Jem

Can't beleive that in a few short weeks our baby will be at high school.He is so ready for it this last term has been a struggle with him to do homework and he is super emotional (hormones I guess) but after 4 boys I'm pretty immune to the rot now and IGNORE most of it . Me I can't wait to go to just go to work and not worry about all the other stuff when things are due If they can't get it right at high school then tough. Sadly though he has given up on music which is a bit of a shame but the teacher at the school is horrific and kids are dropping out like flies . Sad though when Carlie was there at beginning of year he loved it. The boys are talking about teaching him at home so that he will play at high school so we'll see how that goes. He is still doing well at Karate and is a purple belt which is 2 away from black and has recently taken up Mitie as well. He is still madly into FORDS but coming from a holden household this is not always a good thing. But I don't think there is any chance of changing his mind with all the Ford Lovers he hangs out with (sorry Jen,Paul,Car,Jay Di,Darryl,Shane,Elle,Mick,Lyn and Sam) He also has decided that (thanks Jen) he wants a boxer dog as he absolutely adores Dozer.I told him he could have whatever he wants when he leaves home and will have to be content feeding Dozer when Jen and Paul are away.

Nats 21st

What a night Nat wanted a 21st and we all had a ball it rained so we moved it undercover . Nat was a bit under the weather but he had a good time.

China

Luke went to China in Sept/Oct with Lyme(Logan youth music exchange) He had an absolute ball they were also stuck in a typhoon they had to evacuate 2 million people (unreal can you imagine doing that here) This is his third trip with them and makes all the practice worthwhile . And the pressys were pretty good too including pics of Anabel in her little chinese outfit she looks adorable in it can't wait for her to fit it properly. He is auditioning for Queensland Youth Orchestra again today as is Tom they were both in wind ensemble this year. They also went to Sydney and played at the opera house this year which they were pretty chuffed about.

Cradle

I bought a cradle for Anabel (which to say the least needed a lot of work but hey I bought it for a dollar on E bay) . I broke it all down and sanded and sanded mostly by hand and then put it all back together. Ended up going to a restorer with it to get some wood ( The cradle originally had folding legs but we decided to make stretchers for it) Anyway was pleasantly surprised to find out that it really was old between 65 and he thought more like 80 years old. Finished it off with beeswax which I'll probably regret but he thought best because the wood is so brittle. Anyway all is done except the net tester and I made calico bumpers and quilt to go in it and all in all I thought It came up pretty well and Anabel loved it . I'm just cranky as I did'nt take before photos it looks so different and I was pretty impressed that I did it all myself (Excepting the stretchers which the very talented Uncle Grumpy made for me) Now I have to start on the rocking horse i bought her also an e bay bargain.

Anabel 2

Anabel changed so much in the first 6 months but she is such a good little girl Kasey is a great mum .

Anabel

This year has been pretty amazing we were shocked amazed and overjoyed to welcome Kasey's baby girl the beautiful Anabel Grace Maree. After a 3am arrival on the bathroom floor (Kasey was pretty chuffed she did it all herself) There were a few dramas after for Kase which resulted in blood transfusions and torn ligaments which meant she could'nt walk for a couple of weeks but she recovered well and we are grateful that they are both healthy and doing very well. Anabel is bright,bubbly and very social. She is the light of our lives and is already spoilt rotten .........