Jack Starts Grade 1

Jack visited us after his first day at school for the year. All seems to have gone well but being a bloke, you don't hear much!

While Jack was at school, Cooper and Lachlan spent the day with us.  Being cool and clear it was a good day for some outside cooking.

Sophie Starts School

It was an exciting day today as Sophie headed off for her first day of school.  She is a lucky girl as the experience held absolutely no fears with her brothers looking after her.  It also signals a new era for the family with all the kids at school.

As usual, we look on in amazement at the size of the school bag.  If she got caught in a storm she could shelter inside!

All aboard for the start of a new era.

Australia Day

We had the obligatory Barbeque to celebrate Australia Day. It was a cool cloudy evening but we were warmed by the food and the wine.

Sophie had been asleep for a while so was less enthusiastic about the noise and the fireworks than the rest of us.

Pool Site

Destruction of the retaining walls is in progress in preparation for the installation of the pool.  We thought it important to get a record of the site before the digging starts.

As it turns out some of the younger family members were far more interested in the barrel of Jelly Beans than the pool site.

Story Time

The G Team arrived and as lunch was being prepared they decided they should have a little light entertainment.  Granny was invited to read "Dangerous Dinosaurs" ....again!!

It may have happened a few times before but it still holds their attention.

Sleepover

While Adam took Kate to a birthday dinner, the rest of the team came across to look after Granny and Pa for the night.

While there was some use of the toy cupboard, it was the iPods that had the real workout.

In the morning there was a bit of a workout in the park -

before it was back to the games that had been downloaded last night.

Kate's Birthday

We had the family celebration of Kate's birthday last night.  It was with some trepidation that we joined Adam in presenting her with a new mixer but it turns out she had been strongly hinting that this would be a good idea.  We have been very happy with ours so expect she will enjoy using it.

Granny made sure there was plenty on the table but we were quite surprised that the childrens' rate of consumption had escalated over the holidays and most of the plates of cakes were nearly empty at the end of the night.  We are entering a new era.

We also appear to have divided along party lines on the wines of the evening. On this occasion, the gentlemen partook of a 97 Coonawarra Shiraz to accompany the lasagne but the gentlewomen stayed with Moscato and Sav Blanc.

Visiting Juliette

Juliette did not plan things very well, she arrived while we were in New South Wales!  Geoff and Marcia did not seem to mind but she was a couple of weeks old before we could visit.  The issue was all resolved this morning.  There was plenty of noise and carry on during the visit but she slept peacefully the whole time.  Not even a glimpse of an eyeball!

Pool Time

One place where you really need a pool is in Echuca on a 41 degree day.  This was the situation last weekend and Cameron and Cathy's pool was an oasis in the heat for the children (of all ages).

As usual, the younger children liked being thrown around by the older children.

Echuca

Last weekend, with the rest of the family,  we visited Echuca.   Pam and Noel put us up in their Guest Wing. In the hope we may visit again, we behaved well and did not disturb the menagerie.

It was a very relaxed weekend spent visiting and eating!  Cathy and Cameron were hosting Lisa and Justin so there was plenty of pool time.  Emma is always pleased to see her Poppy.

On Sunday we were able to visit Paul and Allira in their fantastic new house.  Paul spent most of the visit cooking batches of Grandma's Pancakes for the assembled hordes.  A great "catch up" weekend.

The Great Fishing Expedition

The crew were keen to go fishing so the bags were packed and we headed out.  After a good lunch in Eildon (just in case) we tried the Pondage below the weir.

It has to be said that we had very limited success.  There was always the chance a new lure may help

or a new location.

We finally found the secret - you have to fish in a location where there are fish!  If God had wanted us to fish in rivers he would not have invented Trout Farms.

Late Christmas

Jack, Cooper and Lachlan were in Canberra for Christmas so they had to collect their presents on their return.  We did not hear any complaints.
Lachlan may have trouble opening presents but the concept is clear and unambiguous!

What is it about boys and light sabres?

In case I give the impression of being a bit uni dimensional, I hasten to add that they were also given guns.

And yucky stuff is always in vogue!

New Year on the Hawkesbury

We had been talking about it for a few years but this year we finally got to rent a houseboat on the Hawkesbury River.  And it was some houseboat.  See the fearless crew on the left.

As you can see, only the most skilled navigators were allowed to take the helm.

It really was a house on the river.  On the lower deck there was a lounge area -

dining table and full kitchen -

two full bathrooms with showers and toilets and four double bedrooms.

On the top deck we had a full barbeque, table with seating for 10 and a spa. 

In the evenings we used the on board home cinema and slept well in tranquil surroundings.

Beating this next year will be a real challenge!