Family Time

I love having my family home. We have had a great Christmas to-gether ending with three days away camping together as a family. We were very fortunate to be able to have a few days at a fishing shack about an hour and a half out of Rocky. I am so thankful that we had this roof over our heads as the weather has been pretty bad the last few days. Constant rain - but much needed rain so I am still very thankful for it.
The shack is pretty primitive but it is situated on a hill overlooking the water. Lovely spot and couldn't have asked for a better spot for a bit of fishing and relaxation.
We had a few home comforts there -beds to sleep on, ceiling fans, lounge chairs to sit in, table and chairs. Sort of reminded us of how the early settlers must have lived when they first migrated to our wonderful county. We went fishing and caught fish for mealsWe went crabbing each morning and evening and enjoyed a wonderful feast of these.


Each evening we came home to wonderful roast dinners cooked in the camp oven over the hot coals.
and after the dishes were done, the crab pots checked and the fish all filleted we sat down to play cards together as a family till all hours of the night.

The time has gone way too quickly. It seems like we wait for ever for our kids to come home to visit and then it seems that time just flies and it is time to pack up and go home again.
We've had heaps of rain these last few days, and this morning, we got absolutely drenched as we went to collect the crab pots ready top pack up to go home. We honesty wondered how we were ever going to get packed and get everything in and out of the boat and into our cars in the absolute pouring rain. What an answer to prayer when the rain stopped only 16 minutes before we needed to start loading everything on the little ride on mower to take down to the boat. We got everything back to the boat ramp dry and then loaded in the car all dry.
We got everyone and everything back to the boat ramp in two boat loads. Good thing the shack is only a couple of hundred metres from the boat ramp cause we were pretty much weighed right down. We were keen to get it all back and loaded in the car before the rain hit again.
It was all hands on deck to get the boat unloaded and the cars loaded so we could get tied down and get home.

Just some random shots of these guys that I love the most. It was long after leaving that the rain hit again and it rained most of the way home. It has absolutely bucketed down at home here. We have had over 6 inches of rain in the last couple of days, and a lot of it fell this morning. This was just a glimpse of the scenes we saw along the road as we were driving home


We also got a glimpse of this little fella on our way out along the dirt road too. He was sitting right in the middle of the road, but by the time we got out of the car with the camera he had scampered up this tree.
A few other random shots from the last few days since the kids have been home. On Boxing day we all went to the movies to see AVATAR in 3D. Colin and Sarah went for this new look with their 3D glasses after we got out of the Movies.
Also during the week before Christmas we came across this stick insect at church. We just had to take a photo of it as it was HUGE. I have never seen anything like it. I have seen photos of huge ones in PNG, but never one here. It was massive.
I still have photos of cards that we made just before Christmas to share with you, but this post is already long and it is late, so will leave them for another day, probably in the new year.

I have so many things to be thankful for this week.

1. An awesome time away together as a family
2. The rain - it was so good hearing the rain pelting down on the iron roof.
3. God's awesome creation - the beauty that surrounds us.
4. For safety whilst traveling and on the water.
5. For the fish and crabs and the fun we had catching them and eating them.
6. The generosity of others - allowing us to use their fishing shack.
7. Just being able to have some one on one time chatting with our kids.
8. Hanging out together.
9. Washing machines.
10. Clothes dryers.

Well it's late and I need to hit the sack. All this fresh air has made me a little tired and I have an early start in the morning as our kids are heading home at about 6am in the morning and I want to get up and wave them goodbye as they head back home to Brissie.

Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas Day here - in fact one young lady in this house hold would tell you it was her best ever.

Our older kids arrived home Christmas Eve and the gifts under the tree seemed to grow once again.


Friends arrived for the exchanging of gifts and we all sat and watched this Christmas Movie
Christmas Morning saw us all go as a family to the early morning church service to celebrate the birth of Christ. It was really quite special to all be there as a family together.

Once we got home, I kept the girls busy in the kitchen, whilst Steve ducked down the road to our friends place to bring home Chloe's surprise Christmas Present. Once he was home again, the gift giving started. In our family we have a tradition of handing out one gift at a time, which gives everyone the opportunity to appreciate each other and thank the giver before the next gift is open, so this part of our tradition and celebration can take a little time.

The mystery of the purple package was finally solved and it was a gift for Chloe after all.
She was quite excited when she saw what it was. She figures she might be able to bake something now without burning it.
Her sister and brother in law spoilt her when they gave her this
She had been wanting either an Itouch Dock or speakers for her laptop, and Sarah was pretty happy that they were on a winner when they chose this gift for her.
Now her brother is a huge tease, and he wrapped up one of Chloe's old presents that she received last year and when she opened it, there were directions to go find the real present under her bed. Each of Pete's presents were wrapped with a mile of stick tape and once opened there were always instructions to go looking for them elsewhere. Just added to the fun of the day.Sarah received a beautiful teaset from her in laws, and lots of money so that she could enjoy the Boxing Day Sales, and I can tell you she had a ball shopping yesterday and got lots for her money. Both the boys got cash too to go towards specific things that they wanted, along with books, DVD's and CD and lots of bits and pieced that they wanted.

And just when everyone thought the gift giving was all finished and started to get up and clean up, another present was found in the tree for this little chickee.
She was completely overwhelmed when she opened the present and just sobbed and sobbed and just clung to us. She had us in tears too.
Meanwhile her brother and sister were out the front door and into the front year. They got to see her Christmas present before she did, because she could not stop hugging us or crying.
Finally she got to have a good look at her Christmas Present and she spent most of the day in and out - sitting in it, reading the manual, listening to music in it, and in the afternoon and that night we both went for a drive. Chloe is yet to get her licence, but it won't be long now.
She has done her 100 hours and her log book has been sent in, so we are just waiting for it to come back before we book the test. This young lady did get spoilt this Christmas, but we had already had other gifts for her before we found the car. We only came accross it the week before Christmas and it was in such good condition, and such a good buy, that we just snapped it up. It did make her Christmas though and her gratitude and thankfulness and love sure made the day for the rest of us.
After going for a little drive and visiting a friend to show her, her new little car, it was home to get dinner on the table. I am afraid that the guys in this household like a traditional Christmas lunch. The girls prepared lunch and the guys washed up and cleaned up afterwards for us.
We had a very relaxed afternoon just having a rest and chatting to each other. Chloe was keen to go for a drive so later in the afternoon we went for a drive to visit one of her friends.

Boxing Day, Chloe had to work, but Sarah and I hit the shops in the morning for the Boxing Day Sales. I have to say, I would much prefer Boxing Day Shopping here than in the city. At least we didn't have to queue for ages just to pay. We bought some bedside tables for Sarah, bedside lamps, towels and some homewares. Chloe met us when she finished work and the three of us all went and had a Pedicure together (it was part of my Christmas Present). It was so relaxing and so good to do it all together, we then went clothes shopping and both the girls got some real good buys and bargains.

We met the guys at the Cinema when the shops closed and we all went to see AVATAR - in 3D together. I wouldn't have thought it would be a movie I would enjoy, but because the rest of the family wanted to go see it, I went along but have to say, I really did enjoy it - definately a movie that needs to be seen in 3D - probably even a movie I could see again.

We are now getting ready to go camping for the next three days as a family. Lots of fishing, reading and relaxing. Hoping the weather isn't going to be too hot - nice gentle breeze, even a few showers wouldn't worry me, but I am looking forward to it being all of us together.

Finally I just have to wish this very special and gorgeous lady a very

Happy 50th Birthday

today.
We have been best friends now for almost 27 years. She is one of the most colourful, bright, bubbly, sensitive and caring persons I have ever met. Time and distance haven't diminished our friendship, if anything our bonds are even stronger. I can trust her to be brutally honest with me but it is always done in such a loving and caring way. I have been SO SO BLESSED to have her friendship and if you are reading this Barb, I want you to know that I treasure your friendship and hope that your birthday is awesome. I know that you will enjoy yourself because that is just who you are, I hope you have taken heaps of photos of your celebrations at work today - can't wait to see them. I'm also looking forward to catching up with you in a couple of weeks time and celebrating again.

The Presents are Wrapped and there is only one more sleep until my kids come home

One more sleep and my big kids will be home.
Two more sleeps and it is Christmas
We've were busy wrapping presents yesterday.
And then last night we started putting them under the tree.
But someone is a bit of a nosey parker and couldn't help having a peep at the labels. She is very interested in the big purple parcel. It hasn't got a tag on it yet and she is very curious. She thinks its hers.
But she is just going to have to wait to find out on Christmas morning.
Someone else was just happy to relax with a cuppa and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Mysteriously today another big parcel appeared under the tree. Who could this one be for.
Starting to fill the stockings. Just had to take a photo of my little optic fibre Christmas tree. It is so pretty at night.
only two more sleeps too until we can crack these open. These are my most very favourite chocolates and usually we only get to have them for birthdays and Christmas.
Picked up this Holly today whilst I was out shopping. I am sure I can incorporate it into my Table decorations for Christmas day.
Now I need to go start the baking. I know it is late but Nat's cupcakes await me. I want to get them made tonight so I can ice them in the morning.

SO EXCITED - Praying for safety for my big kids as they travel home tomorrow. I really am looking forward to having them home for the next week.

Remember this Christmas that JESUS is still the reason for the season ( look him up in "His-story" , he is more than the baby in the stable , he was sent here by God to fulfill a purpose and WOW he sure fulfilled it ) Amazing that God loved us enough to come into our world to... make a way that we can be with him for eternity

One last thing, just wanted to post a picture of the little turtle doves nest that we found outside the bedroom window. Such a special little bird - can't get over how close to the house she made her nest.

Christmas Lights

It's the most wonderful time of the year. We are enjoying just catching up with friends. Last night we caught and with friends and went checking out the Christmas Lights.
Loved the Christmas Tree here and how it wound around.
And this place was just amazing.
This next house we visited won one of the best Christmas Lights award.
This was a Florist shop which was just breathtaking.
We ended up coming home to our place for Christmas nibblies.
On the weekend we caught up with these lovely folk
Steve and Charlie had been fishing together the previous week, and the guys prepared us this amazing feast.
Our trees are full of mangos this summer so I put together this mango and macadamia nut salad with lime dressing to go with the fish and crabs. So Yum.
Karen, Amy and I spent the afternoon making cards. Can't wait to share them with you but it will probably be after Christmas, Two more sleeps until my kids come come and I CAN'T WAIT.

My Christmas Grateful List this week is:

1. Decorting our home and enjoying the festive season.
2. Wrapping presents because the excitement is wonderful.
3. Christmas sales and being able to buy a Christmas tree half price, and wrapping paper and cards for next year already.
4. That History acknowledges the birth of Christ and that we celebrate this at Christmas.
5. Reading the story of Jesus birth
5. Christmas Carols
6. The colours of Christmas.
7. The gift of giving.
8. Enjoying friends and spending time with them.
9. Christmas Lights and the fun of driving around town looking at them.
10. A Clean up for Christmas.