Category Archives: Family stuff

Chez Léo-Paul

On Saturday we went to Emilie and Philippe’s house to play.  Sadly Philippe was working but Ellis had a wonderful time catching up with new pal Léo-Paul and visiting the brand new puppies at his granny’s house.  The were only a few hours old!  We also went to see their chickens and Ellis and Léo-Paul got to feed them and stroke them.  One of said chickens tried to eat my mole, situated at the base of my back and was unfortunately exposed, AïE!  Léo-Paul’s grandpa has also rigged up a rather fantastic tyrolean between a couple of his trees!

For the collection of photos see the Photo Gallery.

Ellis is 2!

We had a little party for Ellis this weekend for her second Birthday.  Granny Caryn and Grumpsi came up and we had some friends around

She wore the pretty dress she was given from Nanny and was poilt rotten by all the presents she was given.  Thank you all for your generosity.

An awesome cake was made for her in a Koala style as we all know her favorite thing int he world is her teddy koala called ‘E’

The house was full of small ankle bitters every where and fathers looking around wondering what the hell was going on!  a lovely day, thank you all.  the rest of the pictures can be seen by CLICKING HERE or at the ‘photo gallery’ link on the top right of this page.

Gap for a ski Holiday

Just back from an amazing week in Gap with Nanny Smith and Grandpops.  We felt we couldn’t leave Ellis behind so she cam everywhere with us!

We bought the ski attachment for the buggy and she came cross country skiing with us, she either slept, shouted at me to go faster, or watched Peppa pig on the ipad what was conveniently  in there with her.

A couple of days the grandparents were great baby sitters and Lara and I went off skiing together.  It is always special when we get out together now as it doesn’t happen as much as it used to for an obvious small blond reason!

An afternoon at Reallon after it snowed the day before delivered the goods and we had another great powder day there.  I love these little Frenchie resorts that don’t get tracked out in a few hours like the bigger resorts, this pic below was from the last run of the day……

We introduced Ellis to French sledging, (ie much bigger slopes and not as cold)  She loved it and me, Dad and Lara dragged her up the hill over and over and over again, each time at the bottom giggling then turning around and shouting “AGAIN – TOP” whilst pointing at one of us to drag her back up.

Even managed to grab a powder afternoon with my dad which was brilliant,  one thing skiing soft stuff with wife, but with wife and Dad it was great.  Dad proved he still has it.  Again this was a little french resort 20 minutes from the house.  3 lifts and only about 20 people on the whole mountains, so all freshies!

A great week with family and some superb skiing   Another 6 weeks and we will be back for the summer….. can’t wait!  Rest of the pictures can be seen by CLICKING HERE – or the ‘Photo Gallery’ link top right on this page

Happy First Birthday Fin!

Not sure where that year went, but Fin is now 1!  Happy Birthday little man.  We all went around to Scott and Anna’s, Scott have been busy making a snow ramp for some sledging action in the back garden.

Ellis Loved it and i think we are going to do a lot more sledging in Gap this year!

Thanks for alot of fun Burnetts.

The birthday boy with Daddy and Uncle Paul.  the rest of the pictures can be seen in the gallery page linked top right.

New Year’s Eve Week in Aviemore

We managed to book a great house in Aviemore for the week over the New Year Period.  There was loads of snow in the hills and the Smiths, Ryan, Rich, Lorraine, Hugh and Hannah went to play!

On some days Lara went out skiing and I took Ellis out to play, the weather was not that nice all the time ( as can be expected in Scotland in December) and Aviemore has a great indoor play area for young kids.  On the second day we had a weather front that came in bringing really high winds and hi temperatures.  this shut down the ski hill so thankfully we had plan B with us in the form of MTBs.  We went to the local bike shop who pointed us in the direction of some good trails which happened to be literally behind our house

Rich and I had a days climbing which was pretty un successful ( i forgot crampons) so half way up where we were going the snow got too hard and i was not able to kick my feet in so we had to bail

Ellis was a great fun, and was not shy with all the new faces, and would happily play with everyone and generally run around ( usually with no clothes on, not sure where this habit comes from)

New Years Eve came and we had a great dinner and then spent the rest of the night trying to pickle ourselves with vast quantities of Gin and Tonic playing stupid games that usually ended in embarrassment

Don’t ask!

The bad weather stripped a lot of the snow so unfortunately skiing was little limited, there was still enough to get a reasonable days skiing for Scotland.

With limited skiing more biking was done, Me rich and Lara rode up the Lairig Ghru and back.  For anyone who likes a little bit of technical riding and amazing single track, I would really recommend this ride, it is a belter!

Ellis had a lot of stone throwing tuition this week, she is getting good at throwing stones into water now, and seems to like picking ones that are huge and she can just about lift….  Thanks all for coming up / across for a great fun week.  all the rest of the pictures can be seen by clicking on this.

Xmas at the Tadeusz’s

Xmas this year was spent down at Lara’s parents. A brilliant week was spent playing with the new dogs, walking, mixed in with far to much wine and cheese!

Ellis didnt’ really get the concept of xmas was yet, but I am pretty sure she knew it was a special day and she really enjoyed opening all her presents.  Thank you everyone for your generosity, she was a little spoilt!

The Crowthers came and joined us for lunch and we all had a great afternoon eating and drinking far too much as usual.

We had a little dance

Then came the weird and wonderful Majorcan drinking jug.  the concept being that you start with the spout in your mouth, you then have to fully extend your arm whilst still pouring the liquid (in this case sherry) then back again before you mouth come too full.  Tallie above forgot to even open her mouth….. Chester being the great husband he is obviously decided she needed a helping hand.

Frank didn’t quite get it either…….

A great fun day and thank you Frank and Caryn for having us.  the rest of the pictures can be seen by clicking on this

Squeaker goes sledging

Keen for Ellis to play in the white stuff ( and nothing to do with my own addiction what so ever), I took Ellis up to the Lecht to have a go at sledging.

The weather was playing nicely and it was reasonably pleasant and Ellis was wrapped up and enjoyed it!

Screams of “weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee” all down the slop followed by “again!” when we came to a stop.

We were outside sledging for about an hour which I thought was enough until we retreated into the warmth.  I think she is going to enjoy snow sports as she seems to enjoy the speed.  Good little squeaker!

Tallies 30th in Fort William

Tallie decided she wanted to climb a UK Mountain for her 30th.  Being her, she chose the biggest one!  We all drove over on Friday night to meet them.  Unfortunately Lara was not well and spent the weekend in bed whilst we went out and played and Granny and ‘Pob Pob’ ( Franks new name from Ellis) looked after Ellis.  We were suppose to go up Ben Nevis on Saturday but the weather forecast was better for Sunday so we went to the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven for T&C to try there hand at Ice climbing inside the big fridge they had there.

That done we found a ball pit for Ellis to play in.

Sunday the weather play ball for us and we had a lovely day walking up and down Ben Nevis.

A bit of unexpected snow on top made it that little bit more fun.  Great fun and was great to have views up to around 100m off the top.  The rest of the pictures can be seen by clicking here

Granny SMith Visiting

Granny Smith ( aka the old apple) came up for the weekend to get her fix of Baby E and do some baby sitting for us ( greatly appreciated).  Saturday we went out and joined our friends on a bike up and around Bennachie

Think there was around 17 of us, glorious weather as well.  Below is Lara on the way up.  Martin was showing us around some new trials he has been piecing together.

We all stop for a piece of cake and tea ( extremely civilised behavior if you ask me half way around) and we did our Ninja impressions!

A lovely ride and what made it was that Lara and I managed to go out riding together again, it doesn’t happen that often unless Ellis is with us in the trailer so this was brilliant.

Sunday we thought we better get Mum out the house as Ellis was starting to beat her up!  (joking)  We went for a gentle walk around Loch Muick.

Some thing was going on as it was another glorious day and was lovely to be out with Ellis in the hills, two days sunny in a row is odd up here.

Once at the Loch we taught Ellis how to throw stones and she must have spent 30 or so minutes throwing stones in, loving it, just have to work out how to make her understand where and where not to throw stones!  I think we may regret this…..

A lovely weekend and was great to see mum, but to also get out and play with Lara.  Rest of the pictures can be seen by clicking here

Ellis the Menace

It is not all biking – there is alot of Ellis play time as well.  She is becoming very fun at the moment, but I fear the terrible twos are just kicking off.  We get foot stamping tantrums, throwing herself to the floor screaming fits and moments where she cries in the corner.  She is not all sweetness and light at the moment.  But every now and again she gives you a smile and a kiss and all is forgiven.