Halloween Christening!

For the Halloween weekend we were off to Derry to visit M’s family. M’s cousin G had baby 2 earlier this year; little R. The Christening was planned for the Halloween weekend, which had turned into a great excuse for a huge family gathering.

Granny came with us, Grandpa stayed home to put in a new kitchen. We set off v early on Friday morning to catch the 7.15am flight. It was the first time either of the girls had been on a plane. We were very grateful to have Granny with us as an extra pair of hands. If we’d been on our own there would have been no spare hands, and herding the excited kittens would have been very challenging indeed.

The girls were really good on the plane. Fidget had the window seat next to me, was really chuffed to get a lollipop to suck as we went up. She was really enjoying looking out of the window, particularly as we came into land and we flew over the port and saw a ferry coming in.

Squidge was rather more Fidgety and wriggly, sitting on M’s lap. But with chewy snacks and jelly babies did do really well. I realised I hadn’t taken anything to entertain the girls but pulled out the few crayons out of my bag I always carry and they both got on with decorating sick bags.

At Belfast airport we went to pick up the hirecar, and had quite a nerve racking wait as we realised we hadn’t brought the counterpart driving license bits (as it clearly states on all the paperwork was needed). All the while, Granny was doing a great job entertaining the girls, who were running up and down the place. The ladies behind the desk were really helpful and called the DVLA to get the info they needed, so we were away.

We arrived in Derry by about 10:30am, we weren’t able to check into our B&B until 3, so went to M’s Aunty Gs house. M’s Aunty N was staying there with her two girls (the youngest being 6 months older than Fidget) and G was there with Cara (who is 3 months older than Fidget) and little R. So the house was busy, but Fidget had great fun playing with her cousins.

so did Squidge…

little R..

playing hide and seek with big cousin E…

the girls refuel…

The B&B was really good, very friendly, we had a big clean family room. We took the girls there after tea and got them ready for bed. M and Granny went out to visit relatives, and after settling the girls down, I went down to the lounge where the owners got the fire going for me and brought me tea and cake. I read infront of the fire and had a lovely evening.

The next day we went out to M’s Aunty E’s house where other aunts and uncles were staying and gathering. The girls certainly enjoyed the music room...

Squidge found a chair that was just right for this little bear…

After lunch out, we went back to the B&B to get ready then headed out to the Christening…

Afterwards was a party, Squidge had a great time with the balloons…

This event was the first time that all Granny’s brothers and sisters had been together since M’s Granny’s funeral. They all headed out for a photo opportunity.

We also tried to get the little cousins together, with some success…

M was making the girls laugh by letting out the air from a balloon – v cute…

Then time for a team Challis photo op…

Sunday we were invited to M’s Aunty K’s house for lunch, as was the rest of the family – about 40 people including kids!!…

unfortunately when we arrived both girls were asleep and we were keen to let Squidge sleep as her naps had been all over the place with all the socialising. So M was served his lunch in the car!

I went to swap with him for desert and for him to mop up seconds…

Sunday of course was halloween night. We got ready at K’s house…

Fidget was a wolf…

and M an eagle…

with his wings…

Squidge was an owl, and together they were the Challis family totem! So I was Pocahontas!

Along with Granny and the rest of the scary gang, we walked into the town to watch the parade.

As we wandered around, we got quite a few comments on our costumes, particularly the girls. I guess cos they weren't scary - parents were pointing us out to kids and such. Another thing that happens is people take pictures of costumes they think are good, and as I panned round at the end of this vid I hadn't seen but someone was taking a picture of us!

After the parade were fireworks which were spectacular indeed.

Fidget was very brave as she hasn’t been keen on fireworks in the past, but sitting on Daddy’s shoulders she was all fine.

By this time it was getting late, so we trouped up the hill back to the B&B. It was about 9 by the time we got back, both girls were still awake. Squidge was shattered, I popped her down on the bed to get her into her pjs, she just lay in the exact position I had put her down with little action man eyes going slowly back and forth!

M and I went back down to the lounge for a cup of tea. Shortly after Granny arrived back. We were all complaining of a bit of a stomach ache or rumbly tums, but went off to bed. I found it hard to get to sleep and at about 1 in the morning was up “driving the porcelain lorry” as some may say. Next morning we found out Granny had been ill too. Neither of us were up for breakfast. We caught up with a few other rele’s then set off for the airport, it was rather hard going, to herd the kids, feeling a bit ill and weak. But we made it back. It was not long after bedtime when we arrived back, but the girls were shattered, and so were we!

It was a funpacked weekend, thanks to all the family!