Today the kids asked if we could go to the park to play with the leaves and take some photos of them throwing them in the air. given that I didn't have a better idea, off we went to Duthie Park.
Both of them were being very co-operative and I was really chuffed with some of the shots I got.
What a pair of posers!
Julie.xx
P.S. This blog entry is not sponsored by GAP!
Posted By: Julie Last Wednesday I headed down by train to stay at Mums to help Laura & Jamie out with Owen while they went into hospital to have their new wee boy, Leon.
We had taken Owen shopping in Kilmarnock while she was having her c-section and got the call late afternoon to say little Leon had entered the world. He was 8lb 2oz and we got to go and visit him that night. What a wee cute tootie! It was lovely to snuggle a little teeny fresh baby again, but don't be misled! It was equally as nice to hand him back and sleep all night!!!!
Some photos of his first couple of days....
On Saturday Kory & Krystal had their swimming lesson then James came down the road with them to meet their new wee cousin. Krystal was chuffed to bits with a real moving doll and being the only girl there, Kory was a bit unfazed altogether, preferring to play with Owen.
Laura & Leon got home yesterday, here's Leon chilling at home
We came back home today, it was a bit of a flying visit for James and the kids, less than 24 hours really. I enjoyed my time away & spent some nice time with Owen doing fun stuff, here's the photos of that too...
We took Owen to choose a balloon for Leon
To the beach (the day David Cameron was in Troon, mounted polie EVERYWHERE)
Congratulations again to Laura, Jamie & Owen on their new wee family. Can't wait to see them all again.
Julie.xx
Posted By: Julie 
As I said in the Hen Do post, we were down at Dad & Tricia's for the weekend. On Sunday, we had a wee bit of a lazy morning to recover from the night before, even although I didn't drink much, my legs were killing me from wearing heels and my head was pounding from a stupid cold I had.
Tricia had a sore back so decided to stay at home to rest while the rest of us headed to Chatelherault Country Park nearby.
It was a gorgeous day, there was a great park, an open space to kick a ball about on, a museum and an ice lolly shop. What more could we want?
This is a photo of Kory on an old drawing table - there is a photo above him of the Country House we were in and a grid in front of it to help draw it - he at for AGES intently drawing it!
In the park area it was pretty sandy so Krystal even decided to take off her shoes!
On Monday morning we got up and packed and headed to the Falkirk wheel on the way back to Aberdeen. We've been before a couple of years ago, but the kids don't remember it and we had a free ticket for us all to get on the boat ride.
Again it was a beautiful day, we went on the canal trip, then had a play at the park before heading off to get something to eat and head back home.
All in all it was a lovely weekend, weather wise, night out wise and seeing family wise.
Julie.xx
Today Krystal had a few friends round to celebrate her birthday next week. I decided to do it in the Easter holidays for easiness. The kids were all really really well behaved, the mums were too! It's a whole new group of friends neither of us knew before she went to nursery which is really nice.
Julie.xx
Known locally as "The Gramps" but pronounced grumps, is the Kincorth Hill which isn't far from our house. Despite living here 10 years, I only went up for the first time in September and today decided James and the kids were joining me on a photo expedition!
On the way up, there were lots of "this is boring" and "I've got sore legs" complaints about not wanting to go. But when we got to the top, could clearly see the sun setting to one side and over the whole of Aberdeen at the other, they soon changed their tune and were happy to pose for lots of photos, read the information boards, investigate the model and rake around the rocky areas.
Daddy with his fan club
Kory peeking from behind the wall
James Posing!
Krystal then Kory as the sun set behind them
Larking about!
Hey look, I was there too!
Kings of the World!!!
James in the sunset (not to be outdone!)
The girls
Little Posers - they just love having their photo taken.
I wonder where they get that from....
Bye bye sun
Awww, the token "butter wouldn't melt" shot!
Needless to say they were exhausted and starving by the time we left to walk back down.
The sky was stunning as we came out of the trees. We'd left the top as the sun disappeared, and this is what greeted us.
I liked this one of the plane coming in to land, because the city looks as if it's in black and white apart from the car/streetlights and rooftops.
And lastly, my favourite shot of the day, both Kory and Krystal standing on rocks with the setting sun beaming behind them and the dramatic clouds. I love it.
Julie.xx
After a chilled out morning in the house, including doing some housework, the kids and I headed for Stonehaven with the idea of going to the park. 10 minutes in and they were bored though. So I suggested we head over to the beach. This had their interest!
We watched the high waves crashing in at the bottom of the steps for a while, then we went a walk along to the other end of the beach. With hunger setting in, we found a shop for a snack and drink then parked ourselveson the actual beach.
Once they had finished their snack, they wanted to explore the seaweed, driftwood, and throw some stones in the water. They had a great time!
As the sun started to go down, we headed back along the beach back to the car. It was actually really warm today considering it's mid October. We just had fleeces on rather than jackets and were fine. Next time I've been told I have to remember money for ice-creams!
Julie.xx
This evening Kory sat his grading for the 4th Khan at boxing. He was successful in gaining it and oh so proud of himself. This mean she's traded in his red band for a nice new blue one. Here he is when we got home looking utterly exhausted as he went to his usual class at 4pm straight from school, then his grading after that!
Julie.xx
This afternoon as it was a nice day we headed out to Crathes Castle to make use of our NTS memberships. First of all we went inside the castle, the kids got an eye-spy game to play in each room and we went around. It was interesting to see, even the kids enjoyed it. I remember hating stuff like that as a child!
There was no photography allowed inside but we were allowed to take out the windows. So here is the view from one of the high floors.
After that we went round the gardens which were gorgeous, full of loads of nooks and crannies. Kory & Krystal has a ball exploring.
A lovely day out in the warm Autumn sun.
Julie.xx
Today was Kory's first full day at school, and Krystal and I were feeling a bit lost after lunch so thought we'd go to Johnston Gardens for a wander about, take some photos and let her play. But she had other ideas.
She was in a posing mood, laying on benches, leaning on trees and peeking through bridges wanting me to take her photo. So I did, lots of times....
Julie.xx
P.S. Another couple from the other day when she was playing - shejustloves the camera!
