So, Tim spent a few holidays on field trips to the Lakes, huddling for shelter from the driving wind and hail behind small outcrops of rock like this. It is amazing how interesting a feldspar can be when it means you don't have to stand up into the wet onslaught for another few minutes...
So, yes, the latest family photo...
So, the important things about walks are certainly (1) the scenery, but that is not always guaranteed to be wonderful (in this case it was) and (2) the inevitably melted chocolate bar.
We did a gorgeous walk near the top of the Kentmere Valley on this lovely sunny day. We did discover that hiking with a toddler and a pregnant lady are slightly inhibiting to climbing mountains and doing long excursions, but we still saw some great scenery! Walks had to fit between naps, meals, nappy changes, and the changeable Lakeland weather - maybe we'll try again in a few years!
On a sugar high from all his chocolate, Tim decided to take Ana on a flying fox zipwire. Unfortunately all the chocolate also meant that Tim and Ana nearly grounded at this point.
Ana adored Windermere, and was enthralled by the comings and goings on it (especially by the ducks, who, by their mass migration towards her, are clearly overfed by small children throughout the summer months). 
While on holiday in the Lake District Tim decided to indulge in his favourite gastronomical treat... yes, that does say 1 kg of pure unadulterated Dairy Milk, mmmmmmmmmmm
It was such lovely weather at the weekend that we decided to get out and enjoy it, here is Ana and her Daddy beside our famous Olney church - stunning (all of them!)
Ana now has a large and growing vocabulary, though it needs some deciphering if you're new to it! Her most exciting word this week is 'yeah', which is brilliant for us! We can now ask 'Do you want a yoghurt?' and either get 'Yeah' (with bouncing) or ' no no, no no' (with vigorous shaking of the head) - how useful! She really is growing into a lovely little girl (most of the time!). 
One of Ana's favourite things to do is to climb into the rocking chair, sit down and try and make it rock. She's getting rather successful at this so we keep having to move it away from the wall to prevent bashing!
Think 1960's song and dance routines...
Such fun to be had with bubbles - particularly when Gav, master bubble maker, is present to fill the air with swirling, whirling, rainbow orbs of soapy liquid...
We were having a picnic supper of good-old Fish and Chips the other day, and Ana loved it. Whether it was the fish, the chips or the ability to run around the garden barefoot while eating, I don't know, but she certainly had a wonderful time.
She's a growing up so quickly. Running around everywhere, chattering away, with new words every day. My recent favourite has to be when she is completely content, the constant murmering of "Happyhappyappyappy"
One of the things which I've really appreciated having Ana is her perspective on the natural world. While playing in the garden she will occasionally pause to consider a non-descript leaf or twig, or blossom, and pronouce it "Be-u" (Beautiful).
So if the gardening carreer doesn't take off, Ana is being trained in all things to do with antique restoration.
Here is Ana digging around the strawberry plants a bit earlier this month. Mummy digs here, so it must be fun!
Ana has recently been helping out in the garden, and loving every minute of the muddy fun she has had. Here she is 'thinning' our border flowers.
Ana has aspirations, and here she is (as she doesn't yet have her own hair) with a toy watermelon on her head in place of buns... It was VERY funny... (not that she's going to be allowed to watch Star Wars until she's 19, but hey, she can dream!).
After a mad morning of running around, a momentary rest on the knee... and then she's off again...
Ana loves her new boots. She runs around the house saying "Boos! Boos! Boos!" Very handy for dewy grass.
This is Ana signing that Mommy is asleep (pr. Sleee). (Everyone was apparently asleep in church on Sunday too during the prayer time!) very cute...
Imagine yourself early in the morning. VERY early in the morning... the whole town is asleep. Except for Ana. And now her Daddy... Yes, it is time for quality time with Daddy. No, sleep means nothing to him... a stupified stumble down the stairs, one hand supporting himself against the wall, the other both holding Ana and preventing her from pulling all the pictures off the wall, 'folding' the air-drying washing or making that last ditch sweep at the pepper grinder....
All that Nutella must be doing the trick as the bump is coming on apace, trying to catch up with its rather tall big sister we think!
