The Sun is Setting....

...on 2008. We've had a great Christmas holiday. From walking and watching the deer in Richmond Park...





...to giving Christmas presents to a bemused baby who...


...seemed to prefer the wrapping! (Thanks to Yolanda and the wonderful librarians at the MV Library for one of the books in the below photo, it's just perfect!)



We taught an old codger how to play Wii Bowling...



...and visited Hampton Court Palace (home of Henry VIII).


Dad even got to see a portable bomb shelter at the Imperial War Museum. His quote: "Come over here and take a picture of me in front of this. Otherwise, nobody will believe me when I go back and tell them what I saw."


All in all, a good Christmas. Happy New Year 2009 to everyone out there! I still have some emails to follow up on, so I'll try to get some more free time in the next few days!

Christmas Eve Gift

Hah, that's right. I said it first. And you can't say it back to me because this is a blog. So nerh.

Anyhow, we've been having a good old time over here in London, taking it easy, seeing the sights. Went down to Brighton a few days ago via car. Lots of hassle, but got some good pictures.

We took Dad and Elijah down the pier in the last hours of the day. All the rides cost £1 each (end of year sale), so Bruno and I rode the bumper cars (they call them dodgems) twice. I wanted to go on the haunted house ride but it was closed due to maintenance. Anyhow, we parked the baby with Dad and gave him free rein to take pictures. Here's some of what he came up with.


Me, about to ram Bruno's car. I was laughing so hard.



Getting ready to go. In case you couldn't tell, it was outdoors and cold with all the wind from the ocean!


Dad and Bruno walking down the pier.


Dad insisted I upload this because to him it looks cool. Apparently that "coolness" outweighs my red eyes and poleaxed expression. Dad, consider this an extra Christmas present. You may pay me back in chocolate.



Elijah watching the parade of lanterns in Brighton with his grandma. We ate at a Mexican place on the parade route to get a good view with some peace and quiet.



Last, but not least, I had to do a little bit of lifeguarding. Bruno, as you can see, was simply ecstatic at being saved from a watery peril.

Quick Update

Sorry I haven't posted for ages, and hello to all the old (and new) visitors! Dad arrived here yesterday and has been busy making himself very useful (can't fault a guy who changes diapers) despite jet lag.

A few pictures while I'm here...

Elijah, wondering why his mug hasn't been plastered all over this blog lately.

"Grandpa's handing me something meant to be chewed on? Oh, hahaha, you've got to be kidding me, no way I'll bite that...."

"Mmmm.. BOOK. I eat it. Om nom nom...."

Grandpa and a wannabe 4.5 month old walker.