A Family Visit

On Friday night we were lucky to have Ryan's family to come and stay for the weekend. On the Saturday morning Ryan, his dad and I all went and met the ladies for a jog around the Gorge. We then came home got changed and went for a trip to town then on to the Museum where we had a lovely lunch at the Cafe there. In the afternoon I had to go and do my Aqua class so Ryan's dad came along to give it a go, which he managed to survive and still come out smiling, or maybe that could have been the hydro massage bed he got to lay in after!

In the evening we all went to the Riverside hotel for dinner as it has a great playground that is inside for the kids to play on, and it is the only place we can go of late as a family and manage to enjoy our dinner with Will not wanting to run away or getting bored. It is also a good meal which helps PLUS I don't have to wash and dry up.

On the Sunday we did the usual and went to Church and Ryan taught the youth class and I was busy with Primary, maybe just a little more than I wanted to be this Sunday however! In the afternoon we had a restful afternoon and organised a meal which included Kirk and Amy coming over for dinner as well. We were lucky enough to be given 2 whole salmons a few weeks ago that have been in our freezer so we did them on the BBQ with some sausages and chicken for those who do not like fish. It was a great night as after dinner we brought out the wii and had a good time with the kids showing their grandparents how you bowl! Will was a champ with his strikes, spares and a number of high 5s! Kirk and his dad had a great time playing tennis, while his mum enjoyed the bowling.

On the Monday the boys got up rather early to go or a trip to Beaconsfield to have a tour under ground in the mine. The weather was such a yucky day but they were unawares as they had such a great time listening to one of the guys who works their explain how they mine and all the ins and outs of the job underground. The rest of us were going to meet them for a BBQ but due to the weather it was just far too miserable so the boys came home and we had lunch here then after lunch the family left and went home.

Later in the afternoon the rain decided to stay away so we took the family to Westbury where we had some of the YUMMY Andy's ice cream. Ryan and I got the biggest one possible and as a result we were unable to eat dinner however we feel that we managed to get all the basic food needs from it so we didn't mind! I highly recommend the lime spider as it was really yummy as was the baked cheesecake and the whiskey cream. As I write this I am so hanging out to go back for some more really soon!

Coles Goody Box

I forgot to say that I got my Coles goody box last month and must say that I was impressed with the great variety of goodies that were in it. I recommend the Coles nut delight bars as they were REALLY GOOD! I also liked the Coles Italian Herbs and have loved using these in Pizza sauces, pasta sauces and in quiche the other night. The Coles Snack Pack- cheddar cheese was not too bad either they came in handy for ideas for the kids lunches and Will loves them! So far these are the main stand outs BUT I will blog more on what was good once we have got through it all!

I LOVE getting FREE stuff!

Lots to blog!

Well it has been a very busy few weeks, so much so that I have not had a chance to even blog in ages! I just uploaded some photos from the camera and found the ones of the girls first day at school! Slack I know as it has been nearly a month since they have been back!

The girls are full times as their schools this year, at least no running around to two school with Amelia this year. Charlotte catches the bus everyday and Amelia catches it Tues-Thurs. I like the Tuesday as it gives me a change to spend the whole morning cleaning after I get home from 6.15 fitball and have put the girls on the bus.

Amelia got a brand new pair of shoes this year AND a new dress. She has been wearing shorts and a polo top for the past couple of years that I decided after picking up the dresses really cheap that we would have a change. Not to be out done with photos Will wanted a photo taken of his shoes as well. Maybe I should label these as the ones that badly need replacing!

So with the girls at school life has been a little busy, I have picked up a few extra classes at the gym which is keeping me busy for a few hours most days. I currently have Sunday and Monday off, which is great! I do 6.15 am fitball and 7 pm Aqua on Tuesday, 10.45 am aqua on Wednesday, 9.15 Combat and 10.30 fitball on Thursday and 9.15 Abs butts and thighs, 10.45 aqua on Fridays, then 3.45 aqua on Saturdays!
Usually on the Tuesday Will and I will go and do something fun, so far we have caught the free Metro Tiger bus around town, gone swimming, visited the library and visited the museum at Inveresk. It has been fun and I am currently deciding what we are going to do tomorrow!

On the weekend just gone the family went to our churches Stake Confernace, which was held in Devenport. It started on the Friday night with a swimming night which was fun. We left early from home as we were camping in our tent at the Crossin families place in Port Sorell. On the Saturday morning we were awoken by a wonderful thunderstorm, and as a result we ended up having 4 people on the blow up mattress as the thunder struck! It was pretty impressive to listen and see but a little loud with only the tent walls as a protection! On the Saturday morning we took Will shopping to get some new sandals then went back to have lunch and for me to get ready to go to the training meeting in the afternoon. That evening Ryan dropped off Coral so she could attend the evening meetings while we took all the kids to Ulverstone for Pizza from the Grasshopper. We ended up sitting at the beach then ventured to the playground for a play before the rain hit. Zoe was a worry as she wanted to go faster and faster and I was very concerned as she was holding her mouth in case she chucked!

On the Sunday we all went to conference which was great, then headed back for lunch and a clean up and pack up of the tent.
We had such a great time and it is a little sad that Summer has officially ended as we wont get the chance to get the tent out until next summer!

Dr William

Today we took the opportunity now that the girls are back at school to return some toys to the Playgroup Toy Library. While we were there we took the time to have a good look over some new toys we can play with. One of the toys we brought home was a medical set. All the way home William was talking about playing Dr's so as soon as got in he pulled all the equipment out and was trying to work out what things were. We got one of our sick teddies out and managed to make him better.

Brushstrokes on the Canvas of our Souls

I got this quote today via email and really enjoyed it:

"Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results."
David A. Bednar - 


Now as I look at my family, even when they are screaming at each other when we try to have family prayer, scripture etc I will see it as a masterpiece in the making!

Hawks vs The Saints!

Well this week we have had the joy of going to see AFL teams who have visited our State. On Wednesday we went to Aurora Stadium and got to see the Hawks, who Amelia LOVES, which is why she got to join up as a member this year. She wore her top, cap and scarf. She also had her inflatable hand which she had signed by two of the players. We got their a little late so missed spending alot of time with them but was good to see that they were having a good old game of cricket with the kids in the middle of the stadium.

I feel really silly to say this but I have NO IDEA who this guys is! I just assumed he was one of the players! (Maybe a keen Hawks fan can leave a comment and let me know who he is!)

I know that this is Hawka, who doesn't know Hawka!

Today it was my turn to go and see my AFL team The Saint! I must say that I was keen to go and be their at 9 as I didn't want to miss seeing them, like we did with the Hawks. Their was a few people who went and it was a great morning as they had set up drills and things to do with the kids. Amelia thought she was too cool so she opted to just listen to her music for the time we were their! Will had a go at most things. He really enjoyed the tackle station and actually cracked it 3 stations before as he wanted to go to it straight away! We managed to string him out and when he finally made it he really got into it! Ryan was proud as he showed he has a good streak to make a good rugby player! After the clinic the players all sat at a table to do autographs. By this stage our kids had really cracked it as Will wanted to stay with the tackle bag, but it had to go away. So Ryan took them to the car and left me to get the signatures/ It was really funny as I was the only adult lined up to get them to sign anything. I used the line that it was for the kids and that they had cracked it and were in the car, which was crap as I was really the groupie! I hate to admit it but I use to hate footy and would get really bored when it was on TV, until a few years back when we started a family footy tipping competition and we had to choose a team and  I chose The Saints, after that I have really been interested in watching the game, so much so that I was the one on the floor at the grand final last year in the final minutes!!!!!!!!!

I also must say that I was checking out the guys and how they had great muscle definition, this is my professional opinion as I was seeing how well they had been working out, If only we could all look so well toned!

It was a great morning and I thought that the boys were really good with the kids which was great to see.

Amelia' Birthday

Well we have been so busy that we have not blogged in a while so finally taking this opportunity to do it now!
Last Friday the 29th Jan. Amelia celebrated her 13th birthday! It is so scary to think I have a teenager in the house!!!!!!!!! Oh how time flies it seemed like only yesterday thats she was such a sweet little baby!
We were lucky to have my Mum up to help her celebrate so on the Friday we had a nice day with presents in the morning, then Amelia enjoyed spending the morning with nan as I went to work for a few hours. For lunch we had a little party with party pies and chips (the things Amelia loves!) In the afternoon I made and iced cupcakes while Amelia enjoyed listening to her new MP3! Other things she got were clothes, Hawthorn stuff( and lots of it), some books and money.

When Ryan got home we took the family up to the Aquatic centre for a swim and Amelia had a lovely time, after swimming we went for dinner at McDonalds, again a place Amelia loves!!!!!!!

After a busy day I am pleased to report that we all had a sleep in on the Sat. morning!

As we were not able to spend time with my family over CHristmas due to chickenpox it was the first time we actually saw mum and exchanged gifts. So it was almost like Christmas for the kids as they all got presents and lots of them!