spring is upon us....

It feels like spring just happened over night, one day the trees where bare, the next they where full of blossom. I'm so glad its here, and I'm loving the fluky early warm weather. I was really ready for spring, i find January and February quite grim. And my waistline has suffered, in snuggling up in winter months and defaulting to unhealthy food.

Now summer is round the corner i need to get my but into gear (literally) and get my skinny on. Its time to commit to getting rid of my wobbly bits so here it is:

I pledge that I am no longer allowed sugar in obvious forms (deserts and drinks). except for the odd occasion I have some on the sly because realistically I can't commit to it 100%.

This is the only rule I'm going to make as I am to disorganised to make and keep up with any others regarding food. And I'm gonna up my game in exercise too...should be easier with lighter mornings and good weather!

So there it is. A Pledge with room for mistakes...I'm not too good at commitment...it hurts psychologically...I'm not a hard core kinda person. Sometimes i think i am, and go at something because iv imagined myself to be something I'm not and then quickly realise, no I'm not hard core at all....mainly because i don't wanna be. I like balance....some people are crazy like my friend (Laura), who does triathlons and marathons pregnant??!!!

Anyway some more spring pics whilst walking home through St Peters square.

The week the Barrs flew in....

More reunions the next day When Jo and Tom joined us......

Christine gave us souvenirs from Madagascar and The Barrs brought gifts from Colorado.

Love William in his Madagascar hat.....he loved it too so much he wanted to sleep in it.

All Tom Barr wanted to eat was fish n chips.

On Sunday, Christine did her homecoming talk, Tom spoke and Anna was blessed in the sacrament meeting. It was such a brilliant day.

Hangin' out with the Barrs....

After Liverpool (and overcoming jet lag), they spent the last few days in London.

I can't even describe how much I loved having my American family here, loved the laughter, chatting and just hanging out with these people who we feel such a close kinship with. Love their influence on myself and my family, these people just lift you in every way. And I miss them, we all do. It was such an amazing expression of love and sacrifice to come over here to surprise the family. We are as always eternally grateful and full of love in return. And this trip is something we will never forget.

There were some people missing from this trip, Hayley and Branson (their other two children), and my brother, Jon (traveling round the world). And they were missed.

LOVE YOU BARRS, COME BACK, COME BACK, COME BACK PLEEEEEEEEESE!!!!

Once upon a february morning.......

Members of my Family got up, rolled out of bed and got to Manchester airport with makeshift home made signs by the nieces and nephews.......Christine was coming home from her mission in Madagascar, and we'd all been demanded to be there "with signs and cameras", in fact her words were "i want paparazzi!"

Well she got it.......and much much more.

This photo was taken before we went down to wait at the arrivals lounge and here no one had any idea what was about to happen.......except me and Anthony.

What they were unaware of was that right at that exact moment some very dear people to us where also making there way through baggage claim to surprise our family.

The Barr's had planned to surprise the family for when Christine arrived home from her mission. I helped plan the whole thing, keeping it a secret and now was feeling very nervous and excited.

One by one they came out walked right passed the Family who of course where completely oblivious....and then came the surprise and a wonderful reunion.

My dad still has this speechless expression of unbelief on his face every time we talk about it, both him and mum still can't believe it happened. They are still stunned by it.

Below is the moment my dad finds out I knew all along

We'd all made signs for Christine...arr look at mikes......

Ha no, just kidding, my niece Becky made this one, Mikes just being a good sport.

Loved seeing Christine come through that door, my little sis back from her mish.

Love these photos below, Christine reunited with her family, but in the back ground you can spy Tom and Adele Barr watching on, Christine has no idea whats about to come.

And then came her surprise................ we caught that on film but here's some photos.

(Anthony did well running round after William)

Dad says that this was one of the greatest moments of his life.

The year so far...

Well since I last blogged its been Christmas. We spent Christmas day at home and then decided to take advantage of the clear roads and traveled up north Christmas night for the Kenny Christmas.

Which meant we made our first full on Christmas dinner. It was good with a bit of help from M&S and the local butchers.

Christmas morn, watching "cars".

Williams 2nd birthday. 23rd Jan. We spent all day at Bramleys Soft Play and Ball pit with friends, then headed to Wesfield for a Byron Burger. He didn't stop all day and was totally wiped out!

2 years old. He is everything boy. Tractors, helicopters, trains, planes, cars, motorbikes, Buzz Light year, running, climbing, swimming, bouncing, somersaulting on the couch. Stars, biscuits, cake, cake, cake, the moon, bike, scooters, balloons, boats, dummies, his bed, boots, tools.........

As he's growing I'm enjoying his company more and more. Love watching him discover and interact with the world. Even if some of his 'discoveries and interactions' make a lot of mess. I walked in the other day to find him swimming in flour making 'snow angles' on the kitchen floor! He's a cheeky, mischievous, get away with murder, butter wouldn't melt, kinda kid, he can be so naughty but with an endearing little smile. He acts so sorry when he's being told off but he knows he's just playing his mum for a fool. And I am fool for him.

And Anna's 3 month mark.

This girl has been sent to bring calm to my life. She remains so placid and hassle free. She just sits back and watches the tornado of her brother whirl by unfazed. Love her spirit so much. And it amazes me that despite her only being so little in size, so undemanding and quite, her presence is very much felt, loved and appreciated. And her Smile, well that lifts you right up into the clouds.