Big weekend

This weekend just past has been massive in so many ways. The second weeked of May is memorable for the Yates family as it typically provides a chance for a combined birthday celebration meal for Maddy (10th) and her dad (12th). Last year though was also very memorable but for very different reasons - as Maddy and her mum learnt from the fabulous Dr Kumar of the general diagnosis of "tumour" on 12th, mum & dad met with Dr Kumar at Calderdale hopsital on 13th and Maddy had MRI & CT scans on 16th and was then admitted to St James's on that same day. Not a weekend to forget - ever.
One year on and things feel so very different. On Fiday 12th, Chris (dad) watched Maddy and brother Bob singing and dancing with Calder Valley Youth Theatre on the stage of Hebden Bridge Little theatre - Mum saw it twice - on Thursday and Saturday. Saturday also saw visits from Grandad, Eileeen & Wendy - to watch the FA Cup Final. Despite the late night on Saturday (after-show party for Maddy & Bob) and a gig for Chris, the whole family were up very bright and early on Sunday to drive to Bramham Park near Wetherby, Leeds for the Greggs bakery Fun Run in aid of Candlelighters, the chidren's cancer charity based at Jimmy's. The whole family took part, all getting the medals and the T-shirts (brother Bob came 11th out of 400). Then around lunchtime, the family sped to Liverpool to watch the open-top bus tour of Liverpool FC returning with the FA Cup.
Over an hour's hanging around Queens Drive (nr the Rocket) for about one minute's madness and jumping about before the relative calm returned. Somehow it was worth it.
On the return home, a stop at Frankie & Benny's in Bury for a dual birthday celebration tea.
Here's a couple of pics before and after the Fun Run:


























...more will be added to the post very shortly - come back soon.