Sydney Visit

This year our annual March trip to Relle's included some one on one time with La and Leyla. Relle and Sami took a lovely break and had a week in Fiji. So Ma ma and Pa were in their element in being chief child minders for that time. We got to do all the school stuff and the after school activities.

On the weekend before Relle left we had a trip out to Jelly Bean Pool. A very pretty place even if it was a little wet. 

Jelly Bean Pool

 

 La doing what she does best............jumping off high places

 

The following weekend we decided to take the girls up to the Blue Mountains. We discovered a wonderful Park along with thousands of other tourists. Scenic World.

 

 We took the Skyway across the valley.

 

 The girls found a waterfall and water to jump in as we took the walk around the area.

 While waiting for the tramway ride they scored a couple of dogs made from a balloon

 

 All set for the 52 degree ride to the bottom

 

Looking back down the track on one of our many rides. They loved the thrill of it.

 

 Along the walkway at the Miner's Hut.

We had a fabulous day doing all the rides and walks over and over and over.

 

The next day we ventured down to the Jenolan Caves. That was an amazing experience. Driving the road to the caves was steep and narrow and when we came around the last corner this is what we saw......

 A cave in the mountain side.

 

 We drove through it and this is what we saw..........

 

 It was like we had driven into another country. Amazing!

 

We took a tour of the Chiefley Cave.

Just some of the beautiful formations

 

Thanks La and Leyla for a wonderful weekend. We had a lot of fun. 

Birthday Season

Love it! We just finish the Christmas celebrations and we dive straight into the family birthdays. Dec, Jan & Feb keep us on our toes with lots of parties. Love the birthday cake creations that are produced by the talented family members.

 8 year old Toby

 Davy our master candle blower

Aunty Relle's Birthday

 A lovely pavlova cake

 Everyone gets a go at the candles not only our Davy

Even though Old Pa is no longer with us, it did not stop the Grandies from celebrating his 89th Birthday

 Here's to you Old pa

Rory turns 2

 Ma ma had morning tea with Rory to celebrate her 2nd Birthday

 Trying out her new trolley

There is a very special Bithday that falls just after Rory's. 

We welcomed into our ever growing family Annie Lois Excell on the 19th January 2017

More on Annie later.

Lizette turns 2 years

 Party time for Zettie girl. A couple of days early but while you have the crowd it is good to make use of them. Party bags, games and cake were the order of the day.

 Cake time

Next in line were Lucy and Laura.

Lucy turns 4 years

 Lucy opening her stash of parcels

 All lined up for the birthday cakes, a swimming pool and puppy dog

 Group photo

 Laura and little miss Annie

Nathan's Birthday finishes off the celebrations.

A beautiful chocolate cheese cake

 Family photo


Now for the most exciting news!!!!
 
Miss Annie Lois Excell arrived on 19th January 2017.
This little Miss was quite happy to stay put while the family holidayed at the beach. No sooner were they home and she decided it was time to make her entrance into the world.

The big brothers were very excited to meet their new little sister.
 

 Welcome to the family  Annie

 Her cousins meeting her and checking that she has all her toes and fingers.
And they score her as perfect.

Gorgeous!

Christmas and the festivities

With all the fun surrounding Christmas we thought that we would take time out to attend some of the activities. First up was the Bordertown street party. The girls visited Aunty Laura who was doing the face painting. I think family were her best customers. Leyla managed to score a visit with Santa again and had a wonderful conversation with the jolly man.

We decided to join the other cousins in the Mundulla Street Party. Off to the shops to get the required tinsel and chrissy decorations to decorate the bikes and then off to have lots of fun.

 La & Leyla

 Mitchell & Lexie

 Beau

 Uncle Glen and Jacqui in the MG Sports Car

Jacqui set up her little stall to sell her  cards, bookmarks & biscuits that she had made. She did a roaring trade. Well Done Jacqui!!

Christmas Day!!

 Leyla with her makeup gift

 Zetty and Nathan with his pretties on

 Beau with his Monster Car

 Cheeky Davy

 Lou & Steve checking out their box of goodies

 Setting up the new Excell camper

 All lined up for a photo later in the day while having some water slide fun.

Boxing Day

It was our turn this year to have the Altus Christmas. We were a couple of families short in Matt & Kara, Troy & Jenni and Brandon. We had a few extra in Warren, Fi, Charlie and Sam join us for the festivities. We had a wonderful time catching up.

 

The Water Slide always provides plenty of fun for the big and small kids! 

 Everyone enjoying each others company

Thanks for making it a fun Christmas. We did miss our dear Old Pa not being about to watch all the antics.