Why Don't We Do This More Often?

Here we are (Calvin is the photographer) at the Hollywood Bowl in Bristol.  We had a great day, Its so good to get together we really WILL make more effort to do it again sooner.

Here I am showing everyone how its done, actually I bowled much better that I usually do or maybe it was just that Calvin was having a bad day an didn't thrash me .

Here is my big brother who did manage to thrash us on the second game!

Martha managed to get one of her balls over the bumper and stuck in the gutter!  I think she did very well and beat most of the boys on the first game but she had the bumpers so it didn't count.

Nobody really minded who won or lost on the day, we just had great fun.  Thanks everyone for being such great sports.

Here we all are at Franky and Benny's have our tea....eventually.  We were starving, but the food was delicious.

I'll start with Calvin for those of you who don't know who we all are:

Calvin, Gareth, Uncle Tim, Me, Aunty Wendy,  Jason,  Ross, Ryan and Martha 

Thanks to all of you for making it such a great day.

Still more Festive Fun

Christmas get together in Las Vegas.....oops.... sorry ....Bristol

You can see why I got confused!!

 Here is Mr Williams, our self elected tour guide and "camp" entertainer (I mean red coat in a sort of Butlins way!)  He kept the troops amused with his purple shoes, Spongebob shopping bag and loud shopping mall behavior.

Gareth really went to town on his outfit....

But Aunty Wendy had the same idea!!!

Maiden Voyage!

Martha was eager to take her new bike out on the road and didn't let the weather get in the way.  The snow had melted so she could now see the road and she donned waterproof trousers and coat and her wellies and she was ready to go!

She was a little nervous about the size of the bike so daddy removed the back reflector to allow the seat to go down another inch and let her toes touch the ground.  So with a little support at the beginning she was away.

She did a great job, even managed to turn around and ride back home without stopping or falling off.

Fantastic Day

Three very surprised children as we managed to keep their presents a secret this year.

Elder and Sister Crandall with their Carmarthen branch hoodies.

Before

After!!!!!!!

She did so well all day, but the cold got the better of her in the end and she went to bed dosed up with medicine.

Snow Angel

Martha has really enjoyed playing out in the snow.  She asked if she could make a snow angel yesterday but she was ready for school so I said no.  She made some lovely ones today instead.  They don't show up very well on a photo and I thought you'd rather see her anyway.

Snowy Days

I love the snow.......when I don't have to go anywhere or do anything!!!  The Christmas shopping is done, we have food and football was cancelled.

We have spent a lovely day at home today, we went for a winter walk before a big brunch, lunch thing.  We have no church tomorrow so another day of not having to worry about driving conditions or going out in the cold.

Some heating would be nice....the plumber is on the way!

More calendar shots

December

March

Stake Youth Calendar

January

We had great fun at Swansea chapel on Friday night.  We made a calendar for our missionaries.  Each unit brought in props for a month or two and we let the youth "do their thing!"  I can't wait to see the finished result, it looked great on the preview.  I will add some more shots over the next few days.  These two are of our youth from Aberystwyth Branch

August

Bounteous Harvest

It has been a great year for us in the vegetable garden.  We have had fantastic onions, spring onions, potatoes, runner beans, courgettes and sweetcorn.  Also the raspberries and strawberries have been good.  We still have leeks growing well.  We also had carrots, beetroot and peas which didn't do so well but provided a meal or two.

Now comes the work of getting the ground ready for another attempt next year.

In 1976 the Latter Day Saint Prophet, Spencer w Kimball said:

"We encourage you to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees-plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments … can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden … neat and attractive as well as productive. If there are children in your home, involve them in the process with assigned responsibilities” 

We have tried to follow his counsel and although not all of our crops work out we are able to have the satisfaction of growing them ourselves and the knowledge that all good things come from heaven above. 

This reminds me of standing beside my dad in our village church when I was a child as we sang this Hymn.

We Plough The Fields And Scatter 

We plough the fields and scatter

The good seed on the land,

But it is fed and watered

By God's almighty hand:

He sends the snow in winter,

The warmth to swell the grain,

The breezes and the sunshine,

And soft, refreshing rain.

Refrain:

All good gifts around us

Are sent from heaven above;

Then thank the Lord,

O thank the Lord,

For all his love.

He only is the maker

Of all things near and far;

He paints the wayside flower,

He lights the evening star;

The winds and waves obey him,

By him the birds are fed;

Much more to us, his children,

He gives our daily bread.

We thank thee then, O Father,

For all things bright and good,

The seed time and the harvest,

Our life, our health, our food.

Accept the gifts we offer

For all thy love imparts,

And what thou most desirest,

Our humble, thankful hearts.

Sisters Day at the Temple

What a fantastic time we had at the London Temple.  Cheryl(centre) had never been before and just glowed the whole time, including the journeys.  Sister Crandall was so pleased to be able to leave her area for this special day.  We had 105 sisters there from our Stake over Friday and Saturday.  We were all uplifted and inspired by our visit. 

Thanks to my special friends for their company and to my inlaws who made it possible for me to go. 

Autumn Days

I looked out the other day and saw the sun shining on the trees and there was a golden glow.  Then when I was out walking with Gareth today and we came across these conkers.  I remember spending hours, at this time of year, with my friends along the aptly named "chestnut walk" in Beachamwell.  We would try to knock down and collect as many conkers as possible but many ended up smashed on the road.  The ones we found today had fallen naturally from the tree and were still protected in their cases.

All this made me think of our children.  We keep them safe "on the tree" as long as possible but eventually they will grow and leave the safety of our home.  Hopefully they will have the protective case around them of the things we have taught them and the love we have shown them.

Scrapbooking

I have recently started this addictive new hobby of scrapbooking!  Here is a page I made of my parents wedding.  

Feeling Old?

This young lady was 18 months old when we got married and her sister was our bridesmaid.  One of those days when you realise you are not 18 anymore!

Congratulations Beth and Dave

Peaceful Mornings

Martha and I are enjoying leisurely, peaceful mornings.  We send the boys off together with Dad at 8am and then have the house to ourselves. Having two cars had made a big difference this term as we seem to have something after school everyday.

New Hobby

I've decided to start blogging, watch this space.