18th Aug - 26th Aug 2010

I can't believe how far behind I am! Luckily I didn't take too many photos at the end of August so I should be able to get caught up soon, but it's nearly October!

18th - 19th Aug - Tired from all the weddings, we tried to chill out and treat ourselves. Rob bought some lovely cakes.

Leo had a summer splash session with Debs but it was raining so they couldn't go outside, which was fine.

Uncle Dave came over around lunch time to give Ellis his birthday present. Very late but worth the wait as he had wanted Cranky the crane for ages! He doesn't seem too pleased in the video but he is always playing with it.

Relaxing at Nanny and Grandad Rennolds' house.

20th August we went to the zoo with Nanny Rennolds, Auntie Kate, Chloe and Kamron.

Leo was 15 months old on 26th August so I tried to get some pictures of him but it's quite impossible really. I never like any of them.

I always try to get one of Ellis but he gets a bit camera shy nowadays. Probably from the 3 years of constant pictures.

Ellis had his Teddy Regatta with Debs. It went really well but he didn't want to join in too much. I think he just wanted to get back outside to fish for some ducks.

House move entry coming soon, but it isn't that interesting, sorry.

Alex & Emilie Wedding

Another day, another wedding.

It was the wedding of Alex and Emilie. They were very relaxed about the whole thing but they put a lot of thought into the whole day and I must say, it was amazing. It was a shame I couldn't drink though as it was a free bar, all day! We were invited by e-mail and they set up a website with all the details on here.

We drove to the venue, only realising that I forgotten Leo's packed lunch as the main meal for kids was spaghetti bolognese and I couldn't think of anything worse to give a kid that likes to throw his food everywhere. So we ended up finding a Tesco Express to pick up some bits.

To start with we just chilled out enjoying the venue and listening to the live guitarists.

We were all then called in for the ceremony. The room was beautiful and I loved it.

The service was a civil ceremony, very relaxed, funny, short but long enough, child friendly and just perfect really.

The very happy couple.

We were soon out on the lawn again enjoying the weather, canapés, pink champagne, diet coke and orange juice. There were toys and games for the kids.

We then went back in for more food. The room had been set up for the meal and it was amazing. So pretty. We were sat right by the door which was good. We set the boys up at the table and then gave them their favours. They were great. Ellis had magic painting set, a toy and some Peppa Pig games. Leo had a sound making George, and toys too. We all had a biscuit or cake wrapped in some pretty fabric.

The first course was served on a piece of slate. It was different bits of meat with some goats cheese. Second course was duck. It was delicious. Then it was the caramel profiteroles from the wedding cake. It has a special name but I can't remember what it is.

We drank tea and coffee while they changed the room again for the evening do. It was a live band and again I was rather impressed.

Ellis was trying to nap in the buggy without success as he just wanted to run around and Leo and Noah were put in their pyjamas and given their milk ready for bed time.

As for the children Alex and Emilie had hired 2 nannies from a local 5 star hotel to watch over the kids in the on-site cottage. It happened so fast. I was introduced and then one just picked Ellis up and walked off with him! Then the other nanny took the buggy and my Leo was gone too. I wasn't too sure how I felt about it so I followed them to make sure they settled in okay. Leo was asleep so I wasn't worried about him, just Ellis.

I regularly went to check on the boys, they were fine so I relaxed and enjoyed the evening. The red wine was delicious but I couldn't have any! Boo! So I settled on eating all the cashew nuts and cheesy doritos that were just refilled when needed.

Needless to say, everyone apart from me, was very very drunk. We all had a good time singing and dancing the night away.

A very lovely wedding and I really enjoyed it. We picked the boys up from the cottage and put them in the car, expecting them to either stay or go back to sleep but they stayed awake the whole way home! They were fine being put in their beds and went straight back to sleep. Good boys.

Phew, hectic wedding season over.

Adam & Annette Wedding

Adam and Annette are a lovely couple who we met while travelling in Chile/Argentina. The main thing that brought us together was on Friday 13th 2006 in Mendoza we had a near death experience together. We went white water rafting and our raft turned over and landed on us in grade 4 rapids. The boat turned all the way over so we tried to come up for air, only to hit the bottom of the boat. It was the scariest time of my life and I never want to feel like that again.

So, on the wedding day we decided that because of the long journey and we didn't want to get our outfits creased, that we would stop in the services, have some lunch, get changed then continue on to the chapel. It would have worked out perfectly if we had allowed for the extra traffic and people in the services going to the races that day.

We made it to the chapel as Annette was stood outside ready to walk in! We quickly grabbed our seats and she came in. The service was lovely but a little bit long for Leo the fidget bum and I struggled to keep him happy. It was hard going.

Outside the weather was still quite nice although there were rain clouds around. We looked at the carriage and horses and took pictures and just generally hung around until it was time to move on to the next venue which was a little way away.

The venue was amazing. A huge mansion house, gorgeous gardens and a done out barn for the reception. They also had a marquee which would house the BBQ in the evening.

Adam and Annette had lots of pictures taken so we just chilled out drinking, wandering the gardens and watching the boys mess around. There were a lot of wasps which got on my nerves.

We were eventually called for our picture and then we were soon hurried to the barn as a really bad storm was approaching.

The table plan was set up with names of the tables being places that had been on their travels. I knew immediately that we would be on Mendoza and I was right.

As soon as everyone was in the barn it tipped down. Not just a little, bucket loads. There was thunder and lightning which got closer and closer and before we knew it there was a huge clap of thunder and lightning and all the lights went out! That was it then until about 8:00pm!

The room was beautifully decorated (my photo doesn't do it justice) and the staff put out tons of candles for us to eat our high tea by. It was yummy. Leo was tired and very moody at the table but Ellis was good and ate nice sandwiches and cakes.

After the meal came the speeches. They didn't have a microphone as no power so they did the best they could and shouted. I wanted to video it but I spent the entire time running up and down after Leo. Not impressed.

The groom's speech included our story of how we met and Adam even asked Rob questions during it. Well cool! As we didn't know anyone else in the room, it was so nice to get a special mention.

After the meal, we went to check in to our hotel. I knew the boys would sleep which would be great as they would then have a bit of energy for the evening do. I loved the suite we were staying in. I just love staying in nice hotels full stop.

We eventually had to transfer the boys to the car to go back to the do. When we arrived the lights weren't still on so there wasn't any music going. It wasn't long though and Ellis and I played outside for a bit before going in for a dance.

The first dance.

Ellis had his first dance with a girl! She was so sweet. She took his hand and danced around and he just stared at her! It was so funny.

More dancing.

Hectic night and the boys were tired so we said our goodbyes and went back to our lush hotel room for some well earned rest.

The room was so dark that everyone slept well and we woke up quite late the following morning. We packed up and went downstairs to have some breakfast, only to find out it would cost around £30.Stupid money though for a bit of toast, bacon, egg and baked beans.

We ended up going to the services that we had changed at on the way down which worked out quite well in the end. The boys ate and we left for home.

In the afternoon Nanny and Grandad George came over to give Ellis his birthday present. Nanny hadn't been very well so they couldn't bring it over sooner. It was a wooden farm and he loves it. I've put it in his room, so that it is his and he doesn't have to share it like he does with everything else.

I then unpacked and sorted out the washing, boring stuff after such a lovely weekend. No time to rest though as another wedding was to follow the next day!