"Bring A Daughter" Evening (31.12.06)

The last evening of the year and it was off to friends Rachel & John's new house in Didsbury for a New Year's Eve gathering.

Two of Kate's other university friends Colin & Jo also attended and this year the theme was "Bring A Daughter". Rachel & John were accompanied by (third host) Sophie, Colin & Jo brought along Beth and the Craigs had rowdy Isabel in tow.

Below are some pre-dinner photos:

(l to r) Rachel & Sophie with Jo & Beth



(l to r) Kate & Isabel, Rachel & Sophie and Jo & Beth



(l to r) Kate & Isabel, Rachel & Sophie, Jon, Jo & Beth, Colin and John



For the record Sophie and Beth were good girls and went to bed before dinner, whereas Isabel finally called it a night (or day) at 3am - rock n' roll!

Many thanks to John & Rachel for their hospitality and Colin, Jo, John & Rachel for Isabel's presents. See you in the new year.

First Christmas (23 to 27.12.06)

After returning from the Lake District it was straight off to a colleague's house party in Sale.

Jim with Isabel, getting into the festive spirit in a Miss Santa outfit (that's Isabel, not Jim).



Thirty six hours later and it was Isabel's first Christmas. After making her first Christmas day commotion, Isabel sat up at the table to see what was going on. Alas, for her, she could only see solids!



Adopting the traditional post-Christmas lunch position...



Boxing Day saw her make the move from rocking chair to Parker Knoll.



The following day Jon and his two-year old son Archie (aka Captain Chaos) visited for the afternoon. Archie is seen here wrestling with Isabel.

A Sort of Homecoming (19.12.06)

Isabel made her first departure from England and according to the 1881 Census she was in the land of her forefathers. In fact, 117 years on the 1998 Census suggests the Craigs are still proliferate in south west Scotland.

As the day was short and the climate cold and misty, it was only a very short visit, firstly with a brief stop at Gretna Green.

There were few people around that day as the weather was only suited to hardy Highland Cattle.

Isabel looking on confused by the strange beast below





It was then off to see the infamous blacksmith, but like us, he'd taken extended Christmas leave. Isabel was not impressed with the outcome.



and continued to be unimpressed...



After the tantrums of Gretna it was off for a whistle-stop tour of mist-bound Caerlaverock Castle









Departing the castle, we took the short journey up to Dumfries and then on for lunch in Lockerbie

Isabel hitting the bottle.



After lunch it was time to return to England.