Bushwalking - Lake Parramatta

Catherine and I decided to explore Lake Parramatta with the four kids today. The lake looked beautiful with the lily pads opened but by the colour I don't think I would swim in it.

Unfortunately, we didn't make it all the way round as it wasn't very well signed posted and the kids were complaining that they were tired and it was too hot.

We bribed them to keep going with the thought of having an ice cream at the end. Lucky the cafe was opened and sold ice creams. Actually they sold gelato!! Yum!! Yum!

With thanks...

As I sit here again late at night while Matt is working away on another project, it allows you time to think.

This year has been a very busy year that has flown passed and there is a lot to be thankful for....

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who provides for our family by working many hours. With both of us working this gives us many opportunities that other families do not have. Though at times life flashes before your eyes and you often don't take each day as it comes and appreciate what is happening in the NOW. 
I am thankful for my beautiful children that do make me crazy on a daily basis but that's why I love them so much. They keep me on my toes... I wouldn't have it any other way! 
I only have a very small amount of friends but especially this year I am thankful for their support and constant encouragement to help me become the person that I am today.
I am thankful for every single member of my extended family who help me in different ways throughout each and every year. They say you can choose your friends but not your family... but even though we rub each other the wrong ways at times, the world would be boring if we were all the same.
Be thankful for what you DO have, as one day you may wake up and it is gone and there are many other people in the world that are worse off than you... well that's what I keep telling myself.

Our Boxing Day

 Boxing day is our day to host Christmas lunch at our house for Matt's side of the family. This year we did a healthy BBQ lunch with salads. Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without some bad snacky foods such as lollies, chips and nuts. We woke to a miserable looking day, however by the late afternoon it became humid.

It has been a while since we caught up with Matt's Aunty and Uncle and Nana so it was good to see them all.

Christmas 2010

Wow, Christmas has now been and gone. Trying to get rid of all the leftover food to avoid temptation for me, getting the house back in order and finding places for all the new presents. 

We had a lovely Christmas morning (after a sleepless night the night before since Logan was sooo excited that he couldn't get to sleep) then lunch with all the family at mum and dad's house. It was so relaxing watching all the kids get along so well. It became quite warm so they ended up in the pool for a while. 

Matt and I gave mum and dad a canvas of the family photo's. It was a collage of each different family grouping and one of all 17 people.

Tamika and Logan loved all their gifts. Tamika hasn't stopped using her ipod dock and Logan has made sure he has played with each item at least once so far.

Christmas Angel's

Just a few photo's of our Christmas Angel's ( well all parents like to think their children are angel's even if at times they do drive them up the wall).

 

Farewell Time

I dread the time when we have to say farewell to friends. No these friends are not never to be seen again, but I enjoyed spending time with them and they were very supportive. The distance between people sometimes makes it difficult to keep in contact with how busy life can become.

Anyway, Mitch and Belinda finally took the plunge to leave the city and move back to Orange where they had purchased the house together. Mitch's transfer to a school in Orange came through in the last month of school.

The four M's Boy's Club - Mitch, Mark, Matt and hairy Mal ( looking a bit like Santa here).

Family Photo's

My whole extended family have been talking for years about having a large family photo taken. I found out that the lady photographer who took our photos last year was doing an outdoor session. Checking well in advance with all five family groupings that the date was okay I booked a two hour session for 17 people.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very kind to us the week leading up to it, so Carley had to find another outdoor setting with some indoor cover for the location shooting. Carley worked her butt off to get a variety of different shots of the family groupings, siblings, cousins, grandparents and the kids and all 17 of us together. There was no way that we could complain about the photos they are fantastic.

Christmas Gatherings

The weeks leading up to Christmas became extremely busy. Work Christmas parties for both Matt and myself. My work did Lawn Bowls in Penrith and dinner with friends.

Matt's was at La Aqua in Cockle Bay Darling Harbour. They had an Australian Dancing with the Stars couple perform there (Rob Palmer) and it was a fancy dress evening of Hollywood theme or to come dressed ready for the Red Carpet.

During the last week of school I had to attend the Year Six farewell and a dinner out with Matt's work mates in at Circular Quay. Wish we had a better seat to take in the view of Opera House as 'Wildfire' was directly opposite it.

We also had the Heath's annual Christmas Party. A fun night had by all.