Cara and Dave visit for Abbey's and Cara's Birthday

It was a lovely 4 days having the "Vic's" visit from across the boarder. Hard to believe that goodlooking lady is now 23 years old. On Monday we visited Hahndorf with all the variety of shops. On Tuesday just b4 I left for work, we had the ' runoff ' over 40 metres. After looking at the video, it was Grandpa 1st (by a nose) Dave coming off a very large handicap , a close 2nd and Cara who used to be the fastest girl in Grade 7 a distant 3rd. Has married life slowed her down? She's into some serious training for a rerun.

Abbey turns 30 and Sister Zollinger goes home

It was off to MacDonalds for breakfast, Largs Pier for Lunch , Tea at parents and party and supper with us at night. A 30th to remember. I still remember the night Abbey was born. I was in the waiting room at the QEH and a nurse rushed out and asked if I was Mr Smith. Jan had been asking for me soon after being admitted as it turned out, Abbey was waiting for noone to be born . So I rushed in to the room just in time so see Jan give a couple of pushes. There was about another 10 student Midwives looking thro' the window and then it was all over. Our 2nd child had been born. Who would known that 30 years later she would me a mother of 4 herself.

On Sunday night we said a fond farewell to Sister Zollinger. She has served in our ward for nearly 12 months!! An awesome sister whom we have grown to admire and love. She will be a great catch for some lucky fella back home. All the best for her.

Camping with the Grandchildren

Camping at Holdfast Shores with the kiddies and on my own all day Monday! What was I thinking? I had forgotten how hard it was to be with them all on my own. Talk about fun. We had a ball. There was trampolining on the mega large pillow, baseball, soccer, playground, feeding the ducks, 2 pooey nappies, swimming in the pool, playing cards, lots of laughs and a few cries and that was b4 Grandma arrived after work on Monday. Then it was out to the Lockley's hotel for tea and back for bedtime. I slept well that night. We woke up at 5.30am when the planes started warming up their engines. (the site was opposite the airport) Then it was more of the same with also a beach excursion including the sand dunes. Off to HJ's for tea and more time on the playground. WE all slept very well that night until............ you guessed it..... the early morning flight to Melbourne, Sydney and what seemed a hundred other destinations. I never realized how many planes come and go in the morning. Jan left to go home at 7am as she was at the office so I packed up and Abbey come and got the tribe and suddenly, there was nothing to do ... so I went home and unpacked and crashed on the lounge after a spa. Everyone had a great time. I love camping.

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend saw Josephine (Jerry's sister,)visiting from Melbourne. She was able to go out to Quicksticks with us for a family meal and then on the Friday we went to Bonython Park for fun and Easter egg hunt. Alyssa and Maddie were good at kite flying and Jacob learnt a new game, French cricket. There was a lot of chocolate to be found and eaten which meant someone needed a bath at the end of it, hey Jessie. I cropped his photo to keep it 'G' rated

Our Visit to Melbourne

Jan and I went to Melbourne to stay with Cara and Dave. There unit was lovely but I'm not sure about those stairs. They wore me out very quickly. Saturday was very warm so it was off to the MCG for the footy.Did I mention the result. Oh Yeah It was Adelaide 1 Collingwood 0 !! It didn't really matter who won as we had a great time. Those pesky Collingwood supporters will have to wait for the rematch in Adelaide later in the year for revenge. It was a fun weekend. Thankyou to Dave and Cara for that wonderful cooked breakfast and the sensational banana smoothies. I tried do them last night but it wasn't the same.

Maddie turns 2

Just think in another 11 years she'll be a teenager

It's Dressup time

WEll all kids like to dress up and these 3 are no different. It's fun pretending to be someone else and losing yourself in the pretend world. Let's hope they don't grow up too quick!

Jessie turns 1

Well Jessie finally has turned 1! He's walking everywhere particularly into the toilet and grabbing things we don't want to mention. But it's fun trying to keep up with him.

Lots of family came to celebrate with him at his party. Good food from Janny and a great night together.

One things for sure wearing blue, he looks like a little boy

So long & Farewell to Cara and Dave till March

Wow did that weekend go fast. They came, they ate, they had fun and they left. DOH. Oh well , it's only next month we catch up in Sydney at Stephen's and Lee-Anne's wedding.
I think all the neice's and nephews are gunna miss Cara and Dave.

Cara's and Dave's visit

Cara And
Cara and Dave arrived early Saturday morning on a very hot day. We changed our mind of going to the beach so it was off to the Aquatic Ctr. A great afternoon with lots of Specky dives and fun on the slides. It wore us out so snoozing was the order of the day when we got home. Janny cooked Prawn raviolli which was delicious followed by lemon cheesecake. Yummy. Today it was off to conference and home for tea( homemade pizzas) then an extended Family home Evening. A lovely day with us now quieting down somewhat.

Other highlights included' dressup for Jerry', Alyssa getting her hair frizzed and Nathan playing hide and seek. Mike was good on the Diving Board with good support from Jess, Cara, Dave and moi. I couldn't talk Grandma into leaving Terra Firma. Maybe next time?

Holiday at Middleton

We went to Middleton over the long weekend with 3 of the Grandchildren. Friday night it was off to the beach amongst the surf fishermen. Saturday saw Jacob,Alyssa and me go to Willunga to watch stage 5 of the Tour down Under. We really enjoyed the excitement of the race . Jake took his 1st photo of Grangpa and Alyssa(displayed). Later we were able to get within 200 metres from the finish line. The kids loved it but it wore us out. Playground time was next at Port Elliot and then it was time for me to take them home.

Jan and I then stayed another 3 days on our own. More beach fun and did I mention we went to the famous Bakery twice! Hard to resist

A couple of oldies but goodies

I have had these 2 great photo's to put on for some time. A couple of nice ones. I think it's chocolate that Jesse is enjoying! The other is our 1st really good one of our 5 grandchildren together. I wonder when Cara and Dave might add to our brood?????HAHA

Boys Day Out

On Friday Mike and I went crabbing to Pine Point, hoping the 'catch' would justify going. Actually it was nice to hang out together without any women. We got in the water around 10am and after 10 minutes, I'm thinking, this doesn't look good. We had found 2 baby crabs which we let go, and then..... we found some large 'blueys' After running away from the 1st few? Almost. We started raking them in. It was alot of fun and in 2 hours we had caught 36 mostly legal size. There were another 10 or so people in the water who didn't do as well as us. A great day. Unfortunately when I got home I put the large pot full of crabs and water on the cooktop to start cooking. 10 minutes later the glass cooktop exploded due to the pot being too heavy.DOH! The cost works out around $20/crab. A fun but very expensive day

More Christmas Traditions

A couple of days after Christmas we went to Horseshoe Bay where we enjoyed the sand, sea and Bakery. A little windy but the surfing waves were good as were the pasties and cream buns.
Hey Jake! Where's your legs and arms gone?