Three Wise Monkeys

Happy New Year!

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Later the same day, we met up with la famille Millar in honour of Calum's 18th birthday. Holyrood 9A was the venue, they do splendid burgers and beer, the latter of which Calum was able to partake for the first time ever. Really.

Feliz Cumpleaños

Niall's birthday - a significant one ending in "0" - took the collected Millars to Viva Mexico for margaritas and food. Holly couldn't make it due to a prior engagement but was present in cake form. I like the photos on the walls in Viva Mexico, they lend the place an authentic air. Slightly less authentic perhaps was a massive comedy sombrero for the birthday boy. I think Louis enjoyed wearing it more than Niall...

On The Touchline

Following Louis' new-found interest in rugby, Calum, Scott and I took him to see Edinburgh vs Treviso at Murrayfield in the Guinness Pro12 league. As it's such a small game (look at all those empty seats!) we were allowed to go and stand on the touchline.

It's not fair to compare, but it's a much gentler, more civilised vibe than Tynecastle on a Saturday afternoon. Less shouting, and definitely less "industrial language" than the footie fans.

Half Century, Not Out

Now that four months have passed, I am sufficiently recovered from the shock to report that I reached, passed, enjoyed - and indeed continue to enjoy - my fiftieth birthday in September. Fifty years! I am, give or take, the same age as Pizza Express, Pink Floyd, Asda Supermarkets, the use of the f-word on the BBC, and The Sound of Music. On the day itself, Helen took me to lunch at El Cartel, a splendid wee Mexican street food eatery with margaritas on tap and splendid food. The following weekend, the Edinburgh Millars assembled for a wee jog up Arthur's Seat, there to gaze upon the city that has been my home these five decades, then down to the Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston for a bit of beer-fuelled skittles and more grub.

So This Is Christmas

A few snaps from the gathering of the Millars chez nous, starting with morning present opening and carol singing taken before (a) we sat down to dinner and (b) my camera battery ran out. All very jolly it was, even unphotographed.

Eggstreme Sports

Easter Sunday, and the day began with the kiddies scavenging around the garden for the chocolatey goodies deposited by Helen the Easter Bunny. Later on, we met up with the Millars chez Lismore for a wander up Arthur's Seat (and a spot of egg-rolling) and dinner at the Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston. All very jolly it was too.

Good As Gold

DSC_0798, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

So the Mater and Pater have been married for 50 years. That's a long time, and quite a thing. Such a thing, in fact, that the Millar clan gathered en masse in Dumfries and Galloway to mark the occasion. We wandered in Mabie forest, dined Mediterranean in Dumfries, visited Sweetheart Abbey, and braved the squalls on the Solway shoreline. all very nice. Fifty years though, that means I must be almost... d'oh!

Christmas Chez Nous

DSC_8291, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

We had the family round for Christmas this year. Holly and Louis were up sharpish to see what Santa had brought, and once everyone had arrived we opened pressies and had a splendid meal. An excellent day.

Porty Birthday

DSC_4794, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

A happy confluence of events; birthday lunch, a beautiful proper summer's day, and the seaside. We gathered at the Espy in Portobello in honour of Scott's umpteenth birthday, and even afterwards it was still balmy enough to splash around, dig holes and play cricket on the beach until bedtime. All afternoons should be like this.
Oh, and Scott and Michelle have some pics here too.

Fifth Amendment

DSC_4349, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Today saw the latest of the birthday celebrations, this time combined with the annual festival of resurrection and ovoid chocolate that is Easter. We had the combined Millars & Lodges round for an egg hunt, pizza and - implausibly - cricket. In case you're wondering, Helen got a piano for her birthday, and in this picture she and Louis - who prefers guitar - are performing an air duet.

Cool Walkings

DSC_3251, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Today, under a clear blue sky and a crisp frost, we went for a stroll up the Pentlands with the full quorum of Edinburgh Millars. The occasion was Niall's birthday, and after throwing a few found objects into Glencorse reservoir, we returned to the Flotterstone Inn for a celebratory meal. The kids did very well with the walking, and Holly was very curious about C.T.R. Wilson's cloud chamber, an apposite subject because I'm reading about particle physics at the moment, and was actually able to explain what it was for. A nice father-daughter science moment.

Seventh Heaven

DSC_0155, a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Where does the time go? Holly was seven this weekend! On Friday (her actual birthday) we had early-morning presents, of which the trampoline constituted the greater part. It was an immediate hit, and we were out bouncing about in our jammies before breakfast. Later that day, she had a wee party with a select group of friends at the Build-A-Bear Workshop. By the time I came home from work, she and Louis and Eloise (the last of the party pals) were *still* on the trampoline. On Sunday, the weather gods sat up and took notice, and we had an excellent family BBQ in Holly's honour. Such was the temperature that we even had the pool out, and it proved a great attraction in the sweltering - no, really! - Scottish summer afternoon. Much splashing and bouncing all round.

UPDATE: Scott and Michelle have also posted some nice pics here.

Hippo Birdie Two Ewes

DSC_0089 a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Another family gathering this weekend, this time in honour of Scott's birthday. We visited Jupiter Artland, which is fabulous. We had what can only be called "mixed" weather, but the winding path through the woods brought regular new and interesting *things* to look at. The kids loved it, and did well to walk the whole way. They needed their dinner though, so our meal at Chop Chop came just in time. Again the kids did well to try new things (in this case, the dumplings for which Chop Chop is renowned) but were knackered with a capital "K" when we got home. Scott also has some pictures of the day here, and Niall's are here.

Flying & Footie

DSC_0036 a photo by Fraser Millar on Flickr.

Easy, as the song has it, like Sunday Morning. We had a bit of a lazy one, but managed a little bit of kite flying down at Silverknowes. The sun shone and the sky was blue, but the stiff Easterly breeze kept things - ahem - "fresh". In the afternoon, we went to Olive Bank to see Calum's football club, Musselburgh Windsor, play Longniddry Villa in the final of somethingorother. Alas, they were beaten despite some cracking - and exciting - goal attempts. The Millar support consoled themselves with an ice cream from Luca's afterwards.

(2^3)(3^2)

DSC_0039
Originally uploaded by Fraser Millar

Today we gathered to celebrate pater's birthday at the Toby Carvery at Lauriston Farm. All-you-can-eat is a concept I could get used to, and it's a good family-friendly place for the kids to run around when they inevitably get fed up sitting at the table. Afterwards, we had everyone back for tea and birthday cake, and to have a nose at the almost-completed kitchen. By fluke, I was able to get a picture of all four cousins together, looking at the camera, and smiling.

Birthday

DSC_0053
Originally uploaded by Fraser Millar

Last Sunday saw a gathering of the Edinburgh Millars to celebrate the second birthday of the newest addition to the clan. The birthday girl took the sudden influx of well-wishers in her stride, and was a model hostess. Holly and Louis idolised cousin Calum, and barely left him alone the whole time. Gifts were exchanged, and grub and grog consumed. Holly even gave us a wee dance at the end. It was all very jolly. Niall has more pictures of the birthday week here.

Water of Leith Walk

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Originally uploaded by Fraser Millar

On Saturday, we met up with Niall, Laura and Skye for a wee wander along the Water of Leith. With little ones exploring along the way we didn't make it very far, but it was a gorgeous autumnal day and perfect for pottering by the river.

Return of the Mac

Originally uploaded by Fraser Millar

After what seems like an age, our lovely insurers have finally delivered a new MacBook to replace the iBook that was nicked in July. We're back online, and - a few missing pics notwithstanding - I'll get caught up with the picture uploads and family blogging soon. In the meantime, I've been playing with AutoStitch, an iPhone app for creating panoramas. Here's a picture from Sunday, when we met the Saughtonhall Millars and the Lismore Millars down at Silverknowes. Calum and Holly had a good time wading out to the causeway, as recorded on Calum's blog. Click through for Edinburgh Park, Lochrin Basin and our back garden, knackered by the paddling/swimming pool over the summer.

Septuagenarian

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Originally uploaded by Fraser Millar

This weekend, we were shacked up avec la famille in a converted mill house near the Borders town of Peebles. The sun shone, the river Tweed gurgled and splashed and sparkled, and Grandma Sheila edged a little closer to her 70th birthday (which is in fact today - Happy Birthday mum!). The kids had a great time, both of them in complete adoration of Calum, and enjoyed playing on the swings, throwing stones in the river, collecting tadpoles, riding bikes in the forest and dining out with the grownups. More pictures, if this isn't enough for you, from Dad, Scott and Niall.