Birthdays - Pa and Jack

On September 1st we celebrated Jack's 12th Birthday and Pa's 68th Birthday. It is also Nano Olsen's birthday as well. Happy Birthday Nano.  Jack wanted pizza for tea so Mama made a couple and Matt made several and we had a lovely meal at Jack's house. 

A gift from Aunty Relle, Uncle Sami, La and Leyla. Just what the lad ordered!

Some technic Lego from Mama and Pa

Cake time so Jack had the pleasure of lighting all the candles

Everyone gets a turn in blowing them out

Pa's gift this year was a new Massey Ferguson Tractor along with some other farm machinery

I think Pa has exceeded his gift limit for many years

On the weekend the Excell and Heinrich families got together with  for a play date and to celebrate the two birthdays again. Love a family gathering.

Another two cakes, 

a number 12 and a choc log 

Rory and Davey keeping Pa company

Time to light them candles Jack

Happy Birthday Jack and Pa

 

Bonnet Sliding & catching up with friends

 A favourite with the Heinrich's is bonnet sliding. Many hours of fun was had in the early years driving through water to wet those on the bonnet. Now it is the Grandies turn and they love doing the same.

Will and La

 Not sure if the little tractor was fast enough for them

 

 Fast enough for these 3

 Jack in his element

 

The tribe and Aunty Kara went up to Jenni and Troy's to catch up with their cousins and with the Tymko Family. They had a great time enjoying each others company. Long time between visits.

 

There was enough floor space to accommodate all the troops. Thanks for your hospitality Jenni and Troy

A Family Excursion

  Relle had promised the girls a trip to Mount Gambier to show them the sights. It ended up being a family excursion. The Ercans, 5 Excells, 6 Heinrichs and Mama & Pa. We had a wonderful family time of fun, laughter, exploring and catching up with Nic, Maddie & Riley and also Sam, Tash and Charlotte.

We stopped in to have a look at the Cave Gardens before we found some lunch

 

We took a drive down to Old Nana's favourite place - Port Macdonnell (also where Nic, Kane and family live) to have a look about.

 A walk along the jetty

 

 The Old Customs House.

(Old Nana, as a child, used to stay in it when it was a guest house)

 

Took a drive out to the' Look Out' along the coast

 

Camel Rock

 

 

We stayed in a 3 bedroom Air b n b which was very comfy and could sleep  all 17 of us

 

 Getting the evening meal sorted

 

 Movie Time

 

The next morning Relle and Matt wanted the kids to climb Mount Shank. They remember Old Nana & Pa taking them on the walk around the rim.

 

 They all had lots of fun and we were not able to lose them, cos you could hear them where ever they were. They explored the crater and then found a way out up the side with Pa (the old goat)

 

 After the climb and having lunch with Nic and kids in the playground down by the Valley lake we climbed up to Centenary Tower to take in the view of the city and country side.

 After all their walking and climbing activities they deserved an ice cream

 

The next day we went and visited the Umpherston Sinkhole. It is an amazingly beautiful spot. It is a very popular place for visitors and for family and bridal party photos.

 The kids found hidey places in behind the hanging creepers

 

 Enjoying the wonderful scenery

 

 

We then went and had another look at the Blue Lake. Not so blue this time!

 

 

 Our little adventure was quickly coming to an end. We had some lunch at the park where the old Railway Station used to be. A lovely spot for just a walk or for some time out.

Rory and Leyla sitting on some local residents

A Special Event

Will's 10th Birthday was the special event for us all to gather again. We love a party so we all turned up at Will's house to help him celebrate.
 

Opening his gifts

Miss Annie  and Rory

 

 Pa eating his meal with his little fans

 

 Birthday Boy

 

 Happy 10th Birthday Will

What has been happening?

With Sami, Relle, La & Leyla unable to fly to Turkey as they had planned they spent some time down at the beach house doing so jobs for Pa. Digging trenches and laying the pipe work for the tanks and pump and doing some painting of window sills and doors. In between jobs the girls were able to do their school work. 

Getting down and dirty

 Relle painting

 The old tank had to go. One job La thought she could do.

 It was alot tougher than they thought.  So out came the angle grinder to cut it up

 One tank done and dusted.

A few weeks later Mama, Relle, La, Leyla, Lou, Toby, Beau, Davy & Annie went down to finish off  landscaping the old tank area. We brought in 4 large trailer loads of dirt to fill in and level off the area.

After all the work was done it was time to go down to the beach. Plenty of sea-weed and rocks to climb and play on. Thanks for your help.

Leyla and Rosie

The kids always find something to keep themselves occupied.

Dress Ups

 the dress up bag contains lots of different outfits.

Lots of fun and entertainment