We wish you a Ruby Christmas

This Christmas time we have been focused on the planning for the Australian version of a ruby wedding anniversary for Nikki's parents, David & Dorothy, that took place last Saturday. We were blessed with a fantastic day, sunshine and a balmy 30 degrees so were able to host the event in the house and the back garden.

It was lovely to meet so many of their Australian friends from down the years over afternoon English tea, and event that was marred only by Gareth and I ( the two sons-in-law) blotting our copybooks with a humorous speech of reflections about significant calendar dates in their marriage and with some advice for the next 40 years of their marriage.

We have also had the pleasure of being some of the first people on the planet to see in 2007, and watched a great firework display over the Yarra River with the boys last night...somewhat different at 24 degrees to the howling winds and rain of the UK I suspect.

We do not know yet what 2007 holds in store for us but after a wedding and honeymoon, selling a house in the UK, emigrating to the other side of the world, buying a new house in Australia, starting a new job, starting new schools, finding a new church, making new friendships there, having a whirlwind trip back to the UK for a wedding, going through a nine month pregnancy and having Ella as an addition to our family we feel that after such a quiet 2006 we will be looking for a more lively 2007..........NOT!!!!!!!!!!

We trust that you have a wonderful 2007.....we certainly are believing that for the Farren family and will share the quieter side of our lives in 2007 with you as we journey along together.

Wishing you all much joy and exciting new opportuities in 2007.

Tim, Nikki, Sam, Joe and Ella.

Christmas Cracker

We have been overjoyed this Christmas to have Ella with us to share the festive season. She has brought great delight to all of our family that have been down here in Australia ( Auntie Debbie, Uncle Gareth, Auntie Andi and of course Granny and Grandad). They have all been stockpiling on cuddles from Ella before they have to head back to other parts of the world. Ella is progressing well and Nikki is coping remarkably well with the new demands of having a baby.....I am trying of course to do my bit too but there are some things that a man simply cannot provide.

Ella is starting to hold her head quite well although not entirely on her own yet, and is certainly spending more hours awake during the day now which provides enjoyment to us all. The boys have become very fond of their morning kiss and cuddle with Ella and love holding her with varying degress of confidence.

Ella Margaret Farren

Mother's Look

We are utterly ecstatic to announce that the Farren family has grown to five now with the birth of Ella Margaret Farren on Friday night at 10:39pm weighing in at a healthy 3.61kilos (7lbs 15 ounces). Ella was clearly enjoying life on the inside too much as it took her 21 hours to get out but when she eventually made it she was fine, as was Mum although very tired as you would expect.

Ella has a lovely mop of black hair, a splodgy Farren nose and has spent the first 24 hours of her life mostly asleep.

Sam's turn now "Ella is a great sister altho she does cry and I am forced to change the nappies. We are very excited to see Ella and she brings great joy to the family around the world. Mum is still very tired. The first time I held Ella it felt like holding some special, another great part of life, a special sister."

Joe says "When I first held Ella it felt pretty nice because she is beautiful, and when we got there she was only twelve hours old"

We will be bringing Ella and Nikki home tomorrow and no doubt will be spending hours on Skype showing her off to family and friends around the world. We look forward to at least 20 years worth of blog posting about Ella until she leaves home, that is assuming there is any young man out there who is even remotely good enough for my BEAUTIFUL daughter.