I started my year as TAGS captain with the traditional drive-in.  Coffee in the Clubhouse first of all … Some last minute advice from Ian my predecessor as Captain … with the equally traditional bacon roll. Trying to look cool and relaxed! The drive … and amazingly down the fairway (or sort of!) Oh the relief! now to enjoy the rest of the year!photos courtesy of Norman Smith our official TAGS photographer!

We celebrated Mum’s long and happy life with a beautiful service in Nottingham

and then just as she would have wanted, a little celebratory party. The Waylors were there in force June, Jane and Lizzie Adam Sarah Phil and Nessie Neighbours and friendsA lovely celebration with many happy memories.

Emma and Milo came to Oxford for Mum’s funeral Sunday lunch with the Bunts and Martinellis Giacomo gets a bit of help with his lunchThe beautiful Bunts!Giacomo meets Milo

Walking in Port Meadow with the Martinellis and its not just Peppa Pig who likes jumping in muddy puddles!

Everyone round to QO for a Boxing Day spreadOur boys looking very pleased with themselves Chloe with her Muzzie Becky with her favourite eldest son!Giacomo looking a bit apprehensive - maybe a lack of food is the reason!The drink taking effect?modelling the Rhinecliff Fire Dept teeshirts from the TourtelotsStorytime with Muzzie .. missed the Tourtelots of course , so next best thing, caught up with a videochat.

Christmas Day at Hannah & Christian’s.  Lots of presents from Nana Bunt to the girls Christian’s happy with his American Civil War book as “Rapunzel” looks on!More presents for MeganNot sure what Kerry has seen but Dianne and Victoria seem oblivious to it!Hannah with the girls A great spread …. … prepared by our super glamorous hostess! A lovely day - we appreciated the invitation!

Christmas Eve at Cumnor Church with the girls for the Christingle service Need a better camera to take candlelight pictures!

Just found a couple of old pics this morning when I was cleaning out my phone… they’re a bit blurry because Evie and Alex (in Evie’s pjs!) were having a mad dance party on the bed while Rob was playing the uke.

Anyone who has spent time at our house knows that the UPS man makes very regular deliveries here — and never more so than in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Evie was in heaven - one of her favorite games is to climb inside the box and insist that she be delivered somewhere… then when you open the box you have to declare you didn’t order an Evie and return the package…

But recently during one of Milo’s marathon naps we decided to get a bit more creative and paint a house for Lenny…

I was working on the roof while Evie was working on the wall, and I had to force myself not to tell her she was “messing up” my orange roof when she decided to join in with her purple paintbrush!!

Our tree, featuring the PG Tips Christmas Monkey on top:

Milo, featuring his drool:

It’s a thin line between a loving cuddle and a stranglehold, and Evie and Milo are clearly on opposite sides of this line below…