January was a good month for Musicals. I watched Les Miserables at the Torch Theatre and Phantom of the Opera at The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff. I must have been inspired as I joined a Mum’s Choir at the kids school during this month.
I loved our stay at the St Davids Hotel and Spa, Cardiff.
During February I celebrated my First Blogversary!
We had lots of fun days out: Folly Farm, Newport Sands, Pentre Ifan and Marloes Sands.
We made pancakes, chocolate heart biscuits, heart pizzas and lots of Chinese New Year Crafts.
In March Danny took part in a Gymnastics Competition in Cardiff.
The choir I joined took part in our first performance and raised lots of money for Comic Relief. I had such fun singing with Sarah, Rose, Makala, Tracy, Kerry and Carol, I hope we can do it again in 2014!
We visited Carew Castle and Mill Pond.
Danny turned ten years old in April! It was also a special month for me as I met with Edward Timpson, Minister for SEN and Disabilities, at Westminster. During this visit I met lots of lovely Bloggers, but have to mention Steph from Steph’s Two Girls, and I discovered cheap trips to London on the Megabus. I travelled more times to London and back last year than in the whole of my previous life!
Our day trips were to Milford Docks, Hubberston Park, Broadhaven Beach, Cardigan Island Farm Park and Gelliswick Woods.
May saw me attend my first Blogging Conference, Cybher. I loved it and met the wonderful Bloggers from NinjaKillerCat, Pinkoddy, Julie’s Notebook and lots more but I spent a lot of time talking and laughing and felt so comfortable with these lovely women.
While in London I visited Hamleys London toy store for the first time ever- I can’t believe it took me this long but don’t worry I have made up for lost time since!
We had a VIP experience with the Gibbons at Manor House Wildlife Park, went to a Teddy Bear’s Picnic and visited The Enchanted Forest that is Castle Pill Woods with our friends Makala, Jack and Katie as well as Jo and cousin Cerys.
June saw my sisters and I had a Gilmore Girl’s Night in and we finally watched the last episode.
I went to BritMums!
We had a lovely day out at Colby Woodland Gardens and all throughout the year took part in the National Trusts #50things Campaign.
We also visited magical Monk Haven.
In July, Rebecca braved the megabus with me and Mum to celebrate Cabbage Patch Dolls’ 30th Birthday.
Inspired by Wimbledon, we played lots of tennis.
Makala and I took part in Money Supermarkets Retail Royalty Challenge and donated food to PATCH Charity.
Ceri, Rebecca and I ran Race For Life. Sadly it took place only days after my friend from uni, Fran lost her battle with Cancer, so we ran in memory of her.
We had a lovely Enid Blyton Style Picnic at Llawhaden Castle.
We enjoyed a barbecue in the woods, an evening down Broad Haven Beach and walked some of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
In August we went to Folly Farm, a Smurfs event and The Science Museum in London.
We kept warm by a fire down Castle Pill Woods, played down Higgons Well and soaked up the sun at West Angle Beach.
In September we visited Nevern and Newport Sands.
We had fun at the Chiami Festival, held at Manor House Wildlife Park, with friends Emma, Adam and Leon, and celebrate Caitlyn’s 5th Birthday.
In October, we visited Chickens on a farm and went Pony Riding at Pembrey for Rebecca’s 7th Birthday.
We visited Gelliswick Beach and warned about the danger of rubbish to wildlife.
We had lots of Halloween Spooky Fun too.
November saw Fireworks for Bonfire Night, another visit to Manor Park, playing in Haverfordwest Park and our local park.
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| Photo: Makala Doughty |
We took part in the Mumsnet “This is my Child” Campaign. We donated toys and Danny, along with Cubs, helped collect toys for the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal and traveled to Abergavenny to support Bethany and Amanda in their Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge.
I attended Mumsnet Blogfest and got to catch up with Laura, Side Street Style and Steph’s Two Girls again.
December has been Christmassy, of course! We took part in the Town Lantern Parade, been to Manor Park again, celebrated Isabelle turning two at Folly Farm and and enjoyed the big event, Christmas Day.
There are so many amazing things that we have done that I haven’t had time to Blog them all, Chessington World of Adventure, Warner Bros Studios and Oakwood being just three of them.
Overall, in our household we have been lucky to have had a happy, healthy year.
Sadly, as I have mentioned in other posts, we have lost three friends this year, all who were far too young to die.
Therefore this post is wrote in memory of Fran, Julie and Alan.
Tomorrow night, New Years Eve, I will remember them, and forever more.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne!
I will be thinking about:
Fran’s family, parents, brothers, husband and young sons;
Julie’s Father, sisters, brother, nieces and nephews;
Alan’s wife, daughters, Father and family and friends;
at this difficult time.
I will go into 2014 thankful for the life that I am blessed with and grateful that I knew these wonderful friends during their short time on Earth.
Love to all, wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year!
With lots of love always,
The Evans-Crittens
xxx
That first photo of you is a gorgeous one! All the photos are brilliant – what a lot you've done this year. You've inspired me to go off and look back on our year now – equally busy I'm sure (and we can share one of the photos ;)). Thanks for mentioning me, I'm touched. It was lovely to meet you too, you're such a smiley and positive person, and I really hope 2014 will be a happy and healthy one for you all, and that we can meet up again somewhere soon! take care x
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