Christmas Eve

Well am finally i think ready for christmas cooking done prezzys wrapped almost and house is clean and I am off to bed before the kids and grandkids arrive tomorrow.Can't wait Anabel should really be in to it this year..
I wish all our family and friends a magical christmas wherever you are and whatever you are doing...May 2010 be the best year yet for everyone.CHEERS!!!!!!!!!Love to all.....

almost there

Have managed to complete most of what i set out to achieve this week have finished 5 pairs of cot sheets ,embriodered 4 towels(scary 1st time I have done this but all things considered they look ok) and made some sock protectors for Jeremy ,made lolly trees , slice, homemade mayo for gifts, more slice (because I didn't leave any over for the boys)made candy cane candles(which the boys think are awesome) ,almost finished the baubles ....have boxed and wrapped almost everything(almost)....am stressing that the parcels i bought online won't arrive in time Arghhhhh Australia Post....but now I need to clean ........my house looks like ground zero ......my dining room needs to be cleared of the sewing machine and the 2 overlockers that have lived there all week and why didn't i buy cellophane last week grrrrr. So my plan tomorrow is
1Take Noels mum shopping
2Try to con Noel into taking his own mum shopping
3 clean my sewing table so my machines can go where they belong (don't ask whats gonna happen to the stuff thats residing there)
4 find cellophane
5finish wrapping

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Jeremy .......hope it was a fantastic day and I know that you will have a great time at dinner tonight with Kasey and the kids ,Nat and luke and Laureena . Hoep that you enjoy your prezzys................CHEERS!!!!!!!

Time to get crafty

Still no more on the quilt front but I think you are right Car black is definately the way to go.....I have been busy getting cot sheets done for Anabels toddler bed, Mias toddler bed and Olivers cot and personalising decorations and making lolly trees (in a bid to save some cashola) and have finally managed to get some ......well a few prezzys wrapped .....and even managed to get the front of my house karchered In between Mums overlocker playing up then a friend turned up while I was cursing away at the thing and came back with not one but 2 overlockers that are older models but I zipped along on the old Janome lock but all done so am now the owner of 2 overlockers well three if you count my old one in the shed that needs needles that i can't seem to get.......now to get the other 3 sides of the house done and back to wrapping.....

Christmas shopping

Decided this morning .......after Jeremy nagged me that the helmet he has to have was only on sale until today Ughhhhhh..... that we would brave the shops and try to get some christmas shopping done...........I didn't have a lot to do but lack motivation to do it....well first stop the bloody helmet :( none left surprise!!!!! but the fantastic Kmart people gave us the next one up the pro model for the sale price on the other one which was over double the price so I am loving them :) so all in all it was great and I got most of it done and scored a couple of bargains on the way and then I went to spotlight ....now I just need to get creative.......
which means 1. I can not use Kaseys ideas
2. Motivation needs to pickup
3. wrap
I also need to get sewing to finish the cot sheets for the babies and Jeremy S's birthday prezzy for next week and handpainted baubles for gifts etc .

Kasey just rang me and Oliver has his first tooth with slightly less fuss than Miss A caused getting hers.Maybe he will get his 2 front teeth for chrissy ......... Kase is also going great guns on the toilet training front Miss Anabel is on a roll.

MOTIVATION >>>>>>>where are you ?????????????

We Made It

Well we made it Noel and I have been married for 25 years today. It was definately cooler today than it was the day we got married at 43 degrees we sweltered (no one should get married in december). It may have been a struggle at times but we raised 5 great kids and we have our 2 beautiful grandkids and at the end of the day we can still laugh together and if I had my time over i would do it again ..........so heres to the next 25 hopeully it will be even better.....

Bits and bobs

Finished work on Friday for almost 6 weeks and can breathe a sigh of relief and hopefully get something done. Last week was mind boggling with work ,trips to brisbane a fire at our good friends Lyn and Mick's property that almost saw them lose their home ......scary stuff but thank goodness all is well they stopped the fire within a meter of the house the horses tails will grow back and if we ever get some more rain they will have beautiful green paddocks again. With the heat we have had the last couple of weeks its no wonder how scary that it took them by surprise it was that quick.
We had Kasey and Anabel and Oliver home for the weekend which is great Anabel is a real chatterbox and can sing all her nursery rhymes and of course is stilla big book worm she will listen to story after story and never forgets them and Oliver is rolling over and almost sitting up just gets the wobbles sometimes and is soooooo big and so heavy now but he always has the most amazing smiles these two little moppets just make my day.
still no further on the quilt so i can definately say it will be a no show for xmas but hopefully for lukes birthday in March.
We also has Isabelle today for the day who is my besties grandaughter and the girls got on really well. It makes me sad though and really angry that Petes husband is now stopping her grandma from seeing her ( because he is a total control freak). I know I would be devestated if it happened to me I simply could not live without my grandkids and she can't either so it was super hard to shut my mouth and not say what i wanted to say to him so we don't make it worse for Vik.
This week my plan is to wrap pressys buy more pressys deliver pressys to those I will not see for chrissy and put my house back in order before xmas which is not much short of a disaster area at the moment. Clean Noels Mums windows any takers to clean mine lol.And try not to stress about work next year.....I will be doing full prep and am worried that after all the high needs kids it will be boring ..........well different anyway......arhhhh well time will tell.

No laughing

Now no laughing Car !!!!!! this is the quilt so far and the eye spy orchestra fabric ...........don' t know whether to border this part in black or red before I go on maybe in black with a mix of the eye spy and I have a white music note fabric for the next set of blocks...Let me know your thoughts.... Ideas. I always thought I would do the black and white now am not so sure

Dollhouse

I scored myself a doll house today from work with all the transitions from pre school to prep there is way 2 much stuff and this hasn't been used since it came to work so Anabel scores a rather large doll house at grandmas to play with but first i want to do it up I will add it to the very large doll house in our shed that was kaseys when she was little that hopefully will eventually go to Anabel when she is at the barbie stage. Will post some pics when I pick it up next week. Only 5 days to go arghhhh love my job but can't wait. So much to do so little time .

Also have been trying to work on Lukes quilt but honestly time is running out for me to have it by xmas. It is a music quilt that I started a while ago with the plan to make one for both Tom and Luke . I hand drew and stitched the trombones and was really set on all black and white theme but I bought an eye spy orchestra fabric and I'm worried that it will get lost in all the black Car .....Jen.....thoughts please will try to post some pics on the weekend I'm thinking I need to add maybe some red?????? Its a very basic squares pattern but I want to keep it simple.
I also need to get moving on my christmas sewing fitted sheets for Olly and Anabel and Mia and Mia's new tinkerbell quilt for her toddler bed. And a new boy quilt for my cot for Oliver.

Sacha and Shannons wedding

Yesterday we went to the wedding of Sacha and Shannon it was a beautiful day but stinking hot.

It was held at Shannons parents vineyard at Canungra and Sacha was a beautiful bride. Congrats go to the both of them as they begin thier life together. It was also great to catch up with Irene and Brian who we don't see too much these days since thier big move. The reception at the cellar door was lovely and a great night was had. Also loved the gift personalized port bottled from the vineyards on the property to commemorate the day.

Toms Formal

Last night was Toms year 12 formal they had a great day and a nice end to thier schooling .Thanks to Scott for the use of his car for the arvo on short notice much appreciated but Tom loved it. They all looked great very grown up but gee its making me feel old baby number 4. It was held at the Sebel in George Street and after Tom and a few friends came back to our house

As always today thoughts turn to my Dad . Miss you Tommy 5 years passes so quickly.

Happy Birthday

A great big happy birthday to Vik hope it was a fantastic day and I know that you are definately enjoying it with your surprise visitors enjoy!!!!!!!

Never rains it pours

Fingers crossed that all goes well with Jo they think now that its a tumour in her head that is slow growing ...she has been sick for a long time they think its been growing since her last pregnancy she had rotten headaches during the pregnancy but when Jake was born (10 years ago) the headaches stopped and the seizures started this latest one was a grand mal followed by a series of minor seizures but she has been having them more regularly so she will be in hospital now until its sorted...the tumour is causing other problems in her body so she has to have tests to see if her heart will be able to take the surgery.
Wishing her all our love and best wishes .

Ramblings

November already ....... another year almost done... This month is so busy firstly

Huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to Laurena ..Lukes girlfriend and I hope your party next week is fantastic .

Toms formal is coming up on the 19th we ordered the shoes which are on thier way and bought the suit /tie and Kase has picked up the shirt for me thanks Kase and I think he said he has 4 days left of school taking out the days he doesn't need to be there for exams.

Luke has finished his second year of Uni just 1 left of the music course and 1 of education course and also has just scored a job .

Sacha's wedding is coming up on the 28th fantastic to see her at Ollys christening congrats to her and Shannon and have fun this week at the Hens night should be fun.

The school year is almost over and I have to say I can't wait it's been an interesting year .Will miss our end of year do though as Sacha's wedding is on the same day. Oh well ....... I have seriously been thinking maybe I need a change of direction hmmmmm little more thought required on that one. Don't get me wrong i love my job just not all the other crap that happens .But I know next year I'll be back there.



We also got a new pup her name is Maggie and she is the cutest thing and is learning fast . We kept her as Buffy was not well a few weeks ago and we thought we were going to loose her she is 13 now I think and of course she rallied and is scooting round again good as gold but we will hang on to maggie anyhow. I'll post some pics she is also the sister of Anabel and Ollys dog Nacho who is also a cutie.



Get well wishes go to Jo who is languishing in hospital having a little break while they finally try to figure out why she is so sick hopefully will get to see her next week.

Oliver's Christening

Yesterday was Olly's christening day. It was a really nice day and Oliver looked adorable in his little outfit and was such a good boy and smiled the whole way through the service . It was great to catch up with everyone . Kasey did an amazing job on the cake brilliant for her first attempt of fondant icing .

So much to do ...........so little time and a wedding

Sometimes don't you wish time would just slow down ....Have managed to get virus under control and don't feel as crappy as I did a couple of weeks ago just tired.....first week of the holidays I spent resting mainly but was feeling better the second week so I managed to get Olly's cot done and finished just need to sew the ties on his bumper and its ready to go. Thanks to Luke and Loreena and Tom we managed to get the kitchen painted (not to everyones taste but its bright and clean and not dirty cream on dirty cream anymore). After Luke and Loreena left got back into it and finished.
Thank god for Kasey Jeremy and Nat who had Tom stay there for state honours band so that i could keep going on the kitchen anyway not perfect but done. love ya all
And thanks to Vikki and Anton who had Tom for the week for Work experience with the army band so that i didn't have to go in everyday.Legends all of you and much appreciated....
survived the 1st week back at work wrecked most days by the end but got through them and had no running to bris thanks to all the above mentioned so managed to get in early nights.
This week will be go go go have Mia's Toddler bed done and am painting so hopefully by Tuesday it will be gone but with the christening this week end can't afford to slack off but am working through the thongs i need to get done. my cupboard for the dining room will probably get shunted to the shed for a few days until I can get back to it....job for this week to clean out the bus stop and get sorted and cleaned for Sunday.

Friday night we had Toms year 12 music extension recital and assessment and he did a brilliant job he had three very difficult pieces to play on flugal horn and trumpet plus play in the stage band and I was super proud of him (will try to download some of the video)...We also bought his formal suit and his tie etc are on thier way just have to get him his new shoes and hat and he will be ready to go.....I think in about 5 weeks....god the year has just flown.

CONGRATS TO GREG & TRISH
Today we went to the wedding of our very old and dear friends Greg (Klumpy) and Trish one not to miss...We both went to school with Greg and Trish we have known for years so it was great to see them both so happy.It was a lovely wedding very casual and relaxed with lots of laughs and great food (we all took a plate) and great company and even better it rained ....what more could two country folk want ...if you ask me perfect.

LOnggggg Overdue

This is one long overdue post but finally feel well enough have been sick for the last two weeks sick enough to take time off work .Some rotten virus went to work last Monday and tuesday and probably shouldn't have but hit Wednesday and just couldn't do it and went back today for the first time just one day to go and holidays thank god............and the only thing for it to rest which I have but gees it hard to get rid of it. When I finally hit work kim says gees you look like shit....thanks cause here i was thinking its the best Ive felt in 2 weeks...
Lots to acheive on the holidays have to finish Ollys half sanded cot or pretty soon the poor little thing will have no where to sleep......Then my cupboard for the dining room ......Just havent felt like it lately and I have to have them out of the bus stop before Ollys christening . Then we are hoping to paint the kitchen we can't afford to replace it yet so are going to brighten it up a bit and then window sills need repainting and we want to get the house washed down we just haven't got to it since we moved in. Trying to get all the weeds out of the lawn which is a work in progress I think we are on our third spray .So it will be go go go. Toms off to State Honors band and then work experience with the army band the first week back at school.Before we know it he will be finished high school I think he has about 6 weeks after the holidays..
Oliver is getting so big now and so clever he rocks himself in his rocker and has a great time and he chats away to you and he has the most beautiful smile the biggest ones he saves for Anabel . She loves him to bits but she'll tell you put Olly down now Anabel needs a hug .......so cute . We ar e going to have both the kids overnight so that Kase and Jeremy can have a night out at the end of the holidays..apart from that when I get a chance am going to rest and throw this virus before it's time to go back to work.

Happy Birthday Tom

Happy 17th Birthday Tom hope it was a great day enjoy your cake love from mum.

Happy Birthday Nat

Happy Birthday to our first born son Nat hope your birthday was great and that you enjoyed kaseys dinner and cake sorry couldn't see you today but hopefully 2morrow. HAPPY BIRTHDAY love from Mum Dad and the boys

Birthdays

Huge belated birthday wishes go to Paul for the 7th and Jenny for the 12th hope you had a fantastic break late again ...HaPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!

Anabel's bike

Anabel got a new bike and just loves it and kits up in her Daisy and Iggle safety gear whenever she rides it I just love these pics

Olivers quilt

Kasey ,Anabel and Oliver came for a visit on the weekend and caught up with Car Kaylee and Jen and what can i say Car you have EXCELLED yourself with this one . The quilt that you made for Oliver is stunning absolutely beautiful. Puts my poor efforts to shame. Sorry I didn't get to catch you and stupid me forgot to send Kaylees pressy with kase hopefully she will get it before her next birthday. Oliver is a smiley little man these days and growing so fast 8 weeks already...I know that he will love this quilt for years to come and the little photo tag is perfect and I'm making the bumpers for his cot so I think black gingham may be the way to go let me know what you think it will be stunning in the cot(Grandmas old silky oak which I am stripping back and redoing) when I get it finished. As promised have taken some pics of Olly on his quilt hope you like them..

Time Flies

Gosh where did the holidays go .........Had a great first week Anabel came to stay for the week and we did manage to get a lot done . We decided to pretty much destroy the front gardens and start again Jem is a trooper he spent hours chopping out stumps so we could get the garden replanted so I now have Camillias and gardenias instead of the chinese elms that were there and it has opened up the front yard really nicely. So far so good I haven't killed anything.Also have planted out a whole heap of hanging baskets for the front patio and the back stairs. They look great I got the baskets reduced to $4 at mitre 10 wished I had got more .Hopefully if I remember I will get some pics tomorrow.
Last weekend was busy we had everyone home Kase and Jeremy and the kids.Luke and his gf Laurenna and Nat so it was definately a houseful Nat ,Jem and Tom helped finish off the clearing of the garden while Jeremy and Jem got a vegie garden going for Jem . Jem also got a worm farm for his birthday which he loves he is a keen gardener. Luke got roof duty on account of the fact that Noel and I both hate heights.......
Also finally got to start my kitchen dresser so with any luck I will get it finished in the next week or 2. Got some fantastic shelves for Jeremys room so am pleased to say he has no more boxes to unpack in his room .and also got some cube shelves for the kids toys books etc that they keep here for when they come it didn't fit where I had originally wanted to put it but we have a recess in our hall and it fits there perfectly and its not in the way so organisation is finally falling into place.
Went to the movies with the boys to see Year 1 with Jack Black I enjoyed it but can't wait to see Harry Potter next weekend.
Had Vikki come to stay last night we cracked a bottle of wine and chilled out for the night and had a few laughs brilliant.
Back to work on Monday I wish I could have another week off I would be able to get heaps done arhhhhh well........

Oliver is growing fast he is a beautiful little boy and is smiling and making noises back at you when you talk to him and he loves his big sister she always gets a smile from him ....they will be great partners in crime...

Birthdays

Birthdays Birthdays and more.............
Ahuge happy 2nd birthday to Kaylee for the 18th hope you have a wonderful party and I'm sorry we couldn't make it hopefully will catch up soon HAPPY BIRTHDAY little one
Also on the 18th hope you have a great day Cathy and I won't tell anyone your age if you don't tell them mine
19th see Jeremy mybaby turn 14 Hope it was a great day jem . We ended up at a music concert on the same night as Tom and Luke had to play
Only five more work days till the holidays and boy do I need it my plan is that i don't have a plan ....well to get a few things done that I haven't had time to do since we moved in here I have an old cupboard to restore for my dining room and that will empty a few more boxes.... Grandmas old silky oak cot is next ready for Oliver and a chair that I need to reupholster for Anabel. I also have an old silky oak wardrobe that i am dying to do but it may have to wait a bit longer and to sort out the brakes on our car grrrrrrrr this has cost us about 3,000 dollars in the last 12 months but no one seems to be able to sort it out in town so hopefully someone can in brissy we have been through 4 sets of brake pads since we first got it looked at and its driving us nuts we desperately want a new car I am sooooooo over vans but have to wait for the bank to give us the go ahead ........hopefully very soon

Bit of Everything

At last Tom and I took a quick trip to Ellaways yesterday to pick up his new trumpet which has been on the slowest boat from America ever.Its a full professional Xeno and he loves it He'd want to at a whopping 3 and1/2 grand they don't come cheap either.These are only made once a year by yamaha we ordered this last year and it was supposed to be here by feb this year so just a little late.

Kase and Jeremy and the kids were here last weekend and it was great to have them gave them a chance to go and show Oliver to Great Grandma and for everyone else to see him. Anabel was busy as usual cooking she is full of beans but a great little girl. Haven't seen them this week at all so can't wait until Wednesday night so I can spend some time with them again ..get used to it every week and I miss them heaps when I don't get to see them.

Am over the cold already god went to work it was freezing and these little kids come to school with no jumpers .......must be getting old or something I'm putting on layers and the kids take them off.....

Supposed to have last week free from trips to Brissy but ended up there on Tuesday night so spent the time waiting for Tom at Kenny and Michelles it was great to see John who turned the big 18 on the same day Oliver was born and of course Mia who is getting bigger all the time.......Happy Birthday John for the 26th ..............I know I am a slack Aunty.............

Next weeekend begins the next round of birthdays with Cathy and Jem and Kaylee all having birthdays .

Photos of Oliver

And with big sister Anabel

Finally photos of Oliver

Welcome to the World

Finally ............. and with great excitement we welcomed Kasey and Jeremys beautiful baby boy into our family. Oliver John Louis born on the 26th May weighing 8lbs 4ozs with a full head of hair. Oliver was born at home after he decided that he didn't want to wait to get to the hospital. Delivered by his Dad with his assistant Uncle Nat. Oliver is doing well and is now home with Mum Dad and his big sister Anabel who is pretty excited about having a little brother. Kasey is also doing well and looking great this time and Dad well he's chuffed. Congrats go to them for a job well done . What could be better 2 precious Grandkids to love and spoil.Will add pics tomorrow

Still Waiting

Still no baby but grandad has been shopping & grandma made some great little scores on ebay a beautiful bebe outfit/set with booties bonnet onesie and 2 piece set to go with the white and tan one I scored last week arrived today totally gorgeous and all new super cheap and an osh kosh set brand new for 3 bucks gotta love it............Grandad thought miss Anabel needed a pressy too so out he walked last night from shopping with a new dollhouse for the girl ......she will love it though.

Baby News

or lack of it still waiting poor Kase is over it and Grandma and Grandad are hanging out to meet the new little tyke ...........

Happy Birthday

A Great big happy birthday to my neice Car hope you were totally spoilt and had a fantastic day ..........and u never know there is still time.........

Happy Mothers Day

Hope all you Mums have a fantastic and relaxing day...me I've already been spoilt I got a yoghurt maker been thinking about getting one for ages so its brilliant. Tomorrow we have to go to Shorncliffe for a music afternoon with Luke and Tom so apart from the drive there should be good.
Big excitement for Tom on Thursday night he had been away at Advanced Music camp and was awarded the Most Outstanding Musician at the concert that night so he was happy so he has a big trophy and a full schlorship to Bel Canto arghhhh more driving.
Spent a great day with Kase Jeremy and Anabel helping them get ready for the new bub which if I'm correct is due to make an appearance in about 8 days or so can't wait to meet this new little person.

Birthday Wishes

A Huge happy Birthday to Kasey for Today can not beleive that she is 24 and a Mum herself . All the very best wishes are coming your way for a fantastic day. Hopefully you will get a rest in . Lots of love and hugs until I see you tomorrow Love from Mum

The quest for the big O

Organisation or lack of is driving me insane well not quite amazing how some things just fit into one house but not another.Mind you I got the house that fit my 8 seat dining table brilliant but Jeremys room has been a night mare its 4 metres long but not quite 3 wide and a wall of windows so nothing seemed to fit . Bought new cuboard to see if that helped NAH so have finally settled on a loft bed for him and I think it is going to be great but they are so high I can stand under it but great for him cause he can still get his sofa bed under it dual purpose for friends staying over and the playstation which I don't have to have in the lounge . As for the rest of it its going well just need to find some way to store all his lego etc . only the spare room left to organise so getting there.

Well we are on our way to being settled in the house (if you don't count the boxes yet to unpack) I don't know where we had all this stuff in the old house it just keeps coming.It's great though a fantastic sort out (I am officially the dump mans best friend)but I can't wait to start doing some work to it but there are some pressing things to do first like the driveway where Noel and I both got bogged after the rain last week so I have to transplant some plants so we can have our carport pad done.Great news there its costing us nothing David is going to do it and put bitumen filings in for the base and then we can decide what we want on top I like the pebbles but Noel reckons Anabel will have them all gone in no time she does love rocks I don't care the money we save this way is huge!!!!! I bit the bullet and bought a new sewing machine mine has been tempermental for ages so Grumpy is going to sevice my 2 old ones and hopefully Kase can have one. So yet another excuse to go shopping and I promised the boys I would finish the music quilts I started for them this year................but first baby sewing a couple of capsule covers and some change mat covers to get me into it I love this machine it has auto threading and my boys love the fact that I don't have to get them to thread the machine all the time.So we will see.........
First day back at work today after the Easter break I got heaps done but I'm paying for it now have bought some new furniture for Jems room in the hope I can organise i better so that will be this weekends fun and I have a wardrobe coming for the spare room so hopefully I can get the boxes in there unpacked as well and get a bit of order in there so I can get the bubby stuff in again.I have an old dresser to do up so that I can get my good dinner set into it and such they don't look quite so good on my bedroom floor in a box.
Saturday brings Anzac day this week so we will be before the crack of dawn for Tom to play the last post first at the dawn service and then the main one and he has one to play on Thursday night.
Sunday is Hollys christening(couldn't beleive how much she has grown) so hopefully will make it but Renee and Troy and the girls are coming so we will see poor thing just took her being born pressy to her today because i had packed it and Jewels pressy was with it as well so now I have them must deliver her's as well before she grows out of it.

New Addition

We are thrilled to bits that soon we are going to be grandparents again and Anabel is going to be a big sister can't wait not to long to go 18 th may due date congrats to Kasey and Jeremy

Wedding Anniversary

Happy Wedding Anniversary to Car and Jay god it seems like yesterday lvoe to you both hope there are many more great years to come.
Today is my Dad's birthday abeilt he is not here to celebrate it but hopefully he'll be up there with Uncle Rob partying up a storm. Happy Birthday Tommy love you and miss you.
5 days to go I am staring to get excited now
Murphys Law kicks in Noels bloody plate broke so to cut out the middle man our fantastic dentist told us to go to the guy who made the plate so save a few hundred but he's had to take a day off work and it will be $315 so lucky. A few other things but housewise all is good BETTER FINISH the Packing

One week to go

Only 1 more week to wait talked to the solicitor today and we can probably have the house sooner but the tennant is still in the process of moving out so we will give her time and we had planned Monday that it would all be final anyhow........ can't wait but still more packing to be done .
We thought Tom"s shoulder was fractured had ultrasounds and xrays but thankfully just like an RSI she told him to lay off the trumpet for a bit hehe not likely year 12 army auditions etc anyhow bought him a brace which will hopefully allow it to heal and strenghten again. damn just when you need the muscle too.

Anabels birthday

Thought I 'd better post some pics of the party . The cake was brilliant as always Kase. Great food great company and a fantastic day to celebrate Anabels birthday. The balloon trees were really well done and a great touch. My very crafty daughter deserves full credit for beautiful cheap decorations that make a big statement

Birthday Antics

We spent today at Anabels 2nd Birthday Party it was a great day and it was great to catch up with Car and Jay and Kaylee(she is soooo big now)and Anabel had a fantastic time playing with her. Jen and Paul too and of course Michelle and Mia who is also nearly one and has changed so much. Kasey did a fantastic job on the cake and decorations and Jeremy on the bbq yum. All in all a nice relaxing day and a nice change from packing.
On the subject of birthdays baby no 3 has his big day
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKE !!!!!!! 20 tomorrow omg now I am starting to feel old. Hope its a fantastic day ........have a great time at Stephs . I felt like a terrible mother today in the midst of packing totally forgot was supposed to bake a cake for him for today at Anabels party.........did BUY 2 cakes one for today and one for tomorrow to share with friends which hopefully will make up for it . Anyhow have a great day love ya heaps.....
Great to see Troy on a flying visit from the Northern Territory and hopefully will see Renee and the girls very soon . Cheers.
Only 2 weeks left from tomorrow and hopefully the move will be on .........hate the waiting!!!!!!!

The House

Well its official the finance is through now we just have to wait for the settlement date 23rd march and if all is well the tennant will be out and we can move in arghhhhhh I just realised how much I HATE to pack . Oh well good cleanout in progress. Listed the pool tonight and got an email 10 minutes later a guy wants to come and see on Saturday so cross fingers they will buy and it will be one less thing to do. Can't wait yoohoo !!!!!!!! I'll post some pics as soon as we get the lawn mowed lol

Welcome JEWLS

Congrats goes o My nephew Josh and his Fiance Chev on the birth of thier precious little girl Jewls we know she will bring lots of joys Congrats too to Jenny and Paul on becoming Nan and Pop for the second time. Cheers to alll

Happy birthday Hannah

Happy birthday for last saturday to Hannah and massive appologies to Renee we have had so much going on with this house thing that it slipped my mind hope it was a wonderful day love and best wishes and lainey will pull her finger out and get something sent to you as soon as I can. Can not beleive you are five Congrats little girl hugs and kisses.

Anabel is 2!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday precious girl all the love in the world from Grandad & Grandma +Uncle Tom and Uncle Jem. Hope its a great day and can't wait to see you tonight.

Happy Birthday

Our precious little grandaughter Anabel is turning 2 on Wednesday. Happy Birthday beautiful girl. She is a great little kid and Kasey and Jeremy have done an amazing job with her . She is loving and funny and talks non stop. Nursery rhymes and songs are her latest thing and we often have to sing on the phone to her even Grandad. She has all her uncles right where she wants them so she is pretty smart. Still hard to beleive she is 2 though can't wait to see you on Wednesday little girl.

Just one more hurdle

Well we are almost there Noel is going to the building inspection of the new house tomorrow and hopefully all will go well .It's the last hurdle we have to get over but short of it being termite ridden we are going to have it. Finance is all sorted valuation went well .After the building inspection the long wait for the contract to end begins. Hopefully the tennant will have found another place by then and we can move otherwise we are stuck here until after the 16th April (I'll probably cry) . After waiting so long to be able to do this we just want to move in and get on with it.
This has been a dream for us forever. When the kids were small we couldn't do it (too many kids and only one wage the bank said) WHAT is with that. We know how blessed we have been we have 5 amazing kids and I'm glad I stayed home with them and would not have traded our lives for the world................................
So now to a new phase and new worries but it will be worth it in the end.

Goodbye to Polly

It was with sad hearts that we farewelled our faithful dog Polly this morning . Poor girl has been sinking in the last few days but this morning she came in on her rug inside took a few deep breaths and passed away. We are not exactly sure how old she was but we got her when she was 6 when Jem was 2 or 3 he is now nearly 14 so she was a pretty fair age and at least she had no pain. She was renowned for talking to us if we said anything to her she always talked back especially if she wasn't getting all the attention. We will miss her heaps as well as Buffy who has always been with her and Missy who loved to annoy her. Now we worry about Buff who is only 2 years younger and was Pollys pup who is starting to show her age too. Bye little friend.

Houses

Gosh just looked at the date and realised haven't posted anything here for ages.Well what a busy start to the year . Settling in nicely at work now and in to a bit of a rhythm getting to know new kids and new names and am happy to say that things are working out fine. Kasey,Jeremy,Nat and Anabel moved to a new house thank goodness we were worried that the old one would cave in on them (termites) so they are in a nice place now at Carindale.
Tom and Luke are no longer going to do Qld Youth Orchestra so now instead we go on Wed nights to Windsor Brass which they love so hump day is really that now most weeks we get home at 11.00 or later oh well.
The upside is that I get to spend my time at Kases hanging out with Anabel and the gang. She is in to nursery rhymes and songs these days so she loves it if you sing to her and with her and she is loving her new house with a big verandah to play on.
The biggest news is that we have been house hunting . We have to move from here by the 18th of May so we decided to try and buy and at least it would be ours. We have looked at lots and lots of houses some better than others and finally found one that we love and has everything that we want of course there is lots of work to be done inside(mostly cosmetic) but we plan to be there for a very long time. We signed the contracts yesterday so now as long as the bank comes to the party we will be moving in about 5 weeks. Got it for 12000 less than the asking price and for a house in that range (and god knows we've seen a few ) its huge weatherboard covered in fantastic plastic(siding so no painting) 4 bed massive kitchen seperate dining and we will make it ours as we go along a room at a time. Fingers and toes crossed!!!!!!!!

Anabel ,New Babies and life

Tea Party Maddie Anabel and Cassie

Uncle Jem and Anabel

Uncle Luke

Christmas was great pretty quiet but great. Just us and the 3 boys xmas day (Tom had gone to his girlfriends for the day) and Kasey,Jeremy and Anabel and Tom arrived boxing day . Anabel was sick of opening pressys but she was interested in doing it herself this year.Her face was a picture all the new things especially the new dollys shes really into them at the moment.And of course all her night garden toys and books.

Kasey,Jeremy and Anabel left the next day to go to Woodgate and she loved the beach and is very happy to show everyone the shells she collected.

We had Anabel to stay for a few days this week just after she got back from her beach holiday and had a ball. She is a livewire constantly on the go and she talks up a storm now and knows exactly what she wants . Can't beleive that she is going to be 2 in a few short weeks . we had the twins down and she loved having tea parties and has them with her dolls now. She also loves to cook on her kitchen. And she loves checking the mail (more than once a day) and helping Grandad to plant grass seeds and was our site supervisor when we replaced some pool fencing .

But we loved having her!!!!!!!

Congrats go to Kylie and Anthony ......Lincoln is now a big brother with the birth yesterday of Holly May 6lb 14 ozs . Can't beleive all the little girls that have been born in Noels very male orientated family in the last 2 years its a nice change.

Tom has his learners and is as keen as to drive so is driving nearly everywhere now they have to keep a logbook and do 100 hours of supervised driving in the year so hopefully by September he will be driving himself everywhere in his little car. he has a bit of work to do on it but heaps of time . He's doing really well our next big thing will be driving to brissy as he spends a bit of time down there with music so I figure he may as well know what hes doing in there. must admit filling out the log book is a total pain when he does little trips but every minute counts I guess.

I have only one full week of holidays left before I go back to work the last week the kids are on holidays we have pupil free days 3 of them this year these holidays just fly with xmas and new year thrown in . Have started the school books loving it cost next to nothing for the books now there is only 2 at high school and boys don't like thier books covered (bliss) I cover stacks of books at work every year so I don't get a chance to miss it. Am a bit apprehensive about the year ahead though it will be a learning curve I guess. Have decided that I just go and do what need to do and everything else will (hopefully) fall into place.

Forgot to mention I got a new camera for chissy we have the big slr camera that is brilliant but sometimes its a pain to lug so Noel gave me a smaller one I can just throw into my bag and have all the time ...........yeah so these pics are taken on it.