Goodbye 2007

Ashleigh made this cake at Nana's. She was very proud of herself.

Does anyone else think the Santa with Jarryd is a little creepy??

Because it's been so hot, the kids have spent lots of time inside playing with their christmas presents. Jarryd has spent too much time on the PS2 but hey it's new. Ashleigh is into the 'Little Pet Shop' toys and got some new pets.

We had a lovely few days in Stansbury. The weather was perfect so we got outdoors a lot. Nikki got a skateboard for christmas so she spent a lot of time trying new tricks.

We are having a New Years Eve party today and tonight. I'm expecting people in about an hour so I'd better get my act together. It's been in the 40's for the last 3 days and I haven't moved very far from the pool and airconditioning.

I'm looking forward to starting afresh tomorrow. Something about a new year that helps the motivation. Sounds like there are lots of us motivated to make 2008 our year.

I hope you all have a wonderful and very safe New Years Eve and a happy and healthy 2008.

A Very Merry Christmas

We are off to Steve's parents tomorrow morning to spend christmas with his family.

I am very much looking forward to spending time with his family. We haven't seen them since before we went away in October. It is such a relaxing time doing nothing. The kids have all their cousins over there to play with.

I have to pack bags tonight and tomorrow morning it's Steve's job to pack the car with all the presents (from us and santa) and all the presents for the rellies over there.

We caught up with my family today which was fun. My mum bought a PS2 for us which was very naughty but the kids were so surprised. They had no idea they were getting it.

So I won't be back until Boxing Day. Unfortunately Steve has to work on Thursday or we would have had more time away.

I wish all my blogger friends the most wonderful christmas with your families. It really is a time to look at what we have around us and to be very thankful.

Is the Weekend Over Already??????

We had a fantastic day today. It was Steve's work kids Christmas party. We went to Greenhills Adventure park at Victor Harbor. The kids had a ball. So much to do for all ages.

The girls wanted to try rock climbing. It was very high and they both were very keen to do it but when they got up there, they both froze just before they got to the top. Great effort though.

It was an action packed day and the kids were all exhausted when they got home. They all got a present from Father Christmas. Nikki got a lava lamp, Ashleigh got a bag with some bath gel and hair glitter and a Happy House book to write all her friends in and Jarryd got an unreal racing car set with a race track.

The only problem was it said on the racing set box it took 'D' size batteries which were included but when we got it apart it really needed 'C' size batteries (Bloody cheap chinese toys - LOL) So we had one very upset little boy and a dad who had to make a trip to the local servo to find the right batteries. All ended well.

We had a very sucessful gargage sale yesterday. We ended up selling about $180 worth of stuff. Considering we had nothing over $5 we did very well. Most things were $1 or $2 so it really was a good day's work. Lots of hard work though getting it all together over the last few weeks. Cleaning out all the clutter from the kids rooms and then setting it up on Friday night. By last night I was exhausted and was in bed by 9.30pm which is unheard of for me. I must have really needed it though because I slept until 8.30am this morning.

I am totally organized for christmas. My sister took the kids for a few hours yesterday after the garage sale and I wrapped all the kids presents. The tree looks great with lots of pressies underneath it. I still can't get motivated to write cards though. Does anyone else feel like that?

I just can't be bothered. I know once I get started I'll be ok but I just can't face them. It's the first year I haven't had them all out by now. I guess I am just so mentally tired it's all too hard.

The kids finished school on Friday and came home with glowing reports and they are all very happy with where they are placed for next year. Nikki is in a grade 6/7 class (she is grade 6 next year) so that will be interesting for her. I can't believe next year we will be thinking about which high school she will go to. And my baby Jarryd will be in grade 2. Ashleigh will be in a 3/4 class. She will be in grade 4. Not sure why they have these mixed classes. Do other states and countries do the same thing?

I only have 4-1/2 days left of work. We break up at lunch time on Friday and then I have 2 weeks off. My best friend Lee is coming over from Melbourne over christmas and I can't wait to catch up with her and another good friend is moving back to Adelaide from Melbourne after 5 years away so I am very excited about that.

My diet has been ok but there have been far too many social occasions and christmas parties. I have been having a few too many alcoholic drinks. I am glad to have maintained over the last couple of weeks so I'm not stressing about losing weight over christmas. I will just be happy to maintain and get back into it in the new year. Life is too short to be worried about what you eat and drink over christmas. Especially as most of it is free - LOL!!

This week will be much quieter here. Everything has stopped now for the holiday break. Yahoo!! I am really looking forward to christmas day. My kids all still believe in Father Christmas and there is nothing better than seeing the look on the kids faces when they see what has been left under the tree.

Only 9 more sleeps!!!!!

3 Weeks Until Christmas!!

Here is the promised photo of our christmas tree. You can tell the kids decorated it - LOL. It has character. It looks so good at night with just the lights on but I couldn't capture that in a photo.

Don't you just love my little tigger!! Jarryd comes jumping into the lounge after his shower. The kids all have a different pooh bear character towel.

OK, where did the last couple of weeks go???

I think, like a lot of bloggers, I have lost the inclination to post again. I love reading and commenting on other blogs but just can't be arsed writing in mine. I don't want to stop blogging but it just gets so much harder to spend time on the computer at this time of year.

I have taken on a huge task 3 weeks before christmas. We are having a garage sale on December 15th. It started off as an idea when I decided to have a clean out of the girls room. And as I was going through their room I realized how much good quality stuff they have to get rid of. So I thought maybe if we have it before christmas I can advertise it as "stocking fillers" and "christmas presents"

And it helped that the house 2 doors down is going up for auction that day so it will mean more people in the street. Next weekend it will be Jarryd's room that gets a clean out.

The girls room is so much better with the bunk beds in. Being the hopless blogger I am, I totally forgot to take a before photo but I can tell you it was disgusting the amount of crap we took out of that room. We have a temporary wardrobe in there that came out of our room to help with storage but I eventually want to get built in robes in there. I promise I will post a photo in the next post.

We went to my grandma's 96th birthday today. Mum put on afternoon tea and it was lovely to sit around and catch up with my family. Grandma is amazing. She still lives in her own home and gets out and about most day with the help of the council bus. She is starting to slow down a bit now but she is incredible for a woman of her age.

I had my work show last night and had a great night. We went to the Mawson Lakes Hotel for a 3 course dinner. I had prawn salad for entree, atlantic salmon for mains and Death by Chocolate for dessert. The only problem was all the meals came out one after the other and we didn't get much of a break in between. I was very good and only ate a small amount of dessert. I wanted to save all my points for drinking - lol. I didn't overdo it and was very proud that I didn't have a hangover today. Must have been all the water I drank in between.

I did a bit more christmas shopping this morning. I really don't have a lot more to get. Just stocking fillers. Hey maybe I could recycle some of the things I have put in boxes for the garage sale - LOL. I wonder if they would notice!!!

I am pleased to say I have been following the ww plan for 2 weeks now and have lost 3.9 kgs. I have made up a plan of basic healthy eating with a few treats along the way and it seems to be working. I know christmas will be an obstacle but it's all managable.

It's going to be a very busy week. The girls have their end of year dancing presentation on Wednesday night and the school end of year event is on Thursday night. Then we have Steve's work break up on Friday night.

I can't believe it's just over 3 weeks until christmas. It's going to be a very busy 3 weeks. Thank goodness I have 2 weeks off over christmas. I'll need it!!

Where did the Weekend Go??

We were in the pool this afternoon when Nikki's friend's dad came to pick her up. I asked what the time was and it was 6pm. I honestly thought it was about 3pm. Where did the day go??

We had a lovely relaxing day in the pool today. It was hot (not sure of the temp) and we had a few friends over and also my sister and her 3 year old boy so it was a great day. I sure didn't feel guilty about doing nothing today because yesterday was a big day doing a few jobs that needed doing.

I seem to go around in circles. By the time I finish all the tidying of rooms and all the other chores, it's time to start again. Like tidying of kids rooms. Why is that always such a big job? Our main problem is total lack of storage space in the girls room. It is bursting at the seams. So our next project is bunk beds for that room and then it frees up a wall so we can put built in robes. I can see a trip to Ikea coming up.

So yesterday we got lots of little jobs done like unpacking the suitcases properly and putting them away and emptying out the shoe basket (which was overflowing) and getting rid of all the shoes that don't fit anymore. I also swept around the pool and entertaining area. And our last job of the day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

After much pestering by the kids, we put up the christmas tree!!

We went to see Father Christmas Friday night so I guess it was ok to put up the tree. I know it's early to see Father Christmas but there is method in my madness. Firstly there were no lines, we walked straight in to the Magic Cave in the city. This is always packed most times we go and we usually have to line up. So it does pay to go early. And secondly I have put the kids presents away so this way they can't change their minds.

Nikki was going to ask for Bindeez (but can't now because of the recall) so she asked for a skateboard. Ashleigh asked for Rainbow Magic books and Jarryd asked for Lego.

I will take a photo of the tree and post it next time. It really does look nice.

Then after our big day yesterday we went to a quiz night last night. We had a great time and came home with lots of goodies.

So already it's back to work tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be 38 and 39 deg for the next 2 days. Roll on Christmas. I get another 2 weeks holiday!!

Have a great week everyone.

Another Weekend Gone

But I'm glad this one is over.

The girls had their end of year dancing concert today and it went really well. I have spent most of the week catching up on things I have missed over the last 3 weeks while we were away. So it has been rather chaotic.

Unfortunately I haven't got any photos to share because we had to drive around for over 1/2 an hour looking for a park so I didn't get backstage before the show started. And you aren't allowed to take photos when the kids are on stage.

The concert is held in the city and it was chaos in there today. Apart from it being rememberence day, there were markets on at the festival theatre and some sort of rally through the city so it was very busy.

And the best part . . . . . . . . . . . .

It's all over for another year. No more dancing on Monday and Wednesday nights.

I want to do a plug for my daughter Ashleigh's blog. She is getting very good at updating it herself and is very proud of herself so have a look and leave a message to say hello.

http://ashleighkate.blogspot.com/

Have a great week everyone. It's getting hotter during the week and it's supposed to be mid 30's by the weekend. We might get a chance to get into the pool.

Warning - Long Photo Post Ahead

The following photos are a few of the 450 photos we took. We had the most amazing holiday and we will all have lifetime memories.

Just a shame it goes so quickly.

This was where we stayed for our 1st night. The Sheraton Mirage in Port Douglas. We splurged big time and got a 3 bedroom apartment. It was beyond luxurious. This is the lounge but there was a formal dining room, a casual meals area, kitchen, 3 bedrooms - main with ensuite and spa. The main bedroom upstairs looked over the living area.

The whole resort is built around the water and it was just stunning. I wish we could have afforded to stay longer.

Our own private pool at the Sheraton. You can see our apartment in the background.

Our first encounter with a cane toad. He was swimming in the pool, but eventually got sucked into the filter - YUK!!!

We did a rainforest walk through Mossman George near Port Douglas which was exhausting but just stunning.

This is where Jarryd spent most of the walk because his new croc shoes were making blisters on his feet.

Poor Steve. He was shattered at the end!!!

The girls and I went snorkelling on the Barrier Reef. Another huge highlight for me.

This groper was very tame and was rather used to having his photo taken.

Sorry, but there is no way I was having my photo taken in my bathers.

We did a daytrip to Cape Tribulation which is the highest you can travel in Qld without a 4 wheel drive. The kids didn't get a chance to swim. A tourist bus driver said it's too risky even though the stingers don't really come in until November.

Jarryd was very interested - NOT!! He is playing his nintendo under that towel.

The marks in the sand are where the crabs dig their holes.

The swimming lagoon on the Cairns forshore. Most of the bigger cities have swimming pools on the foreshore because you can't swim in the ocean for 6 months of the year. Too dangerous for box jellyfish.

We went on the skyrail to Kuranda in Cairns.

A beautiful journey in a gondola on a cable through the rainforest.

This sign gave us a laugh every time we saw it.

Apparently cassuarys can do some serious damage to cars.

How good is this Water Park in Townsville. It's on the foreshore and it's free.

You can just see Jarryd in the photo of the water coming down. He is on the right with a red hat on.

This goana or lizard of whatever it is was walking around outside our door at our resort in Townsville. He was huge!!

The main street of Airlie Beach. Another beautiful place.
The Big Mango near Bowen. I was disappointed it mango season hadn't quite started.

Probably my favourite place of the holiday. Hamilton Island.

What a wonderful place. Very expensive though.

Ashleigh is standing on the balcany of our room so the view was wonderful.

We swam everyday in 1 of the 5 pools around us.

This was taken at the caravan park we stayed at in Hervey Bay. The grounds were just gorgeous and the kids spent ages feeding the birds and the turtles in the pond.

For us, caravan park accomodation was the way to go. Some of the cabins were more luxurious than the resorts.

Australia Zoo day. We had a wonderful day and I was surprised at how much there was to see and how much walking we did.

Somehow though it just didn't feel the same without Steve Irwin although his face is still everywhere in the park.

The view of the pool from our 22nd floor Surfers apartment. The pool was amazing. It's called Beaches in the sky and it's on the 5th floor.

The other photo is my cousin's backyard in Brisbane. It is a tropical oasis and this photo doesn't do it justice. They have been on so many gardening shows with their garden.

Movieworld day. I thought Movieworld was the best park this time around. Lots of characters for the kids to meet and Jarryd was lucky enough to be picked in the Bonnie & Clyde show.

It was a little rainy but we still had a fantastic day.

A couple of photos from Dreamworld and White Water World.

The girls went on every water ride so many times. They didn't stop all day.

Same with Dreamworld. Every ride and roller coaster.

And you are never too old for Wiggle World.

We had an unreal day at Currumbin.

I went there as a kid and remember the lorikeet feeding.

Jarryd was a bit upset because they jump over your arms and scratched him. Nikki was chosen for the snake show. She was very brave. I'm not so keen to have a snake around my neck.

Back to Reality

Home Sweet Home.

I can't really say I am happy to be back. I loved Queensland and wish I could have had longer, but all good things must come to an end.

I have lots of photos to post but that will have to wait for another day. We got home at 9.30pm last night and after a bit of unpacking and washing today, we had a birthday party to go to so I am stuffed.

Also it's going to take a bit of adjusting to daylight saving. Queensland don't have daylight saving and it was dark by 6.30pm up there. It was coming in dark tonight and I looked at my watch and it was 8.30pm and the kids hadn't even had tea!!!!

So right back into it tomorrow. Kids back at school and Steve and I back at work. Talk about coming home to a huge week. The girls have their end of year dancing concert next Sunday and Nikki has a full dress rehearsal tomorrow night and then Ashleigh's is on Wednesday night. I don't even have all the costumes yet. Let's hope they can remember their moves after 5 weeks off dancing.

I hope I don't have to sew any sequins!!!!

I'll be back soon with a huge photo post.

Quick Update

Hi from sunny far north Queensland!!

We have had the most incredible week so far. Spent the first night in the Sheraton Mirage Resort in Port Douglas. To say this is luxury is an understatement. We had a 3 bedroom apartment with our own pool and it was divine. It cost us 2 weeks pay but hey what's money!!

We could only afford to stay one night so we moved to another resort in Port Douglas which was really nice too. We went up to the Daintree and Cape Tribulation and did a huge walk around Mossman Gorge which I thought would never end. Up and down rainforrest in the heat and humidity but it felt great when we got to the end.

Then we had a night in Palm Cove which is such a beautiful place. We went to the beach at dusk and it was amazing.

Then off to Cairns for 4 nights. We stayed in an amazing caravan park in a cabin with everything you needed. Dishwasher, washer and dryer and 2 plasma screen TV's. Heaps for the kids to do. From there we went on the Skyrail - gondolas on a cable which took us to Kuranda - a small village catering for the tourists.

Yesterday was the highlight. Nikki, Ashleigh and I went on a snorkeling tour to the Barrier Reef and it was amazing. I don't think you can ever know what it's like until you do it. I was amazed at what we saw - swimming with the fish and looking at all the coral. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

I knew Qld was expensive but I don't think I was prepared for how much food and drink costs. They certainly rip off the poor old tourist. We took heaps of water on our Kurunda trip but by the end we needed another bottle of water. $3 for a small bottle of WATER!!

We have just arrived in Townsville. The first stop on our car journey to the Gold Coast. Next to Airlie Beach and across to Hamilton Island for 3 days.

I will have heaps of photos to share when we get home.

See you later.

Nikki's 11th birthday

Nikki had a lovely day today. We went to Fasta Pasta for lunch with one of my best friends and her family who are over from Melbourne for the school holidays. This is Maddie and Nikki.

Nikki and her cousin Maddok cutting her cake. An icecream cake with lots of wicked chocolate around the sides.

After we spent the afternoon catching up with good friends in our outdoor area around the pool. It was a glorious day and the kids had a ball running around with each other in the sunshine.

Nikki was very spoilt and had a wonderful day.

Problem solved????

I have had a play with the settings.

I think it's fixed.

Maybe.............

Where has September Gone??

It is Nikki's 11th birthday tomorrow and she had a bowling party with her school friends. Note she put hair mascara through her hair. Red suits her!!!

The kids opened Steve's last easter egg.


A couple of weeks ago, Jarryd had a soccer carnival and there was sideshows and rides for the kids. There was an animal nursery and I had trouble getting Ashleigh out. She just loves all animals. She was most upset because I wouldn't let her buy a pigeon. (Some of the animals were for sale)

September has been a total blur for us. We have had something on every weekend. Kids parties, 40th birthdays, kids sport and sport breakups.

Yesterday was unbelievable. I had to be at the hairdresser at 8.15am to have foils done and then Nikki had her bowling party at 10.30am. I forgot when I booked it that it was the AFL grand final so I changed it to the morning so we could be back in time to watch the football. Which by the way I am not talking about!!!

Not really. After Nikki's party a friend and I and the kids went down to the Alberton Oval (Port's home base) to watch the grand final. Well we realised early on that there was no way we were going to even come close to Geelong. They were awsome and we were dreadful.

Now I know Port were absolutely humiliated but why do people feel like they have to kick you when you are down. My husband was the worst offender. He had to keep making smart arse comments throughout the night along with quite a few others. I told him the only people that are allowed to pay me out (like it was my fault they lost!!!) are Geelong fans. At least our team made the grand final not like his team - Essendon who didn't even make the finals!!!

I think he realised he had overstepped the mark when I went to bed without saying goodnight and he missed out - lol. Paybacks are sweet!!

My 10 year old nephew had a terrible accident last weekend. He was playing cricket with some friends and was hit above his ear with a cricket ball. He was knocked out. Throughout the night and the next day he was vomitting so was taken to the local country hospital. He was flown by air ambulance to Adelaide last Saturday and they found out he had 2 blood clots in his brain. He was in surgery at 3am Sunday morning and had a 4 hour operation to remove the blood clots. 30 something stiches later and plates and screws in his skull he woke up and has been doing well up until he got an infection during the week and has been put on antibiotics. Then to make matters worse he picked up gastro and has been put into isolation.

Nikki had her netball presentation today and got the runners up tropy for best and fairest. I was given a wine cooler bag for coaching which was nice. It will definitely come in handy to take away to put cool drinks in while we are travelling.

This will be my last post before our holiday. Tomorrow is Nikki's birthday and we are having a family lunch at Fasta Pasta. I also have to pack at some stage tomorrow. Then I am working all day Tuesday and Wednesday and on Thursday at 8.30am we will be on a plane to Cairns. Yahoo!!!!

We are all so excited. It's been planned for so long and now it's finally the last few days before we go. I will have to try and get on a computer along the way to check emails and blogs. I can't possibly go a whole month without a computer.

I also want to wish Beckie all the very best for her upcoming role in 'The Singing Bee' I know she will do well and I've got everything crossed her her to bring home the big money.

I hope everyone stays happy and healthy while we are away. I'll have plenty of news, adventures and photos to share when we get back.

As usual blogger isn't putting spaces through paragraphs so I apologise for it being so hard to read. Also I knew it wouldn't put my photos with the comments about the photos?????

Any ideas how to fix this. It's happened the last few times I have posted. Bugger!!