So that was 2007.

It's always strange when you actually start writing a new year when putting dates on things. Still remember the whole '99 to '00 oddness. '07 to '08 feels like a major one for some reason. Proximity to the end of a decade? Or maybe it's because I feel that Liverpool will return to winning the big one again soon. Perhaps. Unlikely mind you but I cling to the slim hope.

We had a few days up at lovely Noosa a few weeks back. Just Alissa, Aibhe and I in our first family only holiday. Worked out wonderfully as the crazy one wore herself out on the beach and in the pool everyday and slept for Ireland thus allowing Alissa to get some badly needed rest. Take out for dinner every night really aint so bad. I'd often thought that parents who get their kids shades (sunnies) were tossers. However, in order to save your own it's a necessity. I've also been told that it is being recommended to get your kids wearing sunglasses early on to protect their eyes from the seering sun. Thus this photo was not unusual.

2007. When Aibhe went from a basic beginner in the walking stakes, to a sprinter & stair jumper and general all round nutter who knows what she wants and gets it most of the time. From cot to bed at 18 months, to current toilet training. In case you didn't know, part of toliet training requires wearing ones knickers on ones head every now and then. It's a hellova cliche, but Christ they grow up fast and I am so glad I get to see so much of it from day to day.

The house went from 1 to 2 floors, and from some putrid combination of dirty blue and pink to grey and white. Just realised I had not put up any pictures of the finished product - see above and below. "My" garden went from dusty brown to a lovely lush green. Fantastic. Mucho back breaking work went into that. Would love to say its finished, but alas, there is still work to be done on the re-rendering the upstairs cracks after the place was lifted. Long finger. And when there is some money lying around somewhere.

Work, well, lets face it. It's only work. Pays the mortgage.

Baby, Godson and nephew Eoin joined the world. And slept peacefully for the most part, while eating and growing up for the rest it seemed.

It was a sad year for many - losing Georgia and Jen so close to Marian's anniversary and the birthday upon which Marian would have turned 40 is difficult to talk and write about. So I won't. What I said here earlier in the year stands.

Christmas was a lovely day. Goes without saying there's a sadness not being with one's own family and in thinking of the ones we've lost. Next year, all going well, Christmas in Dublin is in the plans. But Alissa & Aibhe are my immediate family now and Christmas morning is all about Santa again which is so good for all involved. No point in even contemplating mentioning the number of presents received by the queen of the house - an easel being the simplest but most utilised. She also quite likes dolls (ALL of them) - so we have a girl on our hands. Having had brunch at our place with Alissa's family, we spent the afternoon with extended family at Alissa's uncle's - I may have mentioned previously - it's a very VERY large extended family. Involved catering for about 40 - and there were quite a few absent. As I stood looking at all the kids from Aibhe's age to 14 jumping and messing around in the pool, it brought back how different it all is here - but in this particular regard, different good. The kids can go ballistic in the good weather with all the new gadgets and gifts and it's simply taken for granted that plenty of time is spent in the swimming pool on Christmas day.

So, it's babies galore happening in the old Malahide group at the moment with Fiona, Lyn and Michelle going together for their first one (or first AND second for one in particular). Congrats to Lyn and Fiona on the arrival of Ciaran and Gracie. Trips to the coffee shop will never be the same again. And Louise with number 2 on the way. Of course we're looking to join the ranks with 2 on board - hopefully - come the end of May, we will be there.

A safe and peaceful New Year to you all. Slan agus bliain úr faoi shéan is faoi mhaise dhaoibh go léir.