BLOG CATCH UP......USA

So in March we packed our bags and headed for USA. This was a trip Anthony and I had wanted to do for a long time, and we suddenly had a window of opportunity to do it so we seized it! And we are sooooo glad we did. It was absolutely fantastic. We both have some much loved friends and family over there and it was a girt to spend some short but precious time with each of them.

The Plane Journey there was an active 12 hrs to say the least. William was so excited running up and down the plane, hopefully most found him cute and not annoying. Going home was a night flight so he slept the whole way PHEW!! We where also given a pleasant surprise when Steve (Anthony's brother walks down the plane and says 'aright guys', as if it was totally normal that he was there haha)

We landed in LA on Thursday 24th march, Greeted by Mel (Anthony's sister). The first few Days at Mel and Paul's I felt like id been knocked over by a bus with Jet lag. William did fantastic, it took him 2 nights to get in order (probably because he'd been awake the whole journey there).

Whilst in California we spent a couple of days with

The Nestmans. Krista was my first companion on my mission in Scotland. She was the girl who looked after me in those first daunting weeks, put me at ease, built my confidence, chilled me out and above all was the friend I needed. Needless to say iv had a soft spot for that friendship ever since and loved catching up with her, meeting her lovely family and enjoying that friendship once again.....just wish we lived a bit closer!!

They took us to San Diego Zoo (So much to see),

...San Diego Temple......Beautiful! And for some great Mexican food.

The kids! Cute Eliza and Sid Playfully Smell the flowers at the pristine and pretty temple grounds....William picks up hand fulls of soil and throws it all over the shinny white pavement!!

They where great company and the perfect hosts, they had put so much thought and effort in to looking after us for those days. Anthony and I both commented on the extent of effort and thought they took.

THANK YOU NESTMANS!

Jusy what the doc ordered!

From rolling out of a tent one weekend to a four poster bed, hot tubs and massages the next.

I saw an opportunity, cleverly presented it to Anthony and we seized it. I got a last min Spa deal at the stunning ARMATHWAITE HALL HOTEL AND SPA in the Lake District.

The Lakes is without doubt one of my fave retreats in Britain. Beautiful and peaceful. We left William with my mum and dad, and off we went for two glorious relaxing days. The package included a five course meal and a treatment. I got a facial, i never really saw the point of facials but this one actually did leave me feeling relaxed and looking glowing (even Anthony commented!!). I could easily be enrolled in the full on pamper world given the money!

The five course meal was proper fine dinning and I loved being referred to as 'the lady' by the waiter! However our posh meal with stunning lake views and hopping Bunny's in the foreground was quickly brought to an abrupt close. After just the first course Anthony had a bad reaction to something, abruptly leaving me sitting there for a good 20-30 mins at least. I went out to find him and he wasn't well at all so we took the rest of the courses in our room. Anthony would have come off really bad to onlookers, storming off leaving his pregnant wife to eat alone, and then having to watch me stand up and leave alone as well.......iv chuckled a few times about that.

My fave was the out door hot tub, overlooking the gardens brimming with wildlife......we were definitely in Beatrix Potter country!

Its been a really busy summer, and Anthony and I both felt the benefits of some time away on our own.........I want to go back EVERY wknd now!! (sigh).

In recovery....

Back from youth camp and recuperating! I loved it, and loved getting to know the kids better, but i was so happy to come home to my memory foam bed and my shower!

Anthony was with the boys the first half of the week, then came home, and i left, leaving him with William for four days(Anthony certainly appreciates what i do a lot more and I'm milkin' the recognition!).

It was fun doing something different from being William's mum......tiring in a different way but i did accidentally have a 3 hour nap!! absolute magic it was! I went to the car to call Anthony and charge my phone, telling friends id be back in a minute.....waiting for Anthony to return the call i wound the chair back, closed my eyes and BAM 3 hours disappeared! That's probably what got me through the rest of the camp. That and about 10 cups of hot choc a day! (addicted).

I slept in a 2 man tent which was realistically a one man. I was offered a cabin but preferred the option of sleeping on my own to guarantee a better nights sleep. I had it cosy in my tent and slept pretty good but one thing i did not think about was trying to change in such a confined space whilst 7 months pregnant. Their where some interesting noises coming from my tent during those times Ha!

The boys and girls overlapped their camps for two nights so they could have a day together. I was landed with he job of organising their joint activity day (60 kids),and that was a feat and a half!

But i really did love being with the youth. Anthony always comes back from youth camp on a high, he LOVES it, and i get why now....But as much as i loved it, i also LOVED coming home.

Unfortunately I forgot to charge my camera and took no photos...but heres one from facebook. You cant miss supersize me!

I Pledge to Blog!

I Know, I know, I know i need to Blog, but not this week. This week I'm off to youth camp 7 months pregnant. Wish me luck!

But i Promise to do serious Blog catch up in September! It will be my form of 'nesting',
hopefully I'll be fully up to date by October, in time for the little miss whose arriving then!

[HD] - The BRIT Awards 2011 - Adele sings Someone Like You

Just caught up on The Brits, didn't get a chance to watch it last week but soooooo glad i recorded it!

So many BRILLIANT performances this year. Adele was magnificent and stole the show.

Plan B was superb.

Always gunna have a soft spot for Take That because of my history with them and their journey, Howard you don't sing or write, and hardly even dance these 'man band' days but you're still lookin good. Robbie still got the swag...but Robbie 'shabba' really? do you have to be so intent to act like a total tool just when we are starting to love you again?!

Other faves inc. Mumford and Sons, Arcade Fire and Cee lo's and Paloma Faiths collab. Finale!

Rihanna...seriously can you have a bit of class and leave your clothes on for once??? But did enjoy James cordons sly, maybe unintentional, dig comparing her dress to his cousins bridesmaid dress' in Swindon! heha.

ZUMBA

Just back from a trip to my liverpool home. Always LOVE going back home to liverpool. Found some new trendy cafes in city centre and ate at one of Jamies Italians, that was delish, proper flavours! caught up with some girlfriends but mostly hung out with my mum and sis and had some quality family time with the kiddiwinkles.

When i arrived i was greeted by my mum excitedly proclaiming, "I'm all over you tube and in the news paper with my Zumba class raising money for charity"

So i said "lets see". she handed me the news paper. "mum where are ya?". "that's my arm there" she says! And here is that proud moment for my mother ha ha. She is the one on the front, far right side, dressed in black and all you can see is her arm and leg! Well done mum, you make us so proud!! Oh and trust me the you tube part isn't worth posting!

But if you haven't tried Zumba yet, i highly recommend it as a fun exercise class.....especially the scouse version -A room full of scouse ladies shouting out banter through out the class! I especially loved the bollywood part, love a bit of Bangra me! Get me one of those Bollywood waists, yes please...or a Shakira bod!

Getting rather excited for an actual real grown up style valentines date....haven't had a date like this for a looooooooooooooooooooong time.

We have wanted to eat at The Dove for a while, (river side pub a mere five minute walk) and we will on Monday, cant wait to tuck into this menu

Valentines Day Menu

14th February 2011

Starters

Seared diver-caught scallops w/ West country black pudding, sweetcorn puree and crispy pancetta

Tea-smoked beetroot, mascarpone and tarragon salad

Pea, ham and mint soup w/ Gloucester Old Spot ham hock tortellini

Mains

Eywe valley rump of lamb w/ dauphinois potato, parsnip crisps and a port and shiraz reduction

Roast monkfish w/ herb puree, saffron-glazed fondant potatoes and a wholegrain mustard beurre

blanc sauce

Aubergine charlotte w/ a spiced ratatouille dressing

Desserts

Dark Vahlrona chocolate and kirsch cherry torte with Cornish clotted cream

Baileys crème brulee w/ roasted hazelnut puffs

Peanut mousse and brittle w/ rum-flambéed banana and salted caramel ice cream

Filter coffee and petit fours

hmmmmm just got to decide what to have??????? i want it all! I'm thinking the monk fish since iv never had that very expensive ugly fish......but i always love a good bit of lamb.......well i have a few days to think about this tasty food before deciding!

Now gotta go tidy up the bedroom - all my clothes are off the hangers all over the floor after i dragged them all out in an excited frenzy trying them all on shouting 'THEY FIT, THEY FIT'.....It seems I'm finally back in my pre-preggers clothes...'hard core February' is paying off already...still got a bit to loose still though so come on!