We're huge Lego fans in the Hurley House, but all of our Lego has got so mixed up over the years that it's really difficult to build any of the original models that we'd bought. So, we decided to make good use of our Christmas holiday, and try to build as many of the models as we possibly could.
We started, in a very organised way, by sorting all of the Lego bricks by colour. The idea was that it would help us track down the pieces that we were looking for.
Well, the idea was there...
We headed out to the 'slopes' with our sledges and surfboards(no, really!) to prove that a bit of white, fluffy snow wouldn't scare us!
Unfortunately, we spent most of our time lying in the snow, rather than flying over the top of it!
After the delicious dinner, it was off to Grandma & Grandad's house for a delicious tea, and to open even more presents.
Clearly, the biggest plus to having children is the fact that they get some cool presents for Christmas, and parents get to play with them!
After a fairly reasonably-timed start to Christmas day (well done kids!), we broke open some presents, then headed to church, and after that it was time for a delicious dinner at Nanny & Grumpy's house, with Auntie Jan, Uncle Mike, James, Bethan & Rebekah.
Nanny has had lots of practise at cooking for so many people, and served up some fantastic food.
The only problem is, it's our turn next year! Gulp!
Uncle Tim, Auntie Abby, Chloe and Anya came to Cardiff for Christmas, so it's been great fun partying with them.
The Christmas Eve Masked Ball looks like it was a hit!
We were decorating Christmas tree gingerbread biscuits today, and the children got a bit carried away with the Hundreds & Thousands.
Yes, Will has got them stuck to his runny nose. I think I'll leave these ones for the kids to eat...
After the taster of snow a couple of weeks ago, it came back again this week - with a vengeance.
We woke up, and it was deep...
...and it got deeper...
...and deeper!
That's proper snow!
Will walked down the stairs with a guilty look on his face, and a felt pen in his hands...
Having already experienced the artistic qualities of a pen-covered wall in the past, we prepared for the worst and asked Will where he had been drawing.
He showed us...
Hannah was lucky enough to take part in a children's choir this year, and perform in St. David's Hall. Lots of rehearsals, two full performances, and a very late night, but they all sounded amazing. Just the thing to put you in the mood for Christmas.
If you're looking for Hannah, she's third from the left, in the front row.
Almost from nowhere, white fluffy flakes began to fall from the sky yesterday, which got the children away from the TV and outside into the garden.
And, by today, there was even enough snow for a family snowball fight and a (small) snowman.
Will was taking extra precautions tonight to ensure that he wasn't blinded by any bright fireworks...
We took the bikes to Llandaff Fields today, to give the children (and parents!) an opportunity for exercise and fresh air. We probably should have warned people that we were coming, as both Thomas and Will are on their "swerve crazily from side to side as you cycle" stage!
We managed to get as far as the play equipment without hospitalising anyone, though!
Tom's piano lessons are going well, but (like most boys) the hard part is encouraging him to practice at home.
Here is proof that he does do some practice!
One of our favourite woodland walks is in the woods above Castle Coch - the fairytale trail at Forest Fawr.
There's cauldrons, spiders, dragons, wizards and treasure chests to discover...
...and some magnificent views at the journey's end.
Will started big school today, so we're expecting a lot of teacher retirements by the end of the year!
Our local primary school has now opened a nursery, so Will is attending every afternoon. He was raring to go today!
If the teachers only knew what was coming...
Tim and Cindy held their third wedding today at Thornhill Church (it's a long story!)
The bride and groom looked gorgeous...
...and Hannah, Thomas and Will loved the barn dance party afterwards! Tom, particularly, was an incredibly enthusiastic dancer. I'd like to say he gets it from his Dad, but that would just be a blatant lie!
We tried to make the most of the late summer sun today, and drove off to the seaside. We were originally planning to find Nash Point and visit the lighthouse there, but took a few wrong turnings in the car and ended up at the beautiful Monk Nash.
There was a lovely walk down to the seaside, along country lanes and wooded paths...
And when we reached the sea, we were greeted to some fantastic views, including a pod of dolphins who were jumping out of the water just beyond camera view.
