The Family and Various Important Events Since September 2009

Ben on his 18th Birthday with me and Nick and lil' bro' Max and next
photo Dad, Valerie and Mum.

Last year there were several significant birthdays. Both Ben and Max have birthdays in October (just a week apart) Ben having his 18th birthday and Max turning 6 years old this year. Valerie also had a special birthday in October - her 70th and in November Mum celebrated her 70th too.

This photo above was taken in September when Uncle Bill (working in Nepal) and Cousin Nev (now stationed in Germany) came over to visit for a few weeks to the UK. Nev and Sylvia are recent proud parents to a baby boy called Joost and my Uncle Bill in now a Grandad. Congratulations! I must say having not really studied this photograph before, now I have, I honestly think that all of the Armstrong boys in this photograph look a little unhinged - maybe it is my photography - Scary boys!

In September we all started back at either school, 6th form and college. Nick, poor man, not having the luxury of the whole 6 weeks summer holidays with his boys, was at work for 5 out of the 6 taking just a week off with me and Max in Staithes (North Yorks Coast). It is the third year that I have had the "Macmillan Coffee Morning" at home and yet again it proved to be a lovely morning. The day was warm and sunny and we had a really good turn-out, lots of tea, coffee and cake with Mum and Valerie helping me with the drinks and baking cakes etc. Thanks to all my family, friends and neighbours we raised 60 pounds (sorry Ben's computer does not have a pound sign!)