More Family Shots

 

 

 

Mum had all her 5 children together so it was a good opportunity to have some photos taken, fortunately you cannot here the commentary that was going along as all the photos were taken. There is an assortment of shots of Pam with some of her grandchildren, with all of her children and then a couple with her daughter and all but one of her daughter in laws. Obviously a famous lot as can be seen by the line of paparazzi taking photos!

 

 

Charlie's Baptism

 

Amy and I went down to Melbourne for Charlie's baptism and had a nice time catching up with family. Here are a couple of shots, the top one being of a sensible Charlie and then after that  he had no hope as naught cousin Amy was up to her usual tricks. In the bottom photo is Matthew, Amy, Charlie, Mia, Ella and Natalie.

 

A Very Rich Hot Chocolate and Yummy Macarons

 

Amy and I had a short trip to Melbourne the week before last and Grandma introduced us to hot chocolates from San Churro's at Fountain Gate- I am just glad they don't have one in Fountain Gate- they are very rich and very thick and very nice. We also couldn't resist buying some macarons from the Twisted Sister Cafe!

Trip Down Memory Lane

 All gunned up and ready to go!

 TNT birthday cake

 Simon and Mia

 Teams for the first game

Cake Time

 

 

It was a trip down memory lane on Saturday- I took my kids to a birthday party at Zone 3! We were out of the house by 9:15am on a Saturday morning- not bad for a 19 and 22 year old! We were off to cousin Charlie's 8th birthday party at Zone 3 where you play laser tag- run around and shoot each other- little boys just love it, and so do the big boys and girls. Amy and Lachlan had numerous birthday parties here over the years and always had great fun. Amy always used to beat the boys and even beats her Uncle Simon. Great fun was had by all, it was a Minecraft Party ( a computer game) so the birthday cake was TNT. I even played the last game- I must admit- I am not very good at this sort of stuff. Mia and I played a car racing game and she won at that, so I better stick to bike racing and ukulele!

Racing

 

This is a picture of my grade- F Grade racing a couple of weekends ago out at Tharwa and Pt Hut. It was a 42 km race, sunny but windy day so a bit chilly as you can see how warmly we are dressed. There were about 12 of us that started, I managed to stay with the main group, it was an uphill finish which split us up, I came in about 5th so I was pleased with my race.

Family Dinner

We had Simon. Bindi, Charlie and Mia come over for dinner on Sunday. It was Stake Conference so Charlie and Mia came home with me after church and Bindi and Simon came over later. Mia helped me get ready for dinner, she was a great help and did a great job setting the table and helping me decorate the strawberry sponge for dinner. Charlie played Halo with Lachlan and was quite reluctant to leave!

Twins

We have decided to call Teddy and Benji twins as they have the same coat colour- a bit like Arnie and Danny Devito! Teddy has settled in well. Jack was a bit wary at first, didn't like this upstart coming in and making himself at home, now they get on well and play well together. Mia and Charlie got to meet Teddy and think he is just great!

A Cold Frosty!

Bill is rarely this sick- the odd bout of flu or a cold- but I have never seen him fully dressed on the couch with a blanket and a doona with the heater going on full and still shivering and complaining it is cold! He was sent to the doctors, turns out he had a urinary infection, once the antibiotics kicked in he was a lot better and back to work the next day but taking it easy for the week, now he  has to have some tests to figure out what caused the infection.

New Arrivals

 

Meet Teddy- the wiry-haired Jack Russell- he has come to stay for a couple of weeks with us while his owner recuperates from surgery- he was being a bit full on so has come to stay with us and hopefully burn off all his energy with our yard and two other dogs to keep him company!

 

We also acquired 3 new chooks this week and they seem to be settling in well. I am going to have to go out on Monday and buy some eggs as the old chooks have not been laying over winter and the new chooks will take about three weeks to lay. I can't remember the last time I brought eggs for us to eat- it has to be 7 or 8 years so it will be a real shock. I do buy a dozen eggs each year at Easter time but I hard boil them and use them for egg rolling for our Good Friday picnic. I have had a quiet word to the girls that I am going to have to buy eggs, maybe I need to leave an axe near the laundry door to send them a subtle message- but they are probably canny enough to know I would never follow through on the threat!

War Memorial Closing Ceremony

 

I also wanted to attend the Closing Ceremony. Dr Brendan Nelson is now the Director of the War Memorial and recently introduced a longer closing ceremony which starts at 4:55pm. They sing the National Anthem, lay some wreaths, have a short piece on one of the soldiers from the Honour Board then play the Last Post. It was quite brief and simple but quite moving and makes you reflect on the sacrifice that so many people have given for our country.

War Memorial- Robert Bond Middlelton

 

I went to the War Memorial this week for a short visit, there were a couple of things I wanted to do. One was to the get a photo of my great, great, uncles name on the Honour Board at the War Memorial, I have a photo from France but not one from Australia so I did that this week. I also wanted to see the exhibition of the photos from Vignacourt, France of the WW1 soldiers. The glass negatives were recently uncovered in an attic in Vignacourt and have been on exhibition at the War Memorial and the exhibition was closing on Wednesday so I had to go while I had the chance.