December 2012: A month full of Christmas cheer and love

A festive and love filled month for the Rowlatt's in December!

As always, the festive season was kicked off my one of our favourite days of the year. The Annual Price Christmas Dinner. This year's meal was amazing as always and Robin got to join the official kid's table. It was lovely to see Jasper, Bobo, Dylan and Rose enjoying their meals for the full 5 minutes they were all sat at once! ;)

Thanks to the Price's - December and Christmas would not be the same without this kick off!

 

The obligatory family Christmas jumper shot! Bobo looks unimpressed.

Our Christmas Robin helps pick out a tree for Number 10

December Birthdays can be a curse, but not if your mummy organises you a lovely tea party!!!
My gorgeous godson Jasper turns 3.

Nana and Nani left for their trip mid December so we took some photos around the tree. We were very sad they wouldn't be around for Christmas again but they were off to sunnier climbs...January with Janita Masi and Amit's wedding in India in February.

Mummy's Birthday:

For my birthday Philip organised a trip up to the Cotswolds. First stop was The Wheatsheaf for a spot of Birthday lunch! This was Robin's second trip up to the Cotswolds and third to the Wheatsheaf!

Patiently having lunch with Mummy and Daddy

The first photo Robin ever took! Dadda!

The Wheatsheaf

We stayed at Barnsley House and had a lovely afternoon relaxing, watching Christmas films and then Robin went to bed in our room, leaving us to enjoy a birthday dinner in the restaurant.

On the Saturday we met with Matt and Tess, Harry Aran, Edu and the newest Jimenez-Pass, Elena. The Kingham Plough didn't know what hit it, with Edu and Robin running around, hugging and causing mischief! A literal run in with Jeremy Clarkson and Alex James left the pair (and us!) quite exhausted after a fabulous lunch!



What you lookin' at Uncle Matthew?




Baby Elena

Birthday Kisses for Mummy

A Sunday morning wander around Barnsley House Gardens included hiding in bushes and spying on Chickens

Christmas at Auntie Sarah and Uncle Mark's:

On Christmas Eve we drove to Guildford to join the Towell's for Christmas. Auntie Sarah's house is the most Christmassy house ever!! There was a Christmas cake, mince pies and cookies ready and a fire burning when we arrived. Philip made a Chestnut soup for lunch and there was a delicious ham plus trimmings for dinner thanks to Uncle Mark! A very cosy and lovely Christmas Eve which included Robin dressing as a Snowman and leaving out some treats for Father Christmas and Rudolf.

Christmas morning.... Santa came....twice, judging by the amount of presents we were all lucky enough to receive! Grandad Rowlatt brought Buster down for the festivities and of course Robin loved him!

An amazing Christmas dinner, thanks to Uncle Mark and Auntie Sarah!!

Our little soldier

Thanks so much to Sarah, Mark, Alex Lewis and Issy for having us stay for Christmas. It was so lovely and a special think you to Issy for giving up her bedroom for us!!!


New Year's Eve in Salcombe:
We headed down to Salcombe for New Year's with Chris, Amy and Aoife! Windy walks on the Dog beach, cosy lunches and dinner and Baby New Year's Eve. As always a great end to the year and start of a new one.

The View of Salcombe Bay

A classic scene in Salcome.

BABY NEWMANIA!!

Well, we wish 2012 goodbye - what an amazing and different year we had, as a couple, as a family. We give thanks and love to all our friends and family who makes our lives so special and look forward to an equally exciting 2013!

A Robin in Paris

November began with Daddy returning from his trip to China straight into more adventures and travels with the Towell/Rowlatt clan to Paris! This was organised to celebrate Grandad Rowlatt's 75th birthday and a fun filled and busy itinerary was planned, which Robin went along with exceedingly well.

An authentic Parisian Bistro experience

First Rucksack!

Hanging out with family, eating lots and having fun!

Seeing the sights

A couple more HUGE first this month

 First pair of shoes

First Haircut!

Supporting Uncle Chris with Movember

Looking forward to a festive December!!!

Robin's Spooky October

October saw a bit of Indian summer as we had a few lovely warm days to kick of the month.

Brunch by the canal at Towpath Cafe

Fun in the Leaves in Highbury and Kew Gardens.

The Price's held a wonderful Halloween brunch for us all plus the kids. The dresssing up and morning was brillianrt with all sorts of little monsters running around. Thanks for hosting yet another awesome party guys!!

Skeleton-Bo and Tronkin

From Baby to Toddler in one fast year...

September was an extremely busy month in the Rowlatt house!

I started back at work at the beginning of the month and our wonderful nanny Mel started with us, looking after Robin three days a week. Robin took to Mel the moment they met and the transition for me back to work was very smooth. I stayed a couple of mornings early on just in case Robin found it strange that it wasn't me or Philip going in to see her first thing in the morning, only hear Bobo jabber on to Mel from the moment she went in and pointing out her toys on her favourite shelf. She talks to Mel non stop and loves playing and cuddling her which makes us just so happy and pleased that we chose the a great companion for her.

Robin and Mel

The first weekend of September was amazing and very special. Auntie Sarah and Uncle Mark invited us to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and Mark's 50th birthday down in a huge beautiful house in Somerset. The setting, company, food and fun was just fantastic and Robin just adored being around so many people and entertaining them all.

Huge congratulations to the Towell Family

Pose for what?? I'm eating a RICE CAKE!

The Rowlatt and Towell Family celebrate!

Although the Olympics were sadly over, the Paralympics were a wonderful occasion to continue our support for not only Team GB, but all the amazing athletes we have had the pleasure of following this year. We had a trip with Nani to the Olympic park on a beautiful day and enjoyed clapping along with the crowd.

Mid September saw us go on our near annual Neilsen holiday with Chris, Amy and Tron. The week was just great with the Starfish occupied in the days and a couple of nights, leaving us with sun and activity time (me, sun, the others, acitivites and sun!).

The trip led to quite a few firsts for (not so) little Robin.

First time in a creche/nursery

First time on a sailing boat

First awards ceremony, Robin was awarded Little Miss Cuddles

First taste of ice cream and chocolate

The parentals party by the Tennis Court, it's the new Room 3!

The end of the month was very exciting as we celebrated Robin's First Birthday weekend

On her actual birthday (which she shares with her Grandad, Auntie Sarah and Cousin Issy), we started the day with a cake and fun with Jasper, Dylan and Rose along with Aunties Kimmy, Alina and Vern.

Robin wasn't too pleased with her hat which led to the most classic birthday photo!

We then met Daddy in Canary Wharf for lunch where we tried to give Robin sushi for the first time - not such a big fan.

Next we went to the Museum of Childhood where Robin took her first long walks with no help! What a first for a First birthday!

A drink in the Town Hall and then back for presents. 

Robin, ripped open her present. Inside, was a Penguin!

Saturday was a lovely brunch at Caravan then a trip to Primrose Hill and London Zoo. Another first! Robin enjoyed looking at the real penguins, the aadvarks made her laugh and the lioness led to some roaring. She wasn't so keen on the loud sqwaking Macaws though!

Sunday was the big party day. We arranged a large party for Robin, upstairs at The Canonbury Pub. We had balloons and bunting, entertainment from Sparky Songs, lots of lovely guests, food drink and an amazing cake made by our friend Laura. Everyone had a great time and Robin enjoyed being sung to by everyone, even waving while they sang.

We have such a wonderful group of family and friends and appreciated everyone who came - thank you!

Entertaining the crowd

Watching Sparky, or "The Laaaaady" as Aoife calls him

Our beautiful baby is now one active Toddler xxx