Month 15

As you can probably guess from the lateness of the blog this month, June and July have been very busy.

The lovely weather in June resulted in our first BBQ of the year round at Clare and Dougal's. Finlay and Charley loved playing with bubbles from the bubble machine. This was followed by a BBQ at our place for Nik's work colleagues. Finlay turned on the charm offensive fluttering his eyelashes at all the girls, and made everyone laugh when he grabbed Nik's beer bottle, and then a wine glass (he hasn't learnt not to mix grape and grain yet). He also rather enjoyed lounging in the hammock after a hard couple of hours playing and showing off his new found walking skills.

During another weekend of sunshine we headed up to Pennan (the location for Local Hero) where Finlay and Ellen had a lovely time listening to Scottish folk music (thank you Michelle) and playing peek-a-boo under a table. We also had a fish supper (that's Scots for "Fish and Chips") under a shelter at a playground where Finlay rode his first zip line. The next day all the mums and dads met up at Haddo House for a lovely picnic.

As the Outsider Festival we had tickets for was cancelled (economic climate - bah humbug!) we and two other families packed up our tents and headed to Findhorn on the Moray coast, where we had yet more beautiful weather (there was even complaints that it was too hot) while playing on the lovely golden sandy beach, and tropical (well tropical for Scotland) blue seas. Scotland's best kept secret!! Finlay and the other babes had a ball playing in the surf and getting sand everywhere - we mean everywhere!! They all thought camping was a huge adventure, playing in the tents, outside the tents, and even in the little gap between the inner and outer of the tents (Holly & Finlay!!). So despite we had tons of stuff more than we had ever needed before when camping, we all had a great time and cannot wait to go again.

This month also saw us heading south for Gramps 60th birthday party. It was very hot at 36-40 degrees in the South of France, but Finlay loved cooling off in the pool, which was a balmy 28-30 degrees (even without heating!). Some days we swam 3-times a day and played on the swing between swims. Gramps had a great birthday party, and it was great to see everyone and everyone to see Finlay, who loved the attention as usual.

From France we went to Edinburgh for Tom & Fi's wedding. We caught the bus from the airport, but forgot to pick up Finlay's car-seat from out-sized luggage, so you can imagine the shenanigans Nik had racing back to the airport between the wedding ceremony and the wedding breakfast trying to find the seat, and then having retrieved it, he left it on the bus he was catching back! All was well in the end though, and Fi and Tom's wedding was fantastic. Finlay wore his kilt again and is really getting use to this wedding lark, all though the groom's mum did keep saying she was going to take him home with her!!

We'll try not to leave it so late next month!!

Summer BBQ with Dougal, Claire & Charley

Finlay enjoying the bubbles at the BBQ

Finlay nursing Daddy's bottle of beer

Finlay, drinking his juice from a wine glass

Finlay and Annie cuddle Rolo

Finlay playing on the beach at Pennan

Finlay and Mummy at the picnic in Haddo gardens

Annie and Finlay checking the chairs for comfort with out tent in the background

Mums, Dads and babes at Findhorn beach

Left to right: Ellen, Finlay and Holly playing on the beach

Having fun playing in the surf

Month 14

The start of this month saw Granny and Grandad T arriving all the way from Cornwall. We headed out to Braemar for a village fete where Finlay took Grandad for a ride on a little train and then Nik for a play in a mountain rescue vehicle - I'm not sure who had the most fun. After visiting Braemar castle Finlay got his face painted which everyone thought was very cute. We then headed for a lovely walk up to Burn o' Vat - a spectacular geological feature (a giant pothole carved by a huge meltwater stream during the last Ice Age). For those who have been before, you can imagine how wet Finlay got when Nik decided to dive behind the waterfall. And if that wasn't enough of an adventure we decided to follow this with a bit of tree climbing.

We have also been out on our bikes loads this month. We aimed to cycle all of the Buchan and Formatine railway line this summer. We did two stretches this time, Ellon to Auchnagatt, and Auchnagatt to Mintlaw. The later stretch passing through Maud which is where the line branches to Fraserbrugh and Peterhead. The platforms, many of the buildings and the old engine turntable pit are all still there. We now only have 10 miles left to do to get to Peterhead to complete the first branch of the line.

Finlay loves it out on the bikes especially mooing at the cows - all animals moo at the moment - and he spends his time generally gawping around. We had lovely weather if a bit windy one of the days and had a great picnic at a local country park en-route. Granny and Grandad T very kindly babysat for us so we had 2 nights out (including a nice meal out for Annie's birthday) - yippee!

Another thing that Granny and Grandad T started while they were up, was getting Finlay to stand in the ball pool and then count to see how long he could balance. This game goes on and on, as he trys again and again standing bolt upright with his hands over his head, or by his side - just to prove he is not holding on!!

We were lucky that Rehema and Winks and their twin boys were able to come and visit, Finlay loved watching the boys and seeing what mischief he could get up to. Great fun was had by all with the bubble machine.

Finlay was very brave getting his MMR jab and luckily has had no adverse reaction - hurrah. We also had a nice day out at MacBeth day in Lumphanan where Nik and Finlay were clambering in a tank this time. And the end of the month saw us meeting up with some of the other Mums, Dads and babes at Haddo house for a picnic at the play park and a great time was had by all, they all certainly slept well that night.

Finlay rides on a little train with Grandad T

Finlay and Nik in a mountain rescue vehicle

Finlay got his face painted at the Braemar Castle open day

Finlay and Annie at the Braemar Castle open day

Finlay loves walking although he needs a helping hand at the moment

Finlay sitting in a tree at Burn o' Vat

Granny T, Annie, Nik & Finlay cycling from Ellon to Auchnagatt

Finlay and Nik in a Railway gang hut

Walking on the railway line with Rehema, Winks and the twins Atholl & Ronan

Finlay and the twins have fun with bubbles

Nik & Finlay go down the big slide at Deeside Activity Park

Finlay and Nik in a tank at the Deeside Activity Park

Month 13

This month we had a trip to Pets Corner at Hazelhead Park where Finlay loved seeing the rabbits and peacock. He loved copying Christina and James toddling along and wanted to walk the whole way round so Annie was adopting a stooped pose, holding his hand (he cant walk solo quite yet).

With the arrival of Nik's folks we headed up to the Orkney Isles on the ferry for a long weekend over Easter. Finlay was a star on the ferry walking around holding hands smiling at anyone who would smile at him and then fell asleep right on bedtime. We had a lovely self-catering place on Orkney that Finlay soon explored inside and out. We had some great days out around the archaeological sites and walks along the lovely coastline and were blessed with great weather and on one day it wasn't even windy - unknown for Orkney!

It's also been a month for weddings, first down to Bolton for Megan and Simon's wedding where Finlay sported his kilt and had a go on a rickhsaw (Megan and Simon's sustainable bridal carriage). While in the Midlands we met up with Finlay's Great-Uncle Kieth and Great-Auntie Vivien. Finlay took the chance to show off how cool he looks in his summer shades (thanks Keith for the great photos). Finlay was very grateful for the Gruffalo book and MakaPaka bath toy.

At the end of the month we were at Louise and Matt's wedding ceilidh, so Finlay had his first shot at dancing the Gay Gordons before having a sleep. We also had a lovely cycle ride with Ruth and Steve from Dinnet to Ballater along the old railway line (12km each way), stopping for an ice-cream in Ballater which Finlay loved. We even saw a slow worm along the path.

Finally, Finlay had his 1st trip to the dentist this month, to show off his eight teeth and was rather happy with his sticker. Finlay has also started standing, not holding onto anything. He loves showing off doing this, pinning his hands to his sides to prove he isn't holding on while we all count. He then claps his hands along with us to congratulate himself. Bets are he'll be walking unaided by then end of next month - a mixed blessing so we are told.

Finlay measuring his height against the height chart that Annie and Nik made and painted for his birthday

Finlay with his ever present breadstick in mouth at Hazelhead Park

Finlay has now visited John O'Groats at the top of the UK mainland

Finlay fell asleep and was unable to enjoy the incredible 5000 years old Tomb of the Eagles (even though we had to enter lying down on a trolley)

Finlay and Nik go fossil hunting

Finlay loved going for a clamber on the rocks, he loves exploring

Finlay, with the Yesnaby Castle sea-stack in the background

Finlay with his new sunglasses
"Hey, I don't know why, I'm just so cool!!"

Finlay and Annie with Great-Uncle Kieth and Great-Auntie Vivien