The new pool

We have been looking at these pools for ages and, much to Jared's delight, finally got one! It is a very welcome addition to the back yard, and I don't think a day has gone by that Jared hasn't been it, snorkel and all. Dani isn't so keen. She prefers it to be only knee deep so she can run and splash. I guess we'll have to get a wee one for her next!

I like it because I get to work on my tan while they are out there :-)

Berowra Waters

We went and had fish and chips with Mandy, Dominic and Charlotte at Berowra Waters. It was such a nice evening but we were sad we arrived too late to hire a little boat to look at all the flash houses up the river.

As usual Jared never left Dom's side.

The kids

Hanging out in the new house....What's with the socks?!

Deep in concentration with his spray gun. Grandma gave it to him for his birthday.

This was HILARIOUS. We walked down to the mall and it was a really hot day. On the way back the kids wanted to see the fountain...all of a sudden a leg dangle became a full-on swim!

Exploring Sydney

While Mum was here we spent a few days looking around. We had to see the Opera House and wander around Circular Quay and Darling Harbour like tourists. It was great fun.

Playing in the purple Jacaranda petals - they are EVERYWHERE and are so pretty.

The train trips are always a highlight for the kids

Moving to Sydney

31 Oct - The day has come!! We had to get up REALLY early so we could leave for the airport at 5am. Yuk.

On the way to the house we had to pick up the keys from the agent. Mandy caught the train in and met us there. It was very exciting.

Mandy and I then went to the supermarket to stock up on cleaners (thank goodness, because the house was left disgusting :( ) and walked back to the house while Ben, Mum and the kids went on to meet the furniture truck. It was all go!

The house came together really well with all the help and by the end of the day we were all exhausted.

On the plane

Yay there are beaches here!!!

Dani's 1st bottle in her new house

It's over!!

Jared's Party

Oct 29 - We had Jared's party at Pine Rivers Park in Brisbane. The kids from over the back fence where we lived came, and so did some of his friends from Kids Church and playgroup. He has so much fun playing with his friends.

pressies

Ready for a game

The oldies and the food!
Buzz and Woody cake

Jared's Birthday

Pressies

30 Oct - The day started at Gwen and Johns (where we were staying) with some pressies. Some of them all the way from Nelson.

Alma Park Zoo

After living just down the road from it for a few months we thought it was time we visited the zoo! Jared had been asking for a while so it was great we did it on his birthday. We all thought it was pretty special.

Both kids were happy to touch the snake. Dani couldn't get enough and kept sneaking back for more!



















The koalas were very cute and you were allowed in to touch them for ages. It was great.












Dani LOVED the chicks

Jared had the kangaroos eating out of his lap

He kept trying to get close enough to feed the peacocks. Not a bad effort.

Out for tea

We went to 4 Mile Creek Hotel for tea. The kids like it because there is a great playground and games room to keep them entertained.

'Aunty Gwen and Uncle Shon' joined us too.

Shopping

Oct 29 - Mum arrived Oct 28 to spend Jared's birthday with him and help us with our big move to Sydney. A trip to the just extended, HUGE Westfield Chermside was in order! We had to some little goodies for Jared's big day too :)

Packing up our House in Brisbane

26 Oct - Well after a very late night getting everything sorted the moving truck arrived bright and early (as well as the gardener and the guy to pick up our car!) and they got stuck in. They did our packing too which was such a great help. The kids thought they were working too!

Dani's AMAZING dress sense!

OCT 16 - Dani loves choosing her own clothes and changing herself. This is in the middle of the afternoon!

She didn't get it from her mother!

Checking out Sydney

Oct 7-11 - We wanted to check out Sydney and try to find a house before we moved - we nearly didn't make it though! Ben had really bad sinusitus and ended up in hospital (twice). They thought his infection had spread to his eyeball when it puffed up so much he couldn't see. After having a CAT scan and some powerful drugs he checked himself out at 4:30am and got a taxi home so we could make our 7.30am flight to Sydney!! Crazy.

Anyway, we made it to Sydney. Looked at heaps of houses. Didn't like any. We were a bit scared of the traffic too! Brisbane is like a ghost town in comparison. We had a great few days looking around though.


We caught up with Ben's rellies - Bev (Robert's sister), Guy, Tom and Nicola at Luna Park, then had fish and chips under the bridge.

On the ferris wheel at Luna Park.

It all got a bit much for Jared and he fell asleep in the apartment.

Nelson/Auckland Sept 7 - 17

Sept 7-17 - Well since I have been so slack I haven't even sorted out the photos from this trip. I promise I will sometime. I thought I would get the more current ones up first!

We had a fantastic time back in Nelson meeting our new niece, baby Kayla. She is so teeny and lovely :) You can see some gorgeous photos of her and her lovely family on the link to Rach and Carlo's blog.

We were lucky to be able to spend some time in Auckland on the way back to Brisbane too.

Go the Warriors!!!

Sept 3 - We just HAD to go to a Warriors v Broncos game while we were in Brissy. It was an amazing atmosphere in the stadium as 47 000 fans screamed (and booed!). It was a shame the Warriors lost but we had a great day - about our only one kid free in 6 months!

Sleepy Dani

Dani had a sleepy week and fell asleep in some odd places...