our adventures down south...

Over New Year Mum and I took the girls down south for a short break...Ben is at work...so this post will have lots of photos for him...and lots of little details I want to remember...

We stayed in Margaret River and spent a lovely few days wandering around the area, going to the river and jetty at Augusta... Eating out...Goanna Gallery near Dunsborough is great as is the Arc of Iris and Urban Bean in Margaret River... Sleeping in (well 7 am is a sleep in around here!) and stopping at playgrounds... And browsing in shops...and a bit of shopping!...so relaxing with no time schedule, nowhere to be, nothing to do and no one to worry about...the weather was great....

We did things like visit the Leewin Lighthouse...E bought some little binoculars and made good use of them... Evangeline and I climbed to the top...one of the highlights for me of our little holiday...a long way...nearly 200 steps...The guide told a story about the light house keeper's cat that blew off the top in strong winds and landed in a salt bush and survived...E was fascinated by this... and wanted to see where he landed!Waving to Morganne and Grandma... Playing mini golf...M loved catching the balls and putting them in the holes....E wants to play golf when she grows up... Looking at kangaroos feeding at dusk...Visiting art galleries...I realy loved the work by Jenni Doherty...this one Red Heaven is sold... And this is way out of my price range...loved this one...MapThe detail is of course more magnificent in real life...and Nellie Crawford's stuff is lovely too....Both being exhibited at Yallingup Galleries...

And celebrating New Year's Eve... E asked to see the beach or water everyday and we did...paddling and looking for shells Playing in the sand...M didn't want to go near the water...Climbing trees...

Visiting beautiful wineries...we didn't do any actual wine tasting just enjoyed the gardens! M kept plucking flowers off which was rather embarrassing! Evangeline took a lot of photos too saying she wants to start scrap booking! She is actually quite good...but orders you about saying stand there, turn your head and so on!So we had a great break and a good start to the new year! The only bad thing was the flies! Lissy

family and a new year...

My word (see Ali Edwards) this year is going to be FAMILY...I had many other words swimming in my head for the last few days...grateful, cherish, enjoy...and realised they were all thoughts linked to family...

And that fits in perfectly with the last few days...my mum and I took the girls down south for a few days over New Year...

And that is what I want to do more of this year...spend quality time with my family...my mum, my sister, my husband, my kids...we do spend a lot of time together but I am thinking mini vacations, days out and so on! Family time!And where did 2009 go...in a blur I think...last year my word was simplify...lol...I made a start but didn't achieve much...I think this is going to be an ongoing challenge for me...I have dedicated the month of January to a massive clear out! And I have made a start! So that is one goal for this year...

My other goal this year is health and fitness...after two month of sinusitis and three lots of antibiotics since October I am finally feeling human again...and I had general problems with shoulders, back and feet this last year I want to focus on regaining my health and fitness...

I hope 2010 has started well for you and that the year to come brings you joy...Lissy

my husband...the pearl diver...

Today is Ben's 37th birthday...he has just flown back to work this afternoon...

Here are some photos circa 1996 when he was pearl diving in Broome...He may be a few years older now but he is still just as handsome! and one of the boats he worked on...
He worked in pearling for 10 years for Paspaley Pearls as a deck hand, then diving and then skippering.

He has now been working in off shore oil for ten years as a Ship's Officer. He has had his Master One for a few years now which means he could drive any ship.

He had finished diving when we met in Broome in 2001 and so he has always worked away on ships...usually 5 weeks on and 5 weeks off.

We moved to Perth at the end of 2002 and married in 2003. And now we have two very gorgeous girls. We miss him very much when he is away.

Happy Birthday Ben...Lissy

Merry Christmas...

Well the day has come around again! Christmas is here!

We are at the farm...We lost power yesterday afternoon when the pole fuse blew and there was a fire in the fuse box...not good on Christmas Eve but we sorted it out and Western Power came and repaired the pole fuse at 6.30pm! So we had our roast dinner after all! Today it will be seafood on the BBQ!

The kids have loved their presents from Father Christmas! We will open the family presents later.

A collaborative project by Evangeline and Morganne...well E drew it and M added some little circles and such later! I love the reindeer!
Our Christmas card this year...recycled paper tree and stamping!And our Christmas photos for the year!
So I hope you have a safe and happy one! Cheers to all - Lissy

bubbles and blowers and rainbows...

Bubbles and blowers and rainbows makes the perfect two year old party! Morganne had a lovely time at her Rainbow Party...it was mostly family and a few friends...And rainbow clothes I made for the girls...Lots of Bali flags in all the colours of the rainbows (kindly brought back by Sharon...Morganne loved them...A rainbow cake and colourful food And simple fun! Evangeline was a rainbow fairy for the day!A wonderful day for a two year old...Happy Birthday Morganne!
Now off to the farm for Christmas...Lissy

and we are still busy...

Ben has been off fishing...and actually brought some fish home...lol...Evangeline was amazed one was nearly as long as her...Evangeline is keen to start doing chores to earn some money so we have startd painting a piggy bank...She decided yesterday to give people makoevers...M was her first customer...glitter on the face and toenails painted...lol...I love the "cape"...
I am madly finishing sewing a couple of Christmas presents and party outfits for the girls...and then onto baking the Rainbow Cake! Lissy