Austria

Did a ski tour back to my old stomping grounds of St-Joahnn-in-Tirol with Michael and Rhys (Alix passed due to small snuffly creature). While Bunnys Pub wasn't the same without Paul and Mandy, still managed to get some pretty disgraceful behaviour in.

Also, our arrival co-incided with the best snow in 10 years, according to the locals (which I'd agree, it was pretty similar to my first time here back on the millenium).

The morning after we arrived, the view out the window.

And absolutely amazing conditions on the mountain. By the end of the week, pretty much had the snowboarding sorted.

Not too sure what the smurf story was. Some of them looked pretty grumpy. Would love to have been a fly on the wall when their manager told them about it.

Except for one really sunny day, snow continued through the week. Thankfully the visibility only got a bit too rubbish on the last day, when Michael and I went around the other side of the mountain and ran into horizontal snow.

And you know, sometimes you just had to give up.

And a selection of photos of Little Miss Emily and Her Snufflyness, as PXTed to me by Alix while I was away. Yay for picture messaging!

West

Alix took Lisa over to the Tenple of Consumerism yesterday. Coffee and cake may have been consumed.

The Sister Has Landed (the sequel)

Aunty Lisa! Aunty Lisa!

Emily has discovered someone willing to read her books, and thus has decided that Lisa is her new best friend.

And Natasha thinks Lisa is pretty fabulous too.

We Don't Talk About March

The joy of Sitters has struck again - since the snuffle is old enough to be sleeping lots, Alix organised a night out - the London Burlesque Festival was on, and one of the shows was in Shepherds Bush.

So with hurried instructions to babysitter , we dashed off down the road to enjoy a few hours of childlessness.

Settling down to a bottle of wine (and some of the last seats), we realised that we were somewhat underdressed - at least half of the audience were dressed up in glam 30's (or similar) gear.
The show was very funky - 10(?) nearly nekkid dancers, with outfits ranging from chic Parisienne to Statue of Liberty (with flaming torch) to sheep.

I'm Dreaming of a White February

And as usual, said snowfall has resulted in full-on kibbitzing about why London ground to a halt when Moscow keeps running in minus a bazillion degrees.
It was however amusing to be warned by Underground staff that we travelled at our own risk, and it wasn't their fault if we got stranded somewhere. made sure that I was wearing boots, etc. and ipod was fully charged in case I had to walk home.

Movements

Her Snufflyness has started to smile and coo, making a cute little baby even cuter. Thankfully she also is fairly cooperative, which let me and Alix head off to a party at Eff's (just around the corner). Yay for Sitters!

And of course The Mouse continues to entertain....

And some cute photos.

This Title Intentionally Left Blank

Well, well, a new year and all that. Alas I have no pithy quotes or sparking wit to dazzle with at the moment. All I can say is that 2008 was a Good Year.

It saw the Little Mouse get more mobile, more talkative, and a lot of fun to be with.

It of course saw the Snuffalupagus arrive.

And visits from beloved eldest sister and madre.


And now, in no particular order, some baby photos from the end of last year.



Natasha was lucky enough to have her parents get around to registering her birth a LOT quicker than Emily. Yay for Starbucks across the road from said office.

If you're going to be a Wellington girl, you'd better get used to cafe's we thought.

'Helping' Mummy decorate the tree.

Little Kiwi Dress. Got Natasha early enough that it fitted properly.

Presents!

Obiligatory baby photo.

Sitting at the table. Admittedly she moved back to her high chair (at the table) but still. Maybe a booster seat.

Emily likes chocolate biccies. Note cute little owl suit.

Yeah, Emily escaped the reindeer going out suit - but Natasha being a winter baby - not so lucky.

Looks a lot like Emily has inherited the Crazy Matthews Bed Hair.

Not so much a Santa! as a "Wha?"



Smock! Smock! Painting!