blood pressure before birth and a section infection after caused Loveday to spend a lot of time visiting the medics in the first part of the year. Thankfully all is well now. She is hoping for a TARDIS for Christmas to get everything done in time for Christmas!