Sadness

Sunday was supposed to be a day where we met up with everyone at church again, settled back into our callings, chatted about our awesome holiday, caught up with what we've missed as we fielded "welcome home!" comments...It didn't happen that way. An hour into church Matt discovered our rear window in the van smashed in and my camera bag containing my much loved camera and lenses etc valued at around $3000+ was stolen. It also had my sd cards etc containing the last part of our holiday. I don't usually have my camera with me of a Sunday but my nephew was getting baptised after church and I thought it would be nice to get some good photos for his family. It was only in the car for an hour and wasn't in plain sight but nonetheless it was gone! We spent the remainder of the day making 'should a, would a, could a' comments whilst waiting around for the police to arrive.

Forensics were able to get some good prints and the police are fairly certain of who the culprit is but I sensed they were as frustrated as we were because their hands are tied in so many instances. The real stinger was when I spoke to our insurance company. They only cover $500 worth of items stolen from a vehicle. If it had been stolen from somewhere else it would be totally covered!! :( So...I jumped in the shower, had a bit of a cry and then tried to get some perspective. As much as I LOVE my camera it really is only a thing. I can replace it...one day very far off! and our back window was replaced the very next day. You never know my camera could even be recovered.

For many years I have wanted a 'nice' camera and here's where the irony is; I was able to purchase it because of a pay out I received because I had been the victim of a crime, now the camera is gone because I've been a victim of crime!

HELLO!!!

This is just a short little post to say that we are having THE BEST TIME and I don't want to come home! I haven't really had access to the internet while we've been travelling to update my blog so I'll have to have a major blog session when I get home at the end of the month. We have loved having continued warm (sometimes way too hot!) weather, endless swimming and lazing around. My kids are the colour of chocolate :) Some lady tried to take a photo with "the little aboriginal girl" (Bella) at Darling Harbour yesterday. Don't worry we are being sun smart. Have been through 5 large bottles of sunscreen!!!
Can't wait to share our holiday experiences with everyone.

Blanche

Family Christmas #1

Because we are leaving on our trip this week and will miss Christmas with Matt's family, we all got together on Saturday to celebrate the season together. Despite the weather forecast predicting rain, it was a pleasant day without a single drip! We celebrated in true Aussie style with a scrumptious BBQ and an assortment of salads followed by a beautiful selection of desserts.

There was plenty of laughing, singing, dancing and playing for all.

Keith and Dawn enjoying a joke.

It was nice to have everyone over to test out the new room and deck!

below: Matt and his brothers Paul, Joe and James.

Aimee and Amy - oh and little Meggie too (she is sooo cute!)

It's always fun to see the kids exchange gifts and find out who their Secret Santa was.

It's fun to get together to swap stories, to laugh at each others expense, to hang out, to eat way too much, to share pressies, to make heaps of mess, and to just be together. Some people think it's a bit of a pain to have to do Christmas twice with both sides of the family, but I don't. I feel very blessed to be able to share fun family times with all of the family we have - although we do madly miss our family who are absent (Lou, Dan, Zeek & Ollie, and Declan, Justine, Gus, Tilly & Felix, and Bridey, Tone, Sam, George, Jack and Mia) We wish you were here! Looking forward to seeing your family soon Lou and to spending Christmas #2 with you guys Bride. Can't wait.

Christmas pageant

Last Saturday our family did as many other Hobartian families did and took to the streets of Hobart to watch the Christmas Pageant. It was a cool morning and I had the WORST headache I've ever experienced (it lasted for 3 days!!!! horrible) but I was so glad we went. I think the last time we went Reuben was a baby. I loved the Christmas spirit that was everywhere. The parade was so colourful and multicultural. I took lots of photos and I've made a little book for Charlotte to read during 'quiet' times. Anyway check out this years' Hobart Christmas Pageant in photos:

the kids were pretty excited to see these guys walking our streets!

the dragon was my favourite! They came right up to the crowd. so cool.

Go Hawks!

Kilroy was even there!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

BLEURGH...

I had planned to visit Chelsea today to check out her new house and to give her some hand-me-down clothes of Charli's but I never made it. Why? you ask, well....

I was approaching the first set of traffic lights into Hobart from Mt Nelson when I heard the familiar sound of my mobile phone ringing. It was the office lady at Taroona High saying, "Oh hello love, I have Isaac here, he looks a terrible shade of green, he's saying he feels like he's going to throw up, can you come and get him?"

I turned my car around and headed for Channel Highway. I picked up my 'green' son and headed for home. Once he was settled in bed with a bucket and a book I decided he'd be ok by himself. I had an appointment in town so I headed in that direction. Following the appointment I called Isaac - all ok so I thought I'd zip out to Chelsea's for just a bit. I was only in second gear when my phone rang again. "Oh Hello Blanche, Reuben is feeling a bit unwell, he thinks he might throw up, can you come and get him? A quick U-turn and I'm once again heading for Mt Nelson. Almost there and the phone rings AGAIN. " Hello, is that Blanche? yes. "I have Isabella here, she's unwell. Are you able to come and get her?".

It's like dominos!

I collect my children and on the way out I overhear Reuben's friend Conner, talking with the teacher. Conner is also sick but his mum can't get him "because she's at work today". So I bring him home with me too (one for goodluck!!)

Isaac spewed

Reuben didn't

Bella Spewed

Conner didn't.

They all slept

my house smells like...mmm... sickness

I have a huge headache.

On a slightly different note...hasn't it been the most glorious day today in Hobart? More please.

New Lounge Room

FINALLY...the extension video. The room still has some furnishings to come (I have my eye on a red chair and a lovely coffee table) but we are in and very much enjoying! It's quite amazing how one extra room can make such a difference.

CHELS

This is my gorgeous cousin Chelsea and her man Tom. Aren't they a cute couple?

On Friday afternoon Chelsea and Tom came to visit. And or course they brought with them their beautiful daughter Mai (named after Chelsea's mum who died from cancer in 1996). They live on the East Coast and were in Hobart for Mai to have day surgery. Everything went extremely well.

We enjoyed the balmy conditions we were blessed with on Friday afternoon by sitting out on the new deck catching up, eating watermelon (what else on a hot day?), munching on biscuits and dip, and downing lots of iced water.

The kids played and of course I took photos.

b

Chelsea and Tom enjoyed a good laugh thanks to Matt, who is always up for joking around.

I think Chelsea has the most beautiful smile.

Trying to get a family shot proved a little too difficult - Mai just wanted to bounce on the trampoline! Fair enough too.

Thanks for making time to come and see us for a couple of hours.

I loved it xx