This post is for w/c 5 January 2009. (slowly but surely getting back up to date).

We were kept busy with lots of festive, family outings - trips to the zoo, the museum, swims in our neighbour's pool.

We started the new year with a big family picnic near the Kauri stand in Cornwall Park (the same place we held Joseph's 2nd birthday). We took lots of food, a bike and a couple of balls. Here's Grandma starting George early with his bike riding skills.

Despite all the toys we took, Joseph, Harry and Alfie amused themselves amongst the trees and found sticks to use as guns (and hitting). Here's the three of them getting up to mischief.

And as we had so many people around, we were able to get an up to date picture of the four of us!

Unfortunately, Kate, Simon, Harry and Alfie left on the 2nd of January to return to Bristol...poor old Joseph was quite lonely and kept asking where his cuzzies had gone.

Ofcourse there was work to do around the house as well and Dan decided to trim the hedge...his faithful helper (not be confused with slave!), Joseph, was right in the action! We need to get him his own pair of earmuffs as we just can't keep him away from the work. Joseph was really great at helping put all the hedge clippings into the rubbish bin as well.

When Joseph had had enough of being up on the ladder, Granddad BQ was there to help him down.