A real white Christmas

October to December always seems to pass in a state of chaos and panic trying to keep up with all the birthdays, christmas events and school concerts / plays etc etc aswell as trying to get organised for christmas.  Since being here, this has been compounded by the fact that we always seem to be rushing to get away as soon as kids are out of school......this year no exception!

We had some great weather through the autumn and made the most of getting out and about with the scooters..........................Ruby now well in on the act and wants her own vehicle to manouvre........very slow progress made nowadays!!!!!   Anyway - here are some pics of a walk in the forest close to where we live.

Ruby in the shopping bag........    

Luxembourg Christmas Market is a big hit with the McCabes..........plenty of mulled wine and sausages............and the kids happy with the entertainment provided!   Ruby refused to get off........!!

We had a fleeting visit to the UK for a few days and got some shopping and outings in..........we managed a good night out in Harpenden involving too much wine and plenty of laughter...................



A visit to the Rainforest Cafe............................





After arriving back in Lux after a 4-day whirlwind trip we had a day to re-pack and then it was off to Les Gets in France for Christmas and skiing :-)    





Millie on Christmas Day morning opening her stocking and scoffing her chocs and sweets from the off!   Somehow it felt ok with the thought of skiing in a few hours!   Extra energy!!



The chalet we rented was fantastic..........with in-house chef to boot!  Amazing breakfast everyday with choice of breakfast cooked to order!!!   We were soon all out on the slopes............

and had AMAZING christmas weather............and Shaun was a bit hesitant beforehand about spending Christmas away skiing????!!?!!?!?!?  

Even Ruby loved her playing at the creche and in the snow :-)

Christmas Day afternoon we followed the lighted path to visit Santa's grotto in the forest........

One of Santa's little helpers.........

and it was then time to enter the grotto and get a peep at Santa................ssshhhhhhh......he's resting after his busy night :-)

 



bits and bobs

After our weekend in Paris, the birthday celebrations continue with a 40th lunch here in Luxembourg for a UK friend.......from which I have to leave 30 minutes early to collect Ruby, race to the airport and catch a flight to London to get up to Harpenden to celebrate Issadora's 40th at the Luton Hoo :-)

It was fun to celebrate and see everyone again!   We stayed at the Luton Hoo which was lovely and a shame we had to leave Saturday but we had to get back for Conor and Millie!!!! 

The rest of the weeks followed the usual routine of activities, french, gym etc etc etc. Of course I'm still having to spend a morning trudging off the the supermarket as internet and delivery of groceries still hasn't made it here :-((

We had the annual trip to Steinsel for "apple picking" which always involves cremant (local version of champagne) and sausages.......and pony rides for the kids!!!   We had great weather and it was a fun afternoon!

I organised an Amazon wives cultural outing to the Mudam museum which you can almost see from our house!   amazing building and structures inside........and obviously followed by lovely lunch in the museum after!!!!  Kind of thought I should do some of this cultural stuff before I leave and there's plenty to see!!!!!!

We spend a Saturday at  the local ice-rink which was hilarious given Shaun and Conor have never done it before!!!!   Millie and I kept our distance from them!!!!!!  daren't take the camera though so no pics :-(

Conor gets a fairly large part in the Grade4/5 school performance.  For all the faults with the school, their musical performances are second to none.......I'll bore you all with the DVD when I'm home......for now a few pics will suffice!!!!!



A few days in Germany.............

Half term arrived and I did not have enough energy to face a journey that involved anything but getting in the car and driving somewhere not too far away!   All you mum's with little ones on the move understand where I'm comnig from (or can remember vividly from last time around!!)

So I plan a trip to Germany to visit a couple of pretty towns - Heidelberg and Baded-Baden......much to Shaun's horror!   not quite the Barcelona or Milan he was hoping for!!!!! 

Anyway - we had a nice relaxing few days away (if that's possible with a 20-month old!!) and enjoyed some sunny strolls and general pottering! 

Stayed in a very central hotel which the kids loved as each room was a city name and it gave you the distance from Heidelnerg to these cities......always some learning to do along the way!!!!!  We were in Paris room :-)

A few autumnal pics..........................

At Heidelberg's historical castle..............

view of the rive from the castle

a tired mum.................

Guess where we went at the weekend?!

Mickey and Minnie....oops I mean Millie :-)

our new house (Millie's princess castle!)

Ruby loved the chipmunks...............she chased them around and ground them down until they posed for the photo!!!!

they just kept coming...........

we hardly had time to eat amidst all the frivolity!!!!

ahhhhhh.......even Conor having fun  :-)

donald as much of a poser as Millie!

Have you worked it out??!!!!
no shaun didn't spend the weekend dressing up in silly outfits!!!!!!

Yes we braved the crowds and eventually succumbed to taking the kids to disneyland paris for the weekend!  A great time had by all :-))   Taking friday off school was a great call as so much quieter - we arrived at 9.30am and did soooo much on the Friday whilst it was quiet!  However.......became a bit complacent on sat and leisurely strolled out expecting more of the same........wow......crowds and queues everywhere!!!! 

Dinner on evening 2 was at cinderellas place!!  here are her little helpers x

 ruby loved it! 

 here is the princess herself!

 oh here we are - this is the one with the real princess!!!!!!!!

 oops sorry Millie - i meant this one!

 conor preferred what was on his plate!!!!!!

A great weekend at Disney - voted best ride by the McCabes (ruby excluded!)
BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN.........yeahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!