Last updated on November 19th, 2023 at 12:16 am
How can it be November 30th already? Where has this year gone? My children are growing up way too fast and the years are starting to fly by faster and faster each year. This scares me all too much. I want to enjoy them longer while they are little if that’s even possible. I want to soak up their laughter longer. Take in their smiles longer. Inhale their baby smells that much longer but life doesn’t allow this. It forever moves on and refuses to give me the extra time I so desperately want with my two little ones. They are fast approaching school days and I have been told it only goes faster after that which petrifies me. We only get so little time with them at home before they are off on their own individual adventures.
So here we are another month has passed and the year is coming to an end. To celebrate we took the kids to Center Parcs for a much needed family vacation, a first for us. You can see part one here, and we finally had the opportunity to attempt a few family captures instead of our usual last minute scrambles.
Daddy is loving…
– The great outdoors and fresh air
– The winding down to Christmas from work
– Golfing
– The weather not being too bad for his golf
– The Black Tie Golf Ball we attended
(see a pattern here…golf)
Mommy is loving…
– Thanksgiving with my beautiful family
– Our first trip to Center Parcs
– Organizing everything for an very festive Christmas
– Fruit Tea
– Our carriage ride and the beautiful ponies
Buba is loving…
– Little Kickers soccer days
– Preschool
– His new Thanksgiving books
– Helping Mommy make cupcakes
– Singing all day
Missy Moo is loving…
– Thanksgiving dinner
– Her new big girl chair at the table
– Swimming lessons and swimming at Center Parcs
– All the twinkling lights going up for Christmas
– Dancing to her own tune
This month has been a very busy month for us.
We really made the most of our first trip to Center Parcs. We ignored the rain and gloom that stayed with us the entire weekend and explored as much as possible together as a family.
Thanksgiving went down with a massive feast of turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes, gravy, dinner rolls, veg and more. Pumpkin pies were not missed either. The kids were in awe of such a feast on the dining room table for just the four of us. Whilst each year I get sad not to have my parents and siblings around the table with us, we always make sure to FaceTime them and share our special day, virtually.
I have been extremely busy organizing Christmas to make it a very festive one this year. It will be the first year my two are old enough to get excited about Santa. To know how to open presents and Buba is estatic already. Last year we went away to Lanzarote for Christmas so I didn’t decorate. This year I will be doing the opposite and each room will be decorated to make up for it. I can’t wait!
November has exhausted us all, not only have we been super busy but we all four have been suffering horrible illnesses. Ear infections, chest infections, head colds, and flus have plagued us this month. Hoping December is a healthier and more relaxing month for us all.
I have really enjoyed joining in with the Me & Mine project, to capture a photo once a month of the four of us this year. Mr P isn’t a fan of getting his photo taken so it’s always a struggle to beg and bribe him and the children to cooperate but this month was a little easier than the last few so many we have progress. Or my family just realizes I will put up the blooper photos if they don’t work with me. Either way it was nice to not have to beg, bribe, and stomp my feet. Yes, I do, do that. Why don’t men like their photo taken? I would love to know.
So we say goodbye to a fast November and hope December let’s us enjoy her a little longer and little more.
I want to see some blooper photos! Georgeous family Hunny and happy thanksgiving xxx
YES! Rich is the same, and during our disastrous session yesterday (last minute as usual) he actually walked off saying, you can forget me doing this in December!!! But then when you look at the photos you think how lovely. I asked my mother in law if she had any photos form a family holiday they went on when Rich was little and she said oh I’m not sure I took any. Can you imagine that now?! Not having those memories captured in a photo?! Hoping she finds just one, she’s currently digging through ice cream tubs, I need it for a post!!! He he. Lush photos of the four you xxx
We’ve had an exhausting November too — I felt really ill in our Me and Mine pic this month! Nevertheless, we’ll all look back on these photographs, in time to come, and be really grateful we took them. My boy has resigned himself to the fact that each month I’ll be demanding a pic of us and the twins together — he’s stopped complaining now and just gets on with it!! Poor man… although he knew what he was letting himself in for when he married me!! 😉 Caro X
Ahhh bless you. I was too. Its hard isnt it being busy and ill. Big hugs. Hope you are on the mend. I wish mine would give in!!
Such gorgeous pictures of you, you make a beautiful family x
Thank you so much Donna.
Oh it looks like you had an amazing time; and what gorgeous spots for Me and Mine photos – and you found some sunshine!! We’re doing battle with the bugs around here too, it seems to be a November theme, hopefully we’re all getting them out of the way so we can really enjoy December!
Oh no hope you are all on the mend. It really is sick novemeber for everyone. We did find a little. Great location for family photos though.
Beautiful photos, I love the first shot!
Your thanksgiving sounded lovely! I`m always envious of that holiday x
Thanks Hayley. So sweet of you. Buba is a little cheese ball at the minute. Hilarious.
What a beautiful setting for this months photos- it looks like you had a fantastic time on your first time at center parks- off to read the post now! x
Ahh thanks hunny. Yes we got lucky having it as a back drop other it was still hard bribing hubby and then mother in law to take the photo. Two photo hating family members isn’t easy! lol
Beautiful photos Jenny – looks like you had a wonderful time and I especially like the last photo. I know just what you mean about the time going too fast and wanting to hold on to those little moments now. Sorry to hear you have all been unwell and hope December will be a healthier month for you all x
Thanks Louise. I do too. Its been tough. The last photo is one of my favorites too. I took it at center parcs last weekend.
How lovely to all get away for a holiday Jenny. I love that you have done this project and got your husband in the photos – mine also hates getting in the shot! A great way to record a great year 🙂 xx
Oh yes it took alot of bribery though. Why dont they want to cooperate. We all know they secret love the photos later. Lol thabks hun.
That is such a nice post, Jenny. It is full of love! Sounds like you all had a great time in Centre Parks (me, jealous? never!). Oh my goodness, you guys have an umbrella with your surname on it!
Hahaha its a golfing brand but funny you spotted that out Mel. Hahahah my hubby is huge into golf!!
This is a lovely way to round up the month, and preserve your memories too. Looks like you had a wonderful month with your family, despite the little illnesses. Hope you are all better now x
Still trying to get better. Thanks lovely. I want to make a book of it at the end of the year which i cant believe is around the corner.
I hope you are all feeling better now, it is horrible being ill with children isn’t it? I would love to do this project but Mr Hubby would never agree to being photographed! Men! #ShareWithMe x
Oh yes you have to find something they want more than anything and use it against them and bribery!! None of them want to do it but they all secretly love the photos at the end of it. Lol
My little one loves Little Kickers soccer too! Its great fun watching them learn the ropes. Such a nice post to document everything like this #sharewithme
Thanks hunny. I love this photo project. Its really great to look back each month and see us all together.
You guys are so bloody gorgeous!!!
Ahhh bless you. Thanks.
Oh I hope the bugs leave you all alone in December and glad you had a lovely Thanksgiving. Hope it didn’t make you miss the US too much x
Just a little but it helped having my own family now. Lol me too i cant cope with one more illness. My ribs cant taking any more coughing.
What beautiful photos. Isnt Centre Parcs a lovely family getaway? We love it there, especially the rapids! xx #sharewithme
Thanks Ali. Yes the rapids were great too Its a fab place to go for holiday for families of all shapes sizes and ages. Brilliant. Wish we found it sooner.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Your Thanksgiving dinner sounds so lovely Jenny. If you want a few extra guests next year…. 😉 Very excited to see your Christmas decorations – I have no doubt that they will be as stunning as everything else you do sweetpea xxx
Ahhh thanks babes but you win home decor of the year. Hahaha yes you are welcome at mine for thanksgiving anytime.
Gorgeous round up, my hub is golf obsessed too ha ha! Glad you had fun in your first CP experience 🙂
Thanks hunny. Yes it is a must for us again soon. Loved it. wish the weather was a little better.
Beautiful photos and roundup lovely, glad ÿou had a great time at Centre parcs 🙂
Thanks. It was a great experience for sure. Hope to go again soon.
Beautiful family pictures! I’ve yet to manage any nice ones with the three of us! x
Its so hard isnt it when they dont all cooperate. Mine never do. I just snap away anyways. Hahaha
Gorgeous pictures as ever Jennie. You’re all so beautifully photogenic! Sorry to hear about all the illnesses in the home. It seems that once one hits they just roll into each other 🙁 Hoping December is a better month for you all. x x
Me too. So sick of being sick. I really cant take much more of it. Thanks though babes we arent photogenic its just bribery at its best. Lol
Such lovely photos of your gorgeous family. I’m with your husband and am really reluctant to have my photo taken but have been making more of an effort to take them and not to delete every picture I take! x
I used to take all the photos of everyone and never be in any and when i started my blog i wanted my children to see i waa involved and there with them. So i started doing more and so glad I did.
Firstly lovely lady can I apologise for my ill thought out comment from a few weeks back. I was rushing and didn’t give it the thought your post deserved so I’m really sorry for that. A lesson learned this end! Secondly, a lovely post, I don’t know how you fit it all in, bt in the next breath it’s inspiring to see you juggling so much and still enjoying your lovely family. With a son who is going to be 17 on Sunday I know exactly what you mean about it all rushing by, it goes way too fast Zx
Oh wow hunny 17 thats amazing. You dont look old enough to have a 17 year old. Hahaha it really does go quick. Dont worry about it. At least you stopped and commented. Many dont. I appreciate all of it. Life gets busy and us bloggers understand the little or big comments mean the same as its hard juggling it all. I had almost 80 blogs to comment on i always try to a big effort but as i have said i have been sick so its hard. I am guilty of it myself. Always glad you link up. Thanks for the support.
So funny, my post is about Centre Parcs this week! Isn’t it fab?!
Looks like you all had a great time and I love your family photos, such a beautiful family – I’m always impressed when people get family photos with everyone looking in the same direction!
Glad you all enjoyed Thanksgiving, I’ve always thought that is a holiday I could really get into!
Xx
Oh i look forward to reading all about it. I am about to do my part two of it tomorrow. I made granny make funny loud noises so they look towards her. Now getting them to all look and smile still hasnt happened.
I’ve never joined in myself, but I think the Me & Mine project is great. It’s so rare to get a family pic. I have lots of Andrew & Gwenn; some of me & Gwenn; me and Andrew together; but as a family? Probably about 5 in 19 months. That makes me sad. Maybe in the New Year I should make an effort to join in? x
You all take a fantastic photo. Glad you enjoyed Centre Parcs Ive been a few times and always enjoy it. That’s for hosting #sharewithme
Thanks for joining in. Yes we loved it. You are too sweet thanks babes.
Gorgeous family photos!!! Its made me think I need to take more of the three of us instead of me and Baba, or Daddy and Baba! Or the back of Baba’s head!!
Lovely insightful post!
x
Thanks Laura. I used to have that all the time. Now i am getting better at asking strangers to take them alonh the way of all of us.
Definitely wishing you all a healthier December x #sharewithme
Thank you we really really do need it.
You are so right that the school years creep up on you – and exactly right to make the most of those school term time holiday opportunities. We had a couple of lovely holidays to Cornwall and Norfolk before JJ started school and I’m so glad we did! Love the picture of you all in the carriage! Xxx #sharewithme
Thanks i know we keep saying march is our last holiday before we will have to do it in term time. Or pay the price of them out of school. Hard isnt it.
Gorgeous photos. Sorry November was so full of poorliness for you all, hoping December is a healthy month xxx #sharewithme
Me too. I cant take much more kids sick or me.
Aww lovely shots of your gorgeous family! Hope the poorliness is behind you and you have a healthier December! Xx
Me too. I cant take one more bug or coughing any longer. Been so tough.
Sounds like a great time! November has been crazy around here, too. It went by in a flash! It’s amazing how much time seems to be speeding up since we had The Princess. I hope you have a healthy and happy Christmas season!
You too. Thanks for your comment. It really does go faster the older they get too.
Beautiful photos Jenny, and I’m so glad that you managed to get a break together. We loved Center Parcs when we were in the UK and Whinfell was the one that we went to, several times 🙂 I can’t quite believe it’s December either…
I know where has the year gone. I say that all the time. But i am blinkijg and feel like i am missing it all. Hahaha
You’re so right, they do grow up too quickly. We love Center Parcs, it’s so child friendly isn’t it. Hope you had a fab Thanksgiving.
Thanks hunny yes we did. Too much food but I love that. Center Parcs was great too. I will be sharing my part 2 tomorrow if you fancy a peak. I was surprised how much fun my two had at their age. I really thought it would be for just older kids. Won’t be our last visit.
Mine’s exactly the same. Refuses all photos. I have to grab them by stealth of him with N.
Sounds like you had some lovely times in November apart from all the lurgies. Do come and link up your ‘first’ at Centre Parcs to my Month of Firsts linky http://bubbablueandme.com/2014/12/month-firsts-november/
Grace says – It looks like you’ve had a great November. So pleased you enjoyed Center Parcs xx #sharewithme
Thanks Grace. We really did. Hoping to go again soon.
Some great family photos here. November sounds like it was a lot of fun for you. #sharewithme
Yes it was jam packed but also full of many many illnesses. Hopinh decemeber is slow and healthy.
How lovely is Center Parcs hun? One of my favourite things about it is the fact that you can’t really get reception and you just have to chill out and relax. It’s kinda enforced. Glad you had a lovely lovely time x
Yes exactly. I am not good ar chilling out but it helped me put my phone down and be in the moment for days on end which was fab.
Love this post. You really have embraced the best of the British weather- and you all look so fab! x x x
Thanks. I dont think i was embracing it internally but for the kids sake yes we did. Hahhaa i hate the rain.
Lovely post Jenny, so many gorgeous family photos. xxx
Thanks babes. It is so tough to get them to look same place dont move and smile. Lol
Such lovely photos, very jealous of your trip to Centre Parcs, I keep trying to persuade hubby to go. Xx
Tell him there is a massive sports center that has a sports bar with pool tables ping pong and huge big screen with all the major games and sports live. That got mr p there abd the driving range golf. Hahaha
Beautiful pictures! I miss having a camera! haha
I just need to learn how to use mine now. lol Better… practice practice practice.
What a gorgeous collection of photos Jenny, you have such a gorgeous wee family x
Ahhh thank you so much debs so sweet of you!!!
Such gorgeous family photos. I am knackered just reading what you’ve been up to. Honestly, I don’t know how you manage to look so great and fresh all the time! 🙂 Hope you had a wonderful time in Center Parcs. Rain doesn’t stop any fun does it?
Thanks Ting i dont feel it. I feel tired, exhausted and like i look like i havent slept for weeks with these bags so that made my night. Thanks.
Lovely family pictures – and what a busy November you had! And, no rest now for December. So lovely that you all celebrated Thanksgiving- wish we did it here in the Uk really…. Love the way you have done this post x
Thanks hunny so sweet of you! Love sharing what we all have been up to each month and to go back and see how each of us has changed.
Finally have a minute to do some commenting… I know what you mean when you say it’s been a busy month!
Look forward to some quality family time over Christmas, not sure what we’ll do yet, but I hope we’ll have at least half as much fun as your family had judging by the pictures.
Ahh thank you so much. Yes if we all get rid of these illneses and colds we will have a very cheery festive holiday indeed. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Beautiful photos honey! I hope you all have a fabulous Christmas together after such a blah November. I also just can’t believe we’re into the last month of the year already too – it’s terrifying! I really hope we all manage to slow down a little and just enjoy each other over the holidays too xxx
I love the “…is loving” portion of this. It is a great way to remember the things that made you happy year after year. It is way to easy to forget the highlights of the year and only remember what went wrong. Great post!
Thank you Shae. That’s so sweet of you. Oh yes we are all about loving the little moments as much as the big ones here. That’s why I started my blog. lol 🙂