Preview

These are for my cousin Chelsea.  She came to visit with her gorgeous little family a couple of months ago and we had planned to do some photos outside but just as they arrived it rained...a lot!   so we were confined to the veranda which was a huge pain in the butt.  Thankfully they are such a beautiful family it wasn't too hard to get some lovely photos. Here's a sneak peak for you Chels. xx

us

We have a Family Christmas tradition called 'The Twelve Weeks of Christmas'.  We plan ahead - usually in September - and make a list of 12 things we can do for others once a week for 12 weeks leading up to Christmas.  We usually do these activities for FHE but sometimes more time is needed or it just suits a different time better.  Our list is made up of serious, fun, silly and nice to do things and includes car washes, cookie drops, choosing someone to be a secret santa for and leaving them a well thought out gift, having friends over for dinner, TP-ing someone's car (sorry but it's so much fun he he he) roadside rubbish pick up, cleaning our local park equipment, filling shoe boxes with gifts for the Samaritans Purse appeal, caroling and so on.  Last night we did something for ourselves (or maybe it was just for me!) and we took some family photos.  We went into the city after everything was closed and took a few shots.  It was really cold and the kids were getting on each others (and my) nerves, and what was supposed to be a fun activity...wasn't!  Anyway we managed to get a few photos and this is my favourite.  It says it all about everyone;  Isaac's 'I don't want to be here' attitude, Bella happy to be posing in front of the camera, Reub's with his 'whatever' stance and Charlotte sticky beaking (she's obsessed with Matt and I kissing - a hopeless romantic I think!)  And of course I love it when my man plants one on me!!  So this one will be going in a frame because I think it's perfect for us xx

photos

Took some photos for some friends... I'm happy with them, they're happy with them. Was fun.

Excuses, excuses

I'm just far too busy...
Too busy to clean out my pantry
Too busy to weed my garden
Too busy to go for a swim
Too busy to colour my hair
Too busy to watch tv
Too busy to sew stuff
Too busy to shop
Too busy to update my blog
Just far too busy...doing other stuff that matters more :)

60

My dad has always loved cars

 My dad could have been a male model

My dad loves my mum

My dad loves his kids

My dad loves his grandkids

My dad

In July my dad turned 60!  and we (Bridey & I) decided we should organise a pary.  Somewhere in the mix of things we decided it should be a surprise.  I can't quite remember how or who came up with that idea but it proved to be quite a difficult thing to pull off...but we did it and it was monumental!

We thought it best to have mum do nothing (seeing as though she's married to dad and they live together).  So I then found myself to be extra busy.  Bridey and I planned everything down to the finest detail but because no one else in my family lives here, I did find myself run off my feet getting things done.  The guest list alone was a nightmare. Mum compiled a list of names and sneakily sussed out dad for the names of a few of his childhood/teenage friends.  I don't think the list was ever complete, mum was inviting people right up to a few hours before blast off!
You should have heard mine and mum's conversations on the phone.  I think mum's code didn't match mine and vise versa!  It went something like this...
Me: "So I know dad has a friend called Powder, but that's not his real name is it? I can't put 'To Powder' on the invitation"
mum: "cough, cough, no"
me: "so what is his real name?"
mum: silence... then, "when I was at Bridey's the other week, Mia would go, (singing) a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p..."
me: "oh that's cute, is that as far as she knows?"
mum: " no, it's just what she does...a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p.... cough"
me: "oh does Powder's real name start with P?"
mum: "mmm"
me: "well that doesn't really help much cause I still don't know what his flippin name is!"...is it Peter?"
mum: "no"
me: "philip?"
mum: "no"
Me: "I thought his name was Brian", is it P or B?"
mum: "(frustrated voice) a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p!!"
me: "OK, is it Paul?"
mum: "it might be"
me: "what? it either is or it isn't",
mum: "yeah that sounds about right"
me: "it is Paul?"
mum: "hang on i just have to go to the loo"
me: waiting..."are you there?"
mum: long pause..."I can't believe this, every time I start to talk to you your father appears!  he even followed me to the toilet!!", "yes it's Paul, his real name is Paul!"
Me: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

So Paul got his invitation and in the end he couldn't even come!
This happened so many times.  Can you imagine what it was like trying to figure out (in code) the name 'Fenton Downham'?...not so easy, believe me.

In the end I sent out about 150 invitations...finding the addresses for all of these could be another whole blog post but it wont be!!!!

I had a blast going through old slides and photos to put a slide show together but just getting those out of mum and dad's house was like mission impossible. Needless to say a few 'white lies' had to be told!

Well the time arrived and Bridey and the kids came over from Melbourne and Bridey and I spent two entire days running (or driving) from pillar to post getting all of the last minute stuff done.  And an entire day decorating our venue. Right up until the very moment before dad walked in we were going over things making sure everything was organised properly.


It all paid off though because dad had no idea ( he thought he was going to a friends party) and almost didn't come...he wanted to go to the movies instead!  when the lights came on and everyone shouted "SURPRISE", you should have seen his face.  It was so worth it!

The programme for the night was 'This is Your Life' fashioned after the television show.  Once again this was a 'little' idea that began as something that would be part of the night and eventually grew to become the entire night.  It was fabulous though and everything just fit together perfectly.  I managed to find dad's old mates from his teenage years and even his primary school buddy who used to live near him (he now lives near me...imagine that!) I also found his favourite teacher, who taught him in grade 1!!!  I know, pretty cool huh?
We did the whole thing where the special guests stayed hidden until their turn.  They uttered a few words over a microphone and then out they came.  There was a lot of reminiscing and walks down memory lane, lots of laughs, and a few revelations that have been waiting a long time to surface.
We all had a turn up the front, along with many of dad's workmates, and other close friends, to say a few things to dad and wish him a happy birthday.  Unfortunately Declan, Justine and their kids had to delay their trip home by a couple of week so that meant they weren't able to be there but they sent a beautiful video message and we played it on the night.
  A lovely song was performed by Gabby Lovell and accompanied by Matt on the guitar.  Our awesome MC (Bridey's hubby, Anthony) handed dad the book to dad and uttered those well known words "Denis Page, this is your life"...
Then Anthony explained that it wouldn't be a real 'this is your life' without a mega surprise and out came Declan, Justine, Gus, Tilly and Felix!  Yes there were tears, but they were good tears.
The entire night was a huge success and was so worth all the many hours it took to get it organised.

Mum turns 60 this year as well...one thing is for sure...she aint getting a 'This is Your Life' surprise party!!!

masterchef...eat your heart out!

Reuben had an idea that a Masterchef party would be a fun thing to do...turns out he was right!
We have been waiting a looooooong time for this (the idea came after the first masterchef series) and Friday night the time finally arrived!
6 friends + 1 brother + self  = 8 eager (testosterone filled) boys!

isaac, blake, taka, connor,jozef, reuben, reuben, masa

Armed with bowl, spoon and apron the boys were paired up and out of a hat pulled a little piece of torn paper.  On the paper was written 'appetizer', 'entree', 'main', and of course, 'dessert'.  Once each couple had chosen their task they were given a green bag containing a recipe and ingredients and told they were free to express artistic license and to ask for extra ingredients if needed !!!  There were no time limits -within reason - just didn't want them to feel like they had to rush.

 Reuben & Reuben - Dessert

Masa & Blake - entree

Connor & Isaac - appetizer

Taka & Jozef - Main Course

They all set to work, and did so well together in their chosen pairs.  I was amazed to see how 'professional' they were.

About an hour and a half later Matt (Sayers) Preston showed up and we were ready to start the courses.

Beginning with a mexican inspired layered dip, corn chips & crackers.  This was delicious and was devoured in record time!

Entree was (my favourite) absolutely mouthwatering Chicken Satay Skewers.  I can say without doubt the best satay I've ever tasted! TRUE.

Main Course was Stuffed Jacket Potatoes and Salad...really tasty.  These boys took so much care with their method and presentation, I was really impressed.

Dessert was Individual Chocolate Self Sauce Puddings...need I say a thing?  sooooo good.

Clean up was a mammoth effort no one was exempt from.   After all, "Clean up is part of the process"

 Present opening followed by little bit of 'Spotlight' in the backyard and a little bit of 'X-Box' in the living room got rid of any residual 'boy energy' and the night was finished with a scrummy piece of Reuben's Birthday Mud Cake.

All the photos and video taken throughout the night will be made into a dvd this week for each of the boys to keep.

This was by far the best birthday party we have ever hosted...so much fun.  We'll definitely do it again.



P.S If anyone is interested in any of these recipes, especially the satay, just let me know and I'll post them

~ Young Man~

photo by chelsea

Happy 12th Birthday Reuben

What a great kid...oops, I mean Young Man (officially) you are.

Hope tonight's 'masterchef party' is divinely delicious.

Love you xxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooo

Good Advice?

So I'm thinking about taking the advice of my little sis...and going private with my blog.  I do get a few annoying comments from random people and sometimes I choose not to blog about stuff because it's not private and sometimes I worry about my photos being out there in cyberspace for all and sundry to do what they want with. So I think maybe I will.  What say ye?

eurgh

I'm sick!  

I don't like it

It hurts

I'm getting worse

I'm getting bored

 I'm wondering whether you can overdose on butter menthols

I'm wondering if there is a limit to the number of sneezes you can do before permanent brain damage occurs?

I hope not 

And I wish everyone else would stop turning the heater down...I'm cold ok

blessed

Summers as a kid were so perfect...

So many great memories came flooding back when I found this.  Don't you love it?

Outings

A few days ago we were all going a little stir crazy so we piled in the car and went for a drive.  We ended up at South Arm and Opossum Bay.

We stopped at all the beaches along the way for a play and a bit of an explore.  Had fish and chips for lunch.  Called in to see Nanny and Joe on our way home then at Amy's and the boys to meet their new dog Coco.
It was a beautiful day for photos.  I wish I was better at it!  I have ideas in  my head but they don't always translate to the actual thing so well.  I think that it all boils down to not quite knowing enough.

That said I do quite like these fun jumping photos I snapped.  The I love how the colours everyone was wearing all blend so well with the landscape.

And my personal favourite - Matt's Fonzie Pose!

Getting nice photos of my boys is EXTREMELY difficult.  So I told them I'll just use the silly ones then!

(does anyone else think Reuben looks like Brendan Fevola here?  either that or just plain possessed!)

I love the outdoors and sharing it with my family is the best.