New Years Eve 2011

LNew Years Eve was destined to be a quiet one - nothing planned, no parties, etc but a chance conversation saw Mel, Steve and Jai over for the evening and it turned out brilliant.

We served up some nibblies, cooked marinated half chooks on the bbq served with some salad, did some shots, chatted away until we all saw the New Year of 2012 in.

Followed of course by a swim as it was still hot......

 They do look somewhat large for the wading pool but it got them cool so their mission was complete!!

Happy New Year 2011

I cannot believe that it has been so long in between blogging here. Shame on me I must say.

Firstly Happy New Year ~ from our family to yours we hope that 2011 brings all your dreams to reality and that it is a wonderful year for you all.

So what have we been up to - I can honestly say a lot!! We have been busy busy with the silly season and then New Year and so much more. We have caught up with family, enjoyed some relaxed holiday times and eaten way too much.

Daniel was Christened in early December which was a nice ceremony and a relaxing day back at Sean and Vicky's.

My two men looking very sharp!

Proud parents!

Proud Parents and God Parents

I travelled with work for most of December which was very tiring and included a trip to Tasmania. I also went on site for my first Concrete pour... quite exciting - well I thought so!!

Pouring footings for a garage.

Decorating the tree is always good fun.

Hanging baubles.

The important part of tree decorating - the fairy!

And our newest editions... our reindeer family.

We caught up some old friends at a bbq just before Christmas. People I have worked with over my years at Hanson and it was really nice to catch up.

Donnie and Willy - the bbq kings of Harkaway!!

Joe sharing some festive cheer!

Mark sharing the love!!

Alex had her Christmas concert which was nice. Unfortunately I was the only one that made it as it was during school hours but she was happy that I went. As always she really looked like she was enjoying herself up on the stage.

Grandma arrived from Brisbane the week before Christmas and is staying through to the end of January. Grandma, Alex, Ollie and myself went to a special preview of Yogi Bear in 3D. It was a really good movie. Grandma had never been to a 3D movie before so she really enjoyed it.

Not only were Yogi and Boo Boo there but Santa was there also.

Christmas Eve was an exciting evening with Jamie and the boys coming over for a bbq. It was great to see them during the Festive Season and as you can tell it was a nice night.

A proud Grandma moment!

Opening some presents.

Also with Christmas Eve comes new pyjamas.

Christmas morning arrived and the tree was surrounded by presents. I love watching the kids faces on Christmas morning, madly unwrapping the gifts to see what they have recieved only to be excited by some, occasionally surprised especially when recieving a rubber chicken.

The rabbits and guinea pigs go a new hutch.

And even grandma looks surprised with her new Salt and Pepper Shakers.

We spent Christmas Day at Noel's mam and dad's. An enjoyable afternoon with the whole Murray family including Clare and her partner Grahame that flew in from Sydney that morning. Mam and Dad did a wonderful job with the Christmas dinner - all the trimmings of course.

Plus the usual balloon animal competition.... which turns rather serious!






We relaxed Boxing Day but made sure we still had plenty to eat....


A day trip into the city to catch up with a friend from work saw us walking around. Along Southbank you never know who you are going to bump into?


And near the casino you are never far away from an expensive car....


On the 30th of December the Murray family did a road trip of our Pennisula's to show Grahame what Victoria had to offer in the way of beaches and coastlines. Starting off at Hastings we ventured to Point Leo, Flinders, Ocean Beach, Gunnamatta, Arthurs Seat and finishing off the day at Steeples Bistro in Mornington. Clare and Grahame spent the night at ours then which put a nice finishing touch to the day.

Hastings Pier

Point Leo Surf Beach

Playing "stacks on" Noel

Lunch at Flinders Beach

Brothers having fun with a sea sponge

Noel chasing Christian with the sea sponge!

Ocean Beach, Flinders and the paragliders.

Alex crabbing

Sean and Vicky walking along Ocean Beach!

Gunnamatta Surf Beach

The view from Arthurs Seat

New Years Eve was a quiet affair - just us and mam at home. We had a make shift chinese banquet with nibblies, satay beef and nice chicken followed by sparklers and champange at 12am to welcome in the New Year.

As you can see it has been all go with lots of fun and laughter to close out 2010.... now looking forward to having an even better 2011!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com