July

This month has seen the kids finish off their school years. Lauryn has had an interesting time in Year 3 and has grown so much. She has learned alot about life & friendships and I hope it has made her stronger for it. She has come along way in her Numeracy challenges, and has enjoyed being part of the small group. She has really liked going Swimming with the class, and just being in the Juniors.

Katherine has had a great time in Year 1. She has a lovely group of friends that she loves spending time with, and although she has complained at times about the 'hard work' of Year 1 (this comes after the year of play she got in Reception!) she has progressed well in her reading and spelling.

Joshua has received a great report from Playgroup, his teachers are really impressed with his recent improvements and his confidence is growing and he is communicating so much with them now.

This month the girls had Sports Days, and did really well. Lauryn had a small Recorder concert during assembly that Travis & I were able to go and watch.

The beginning of July was the annual Ainsdale Show, and Lauryn, Katie & Joshua all put in some great efforts with their entries. Joshua won 1st prize for his model, and 3rd for a painting. Katherine won 1st prize for her Computer art picture of Hallie, and Lauryn won a 2nd prize for her decorated cake, 3rd for her Computer art picture of a Turtle, and a commended for her american sandwich. They were all really pleased. Travis and I were able to put in some community service, as we do every year at the Show. He helped out with the heavy work one night, and I helped the night before hanging artwork.

As soon as school broke up we have been busy, doing lots of fun things. We were able to go to the Tall Ships event in Liverpool, and watch them coming out of the River Mersey. It was a very impressive sight. Even though we had a long wait on the beach at Crosby, and it was a bit breezy, it was a lovely afternoon. That week we also had a day out to Fell Foot Park, a National Trust site on the shore of Lake Windermere. We like to kayak there, and its a good place for the kids to get some practise. Lauryn learnt to back paddle, and showed me her new thing weaving in and out of the rocks. She was alot better at it than I was. We had a fun time (Lauryn & I) in Kiwi 2, going up the river a small way, and then out onto the lake to look at the boats anchored in the water. Katherine & Joshua both got some more practise. Travis had another attempt at Rolling, but he really needs some instruction on this.

We went to the Robin Hood Festival at Edwinstowe in Sherwood Forest. It was an awesome day and a big highlight of the month for us. I had never been to Sherwood Forest before either, so I felt like a big kid myself. There was alot going on in the forest, activities, shows, small camps etc, and we walked to Major Oak, the legend has it was the secret camp of Robin Hood. It is a very impressive tree. In the clearing there was alot going on, and Lauryn & Josh did some archery, and Katherine made a Maid Marian headband, with flowers & ribbons. She really loved that. Jacob liked watching the clowns performing. We also really enjoyed the Bird of Prey Display and the Jousting Tournament, which was very entertaining.

The next day was Travis Intro to Whitewater course at Holme Pierrepont National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. He has been looking forward to getting some proper instruction for a long time. During the morning he got very frustrated and tired as he was constantly being tipped out of his kayak. The instructor said that because its a playboat (the design on the back tip of the boat) and his weight it was sitting too low in the water and catching the current and he really didnt have a chance. In the afternoon he was given a different boat to try and despite being exhausted he did really well. As with being capsized - comes losing your paddle, something which most times they could retrieve quite quickly. While Travis was doing a run of the slalom course he entered a rapid on the wrong angle, flipped, but because he was in the run of grade 3 rapids it was as much he could do to get himself out. The instructor went after the kayak, and we thought the paddle would be a goner. Half way down the River Trent or something! I was quite anxious as I knew Trav would be since they cost a bomb! Kit is not cheap and so it was quite a worrying few moments, until we discovered a group of Firefighters who were on the course practising their rescue techniques, had caught it and pulled it out. Thanks guys! He had alot of fun, but is tired. His instructor is studying Engineering as well, so it gave them something to talk about. There were only 2 of them getting instructed so Travis did get alot of one on one help.

June

Hey, we have had an awesome time this month together as a family. Its so nice having Travis around so much, and to get away together (a bit further than we usually go) on our Vacation to Cornwall. We had a bit of time travelling, getting stuck behind 2 accidents, so it took 9 hours to get there, and we ended up at a completely different campsite than planned, but it was lovely all the same. We spent our time in Newquay, Perrenporth beach, Lands End, St. Ives, Marazion & St Michaels Mount, Pendennis Castle - Falmouth, Truro, Porthcurno beach & Padstow. We squeezed so much into our time, and we saw alot. Travis enjoyed seeing some new parts of England, and I havent been there since I was 19 so its been a while for me too. The kids loved the surf, Lauryn especially loved body boarding for the first time. She took to it so quickly. She even managed to get her old mother into it :)

The campsite had an outdoor pool, which the kids spent alot of time in. I liked sunbathing. It was somewhere they liked to go in the evening after we got home from our days out. A highlight of the vacation was the Blue Reef Aquarium and seeing the sharks, stingray and the turtle. Travis had a go on the surf at Perrenporth in his kayak, he had alot of fun, and tipped over quite a few times! I loved the harbors and coves - and the beautiful clear blue water of the ocean. I liked Porthcurno beach which was pretty quiet, sheltered from the breeze, and beautiful white sand, tho it was kind of weird, Josh called it the 'Ready brek sand' and it stuck to you. The kids had fun with the legends of Giants at St Michaels Mount, and enjoyed the return ferry ride to the island. We had a great day at Lands End, scared the kids to death in the Last Labyrinth Show with tales of shipwrecks, witches, pirates and giants, and the story of King Arthur. They loved the Doctor Who museum, but were too scared to stand in front of any of the character models! Jacob wasnt bothered by any of it, of course! Jacob liked eating the sand, and riding in the little inflatable yellow raft when he could. We were lucky to get sunshine and blue skies the entire trip.

During half term break, we took the kids to Chester Zoo, and this was Jacobs first time. He wasnt interested in any of the animals :) Josh was glad to see that snakes are in the tanks we have told him about and not able to get out (he is quite plagued by snake nightmares for a while) and we all enjoyed seeing the chimps get fed. It was quite a show! The lions were asleep like usual.

Lauryn was awarded with her 10 metre certificate at her swimming class, and she is really proud of her achievement. She is going to Windermere with the school and I get to go too which I am looking forward too. She also is in a small sports club and they are spending a day at Rock and River, where she will kayak, climb & do some archery. She is so excited for it. She is excited to show them that she already can kayak. We bought Lauryn a new kayak, a Perception Method Jnr. The Dynamo is now in demand by Katie & Josh. She was able to try it out at Fell Foot on Windermere, on Father's Day. With her new specialised childrens kayak paddles, she says its so much better. Travis and Lauryn did get a bit wet when the heavens opened. And paddled over to some trees to sit under. This one will see her thru the teenage years tho, so we know its a good investment.

Katherine had a great school field trip to Croxteth Hall. I loved being able to accompany the class. Its been a long time since I have been able to help out at school, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. She has been going to lots of parties, and getting made over, which is her favorite thing anyway. She tried kayaking for the first time this month, and was very determinded despite being a bit nervous and frustrated about it being a struggle the first time. She picked it up quite well, and also enjoyed for a time being towed around by Trav! She progressed in her swimming and was moved up a class. She likes this new class because they play lots of games.

Josh finally broke thru his inhibitions of the bathroom at playgroup, and has lost all his previous hang ups and fears, he is excited for his reward - the "Mack" truck to add to his Disney "Cars" collection. Josh was really desperate to try out the kayaking. He wanted to wear a helmet too - bless. But he shocked us all that despite not being able to brace himself in the kayak, he had alot of control, and did as well as Kate did!

Jacob is doing great. He loves standing up, and has lots to say all the time. He is my little guy and so adorable. He is getting so big though, and I wish he would stop growing! He likes to play games and loves balls. He gets so excited that his whole body will shake :)

Travis passed his exams so he is stoked, and I am so proud, he has worked so hard.

I am still waiting for my results. My life is a bit of a mixed bag, so I won't go into that.

(Pictures : Top to bottom - Amy at Pendennis Castle, Lauryn bodyboarding at Perrenporth beach, Katie running from the waves at Towan Beach - Newquay, Josh loving the beach at Perrenporth, Jacob just smiles everytime you get out the camera!)

May

This month has been a busy one for us. Travis has had his final exams of the year, which have been alot of stress for him. Lauryn and Katherine have been progressing well in their swimming lessons. Lauryn gets the extra practise from school lessons as well once a week which is good for her. I cannot believe how well they are doing. I feel that it was one of the best choices I have made to move them to the Formby Pool. Lauryn dropped out of ballet, which has been a choice she has thought a long time about. I am really sad about it because she has so much talent. She was just not happy in the class. I am thinking that mostly was because she found it hard making friends with the girls, all from other schools than her. And they weren't very friendly either. She is loving her swimming and it has made a big difference to her confidence, she is really motivated for it.
Katherine is doing well in school and progressing well with her reading and spelling! She loves all her friends and is very secure and happy in her school life. Lauryn has a good group of friends but as comes with the age, she is starting to experience alot of "firsts" within the group, and has had to deal with some difficulties already. She does well with it though.
Katherine is going to Croxteth Hall in Liverpool with her class for a day and I am going to help out. She was chosen to take part in a French video being made by Year 6, to send to a French School, which she enjoyed.
Joshua is still going to playgroup 3 mornings a week. He is wanting to go more often but doesnt like using the toilet there, which is causing some problems. I have promised him that if we can sort that out we can review his schedule. He doesnt understand it yet but most his best friends start school this September. He will really feel it when they are gone. He has another year of preschool. He is alot of fun to have around, but full of energy and sometimes has difficulties channeling his feelings. So he gets to enjoy lots of time outs etc! :)
Jacob is growing so fast. He is a nice chunk, for me to cuddle and squeeze. He is now 9 months old and very vocal. He is getting really inquisitive and is now pulling himself up onto things and trying to get himself crawling. He gets into position then doesnt know what to do next and kind of goes splat on the floor, and gets REALLY frustrated! He is starting to call us Mam and Dada which is awesome.
I have dropped my next University class for the summer. I need a break. I am still waiting for my result from my last class. Fingers crossed.
We had a weekend away the beginning of the month in Langdale. Our favourite place. We love it so much. The kids get so excited to go there. All was going well, Jacobs first camping trip. He was loving it. We got some small hikes in, but got rained out on the Sunday afternoon, with a few hours of torrential rain, we had to abandon ship (so to speak) and pack up and come home. We spent a fun day at the Trafford Center in Manchester to compensate! And we all got to see Spiderwick, which the kids had been wanting to see for a while, at the movie theater there. Had a small detour to our favourite Kayak store - Brookbank Canoes, to purchase Lauryn some Gremlin paddles. I cant wait for her to get chance to use them, they will make all the difference. Katherine is excited to start paddling this year, we hope to be able to get her a kayak of her own in June.
The last few weeks we have been busy moving house. Its been a lot of work, as we have redecorated the place as well. Travis has worked hard and I am really grateful for all the sacrifice he puts into this family. He loves us all so much and I cannot even put into words the appreciation and love I feel for him. He is the rock of our family and holds us all together.

(Photos : Jacob and Lauryn,Katie,Josh climbing up Oxendale Beck, Great Langdale)

April

Here is a pic of the kids playing with Trav in their sleeping bags. Most our information is on Facebook these days, but I will maybe get around to writing some new posts later.

Jacobs First Teeth!

Yesterday - Mothers Day March 2nd, Travis discovered Jacobs first 2 teeth poking thru his bottom gums!! We were really excited! A big surprise for us because the others didnt get teeth until they were 9/10 months old. Jacob got his at 6 months. What a lovely Mothers Day present! These pics are taken in April (7 months) with his first toothbrush

Family Night Cookies

We made Gingerbreadmen for FHE and the kids really enjoyed decorating and eating them afterwards!

Loughrigg Fell, Lake District - Feb 08

We hiked Loughrigg Fell on Saturday, it was such a beautiful day but very cold. Lauryn made it to the top first, she is a really good hiker! Josh did well, though he likes to climb extra rocks along the way (even though he doesnt have to) but it keeps him going! We enjoyed our lunch on the summit though it was quite breezy I think next time we shall come back down again first and find some shelter! Looking forward to good weather (fingers crossed) in Easter so we can go camping in Langdale.

Ainsdale Pine Woods - February 10th

Dad

This video was made by Peter Harbon (my brother) and edited by myself, I have added what is known to me as "Dads song" as it was played at his funeral. My Dad died in May 2000 from Cancer and we all love him and miss him so much. I especially love the 2nd to last clip which is my Dad holding Lauryn when she was 3 months old, just 12 days before he died. My Mum has Alzheimers so this video is also a treasure to us that there is so much of her healthier days.

Lauryns Birthday Party

Pictured with her best friends from school!

She really enjoyed this night, after her baptism with all her friends....

CHRISTMAS 2007

JACOB'S BLESSING

Jacob was blessed on Sunday 30th December 2007, in Southport Ward, Liverpool England Stake. By his Dad, assisted by Uncles, Pete, Pete & Mike. Here are some photos of those who blessed him, and Harbon Family (above) and our family and Travis & Jacob (below)