All sorts of bits and bobs have happened over the last month or so. Following the few days in January that we spent in Canmore, we decided it would be a good idea to take advantage of the skiing that is so readily available here. So we took the children skiing for the first time to a small resort near to home. We all had a super time and it was really lovely to see the children enjoying it. They all got the hang of it pretty speedily and were whizzing down blue and green runs in no time. Henry was just brilliant to watch - just not fear there! He didn't fall over once was totally unphased by the whole thing! Later in January, the Olympic torch came through our tiny village - little known, barely on the map, Ralston. We thought it was quite a cool thing to have experienced, but also pretty weird! Here, of all places?! It was a good day actually, the MFRC (Military Families Resource Centre - a little like the Hive for the Brits) had arranged a day of activities and laid on a huge lunch for anyone who wanted it. The torch came through at dusk, so photos aren't good, bbut Richard did manage to get one of it passing by our house! The children were pretty excited because the entourage were giving out Coca Cola - HUGE treat for them. The mini parade made its way through the village with huge drop sided lorries decked with flashing lights, booming music and scantily clad dancers bopping away as it lead the way for the team of middle aged women running behind. A few trucks of dancers and random waving people later, the torch itself was in sight. There was such super community spirit that day and particularly as it came through - lots of cheering and whooping, particularly from all the children (some of whom had had the opportunity to hold the torch when it was brought to the school a few days before). Our house in the background of the first photo.

Mid January, Richard had to go away for just six days (far better than the six months last time!). He went with some other chaps to some U.S. military base that is the equivalent to BATUS here, really just to check we are doing everything right here! This U.S. base, however, was located suspiciously close to Las Vegas. Clearly it was imperative for these serious minded British Officers - trained killers, to go and spend wisely their time and money there. Richard's timing, however, could not have been worse. He left at 2am to go to the airport. At 3am Harry started being violently sick. Over the next week, until the day Richard returned home, Lizzie, Lexi and I were all violently ill too. What a rotten week that was.

The day after Richard returned home, we went to a Burns Night in the Mess. I was still feeling a bit wobbly, but really wanted to go, so we did. Our friend had organised the whole thing and did such a super job. There was, of course all the normal stuff - the piping in of the haggis and entertainment throughout the meal, that is the reading of a Burns poem as well as several lots of highland dancing. It was such a jolly evening, I really enjoyed myself. It was of huge import to me to go this particular year; I had only ever really taken a small interest in my heritage, but my grandfather who died a few months ago was hugely loyal to his clan the MacKays. I felt so proud to be wearing our tartan and I now have a renewed patriotism for my Scottish blood and am very keen for our children to know all about it and what a part it played in my family's life. ***photo of Burns' Night to follow**** Poor Richard though - throughout the meal, I could see him turning a strange shade of grey and gleaming with beads of sweat on his brow. As soon as the toasts to the Queen, the ladies etc. etc. had ceased, he weaved over to me and said he felt dizzy and awful and had to go home. So we left just as the reeling was about to start, such a shame. The following morning, whatever Richard had come down with, I had too. That weekend, I think our children had their lifetime quota of DVDs. Fortunately they were all ok and went to school on the Monday but we were stuck feeling grotty for quite a while. So that Vegas week swiftly followed by this grotty one weren't the best. It's those sorts of times when one realises to have family a bit closer would make a difference - the children always succumb to some vile illness when I am by myself!

Henry has at last made his way out of his cot and into a bed (a little late, I know some of you will be saying, but....he likes it in the cot, and I as a result, am never woken up early in the morning with him either getting out of or even falling out of a bed. Long live the cot - that's what I say!). Take a look at the video, I would hardly hold it still I was laughing so much. I had been downstairs, thought he had been asleep for a while, when I heard a voice shouting "help me! I can't do this by myself!). The video does go on a little long, and I don't have a clue how to clip it, so sorry about that, but the beginning is faintly amusing.