Back home :-)

Arriving in Harpenden was fab.......all so familiar and like coming back home!  Except we can only go so far as look at our house from a distance and not go in this time!!! Well to be honest - I ddin't enquire about going for a visit.....not sure I want to see other peoples stuff in there......anyway had far more fun things going on and it was great to see everyone...........huge thankyous to all those of you who put us up, fed and watered us, entertained us, went out with us and generally made our week back in Harps so much fun :-) 

Stop 1 - Tennyson Road!  Millie was so excited to see Imi and Mia again and I don't think she could stop smiling since she woke up at the thought of 2 sleepovers with them!   Sooooo nice to see :-)  of course there was the usual high pitched laughing, screaming and unfathomable chatter as we entered their house and they go off and play like we've never been away.............aren't kids great!   Really great to see Elena and looking forward to wine and chat later when kids in bed!!!   Truly full house all afternoon as Nick and Shaun hideaway upstairs and attempt some work whilst nearly a dozen kids race around downstairs!!!   Elena organised a party for Millie inviting her friends over and they decorated biscuits and made Christmas cards..............and a great chance for me to catch up with friends too :-)   Feeling so lucky to have such great friends! 
Millie's decorated biscuits................

Millie and her friends...........(all younger siblings too busy playing (or making a mess??!!) to be in photo!!!!!!)

We all bombard Pizza Express (over 20 of us!!!!) and the prosecco is flowing whilst kids entertain each other and we wait.....and wait.......and wait.........and wait........for our pizzas!!!!   Poor Shaun had to leave before his food arrived as he was making a guest appearance at his Monday football night training!!!   I'm sure he more than made up for it with plenty of beer and a midnight curry, before him and Nick arrived back at 1am!!!!!!

Huge thanks to Elena for organising everything! 
The girls out in the garden........looking like they might have had enough and ready to come indoors............

.............and get warm on the sofa watching TV!

Meanwhile Ruby is still managing to get up the step with her cast on her leg!!!!

Conor had a great time sleeping over at Max's and spending the day there!   We had big plans to all go and see Santa.........after more than half an hour stuck in traffic we turned back and turned to Plan B !   Lunch at Cathy's and play/chat!   Kids had a ball and great for us to have a chance to catch up :-)   Thanks Cathy for having Conor and the rest of us :-)

Girls night out in Wheathampstead!   Really fun night and thanks to you all for my lovely pressies :-)   Took lots more photos but surprisingly they all came out a bit blurred........must be something to do with the amount of alcohol consumed!!!!!!!

Another night out......couple this time at Sazio :-)     Great fun everyone!

Thanks Terry for organising.....we had a ball!  And thanks for having us and letting us stay at your house!

Next stop - Park Hill!   More sleepovers for Conor - he's loving this time with pals to play with night and day!   no girls in sight!!!!   Kids all getting used to our travelling gypsy lifestyle........falling asleep no probs wherever.......even Ruby bless her.    Sorry boys - the girls have arrived for a couple of nights now!!!!!

We had a lovely night in..............so in need of being a couch potato for the evening!!!  Kids in bed, curry, TV, wine and chat...............perfecto!

What a great week.................loved it!  On the road we go..........up north :-)