Happy 15th Birthday Josh!

Yesterday was Josh's 15 birthday. Parabens Josh!

He had 2 parties - one with school and church friends on Friday, and with family on Saturday.

We thank God for him, and wish him a blessed year!

Happy Birthday to You!

And so say all of us ...

England Trip 6 - Day Out in Shropshire

Our final entry for our England Trip this year!

For the last ten days or so we travelled up to Shropshire to visit family. We also spent a day out visiting a couple of local attractions.

Stokesay Castle 

Taking a rest with Grandma

One of the towers

Nice Gatehouse

Victorian Village at Ironbridge

Authentic Fish and Chips before we went to the Victorian Village

Before Boots the Chemist

Posh kitchen in Doctor's House

Outside toilet facilities - where's the loo roll?

England Trip 5 - London

British Museum

We had our traditional day out in London - this time visiting the British Museum, and in the evening the theatre to see Agatha Christie's "Mousetrap" 

Recognise these two?

Big Conservatory Roof

Scones with Jam and Cream

Recommend this show - we didn't guess whodunnit

England Trip 4 - Around Brighton

We had a great time in Brighton and Hove, especially the times visiting and hanging out with friends. A lot of cups of coffee and tea were consumed, and quite a lot of English strawberries (yum!). We loved catching up with all the news. Lou and Josh spent plenty of time catching up with church friends and school friends too, and enjoyed travelling round by bus and bike.

Here are just a few photos from many enjoyable mornings/afternoons/evenings ...

Mike and Josh went out for a curry - we ate it all ...

Lou and Millie at Chopstix, Churchill Square

Hmm, eating again ...

Our special home town

England Trip 3 - Back at Holland Road

It was so wonderful to be back at Holland Road amongst our friends.

We were so much looking forward to our first Sunday, but our 3rd Sunday was extra-special, because Louissa got baptised!

Lou giving her testimony

We enjoyed the morning services, and also the evening services - the prayer nights, and also the 'Encounter' nights, organised and presented by the youth at Holland Road.

Music from the Encounter youth band

Our last service was an Encounter night with Josh joining the band - sorry no photo of that but perhaps there'll be a repeat performance in 2017 ...

England Trip 2 - Parkrun

Josh ran his first (and second and third) ever Parkruns - two in Brighton (Hove Actually) and one in Shrewsbury. For those of you who don't know, Parkrun is a British-invented organisation - see their website for more details - http://www.parkrun.org.uk

Before the start in Hove Park

Cruising to a Personal Best

Being chased by the pack

Last run - "The Quarry", Shrewsbury

No Parkrun in Brazil, unfortunately - but there's an idea ....