And into February...

After the Dubai holiday we have settled into a routine (Yeah, Right!) of daytrips when John is home.
One of the most memorable this month has been a trip to York to the National Railway Museum. Don't worry - we haven't become train-spotters - it's just that it was the annual 'Thomas Event' and we knew at least one of the family would have a terrific time. No prizes for guessing who!
As for Denise actually getting into the walled city - well, that will have to wait for a solo trip down on the train in the near future.
There was however some consolation for Denise with a stop off on the way home to Thirsk - the home of James Herriott. Cue 'All Creatures Great and Small' music all the way home!

Dubai

With John receiving his first allocation of Annual Leave, it was decided we would visit auntie Katherine, Uncle Keith, Dan & Ali in Dubai. What a brilliant holiday.
Four wheel driving on the dried up river beds (Wadi Bih), desert animals, Muscat (a mummy and daddy excursion!), encounters with UAE bureaucracy, and of course lots of fun times with the family.
Maya's highlights: Auntie Katherine's work(!)* and camels.
Will's highlights: The Park and auntie Katherine's work(!)*.
Her work is a daycare nursery ie lots of toys, sandpits and diggers!
Denise and John's highlight: Muscat, Oman.

The New Year

Post-Christmas we ventured out into Northumberland and County Durham.

Places visited included: Alnwick Gardens, Rothbury, Seaham, Barnard Castle, The Bowes Museum, White House Farm, Morpeth, Saltwell Park (pictured).

The White House Farm was a hit with Will -"Tractors!" - and Saltwell Park with Maya.

Christmas

Fortunately John was home for Christmas so after a very quiet morning we ventured to Auntie Agnes for christmas dinner.
Trish and Debs had assisted in the preparation and David, Dean and Chris (or was it the Village People?) were also there.
Ian, Phillipa and Tilly called in later in the evening.
Maya and Will were very happy with the excellent, thoughful presents they received and Denise also enjoyed the (many) bottles she received!

The Beginning

The adventure finally began at Disneyland on Monday 11 December 2006 with Auntie Margie
- though the flight from Auckland to Los Angeles (and the two months that proceeded it) brought more excitement and drama than could have been envisaged.
Regardless we were all together again and reality set in
-well as real as it can get in 'The Happiest Place On Earth'!