Us Today

Reuben's First Day of School

Cool Backyard Stuff

Today Pete set up our parachute in the backyard and the kids had a blast launching themselves into it from the trampoline. He took all these cool shots
I love how Carissa is climbing up, and Sam is jumping straight over her while Reuben is grooving in the background.This is one of my faves. Love the expression of delight on Carissa's face.I love the angle on this one


Its right near the mulberry tree, which is overflowing this year. The kids are pretty much permanently stained. (That's why we make them run around in undies now it is hot, so their clothes dont get wrecked)

Our Family Holiday

Pete had time off in the school holidays. First of all, my Mum and Dad took the kids away for 3 days to Canberra (they had the best time!) and Pete and I slept in, played games, went to the movies, watched a few videos, read and goofed around the house relaxing. It was bliss.

Then we thought we'd take the kids on holidays too. For the first time ever we stayed with them in a hotel. They loved it! We picked the BEAUTIFUL Blue Mountains, as the boys are SO IN LOVE with them. We spent 2 nights there and it was heaps fo fun!

We went to Scenic World, which has changed a bit. We caught the train down, looked at all the cool museum-y type stuff and ran around the board walk. Then caught the cable car back up.

We went on the Skyway, and got to watch a helicopter rescuing someone from the Furber steps. Very exciting (and noisy). We watched the helicopter fly in, lower the rescuers into the cliff face, and then the stretcher (with the bushwalker) being lifted up to the helicopter with a rescuer guy hanging off the edge. Here's a pic, but cant really see much.

Went to a heap of parks, did some bush bashing and exploring. Dropped into the lolly shop and had some really yummy pizza. Mmmmmm.

At night the kids were all in one room. It reminded me of school camps where you turn the lights out and supervise so no one makes a noise. They were all asleep within ten minutes both nights!

Here's a couple of grids. Click to enlarge.The kids on the Skyway and CablewayCharging through the bush. The boys pretty much ran everwhere! Carissa was fast too, and fluctuated between running and going on Pete's shoulders.Check out Reub's cool hair!!! Kids going crazy

Carissa's Birthday

Carissa has been talking about her birthday for weeks and finally it came!

Here she is ripping into some presents And the cake.
She suddenly unexpectedly blew out the candles half way through singing happy birthday. Then once the candles were out, she began adding decorations to the cake (the banana lollies and smarties that were the party food she had chosen).
Here she is with her kitchen (which Reuben loves) and her Hi 5 keyboard.
And setting up her Little Pony House Nana and Pop bought her.

Father's Day

Here's a grid of random pics of Pete with the kids.

I got the kids to dictate little messages for Pete for a poster we made for him. You can read what they said below:

Carissa
I love Daddy. I like puzzles, I like stories, cuddles and kisses. I hold Daddy’s hand. Daddy loves coke. Daddy rides his bike. Love daddy and like daddy. Daddy come home soon.

Reuben
I love daddy because he teaches me to play Chicken Little. I like it when my Daddy loves me. My daddy likes to sing songs silly. I love Coke like my Daddy. My Daddy likes to play Chicken Little.

Samuel
I love Daddy because he takes me out shopping. My Daddy likes to play Chicken Little on the Playstation. My Daddy’s the best because he loves me. I like to go on holidays with my Daddy. I like my Daddy because he plays with me. I like doing puzzles and reading really good books and stories with Daddy. I love Daddy. Daddy is funny. Daddy takes me on bushwalks. I like it. Daddy is good at the Playstation. I love you because you love me.

Carissa on Tuesday

Deb took this photo of Carissa on Tuesday when we went for a trip to Forbes to hang out with the kids. It was a half day public holiday (gazetted due to the annual show).

Motivational Posters

I made this "Motivational Poster" today @ this cool site where you upload any image and write the title and motivational text. You can even order prints made.

I love this picture of the kids taken on Christmas Day 2005 in redcliffe - cracks me up everytime!!!

And here's one of Reuben - just because.

btw, Reuben is feeling SO much better now! He had the vomitting bug , then bronchitis at the same time. He didn't eat a thing for a week (lost nearly 3kgs! Thats 15% of his weight), and until today, he couldn't walk (I've been carrying him everywhere). Now he has started eating again and will walk short distances holding my hand (eg up the hallway). Played the computer today - the real sign of him feeling better!!!

The Gees

On Thursday Mark, Sarah, Josiah and Zoe Gee drove out to Parkes to visit. Josiah is only 6 days older than Carissa. Zoe is so cute, she is 7 months old.

We went to Rascals (the playland cafe)

We had a good time catching up and hanging out. The kids all had fun. Sam has been excited because these holidays he has been able to play with all his cousins except one :(

I can't believe the holidays are nearly over. They have gone so fast! It is so freezing here in Parkes at the moment. I can't believe we went swimming last week in Coffs! I'm not ready for school to go back. It feels so good lazing around in the morning instead of rushing around getting ready for school.

Here's a few photos I stole from the Gees' Blog (so you can see how cute Zoe is)The 4 granddaughters in the Rees Family are Larissa, Carissa, Chloe and Zoe.

So far.....

Here's a few pics of our holiday so far:

The kids and I yesterday

Playing on a tractor at the top of the big banana.

You can see the ocean in the distance.

The boys on the Skywalk @ the BB

Exploring this morning

Sam @ a Lookout

Carissa @ a Lookout

Carissa and Chloe

Two cool cousins 15 months apart in age.

Here they are posing together at Pete's parents place in Sydney last week.

Thanks to Jo for taking these cool shots on John's camera

(click on picture to enlarge)

And here's another cool photo of Chloe eating an iceblock

Carissa posing

A little poser. She actually asks me to go and get the camera and take photos of her. When I'm done, she says, "No mummy, just one more photo." She thinks up poses by herself. Her favourite is showing off her muscles.

Carissa

Carissa's Princess Towel

Last night I went to check that all the kids were tucked in. I found Carissa sound asleep wearing her new Hooded Princess towel. She was not wearing it when we put her in bed.

She must've snuck out of bed, found it, dressed herself and then put herself back in bed and gone to sleep.
I got it on Clearance at Big W on Wednesday. Gotta love Big W and their crazy clearances! She's already attached to it!

Dorothy's Dance Party

Today Reub and Carissa and I want to a Dorothy Show at the RSL. Pete was there too getting swamped by all the kids in his Preschool class. He sat in the floor surrounded by dancing, noisy kids, while I relaxed in seats he kindly saved for me and CC and Roo.

Carissa was really excited to see all her little Wiggles friends come out on the stage. Reub was very subdued, but I caught him grinning @ some of Captain Featherswords antics.

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Reub's head is still in a giant patch. Pete and I are curious and want to peek @ the wound, but have to wait....Sam was sad to have missed the drama and asked Reuben if he got to see his brains as that would have been cool.