Sydney Visit 2018

We had our annual trip to Sydney in March to catch up and spend time with Relle, Sami, La and Leyla. We had a wonderful time relaxing and doing a couple of trips with Relle and the girls while Sami went to work. Pa was kept occupied by visiting the boys toy shops, doing some book work and shifting the girls Cubby House ready for Sale. We got to go to the Henry Fulton School Assembly that La hosted. She did a great job and was lucky enough to come away with lots of Achievement and Swimming awards. Well Done La!

Our first excursion was to take Pa down to Paradise Pools. He loves a bit of bushwalking and finding a beautiful spot to have lunch and a swim was a great way to spend some time. 

All ready to set off

 Enjoying the beautiful walk

 

 La and Relle braved the icy water

 

 Took Mama a little longer to get in. Almost heart attack cold!!!

 

 La found a rope to swing from

 

 Look at me...............

 

A pooped La after the walk back

 

Our next trip was down south of Wollongong to the Fitzroy Falls

 

 In the beautiful Blue Mountains

 

 Fitzroy Falls

(not a lot of water coming over the falls)

 

 When the wind blew hard enough the water didn't make it to the bottom.

 

 Gremlins let loose with the camera on the way to the beach

 

 We stopped at Werrie Beach after visiting the falls. It was pleasant in the mountains. When we hit the beach it was very, very hot. We needed that swim. La spent plenty of time in the waves but the rest of us stayed on the edge enjoying the water. By the time we got back to the car we were in need of another swim.

 

 We stopped in at Kiama and found the rock pool to cool off in along with lots of other beach goers.

 Taking a walk to the shop for an ice cream. It is a given when Pa is with us

 

 Pa and Leyla doing their version of the Toyota jump

 

We had a night out on the town and went to an Indian Restaurant for Dinner. A lovely meal with wonderful company.

 Pretty good lookin bunch

 

 The girls found a playground as we walked around the oval after Dinner

 

 A lovely night out.

 

Relle found Pa a job to do while he was around. Shift the Cubby House so it could be sold.

 The cubby on the move. One shed and gate had to be moved to let it through.

 

Last play before it went to another family for lots of fun.

Up, Up and away

 On Friday 2nd March Ma ma was finally able to take her Balloon Ride. After 2 failed attempts it was a thrill to take to the air. It was a cool morning with a slight breeze and it was decided to take off up at Blanchtown. We watched a beautiful sunrise as the fellas were setting up the balloon and filling it with the required air and heating it. Pa was able to come along and be a helper. It was a wonderful way to start the day. An hour long flight with only the sounds of the birds and the wind with the occasional hissing of the gas burner. A big thank you to our kids for giving Ma ma the wonderful gift.

Starting the setting up

 Beautiful sunrise

 

 Heating up the air to float the balloon

 

 Bye Pa see you in an hour

 

 Happy passengers

 

 The other Balloon Company in the air with us

Flying below us

 

Getting ready for touch down

Lucy turns 5

Miss Lucy turned 5 on 24th Feb and she went over to Aunty Laura's to have her cake with her. It is an annual event that they celebrate their birthdays together. Aunty Cilla and Kelsie were around to help in the celebrations as well. 

Lucy loves dress ups

 Some nail polish and make up

 

 A number 5 for the 5 year old

 

Laura is a star!!

 Hip, Hip Hooray!!

Nannie Sue turns 60

On the 9th Feb Family and friends gathered at the Bordertown Bowling Club to help Sue celebrate her 60th Birthday. Much fun, reminiscing and lots of  laughter was had by all. A great time  in catching up with friends. Andy made a great speech about his mum which included lots of tall stories. A wonderful night was had by us all. 

 Nannie Sue cutting her cake

 

Robyn, Jenny and Janine have all turned 60 in recent months

January Happenings

 January is always a busy time with beach holidays, birthdays and harvest. The beach house gets a good work out. The family love their time down there where they can catch up with different family members and all the cousins. Something is always happening. Birthdays, sleep overs, treasure hunts, riding bikes and picnics in the park.

 



Relle turns 40

Relle with her birthday buddies

 Being a special Birthday we saw fit to make sure she was able to celebrate in style with Sami. Off for a Night Away, Dinner and some pampering. (see Relle's blog)
Happy Birthday Relle

 

With such a large family there is always someone about.

 

 Plenty of kids & fun at meal times.

 

 

Annie turns 1

 Lots of fun at the Pool with family and friends.

 

Cake... Yum!!

 

 Watermelon went down a treat. Some very hungry people after all that swimming and fun in the pool

 

Honor, Flynn and Greta came for their annual farm visit again. It was wonderful to catch up with them. While they were here there was plenty for them to do.

Riding with Pa in the ute and tractor, a visit to the Naracoorte Caves, to the Naracoorte Swimming Lake and then to the Wild life Rescue Sanctuary.

 

 In the back of Pa's ute ready for a ride.

 

 Davy and Leyla feeding the young kangaroos

 

More Skippy's to feed

 

 Trina has a couple of wombats and this little fella was a hit with the kids

 

 Rory waiting for him to come to her

 

On the Australia Day weekend, all the family were home so we were able to catch up on birthdays missed or to celebrate birthdays coming.

It was also a great time to take the kayaks out to the Servi Resi for everyone to have some fun.  Lots of laughter, swimming and fun was had by all.

 Best of all the kids were able to tip their Dad's into the water!!!!

 

 Pa paddling with 1 hanger-on

 

 Matt having to put some effort into it with at least 3 holding on

 

 Lots of fun and laughter

 

Rory and Zetty turned 3

 Party time!!
We have a crowd without even trying

 

 Elsa and Anna were the gifts that excited these two

 

 A gift for Annie

 

 Gathering of the Grandies

 

The smiles on their faces says it all.