Happy 18th birthday to our beautiful Anni

As if! Our baby girl is 18 years old today. Where have those years flown away to?  Annabel is our miracle baby. We hadn't planned on having another so soon but had we waited just another 6 months, she could never have been. So that has always made me extra thankful for her.

On Saturday we celebrated with the family. Again I was thankful. Thankful that they travelled so far and some even cancelled plans to be here. My niece Lily came straight from the end of her university term in York and my brother and sil took a detour on their route from London to bring her here.

I was thankful for Anni's grandparents being there. Sadly my Mum was ill and couldn't make it. 

Annabel, the sweetheart that she is, even baked her own cupcakes for the event. (Hers are infinitely superior to mine).

Our little 18 year-old is every inch a blessing to us. I am thankful for her lovely character and the fact that I never have to lose sleep over her.

 I am not so thankful for Peter's beard! (It has disappeared since Saturday)

It was lovely that my brother, sil and niece got to meet some members of Peter's family for the first time..like little LiLie. They were quite taken by our nieces and nephews.

And to those of you who still have little ones; cherish every moment because the moments fly.

My Mum with brand new baby Anni in 1995