Jinxed!

Well I knew if I put something on the blog about West Park it would be bad luck-you would think I'd learned buying No13!! The next day we got a call from the mortgage broker to say there was a "problem". So we just accepted that that was that, then today he called to say he may have sorted the "problem" so it could all be back on again. I don't know if we can deal with this on again off again stress at the moment-not to mention all the work we have to do. Really don't know when I'll find the time to do everything! So I'm not holding my breath-who knows what will happen.

Anyway, had a lovely day on Friday. Martin and Sarah dropped by on their way back home. The kids loved seeing them and as the kids were off school we decided to go bowling. Martin thrashed all of us by finishing off with 2 spares followed by 4 strikes!!! More surprising Anna-Belle came 4th by head butting the balls done the alley. Don't ask-by far the most insane child.

Had a bit of a nothing day-wanted to get the house tidy and failed miserably. Only managed to get the ironing done, but it was a rather large pile. Chris is in Gateshead tomorrow on assignment so I'm having a break and we're all going with him. He's talking on coping with trails in life so should be interesting given our current circumstances. Wow, just realized it will be 3 weeks with no Primary. Roll on next week!

13 West Park

Well I thought it was about time we put something up about the new house. So here it is. If we actually move in it will be nothing short of a miricale. So, it's another number 13 (not sure if thats a good or bad thing) and although it needs everything doing and could quite possibly be a bit of a money pit it's redeeming features are 1-I can walk to school, 2-Chris can walk to work, 3-It has 5 bedrooms, 4-It's opposite a great big green open space, 6-Loads of the kids school friends live on the street, 7-It's got 3 reception spaces downstairs, 8-It's got a private back garden that gets loads of sun, 9-Outbuildings, 10-It's a real bargain. Humm, when I write it down it doesn't seem that scarey! In fact it seems too good to be true. So despite be scared to death we keep going.

This is the view from the back with all my lovely storage to the right. Really needs a good tidy up but we may leave that to the spring. The best bit about the garden, actually there a few but there is only 1 conifer tree (that will be going pretty sharpish) So no more trimming hedges with growth spurts!

So excited about the garden. Having such a great garden here we are so lucky to get one thats just as good. Note the TWO apple trees-can't wait. Chris was standing next to me when he took the picture above this one.

This is just a small part of our garage. It runs the entire length of the house. I thought food storage-Chris thought garage cricket. The debate continues!!

This is our "beautiful" blue and yellow kitchen. Hummm-this may be one of the first things to go-no it definatly is one of the first things to go. Just need to work out how my dream cooker, in my not so dream blue and gold will fit into my modern white kitchen. Any suggestions welcome.
This is a photo taken from the living room at the front of the house looking towards the back. Still not sure how we are going to split up the space-this is giving us the bigest headache as there are so many options. The only thing we are really clear on is the horseshoe opening is going about 2 mins after we get the keys for good!

One of my fav things about this house is the lovely bay windows at the front and stained glass. This is the front bedroom and there's another one directly below. Fabulous! Unfortunately the windows are rotten but we are getting them replaced with the same stained glass
Well I could put loads more pictures on but it takes forever to upload them and I really need some sleep. So please feel free to comment on how crazy you think we are! We may still be in denial.

New School Year

Can't believe yet another year has gone by. Emmaleigh is now in year 4, Aimee in y3 and Danny y1. I don't know if the school is ready for Em and Aimee to share a playground again-there have been tears already! Other than that they are loving being back but not as much as I am.

I eventually made a cheesecake for the first time a few weeks ago and I must have picked a good recipie. Not only was it one of the easiest things I have ever made it was undoubtably one of the nicest. Needless to say I made a few more since then. Chris enjoyed it so much he took this picture and put in on facebook straight away.
Emms been helping alot with Hollie just recently. I was busy getting dinner ready and came into the living room to see Hollie all snuggled up to her big sister. I love this this picture.
Oh and how could we forget Anna-Belle making herself look beautiful! The first of my daughters to try and cut her own hair. Unfortunately the hairdressers couldn't do much with it so she's looking "beautiful" until it grows!

Dannys bike riding feats

Danny took to his bike like a natural as we took his stabilizers off for the first time. Within minutes he was getting cocky and lifting his legs off the pedals as seen in this video below.

Tunstall Hill

So this summer we've been on alot of family days out and it feels like we've been to loads of places that have been on our door step but never been to. This was when we climbed Tunstall Hill, it's the highest point in Sunderland and gives you great views of the city and the sea. We did take the long way round but I was amazed at how much green space there was up there. It was a lovely walk and the kids loved it.

Anna-Belle on top of the world!

The view looking north towards Shields. I think the chapel spire is the little white thing sticking up in the trees on the right of the picture.

Chris and the kids at the very top, I stayed with Anna-Belle at the bottom as it was a bit rocky for her.

Time for a change

After looking at the photos of Finchale Abbey I decided it was time for a change with the hair! My hairdressers eye lit up when I said I wanted it all off. So this is the new shorter look with a fringe.

Finchale Abbey

So on the way home from Plawsworth we missed the turning and ended up at Finchale Abbey, via Durham prison! I can't believe that Chris knew about this place and never suggested we come here. It was absolutely beautiful. Ruins, water, woods what more could you want. The kids thought it was great too.

It looks like they actually get along in this one!

Danny's idea of hiding.

Yet another cool tree to climb. It took us so long to get around the woods as there were so many great photos to take-if the batteries hadn't run out I think we may still have been there. After crossing the bridge we walked all the way around the woods then up what didn't seem like a big hill until we were at the top of it! When we got back to the car we were shattered. Anna-Belle was asleep before we even got out of the gate. I did have to feel a little sorry for Aimee as we promised to go to Rainton Meadows on the way back from Plawsworth but after our unplanned visit to the Abbey when we pulled up in the car park neither Chris or I had the energy to get out the car. So weather permitting we'll be back there tomorrow with friends! Anyway-great day-I have a new fav place.

Fruit Picking

Ok so after spending most of the week in doors we just had to chance the weather and get out or the children would not have survived today! After much deliberation we decided to take our annual trip to Plawsworth to go fruit picking, somethings that has become a bit of a family tradition.

I love the pic of Abbs, she absolutely loved it. I don't think that she got that you weren't supposed to eat them until after you paid for them, she must have eaten about a kg. I'm surprised she wasn't sick.

Aimee being very proud of her selection

Hollie snuggled into Daddy

Sorting out the best ones to take home and which ones to eat before getting to the counter!

Aimee looking cool as it started to rain. Luck for us it was on the way back to the car.

Sunderland Airshow

Dad and the 3 older kids went to the air-show yesterday and had a great time. The kids tried on helicopter helmets, fired paintball guns and went in a decommissioned helicopter.

Stake Athletics

Ok, so it would be too much to ask for the day to go without a hitch-wasn't expecting the hitch to involve so much blood! This weekend saw the first stake athletics we've had for a while and there has been a bit of a buzz around the stake for it. Anyway, we were blessed with perfect weather and the venue was fab. Anna-Belle fell over and cut her knee as we got out of the car and exercised her lungs to full capacity! There was a big play park right next to the track which the kids wanted to go on all morning. We were there for no more than 2 minutes when Aimee came running up to me crying. Emmaleigh was swinging really high on the swings and Aimee stood just that little bit too close-hence the cut. Bless her.

Other than that it was a great day, the kids really enjoyed it. I think they were digging to China by this tree. Chris did a great job organizing it-we even had an ice-cream van turn up.

The winners-Ashington aka the Redpath boys!