(Rob here doing my very first QO post!)

We’ve decided that Evie is very impatient when it comes to birthday presents, so we let her open a few special early gifts from her English aunties and uncles (and cousin!)  The In the Night Garden card was a massive hit, of course.

We then noted the feverishly happy glint when Evie unwrapped her new Crocs. At that point I knew we had a burgeoning shoe-a-holic on our hands!

Since Evie didn’t feel that her regular old “hanging about” outfit matched the crocs, she demanded to open another gift, which, fortunately, was a stunning red swimsuit. Despite the fact that it was negative 5 degrees outside, she took a stroll around the house in her new gear, getting ready to show it off this coming July at the pool.

(I didn’t want to spoil the moment by telling her she’d left the tag on. We’ve all done it.)

Thanks to Han & Christian & Chloe and Bex & James for keeping Evie in the latest fashions!

Chloe and I wrap up warm for an afternoon in the park, with Dee of course.

First stop, the slide, Chloe’s favourite and I was impressed how quickly her and Dee scaled the steps to get to the top.

Phew! Made it, here I come Mummy!

Right, where to next… the swings, please!

And then came the inevitable “tea time mummy!” and so off we went home, not before one last smile for the camera!

Can I have my secretary get back to you on that?

Hold on, I’m busy spinning in my fancy chair right now.

I love this job!

Yep, it’s the famous “I’m concentrating” tongue! And nothing takes quite as much concentration as learning to climb the stairs. First, Evie surveys the task ahead:

Now to work…

The bedroom steps are a good place to practice, too…

A well-deserved break!

Chloe proudly sits in her grown up chair for “tea time” eating her favourite cheese on toast (and ketchup, of course) - yet still has time to say “cheese” for the camera. S0 pretty, don’t ya think?!

Well, it would appear the possee is growing - my aim to dilute Chloe’s obsession with “Dee” backfired as we now have more in the gang than ever.  For the record, “Deesee” (Upsy Daisy) is now second in command to “Dee”.  And “Bear” (Lovelot the Carebear) is rapidly climbing the ranks.  Not sure what happened with Iggle Piggle, but there has clearly been a falling out.  “BeeBee” (Baby) still remains a firm fav.

Excuse the long post, but how do you chose from 700 official photos when Bex is smiling on every single one!! Well the day started at Quince Orchard with Becky looking very calm and beautiful! … and Nannan around and loving being part of it!The F.O.B. with a set of real beauties!… the excitement grows as Bex makes her appearance down the stairs (check out Emily!)… The groomsmen look very suave and sophisticated waiting at the Church.The bridesmaids waiting with Geoff … .. with the Boss!The MOB makes her stunning entrance!!The bride and a very proud Dad entering the Church!The vows!… Mr and Mrs Martinelli signing the register ..The beautiful couple emerging from the Church.The Martinelli family looking very smart ..… not to mention the Taylors! … leaving for the reception with Becky still smiling!! … and what a cool car!!.. to the reception, with the Tythe Barn looking very inviting .The full Taylor/Rutter/Wood clan!… and how’s about these stylish sassy ladies!… and one more of our Bex showing off her beautiful dress!!.. and aren’t those Waylors growing up!!.. and of course no QO post is complete without one last look at darling little Evie .... and our little darlin’ Chloe.… what a great day!! 

They say that the couple who skis together…

The only day they didn’t ski, Bex and James went dog-sledding…

Yep, that is them in there!

Mr & Mrs Martinelli pose in front of the hotel’s Christmas tree…

And nothing tops off a day of skiing quite like ordering cocktails directly to the hot tub… at 4pm!

Congratulations to the happy couple! xxx

While the rest of us were recovering from the holidays and making sober new year’s resolutions, the Martinellis were just gearing up for a cocktail- and champagne-filled skiing trip in Whistler. Yes, it’s been a good few months to be Becky and James! (Serious competition for The-Bunts-Are-Fun, perhaps?) It all began with a “taxi ride” from the airport to the 5-star hotel…Then straight to the ski slopes the next morning.And check out the view from their hotel balcony…Finally, beautiful Whistler in the Christmas lights — a winter wonderland!More photos to come very soon!!

It’s hard to get Evie and Elliette to smile at the same time for the camera, but it’s not hard to catch the two of them stuffing their faces simultaneously…