Time with the Boys

Ma ma spent some time with her young lads recently & loved every minute of it. We get to do some fun stuff like going to the shops, visiting Old Pa or just playing.

Toby showing Jack how his musical guitar works.

The big boys are off having an avo nap so Master Will gets to play with Uncle Bing all by himself!

Jack all tuckered out after his busy morning with Toby, couldn't make it past Aunty Lou's lounge.

Birthdays

Ma ma was only home for a couple of sleeps & then it was off with Pa to Echuca for Lexie's 4th Birthday. At this stage of the harvest, we had had much too much rain so Pa could go with a clear conscious.

Miss Lexie blowing out the 4 very important candles & Mitchell trying to get in on the photo shot!

Lexie's beautiful pony birthday cakes

Lexie singing us a song while playing her guitar

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I, Ma ma had a flying visit to Sydney with Laura & Toby for Alara's 3rd Birthday. It was a great time to spend with the grandies even for just a short time. Pa had to stay home cos he was starting harvest or so he thought!

Sparklers to end the birthday celebrations.

Toby's turn to blow out the candles

Yeah, its my birthday, says Miss Alara.

Water, Water & more Water!

Just when the fellas thought it was good to go & make a start on the harvest it decided to rain. AND rain we have had. Since La la's birthday on 24th Nov we have had 670 points or 167.5 ml That has put the harvest on hold for a few weeks waiting for the ground to dry out. Then it will be fun trying to harvest in the event that we don't get the Header, the semi or any other implement bogged getting the grain out of the paddocks. It has been said that you could 'boogie board' behind a vehicle from Spotty Tink's at Green Swamp all the way to Grosser's Corner!
(a good 3.5 km)

Pa surveying the dam on Norton's corner paddock. This one hasn't been filled for many years. The water is rushing around the back of the home block & has filled the middle dam as well.

Spotty Tink's wheat crop at Grosser's Corner.

Plenty of water at Grosser's Corner. Now that the ground is full from the Winter rains it has laid a lot more water & is now flowing off to the Nalang Creek.

Water lapping the side of the South Lillimur Road just up from our house & flowing over Pa's bank into the wheat crop.

The road between the home block & the Hay shed has become a river!

Happy Snaps

Only the other day, young Toby came over for a "sleep over" & to spend some time with Ma ma & Pa. He was a busy boy, helping Ma ma in the garden, collecting the eggs, feeding the chooks, watering the plants & off helping Pa to shift the sheep etc. He was Pa's little shadow.

Our cheeky monkey playing in the 'freezer box' cubby house.

On the Anniversary of Old Nana's death, Aunty Cathy, Ashleigh, Uncle Bing, Uncle Glen, Pa & Ma ma took Old Pa to the Pub for lunch. It was a good time to just catch up & doing a spot of reminiscence of some of the good times we all had with Old Nana & Pa.

Toby loving all the attention he was getting from Ash.

Late Oct we had a visit from our Qld rellies as in Warren, Fi, Charlie & Sam. This was the our first meeting of little Sam. He was a happy little chap just watching what the world had to offer & taking it all in especially on what the bigger boys were up to.

Young Sam very comfy on Aunty Lou's lap.

Just let me show you how it works Charlie!

Calisthenics

Mid Oct we visited the Heinrich Family in Echuca for Lexie's Calisthenics Concert. Great excitement on one young lady's part & of course Ma ma & Pa were very honoured to be invited to attend. (History has a habit of repeating itself!!) I think when Relle & Lou are about at Christmas time we should have a little concert of our own. Lexie can remind her Aunties of all their old Calisthenic moves.

Is this a big enough smile....................... hurry up ma ma I want to read my book!

Master Mitchell just hanging around. Gotta get these feet to work up a bounce!

Miss Lexie all made up & hair done ready for the concert.
No photos at the show so we have to be happy with the before & after shots

Lexie with her Clown face on & showing off some of her moves. Well Done Lexie, we did enjoy your wonderful Calisthenics Concert. You are a STAR!!

Time for Cuddles

There is always time in our lives for lots of cuddles from our precious grandies. We love it when they visit & we can then make the most of those lovely cuddles.

Ma ma was lucky to have a special moment with Jack & Will on a recent visit.

Old Pa got to spend time with his 2 Echuca Babes when they visited recently. He looks forward to these visits from these great grandies to catch up with all of their happenings.

Ma ma scored lots of giggles with our little man, Master Toby.

Gemini Downs Camp

On the last weekend in Sept our local church community headed over to the Coorong for our annual camp. We could stay in a cabin, or unit, in our own camper or van or bunk in the bunk house. It has all the different types of accommodation to cater for all. We chose the bunk house. It was a great weekend with good weather, good company & wonderful scenery along the
Coorong. AND of course all footy fans were able to watch the AFL Grand Final : Take 1

Just a few of the kids checking out the camp fire and making plans for their day

Ma ma & Pa were in charge of cooking the Sat evening meal in the Camp ovens. (I kinda lost Pa somewhere through the avo due to the footy!!) We had some great help from Jocelyn & Trevor Keller as well. We had 55 to feed.A meal of Roast Beef & Lamb, 6 different vegies & gravy and finished off with Apple & Sultana Roly Poly. Supper was Jocelyn's lovely fruit damper. All very Yum.

Poor Pa & Kym Krause looking very worried as the match was nearing the final siren.

Some of the campers enjoying a coffee or port around the camp fire

The younger set making good use of the fire for toasting their marshmallows

Sun morn we got to enjoy the sunshine around the fire & to hear the stories of all the treasures the kids had to find over the weekend.

We were able to enjoy the sunshine and God's wonderful creation with our Church service outside.

Water, Oh what a beautiful sight!

We have been blessed with rain. Over the past few weeks in Aug & Sept it has been raining and we now have lots of water about. It was something to see in the Desert and even more exciting to come home to see lots of water. It has filled or filling the local swamps and dams that haven't had water in them for many years. It is a real pleasure to go out side and hear the Frogs during the day and at night. Wonder where they have been during the dry years.

Green Swamp - another rain will have it overflowing.

The little dam just east of the house - filled & overflowing into the table drains

The table drain opposite the little dam on Spotty's side of the road.

The Dam in the corner of paddock at Wallis' bus stop & mail box

Water in Grosser's paddock & swamp at the same corner (sth servi & sth lillimur rd)

Down at the Boat lake, Jack still found time to play with Bella

Don't dawdle Dad! take me for a spin.
Can always find a use for everything - shovels become oars!

Birdsville Trip

We were off again up North this time with the Maidments, Nortons, Tinks & Merretts. The Birdsville Races was the place to be. We didn't get to the Races due to some very wet weather coming in. So we departed & went off down the Track to see the Cooper Creek punt working.

Pa's birthday was celebrated with the group at Birdsville. He got his Tim Tam cake in the shape of his actual birthday numbers.

The Desert in bloom & with lots of water!
It is amazing just the amount of water out there.

Just some of the water at the Cooper Creek Crossing.

We took a Helicopter flight over the Cooper Creek

The Cooper Creek Punt at work.

Jack & Pa Heinrich's early Birthday Celebrations

Three special people celebrate their birthday on the same day 1st Sept Nano Marg Olsen, Jack & Pa. Because Ma ma & Pa were off on another 'little jaunt', it was decided to have an early birthday tea for the two young men. We hope that Nano Marg had a great day & Happy Birthday!

The Birthday Boys! Love the bogged tractor cake!
Has been known to happen to the bigger lad!

Time to try out Jack's new chalk & magnetic board
Jack & his partner in crime, young Toby

Mitchell & Nathan's Special Day

We had a wonderful weekend in Echuca with the Heinrich & Smith Families to celebrate little Mitchell's Dedication & Nathan becoming a Baptized member of their Church. Lots of laughter, fun & fellowship was enjoyed by all. Thanks Julz & Nathan for the wonderful weekend.

Ma ma & Pa with the' two men of the moment'

Mitchell and Nathan

'Feed time at the Zoo'
Ryan, Zac, Jack, Toby & Lexie

Shearing Time

Didn't take long for us to get back into the swing of things. Crutching, watching the weather, shedding the sheep & then into a couple of days of shearing.

Jack being the 'overseer' for the afternoon shift.

After all that hard work it was time for smoko & his cuppa tea (milo)

Will enjoyed having mum to himself but did miss his big brother.
Where have you been Jack, lets go play!