Christmas Eve 2009.

We decided to have our cooked meal on Christmas Eve - in the evening so not too hot and we could enjoy a roast meal with all the trimmings.

The Peppermint Pavlova - full of whipped cream!

The children laid the table. Luke even made place names for us all. He drew Christmas trees for the boys and snowmen for the girls.

I even made Anna-Kate eat all her cauliflower cheese!

The children spent time outside until nineish in the park as the families around us gathered together for Christmas.

Merry Christmas to everyone and may 2010 bring you everything you could ever deam of!

Computer Problems.

Still having puter probs - so only have Greg's puter in the evenings. Life is good here in Australia. Off out for a picnic tomorrow....

Love to all - we are all well and hope you are too ! Have loads of pics to share so get ready !!!

HUGS - Vanessa

No Photos -

Sorry I have been away for a while. All well here - am using Greg's computer when I can all my Christmas photos are still on my camera. My computer is broken at the moment - am awaiting a vital part but with all the Public Holidays it is not here yet ! Hope it is here on Monday !

Keep well - and may 2010 bring you all health and happiness.

Off to see fireworks at 9pm.

Swimming.

My first pavlova. Have to make one for Christmas Pudding as it is a traditional pudding here in Australia. Will just be putting whipped cream and peppermint crisp on top - people will be able to add a fruit of their choice to it on the day.
I thought I had better try it first as I have never made a meringue before. This was the same meringue five minutes later - so I think it was liked!
Anna-Kate and Luke playing cards in the shade this morning.
A lorikeet feeding in our tree. Love these birds!
A big smile from Luke. He loves the pool.
Hugging each other in the pool. Having fun in the pool while I read / act as lifesaver and take photos!
One, two, three JUMP !
We have had a great couple of days getting the house ready for Christmas, doing the laundry and enjoying the sunshine.

I hope that you all have a Peaceful Christmas and a Safe New Year. I wish all your dreams come true. Stay well.

My Apologies !

I have been missing - life has been very busy this weekend. Registering my car, swimming, wrapping Christmas pressies..... The children had a lovely walk with Greg from here to Koolewong on Saturday afternoon and then on Sunday they went for a walk about. It was overcast on Sunday so the wild life park was very quiet.

I stayed at home to wrap pressies and tidy up.

Tomorrow we are getting a delivery from Ikea so we will soon be able to sleep on beds. And sit on a sofa.

Life is good here in Australia.

Missing all of our family. Those in the UK keep warm!

Day Fourteen and Fifteen.

Day Fourteen - Wednesday.

Today we stayed at home until 1ish then walked up a very steep and long hill to Point Claire Primary School. We all really liked the school and the head master was very nice too.

My 2 met their teachers for next year too so they are now very excited about going to school and not as scared.

Greg worked in Newcastle today so he was home early which was great as he got to swim with the children.

Day Fifteen - Thursday.

Was VERY hot today. So we just melted at home - around the pool or at the park.
Luke and Anna-Kate waving (Hello !!!) at 9am - the first swim of the day.
Luke and Anna-Kate still in the pool at around noon.

A little lady bird I saw while watching my 2 in the pool.

Luke swimming without a noodle !

Must dash my two are back in the pool as after the rain and thunderstorm it is hot again !

Twelve and Thirteen.

Day Twelve was Greg's first day at work. He left the house at 6-30 to catch his train. The journey takes an hour and twenty minutes - but at least it is relaxing (or so he says - and he doesn't have to fight traffic). We live less than 5mins away from the station and his work is close to the station there too.

Anna-Kate, Luke and I stayed at home. We walked to Aldi - which is exactly like the one in the UK. It is also next to their new school - so we timed the walk too (it took all of 15 mins).

Greg was home by 7, ate his dinner than went to K-mart, which was staying open until midnight.

We have now finished the Christmas shopping. Just need to buy food now.

Our Christmas tree - it only has red baubles on (from Ikea), lights and 5 silver baubles on !

Day Thirteen.

Awoken at 5am - thanks Mr Cockatoo ! Very loud birds flying about in the morning.

We decided to walk to the waterfront, have a picnic and find the play park. Great fun was had !

The waterfront is a little further away than it appears in a car ! Quite a few steep hills - but I am hoping that is a GOOD thing! Had to go over a bridge (over the railway) and across a road. But eventually we got there and found the play park too.

Once they had, had a play we had a picnic there. The walk back was quicker - but maybe that was because we knew the way!

At home we had a swim and then the children took themselves off to the play park in our street.

After dinner we went swimming again and listened to the birds !