A Frosty Boxing Day (Dec 26th) morning.

The front of my parent's cottage in Pidley. It is about 400+ years old, with a thatched roof and a welcoming 'grim reaper' weather vane on the chimney!

A rustic look.

The wildlife pond out the front.

The view of the back of my parent's house.

The back garden.

Christmas Day

Early morning mayhem as all the cousin's entertain themselves.

Cousin Pheobe.

Cousin Mabel.

Lizzie and Steve, who will be getting married on 21st August this year.

Here I am jealously checking out John's waistline as he piles the food on his plate. My sister

Ruth's nose has also just detected something unpleasant.

Steve seems to be filling my grandfather's mantle very quickly. Asleep at the table. A proud mother hen! Notice Dad's sacrificial and labouring face as he pours himself another wine.

Presents are always opened after a heavy dinner. Adults energy levels are really flagging just as kid's ones entering the stratosphere.

Daddy comes to grips with a bath book.

Jessie got some face paints for Christmas. I painted her face, before she got her revenge.

UK before Christmas

Well, we're back in Boston having had a lovely month's stay in the UK with family.

Here is Jessie's bag as she packed it herself ready for the month away. All the essentials are there.
Special time with Granma, something both these Doyle ladies have sorely missed out on.

Look what Santa brought.

Cousin Mabel showing her charm and masterful compusure in front of the camera.

Sienna feeling shy in front of her camera.

Jessie Heaven: holding hands with two older boys. Cousing Joseph on the right, and Joseph's friend Alden on the left.

I post enough embarassing pictures on my blog of other people, it is only fair that I include this one. I'll let it speak for itself.

My sister Lizzie's dog, Digby, putting his flying jacket to perfect use.

Shelley looking as fashionable as ever, as is Ruth with her floral boots. Notice how she's subtely slapping Sienna for back chat.

Jessie makes a cold sand Angel.