Goodbye 2014 - A Difficult Year with a Sprinkle of Fun

Happy New Year to friends, family and all you lovely readers!

I started writing this post on the last day of 2014 but have only now found the time to publish it! What a year! Overall, I feel that it was a very difficult year for us as a family. Since, my sister, Jo’s stroke in June everything has been quite a blur. To us looking back on the year we can’t help but divide it into “pre stroke” and “post stroke”. I’m so glad that I put this post together, as I really had forgotten about all the good things that did happen before that terrible day in June. Also since the momentous day when Jo left hospital we have managed to make good memories too. Her fight for full recovery is not over but we are grateful for how well she is doing and know she will continue to recover in 2015 which I hope will be an amazing year both for her and for us.

Here is our look back at 2014:

January

We celebrated the New Year in the woods with our friends, champagne and a cosy fire. We plan to do the same again soon!

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/01/celebrating-new-year-in-woods.html

Blogging the little things, here is a post about playing with Izzy. She starts school part time this January so I need to make the most of my time at home with her before full time school in 2016!

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/01/izzy-green-grocer-with-big-jigs-wooden.html

We celebrated the Chinese New Year as always. Here is one of our craft round ups. I hope to remember to blog more of our crafts this year.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/01/chinese-new-year-crafts-round-up-2014.html

This year Chinese New Year falls on February 19th and is the year of the Sheep. This is Danny’s year as he becomes a 12 year old! Then it will be my Year of the Monkey in 2016 as I turn 36! Gulp.

We went to Swansea Pantomime and had a lovely meal and day out. This year we have changed tradition and are spending the money on a family musical later in the year instead. Which one to choose…

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/01/country-kids-in-city-for-swansea-panto.html

We visited one of my favourite local places, Saint Nons.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/01/st-nons-pembrokeshire-countrykids.html

I took part in the Team Honk Baton Relay. I did fun runs, climbing mountains and a school baton relay. I have already signed up to take part in this years Team Honk Danceathon for Red Nose Day (you can sign up too!).

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/01/please-support-wales-team-honk-2014.html

February

There were more Team Honk posts on the blog in March. Here we tried and failed (due to extreme weather) to climb The Preselis:

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/02/the-preseli-mountains-pembrokeshire.html

We became H&A Bathtime Buddy Ambassadors and received lots of lovely bath products throughout the year.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/02/bathtime-fun-with-h-disney-nemo-bubbly.html

Blogging the little things, the school run. This will of course be different this year with Izzy attending school too!

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/02/when-sun-shines-on-school-run.html

We had quite a few adventures at sea this year, starting with Dave and Danny helping uncle Phil bring his boat from East Llanion to Milford Marina. I’d love to get to Amsterdam to see our friend Cloudy’s new boat this year.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/02/danny-goes-to-sea-east-llanion-to.html

We reviewed Tom’s Midnight Garden. I loved it. I can’t wait to review more theatre shows this year.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/02/toms-midnight-garden-half-term.html

I took part in the audience of BBC Question Time. I met David Dimbleby, asked a question and most importantly managed to get the whole panel debating the current state of the NHS in Wales.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/03/bbc-question-time-newport-opportunity.html

March

Danny won the first of the year’s gymnastic medals.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/03/after-worries-come-medals-gymnastics.html

We went out for Ceri’s leaving do as she moved away to Newport. We are very lucky that we still get to see her lots! xxx

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/03/ceris-leaving-do.html

We also made a surprise afternoon tea to say goodbye to Ceri.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/03/a-surprise-afternoon-tea.html

It wasn’t long before we popped up for our first visit to her (you’ll never get away Aunty Ceri!)

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/03/visiting-ceri-newport.html

We went to Little Hearts Matter Open Day and Tour of Aston Villa. We plan to do this again this year as it’s good for Danny to keep in touch with all of his HLHS Heart friends.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/03/little-hearts-matter-open-day-and-aston.html

We celebrated Mother’s Day on Saundersfoot Beach.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/04/mothers-day-on-saundersfoot-beach.html

April

I haven’t blogged about it yet but one of my highlights from the year was seeing The Wildhearts play in Bristol. We went for Dave’s birthday. I really hope we can see them and Ginger again this year.

We also celebrated Danny’s 11th birthday.

I went to my first Cardiff Bloggers Spring Meet.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/04/cardiff-bloggers-spring-meet-at.html

We had another lovely visit to Warner Bros Studio Tour Feather’s and Flights. I’m so glad that Jo and Cerys came with us too.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/04/feathers-and-flight-at-warner-brother.html

Siblings

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/04/siblings-april.html

This year I attempted to take part in the siblings linky. I haven’t always kept up with the posts but always make sure I get a good siblings photo each month.

The same goes for the Me and You linky. I always remind Dave that I need photos of us together now (sorry Dave!)

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/04/me-and-you-april.html

We had a lovely day out at West Dale Beach. It was warm enough to strip off. I can’t wait for those beach days again!

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/04/west-dale-beach-countrykids.html

May

May saw cousin Cerys’ Frozen birthday party and a trip to Bristol Zoo. I also went to Cardiff to watch Dave’s band play. I would love lots more weekends like this again this year.

We wrote a fairy tale based on a day at Scolton Manor.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/05/fairy-tales-in-forest-national-share.html

We swapped blogs with Emily from Have a Laugh On Me.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/05/top-five-aussie-slang-words-you-might.html

Danny was interviewed for the Wales on Sunday.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/05/the-truth-behind-headline-danny-in.html

June

June was meant to be a fun month but it ended up being a haze and mainly spent at hospital with Jo.

We did have a pre World Cup party and I can remember them moving Jo’s hospital bed out one evening so she could watch a match.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/06/planning-world-cup-party.html

I went to Brit Mums to give my Key Note speech as I wanted to read it for Danny. However, in retrospect, it was too soon after Jo’s stroke for me to have left my family so I felt quite sad and vulnerable there. I had been going to London regularly on the Megabus for blogging and fun events but much prefer staying closer to home for now.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/06/fever-all-through-night-brit-mums-style.html

July

Izzy reviewed this lovely Ukelele with Daddy.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/07/isabelles-my-1st-years-ukulele-review.html

Rebecca had a lovely time at the Brownie Ball. She has grown up so much recently and it’s lovely to see her go off having fun with friends and become more independent.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/07/big-brownie-birthday-ball-girls-prom.html

Blogging the little things: a play in the park. I had lunch with the kids, took a few snaps and then went up to visit Jo. I’m so grateful to Dave and his parents for helping me so much with the kids at this time.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/07/still-country-kids-in-park.html

One afternoon after visiting Jo we went down to Broad Haven Beach and ended up staying until the tide came in.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/07/an-afternoon-leads-to-evening-at-broad.html

Another big milestone of the year was Danny leaving Juniors and joining Secondary school. We so proud of him at his Leavers’ Oscars Ceremony.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/07/dannys-night-at-oscars-school-leaving.html

August

In August I finally blogged about Charlie and Meg’s Roundhouse. I hope to visit more places like this locally this year, starting with the Lammas Eco Village.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/our-visit-to-charlie-and-megs-roundhouse.html

I enjoyed shopping for maybe the first time ever with a working trip to McArthurGlen.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/back-to-school-fun-with-mcarthur-glen.html

To celebrate my birthday we enjoyed a cosy family fire on the beach.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/a-cosy-family-beach-fire.html

Then we celebrated again with a (paddling!) pool party and birthday BBQ.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/a-birthday-family-barbecue.html

Danny stayed on his first Little Heart Matters Youth weekend. Hopefully he will get this opportunity again this year.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/four-become-two-road-trip-across-brecon.html

We got lost on the way home but there were stunning views. I think this trip inspired my family to get me a sat nav for Christmas!

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/lost-in-wales-and-lots-more-sheep.html

We went to Scolton Manor. It was lovely to be out and about with Jo again. 🙂

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/a-woodland-walk-at-scolton-manor-with.html

We went to the IPC Games in Swansea and met Discus Dan (Dan Greaves).

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/when-dan-met-discus-dan-our-day-at.html

We enjoyed a walk at Withybush Woods.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/a-woodland-walk-at-withybush-woods.html

We had a Dirty Dancing night at Mums. I wonder what theme nights we’ll arrange this year!

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/i-carried-watermelon-dirty-dancing.html

We took part in a boat regatta. I didn’t blog the event but some photos can be found here:

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/08/playful-culottes-and-playsuits.html

September

In September we went blackberry picking.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/09/blackberry-picking-crumble-and-pie.html

Then back to school!

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/09/back-to-school-hair-styles.html

I enjoyed the Lush Summer event…

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/09/a-lush-summer-evening.html

And finally blogged a recipe!

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/09/veggie-cottage-pie.html

We had a lovely day at Monkhaven.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/09/the-magic-of-monk-haven-family-fun.html

In September we also had a lovely day at Manor Park for Caitlyn’s 6th birthday.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/10/caitlyn-turns-6-and-day-at-manor-park.html

October

Danny had another adventure at sea, this one was unplanned and unexpected:

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/10/dannys-mini-adventure-at-sea.html

We became Lottie Doll Ambassadors.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/10/international-day-of-girl-girls-can-be.html

For a change I didn’t get to Rocky Horror Live this year but I did enjoy a singalong night at our local theatre. Here is a Rocky Horror Make up Post:

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/10/rimmel-rocky-horror-magenta-halloween.html

We went pumpkin picking at a local farm. We also enjoyed Halloween.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/10/pumpkin-picking.html

We celebrated Rebecca’s 8th birthday in Saundersfoot.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/10/exploring-saundersfoot-and-rebecca.html

I went to another Cardiff Bloggers meet at Pettigrew Tea Rooms. I feel far more like part of the blogging community this year. I have made lots of new friends and that makes me happy. 🙂

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/10/cardiff-bloggers-meet-at-pettigrew-tea.html

November

We had a great day out at Manorbier. I still haven’t blogged the second part of the day yet at Church Doors.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/11/manorbier-castle-church-and-beach.html

We enjoyed Bonfire Night.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/11/a-family-bonfire-night-and-sparkler.html

I returned to Hogwarts in the Snow! It’s definitely my favourite time of the year to visit!

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/11/ten-reasons-to-visit-hogwarts-in-snow.html

We explored Cardiff Castle.

https://www.evans-crittens.com/2014/11/cardiff-castle-explore-2000-years-of.html

We also had a few meals out in November to Marthas, the Harbourmaster and Foam. We celebrated my mum’s birthday.

December

Wow, December, you came and went so quickly! It was a blur with school and carol concerts. Izzy left playgroup and we have lots of changes ahead in January.