Then off to Chanelle's baptism.

What a lovely baptism. Elaine fed a whole lot of people after church on Sunday. I think it was 34? Anyway, it was a lot! She is so organized. We ate well, and also enjoyed a lovely baptism. It was great to see some people I have not seen in a long time. Malcolm and Tracy + Hailey, Ron and Adrienne and Chriss and Desere Read, I enjoyed catching up with them.
The cupcakes for after the baptism.

Visiting with Hilmar and Dianne

We just had a lovely weekend on the Main Land! On Saturday we drove up to Hilmar and Dianne's house. There was snow almost the whole way up, none by us, and none in Portsmouth, but everywhere else. It is so beautiful, a real winter wonder land! We did some ice skating in the car, and after the fear had subsided it was actually not so bad. They live in a lovely ground floor flat, the gardens are big, and look like they are great fun in the Summer.

Here is Zeek getting snow for something, not sure what. Oh by the way, I had my first ever snowball fight! It was so much fun, I want to do that again. I got Hilmar down the trousers (great shot), he got me in the side of the head (rightful pay back!) and we both got Zeek a few times. We were all laughing lots.
Phillipa and Rachel made this snow man.

The fox! I loved watching it just trotting around on the snow, not shy at all.


It's easy to keep your drinks cool when there is an endless supply of ice outside.
Thanks for having us over, it was nice, and we will do it again soon. It is so lovely to live closer.

PS, Dianne the pictures embiggen! thanks for showing me how.

We woke up to a dusting of Snow

How exciting! And while I sit here and type there is new snow falling. When it snows here the schools let the kids out to play, because snow is not very common here. I hope they have great fun.

It's not a very clear picture but look at how much is falling now.

Early morning snuggles

Zeek's first trip to the Temple

We just recently had the lovely experience of going to the temple with Zeek for his first time. Patrick, Angela, Roxanne, Vincent, Cheryn, Zeek and me (Gill) all climbed into my car at 05:00! We ferried for 40 min, then drove for 1 1/2 hours and we were there. I have only lived here for five weeks and I have already been to the temple twice, I feel so blessed.

They had fun on the ferry,
I love this picture, it was taken in the visitors centre, and I got the idea from my Cousin Michael's wedding photos.

I am so grateful that our children are worthy to enter the House of the Lord. What a great experience seeing the four cousins interacting in a Spiritual setting. We will do this again in February.

Ward Relief Society Christmas Party

The RS President and I decorated the hall, most of this stuff came from her home! Her husband used to say that he felt like he was walking into Santa's Grotto when he came home. I had great fun with the fake snow spraying the table centre pieces.

Angela and I with our Christmassy things on.

We asked the men in the ward to be our waiters, they were brilliant! Our apple juice never ran low, the food was served hot, and they even entertained us while serving. But when it came time for the pudding things got a little out of hand :)

They were going around taking pudding orders, there were about 6 things to choose from. I didn't even know what some of these puddings were, so I asked if I could have a little bit of everything. This is exactly what I got. Be careful what you ask for!

Then after the joke was fully laughed out, I got a better serving of a little of everything. Then one of the men came around with cream and custard and asked which I would prefer. I love cream, so I went: "MMMMMMM, Cream please." Well I got CREAM, I don't know if the picture shows it too well, but the pudding is swimming!

I haven't laughed so long and hard in a long time, and neither have the people who were at our table either. We had a great evening out with the ladies. I am glad I could be a part of it.

Happy Birthday to me!

Pete took me to breakfast in the morning, as he was working that evening. We had a lovely English breakfast cooked for us by the most colourful English man I think I have ever met. Then we went shopping for a new top and jeans for me.

In the evening we went to Mc Donalds (yes I actually enjoy their food) with Patrick, Ange and their children. It was nice to be out with them.

Later we sat and chatted in our lounge until late and played with some glow sticks that Patrick had brought along. Thanks to everyone who called and sent cards, it was a good day.

Getting a headstart on homework!

Kids surprise me every day.

Family Home Evening

We did the Christmas tree tonight. Before the tree was dressed the two younger ones decided to dress themselves.

Ho, Ho, Ho.

Giddy-up reindeer.

The kids had fun, I watched, Christmas is after all for the kids.

I decorated the mantle piece and hung the stockings up.

It was good!

Sunday walk

We still hadn't gone and seen any of the island, except for where we live so on Sunday we took a drive. Our intention was to go to Ventnor beach, but we got lost on the steep windy roads and landed up at Bonchurch beach instead. It is just up from Ventnor, so we weren't' too far away.

Cheryn was at Angela's house and we had Vincent, it was a lovely walk, and on our way back it was already quite dark.

Those tins contain little plastic army men, not chocolates, but they once did contain lots of chocolates..... yum, yum!

Pictures