Already???

Can you believe these little beauties are in the shops already??? How long can I last before I have to buy one????

Another brass monkey day!

But that doesn't keep us indoors - we are made of stronger stuff! It was minus seven when I got up this morning and has dipped that low again this evening - I think it was about 1 or 2 degrees when Sam and I went for a walk around Millbuies lake.

Much to Sam's delight the whole lake - except for the small bit where we found the duck sitting - was frozen solid. No matter how hard he threw stones - or however big they were he couldn't penetrate the ice. The noise that the stones made as they hit the ice was quite spooky - a bit like reverberating metal.

Sam took my old camera with him - and seemed to have fun taking photos of everything that moved - and a lot of things that didn't!! The next Ansel Adams maybe??

On the way home we were treated to the sight of a buzzard making a kill. And where was my camera - in the boot of the car.

Frosty Duffus Castle

The boys and I wrapped up warm and headed out to Duffus Castle as we haven't been there since just before they went back to school in the summer. There was a family sledging down the frosty embankments - looked like a lot of fun. In the absence of a sledge Sam decided to slide and roll his way to the bottom.





While they were climbing on the ruins and sliding down the slopes I took a wander around with my camera. I was a gorgeous afternoon with thick frost on the ground - a beautiful sky and mist hanging low. Am really pleased how some of my landscape shots have turned out - as I normally take more pics of the boys than anything else.




























Then while they tried to break the ice on the burn (thankfully not by falling in) I had a practice with the macro button and some frosty shots. They need some practice I think but by that stage my fingers were started to cease up with the cold.

Christmas fun and games

It isn't Christmas without a new game or two to play. The boys have really enjoyed playing these games - so much so that the dreaded XBox has been temporarily forgotten about!



















We got Bopit Extreme 2 which (for me anyway) is totally addictive - we have spent hours trying to beat each others high scores. Afraid to say Mummy won that battle with a top score of 250 - next year we are asking for Bopit Download.

















Wobally is like Jenga - only more tricky. There are 98 very unstable balls and you roll dice to see what colour ball you have to push out from what level - and whoever knocks it all over is out.


















Finally the Yes No Game - we couldn't play this for laughing the other night - Callum is just priceless in his answers. And for under a fiver this was the best value game we found.

Mastermind is being left till later!!

Festive birdwatching

Armed with the camera and binoculars we went over to Spynie Loch - glad we wrapped up warm as it was quite chilly. We got chatting to a family who had seen a pair of otters by the hide several weeks ago - but we weren't so lucky. Sam counted 26 swans - but we did see a red squirrel running up a tree and Andy and Callum caught a glimpse of a deer as it ran away from us through the woods.

Will definitely be going down there again with the boys - when its a bit warmer.

Christmas Day

We had a quiet Christmas Day - we did just as we wanted as there was no one else to please.

Look at all those presents























And all for one boy!!!






















Do you think he likes it?






















I think the face says it all!!





Can I take the tree down yet???

Was lovely to chat with family on the phone both in this country and overseas. We are looking forward to seeing Kaths blog when she sets it up - we are waiting!!!

Christmas Day walk

I tend to get cabin fever if I have to stay in the house all day - and as the the sun was shining we decided to delay lunch and go out for a walk along Findhorn Beach. It was very quiet - a few other people and of course the seals. We could see them out on the beach at Culbin but as we walked around to the harbour there were quite a few popping their heads up. We met a festive dog out for a walk complete with his tinsel collar and even some multi coloured doves!!!!

So lunch turned into tea but seeing as it was only us it really didn't matter too much. The boys are still going strong but I am flagging now and I don't think it will be long before I am tucked up in bed.

He's nearly here!!

Not long now before he reaches Elgin - he is just down the road in Dundee at the moment!!!

The boys have been tracking Santa for quite a few years on the NORAD site ever since Uncle Phil in America sent them the link. Its a part of our Christmas Eve traditions now.

Critters first christmas

As its Christmas tomorrow the boys cleaned Nutty and Lightening out so they have a clean home for the morning. Then we needed to trim their claws - easier said than done!! I put on a pair of the boys biking gloves and tried to hold the squirming little rodents - but they seem to be able to move inside their skins. Glad I was wearing gloves otherwise I think I would be the proud owner of some quite impressive puncture wounds.

They even have a couple of small pressies under the tree for tomorrow!!

Not that any self respecting scrapper would need reminding!!

More JYC

I ripped apart day 15 as I didn't like it - and replaced it with our youngest visitor this year:




Day 21:





Day 22:




I have done todays prompt - just need a photo which I can't take till tomorrow night!

Teachers gifts

I lost count of how many of these little things I made - for all of the boys teachers and teaching assistants, the school secretary and the headmistress! But they were so quick to make - I had a production line going!

Got the idea from Tracie Hudsons blog but simplified it. I love Tracies work and wish I had 1% of her talent.

Only in the States!

But isn't it brilliant


Amazing Grace Techno - Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.

Elizabeth

Today Elizabeth came to visit to deliver her Christmas cards. Sam seemed rather taken with her - and I have to admit I haven't seen a happier or more contented baby in a long time.

Journal Your Christmas - days 15 to 20

Cannot believe that I am up to date with all the other stuff that I have going on - next year will be a breeze!!

Day 15:


Day 16:



Day 17:



Day 18:



Day 19:



Day 20: