We have been soooo busy.....

We have been soooo busy lately that I just haven't had that much time to maintain this blog... we are doing too much and that is the problem... but you know us we wouldn't have it any other way.

So what have we been up to..... hhhhhmmmm let's see.......

Since Father's Day (6th September) which I cannot believe was nearly two weeks ago, we have been doing the usual school/work caper. Noel has been working a lot of overtime and I have been trying to finalise all the football club books in time for the Annual General Meeting.

However Noel and decided that last Sunday was to be a "special" family day so we took the kids to the city. Even though that doesn't sound too exciting it was a great day. We caught the train into Melbourne - this in itself was a novelty.

We caught the train in from Frankston - this is something the kids have been wanting to do for ages and walked around for most of the morning, ending up in Chinatown for lunch.

After walking the entire length of Chinatown we ate lunch at "Post-Mao Cafe" and had a wonderful banquet lunch for only $14.50 per head and we were full. I am definitely going to recommend this to anyone going to Chinatown.


All through lunch the kids kept asking if we could go to the aquarium... we kept saying no. Only to see the disappointment on their faces at the prospect of further walking around the city did we change our mind. So we hopped on a tram, and without telling them got off at the stop right outside the aquarium.... oh how their faces quickly lit up!!

The aquarium was great, as usual, but the added bonus of the new penguin display was magnificent. The Emperor Penguin are so majestic and mesmorising to watch, I could have stood there for ages.


As per usual I was fascinated by the jelly fish and just want a tank full of them at home. Another brilliant time waster that would be!! LOL!!


Although there was no sign of one of our favourites, the cuttlefish, and that the octopus was snoozing under a rock our visit to the aquarium was great and like everytime we visit it's great to watch the kids faces.

We got home late and were totally exhausted but it was a BRILLIANT adventure... I am sure the kids are going to ask what is next?

Tonight we have the junior football presentations. They are being held at Skateworld in Frankston and it should be interesting to see all the kids on skates instead of football boots. Alex will want me to skate with her.... hhhhmmm I have to think about that one.



PS I WILL PUBLISH SOME MORE PHOTO'S FOR THIS POST SOON......

Happy Father's Day.....

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To all the men I my life I wish you all a very Happy Father's Day... and a special wish of course to my dad, who I love and still miss very much.

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Today there is NO FOOTBALL and I don't think I am the only one that's a little bit excited about that. Instead we were still all in bed by 8am which is in itself a miracle for this house! And I have to say I enjoyed it.

Father's day saw Noel spoiled with presents that the kids had bought at the Father's Day stall at school and also a wallet, a cherry tomato plant and a foot stool. Oh and the Terry's Choc Orange!!! I think he was quite impressed with his bevvy of gifts this year.

Lunch was spent up at Mam and Dad's with Sean, Vicky and Christian. We had a wonderful time.... we got there for lunch but I don't think we walked in our front door until aroun 7pm.... oh well it was a good day.

Food - amazing and so much as usual!! Zucchini and Bacon Soup, Braised Lamb shanks and dessert (which I ate) who could have asked for me... not me - I didn't go back for seconds...lol... others did. Mam and dad did really well with the feast they prepared and served... and of course the perfect end to the day... watching the football and The Saints WON!!!

Vicky looked great - she carries pregnancy well! I am so glad and am looking forward to the new arrival, which is only in a matter of a few weeks really. I tried to find out whether it's a girl or a boy but both Sean and Vicky are not letting on (they know but don't want to tell anyone).... it's quite annoying but Noel and I did the same thing to the family when we were pregnant with Alex!! Go figure - why do I have the right to be annoyed at the decision they have made not to tell anyone?? Especially when we made the same decision 8 years ago.


All I can say is that I am really glad that I am part of a wonderful family....

Christian's 2nd Birthday.....

Monday was Christian's 2nd birthday (his party is coming on Saturday). We all went to Sean and Vicky's for dinner to celebrate this special little man!! This is our only nephew on Noel's side of the family although another little Murray is due in 15 weeks!


We all decided that he loves cake!!


Cheeky should definitely be his middle name!! LOL!!!


A "glowing" mam - Vicky looks really well during this pregnancy. And Sean is just such the doting dad!

And of course then there is the grandparents who idolise all of their grandchildren and play such an important and special role in their grandchildren's lives...... all three (and shortly four) grandchildren are loved greatly by these two beautiful people. I have to admit, I am very lucky to have them in my life also!!

The Boite Choir - Our Home Our Land

Both Oliver and Alex sang in The Boite Choir yesterday at the Frankston Arts Centre along with other children from Victorian Primary Schools.


They have been practising for several months now and have learnt songs that are meaningful to the land of Australia and it's people. A few of them using Aboriginal words and phrases. They performed with an Aboriginal dance group and it was such a brilliant event.

I took the day off from work to see them. I had planned with Vera to meet her there as Kayla was also in the choir. We all enjoyed the performance.

Once again I am really proud of our kids.

Vega "Back to East Timor" Concert

Unbelievable is probably the best way to describe last nights "date" courtesy of Vega and Noel making that phone call to win tickets.

The night started out with pure excitement on my behalf... I can't remember when Noel and I went out on a date like this the last time, normally if we go out it's to a restaurant or we have the kids so this in itself was a novelty.'

After meeting Dicko, Dave and Chrissy from Vega 91.5 FM and of course having our photo's taken with them the concert started.

Firstly Dave did a stand up routine, which as usual was funny and he was followed by Mark Spano (who I must say our babysitter is in LOVE with!!). I have to confess at not knowing a great deal about this Australian Idol contestant but damn did he have a good voice. I really enjoyed him, infact he silenced the crowd with his fantastic voice and I have to say it was spine tingling.

Jeff Green was next to take the stage.... oh and did we both laugh. I had tears running down my face and I nearly wet my pants - yes he is that funny!!

Then it was time for the ultimate highlight of the evening - Ian Moss. BLOODY FANTASTIC!! The gig was very acoustic and very blues tainted which I enjoyed. He did a few of the Cold Chisel songs which sounded better than I remembered. I took that many photo's. After he did his playlist of 5 songs and left the stage, he returned to do a very vocally requested encore in which he and his band performed another 5 songs.

I can only imagine the price tag that would be put on the event we saw if you had to pay for the tickets. It was definitely an evening I will not forget.

First thing this morning I sent a "thank you" email to Vega - which they read out over the radio just to express my gratitude for offering such a wonderful experience to lucky people just like Noel and I. This is my email.....

"Good morning Dicko, Dave and Chrissy,

This email is just a HUGE THANK-YOU for last night.

What a bloody fantastic evening - I am still buzzing this morning! The relaxed atmosphere especially with all of you mingling with the crowd chatting, having photo's and signing autographs, Jeff Green's performance which literally left me with tears running down my face not to mention crossing my legs (!!), the crowd silencing and spine tingling performance of Mark Spano and of course, the captivating performance and extended encore by Ian Moss totally blew us away. I know the other people on our table were as impressed as we were.

The "Back to East Timor" concert was brilliant and more than what either my husband and I could have imagined. You definitely did all those that attended the Chelsea RSL proud and one can only imagine the impact that all of you had on our troops serving abroad.

WELL DONE DICKO and of course everyone at Vega."

All I can say now is .... "Noel what's happening on the next date??"

We are having a date tonight!!

Wow it's a weeknight but Noel and I are going out... just the two of us! So I guess you could say we are having a date!

Yesterday Noel won tickets on Vega (a radio station) for the "Back to East Timor" Concert with Dicko, Dave and Chrissy.... I couldn't believe it!! I had actually been trying for 2 weeks and he makes one phone call and gets through!! It doesn't really matter how we got the tickets, we got them and we are going!

The line up is fantastic - Ian Moss, Jeff Green, Mark Spano to name a few and it's somewhat local for us too being held at the Chelsea RSL!! It's all just too exciting!

Actually saying that I don't know who is more excited... us or the kids. Kimbalee, a friend's daughter, is babysitting and the kids really like her. It's the first time babysitting for us so the kids have been read the riot act about behaving etc but I know that they will be good little angels for her.

Will give you the full report tomorrow.

Free entertainment... always good value!!

Just near our local Indian grocery store, in Carrum Downs, is a paddock with the friendliest horses in.... of course we had to feed them!!! In fact we spent more time feeding the horses than we did in the grocery store!!

The kids both love most animals... there was the a few moments of not knowing what to expect, how the horses would react but that nervousness was over after the first mouthful of grass was taken.

Even Noel had a feed, showing the kids that he really is a big softie!!

This kind of entertainment is priceless ... literally it didn't cost a thing!! LOL!!!

Special ladies.....

The end of July marks the birthday of two special ladies in our lives.....

The 29th is Vicky's birthday. We didn't get to see her on her birthday this year as it was a Wednesday and Sean has been working away this week. We did however ring, the kids sang Happy Birthday and we all chatted. During the phone conversation she explained how she was disappointed that we couldn't get together as we are busy and that we don't get to see enough of each other. Little did she know that today we planned, with Sean's help, to meet her for a surprise lunch along with her brother George and his girlfriend Rose at the Chelsea Heights Hotel.

It was a great lunch and after all that has passed between us, it is a good feeling to know that the future is positive and the relationships we all have with her are growing.

The second special person in our lives is Clare. Noel's sister and my very close friend, infact I have to say my sister too!! Her birthday is on the 31st (yesterday) and we all called in the evening to sing Happy Birthday and to give her our best wishes and love. She received our gift of cookbooks and love the kids cards...... her hug from me will have to wait until Mid August when she is planning to come down and we get to meet her boyfriend, Grahame!!

Neglected blog..... my bad!

I am honestly sorry for neglecting my blog this last week weeks.... the family and I have been quite busy and there never seems to be enough hours in the day to acomplish everything I set my mind to. I am sure you all know exactly what I am saying....


So just to give you a quick catch up of what the Murray family have been up to recently.........


We are now the proud owners of a Wii!! Oh and the Wii Fit package. Yes even though I was proclaiming that the kids have enough computerised gadgets I couldn't refuse. The interactive nature of the games was what changed my mind, not to mention the kids nagging! (Only joking!) The idea behind the mid year purchase was for all the family to get fit... including me and Noel. So far so good considering we are having tennis, baseball and bowling tornaments after the kids have gone to bed!!


Junior Football is still taking up our Sundays but only for a few more weeks. This season has taken a lot out of Noel and I so, without sounding selfish, we actually will be glad when the season is over for 2009. Both kids have played really well and enjoyed themselves - which is actually the most important thing. Oliver's team won't make it into the finals this year but have had some really great matches. Alex's team (under 9's) don't keep score, it's more just about getting out there and playing the game as it is with the under 10's.


The kids have recently just gone back to school after 2 weeks of school holidays. I spent several days home each week with them as did Noel. But inbetween all of my doctor's appointments etc, I cannot say that I did a great deal with them... maybe a little too much yelling!! LOL!!


We did venture to the Melbourne Zoo one day. It was great the four of us doing something fun together. Don't get me wrong we do a lot of things together but it's not always focussed on the children. We went on the Monday (Noel had an RDO) and although it was school holidays it was quieter than what the weekends normally are. The zoo is becoming such a magical place now with all the new exhibitions instead of the old cages that were boring and dull to look at. It is becoming more interactive between the people and the animals and their wildreness etc.


Noel surprised us all and booked tickets to the cinemas on the Thursday night before school holidays started. He purchased tickets for Oliver and himself to see Transformers 2. Alex, not impressed with the idea of seeing this movie as she was convinced she would be scared wanted to see The Hannah Montana Movie, even though Transformers was what I wanted to see also. But I have to say I was glad that I went with Alex, it actually wasn't a bad movie but I don't think Noel would have enjoyed it if he had drawn the short straw!! LOL!!


After months of planning we had our How To Host A Murder - "The Watersdown Affair". Set in 1936, in an English country mansion, 8 suspects (us and our guests) had to work out who amongst us was the murderer!! What an extremely fun night that was and I am sure that everyone enjoyed themselves dressing up and playing the game. Makes for such a fun dinner party.


As usual I will load up some photo's soon.....

School holidays - bring 'em on.....

Today is the official first day of the Victorian School Holidays and I am actually looking forward to the next two weeks. Not only do I get to spend some quality time with my kids for a change, they get to spend some quality time with me CLEANING and SORTING and THROWING RUBBISH OUT!! Sounds like my kind of fun!!

No seriously my mission, which I have chosen to accept, for the first week is a good clean up and out!! The kids have been worded up and have agreed to help.

If we get it all done the second week is all about fun. I am even lining up a get together with the boys and Jamie as the kids really love spending time with their cousins. Maybe a park somewhere for a play and a picnic - now that sounds like a great idea!!

So bring it on.......

The week is almost over....

Well once again this week is flying past and I don't seem to be getting anything accomplished! I am sure others have had similar days but what is with it lasting a whole week? ggrrr...

The week started off on a sad note after hearing the news that Fred, a co-worker of mine, lost his beloved wife, Wendy last week. She died on Thursday after a 6 month battle with cancer. A very sad time as both Fred and Wendy were so positive that she would beat this and continued to think towards the future and their retirement. It was only two weeks ago that Fred underwent his second hip operation and is now in recovery. Needless to say, I plus a few others from work, attended Wendy's funeral on Tuesday morning. If there is any way of describing a funeral service I would have to say that it was nice and very fitting for the lady that Wendy was.

Mam and Dad have left to go on their holiday up north, stopping in to see Clare in Sydney. It was great to recieve a few photo via text yesterday from Clare. I am glad that they have finally got away as their trip has already been delayed by the dreaded Melbourne cold!! No not the flu!!

The only disadvantage of them going away is we get the bird!! This bird, a cockatiel named Elly, is awful - she hisses, bites and is just noisy!! The kids are even over the bird!! Oh well, babysitting Elly is the least we can do considering Mam and Dad do a hell of a lot for us!!

As the week is passing quickly, we are facing another weekend... a weekend where Alex is off for a sleep over on Friday night, not sure what we will do with Oliver, Saturday sees the kids at their first rehearsal with the Boite Choir in Tyabb followed by another day of football on Sunday... before I know it it will be Monday again!!

Sunday both kids played great football and their reward was to get their hair tipped.... so this is the outcome!!

Missing in action or just busy????

You may need to grab a cuppa with this post as I feel a long one coming up!! It seems like forever since I posted last and I know I have a lot to tell you.....

We all survived the Queen's Birthday holiday although we were kind of dissappointed. We had to make our own entertainment as the invitation for her party just hasn't arrived, maybe she doesn't have our new address (hhhmmm I will have to look into that) and you know you cannot just gate crash the Queen's party without being thrust into any form of media spotlight either! LOL!!

Seriously, it was great to have the Public Holiday on the Monday as that was an extra family day for us. Although saying that the whole weekend went as quickly as a normal one did. Okay so what did we do...

Saturday morning, I worked as usual whilst Noel and the kids did some cleaning and started getting food ready for the BBQ we were having on Saturday night with some friends coming over. We had invited some of our friends from the football club as I did have an ulterior motive to our free food... lol... I am glad our friends like us that's for sure! They came over to help repack the chocolates for the football fundraising drive - all 12,288 bars of chocolates!! As I said we felt it only fitting to provid the food as payment!! It was a great night and we all agreed that it was a shame that there was football on the next day as we could have kicked on into the wee hours of Sunday morning - actually we did with Noel and I getting into bed around the 12.30am mark!

Sunday was just as busy with a planned family breakfast with the Murray clan at The Cove in Patterson Lakes. The Cove do a all you can eat buffet breakfast every Sunday morning. We have been there before and although not all that impressive it's central for us all and not bad price wise. We only caught up with Mam, Dad and Christian as Sean and Vicky were ill. Mam and Dad picked up Christian on their way through and looked after him for the remainder of the day.

Mason, one of Oliver's team mates, was playing football on Sunday representing Karingal in the Frankston and Districts Junior Football League team. They played other teams from various other Leagues within Victoria. We went to watch the 3rd match due to our commitments in the morning. Oliver was quite impressed watching his mate on the field. Mason is an excellent football player, one that Oliver looks up to also.

All Monday morning I was waiting and must say I was eagerly awaiting the clock showing 10.30 as that's what time Jamie and the boys were due to visit. We hadn't planned to do anything as the weather was undecided whether it would rain or not. So we decided to play it by ear and go with what ever happened.

Whilst Jamie, Noel and myself chatted away all 6 kids just played together. It was fun to watch all of them interact and listen to their laughter. We had the playstation going, the DS's, the electric keyboard and microphone were over worked and definately out of tune!

We all sat down for a family lunch, a warming bowl of Lamb Stew and some nice fresh frenchstick and chatted about things that were happening, such as junior football, school and what we had all been up to.

As simple as it sounds it is not.... it is anything but simple. I haven't seen all the boys for quite a long time and have almost got used to the fact that my nephews do not know us at all... but I do believe times are changing. Monday was a day - one that was a long time coming but it was a day that I thoroughly enjoyed and one I will remember.

Jamie had the boys last weekend and honestly, I had to take advantage of the fact that he is willing to ensure that the boys stay in contact with me and my family, especially my mam. So, without Claire knowing, I organised with Jamie that we get together and given their marraige situation you can imagine that Jamie didn't mention it to her either. It is not that I didn't want Claire to know it's the fact of what is happening in her life at the moment and how she is reacting with her family (me and mam) with the level of interaction being very very minimal to almost non existent.

Having the extra day off from work meant that last week flew past, not that it is that unusual as we are generally busy anyway but it was a nice short week. Alex trained with her football team for the first time so that was a bit strange for her. Oliver had training as usual and yes we have managed to start distributing all the boxes of chocolates to other club members to sell. We are down to a few remaining boxes at home and I have to admit I am very happy with that.

Friday the kids had a "pupil free" day at school so that pleased them - a holiday on Monday and then another day off on Friday! Noel volunteered to have the day off with them - how ever I must say he didn't really take that much convincing! How lucky are they - a 3 day week and here I was bragging about working for only 4 days! hehehe Oliver organised to have a sleep over at Mason's house and as Alex couldn't miss out on any holiday action she asked if she could have Ella come over and have a sleepover. Ella's mam and dad both work full time like us so the only way we could organise it was to have Ella dropped off first thing in the morning.. so no sleep in for Noel and the kids as Ella arrived at 7am!! Oliver disappeared over to Mason's just after lunch - I think quite grateful to escape the two girls! Friday evening was great - no arguing etc Ella and Alex had a ball. The girls made their own pizza's for dinner, hired some movies and slept on matteresses on the loungeroom floor in true sleep over style!

Saturday Ella was picked up, Oliver was returned so it was back to normal. We had to take Alex up to the sports store to get her a pair of white shorts, a pair of skins and a pair of red socks for her football debut the following morning. She was quite excited about the whole thing so therefore needed the whole kit and caboodle!! I don't mind as at least she is out there playing a sport and if she likes football, that's great! After Friday and Friday night, Saturday night was nice and quiet and thoroughly enjoyed!

Although we have been getting up early on Sunday mornings to help Tanya with the football club canteen (the canteen I wasn't having anything to do with this year) both Noel and I had forgotten what it felt like having an under 9 footballer in the house. The game kicked off at 9am, Alex had to be at the clubrooms, which were away this week, by 8.30am and of course we were late!! Not too late, but late and of course she was making note of the time every minute! I would have to say that describing her as excited would surely have been an understatement! Getting her jumper brought on a excited yet nervous giggle fit and she just wanted to get out on the field and play!!

Her first game, she managed a few touches and a kick or two but the team had a win so that made the morning memorable for not only Alex but us, her parents!! Oliver helped out also and was the goal umpire for the game!

Oliver played football later in the morning and the result wasn't as great for his team. We actually played a strong side that I would describe as bullies and unfair but then I suppose I am a biased mam, especially when kids get hurt.

I am proud of Oliver, just as I am with Alex, for just getting out there and playing, participating in a team sport and bottom line all I want both of them to do is have fun!

Sunday afternoon became another afternoon of children swapping. Alex went for a play at Summer and Logan's house whilst Jet, their little brother, came to play the playstation with his mate 'Knackers' - Oliver's nickname he proudly answers to... (the nickname itself comes with a long explanation!).

Sunday nights are always up at the footyclub for us throughout the whole season. I may have mentioned before but each team presents a handful of kids awards for the game played and there is food available as well as the bar being open. We tend not to stay up there too late but as Noel is team manager, I am treasurer, and now with both the kids playing it something we feel we should continue to do. Last night Alex got an award for her non stop running and enthusiasm to her game - her first game. Corey, her coach, is spoiling his only girl in the team and of course, Alex idolizes Corey!!

Phew I suppose I should be glad that's it's Monday again and its work and school as normal.....

Queen's Birthday - a long weekend ......

Well today marks the start of the Queen's birthday weekend here in most states of Australia.... so all with the exception of WA and Tasmania get Monday off work as a public holiday!



Elizabeth II or Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born 21 April 1926. She is the queen regnant of sixteen independent states known as the Commonwealth realms. This is made up of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenade, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis and AUSTRALIA! All together, these countries have a combined population, including dependencies, of over 129 million. She holds each crown separately and equally in a shared monarchy, and carries out duties in and on behalf of all the states of which she is sovereign. She is also Head of the Commonwealth, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Ducke of Nomandy, Lord of Mann and Paramound Chief of Fiji. In theory her powers are vast; however, in practice, and in accordance with convention, she rarely intervenes in political matters.

Quite an impressive lady, I must say. What do you think?

Yet this weekend always amazes me... why? It amazes me as we are a country, a nation, that wants to gain independence away from the good ol' Motherland and become a Republic but we all grateful take the public holiday year after year to celebrate OUR QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY!

You never hear anyone saying things like - "I want to work because she's not our queen" or "let's all boycot having a public holiday and really get into the Republican swing!" NO! NO! NO! Everyone enjoys the extra day on their already short feeling weekends and relishes in the fact that next week is a four day week.....

Have a great weekend everyone and don't forget to toast a Happy Birthday to our Queen!!

Getting back into the swing of things.....

I know I have been slack this last few weeks and have only been posting on a weekly basis but I have blown that out of the water now by having nearly a week and a half break between socialising within these blog walls.

So now it's a case of where to start.....

The reason for my slackness is the flu - NOT the swine flu. Just the flu. Infact I didn't work Monday and Tuesday only to return today. Feeling very run down but I must soldier on!

We have just about put the final little bits of our rearrangement into their new homes... the loungeroom got another reshuffle and it looks a lot better than the first arrangement. It's all starting to feel homely now which is good - one less thing off my ever procrastinating mind!!

On Thursday I received a shipment of a pallet, yes a pallet, of boxes containing chocolates. Cadbury's Freddo's, Camamello Koalas, Cherry Ripes, Crunchies, Boost and Time Out... a total of 256 boxes! Thankfully we don't eat that much chocolate at our place but geez I have chocolates everywhere. Please be aware these are NOT for us - these are for the football club fundraiser - we make really good profit out of them. The catch is that they need to be sorted into boxes of 8 flavours before distributing for sale. Last night Nazz and Jane (two lovely parents of club players) came over to help especially as I have been sick and are coming back tonight.

Friday night, Alex had a birthday party to go to. It was Shiryln's party and Alex actually went straight from school to Shirlyn's house so she had an extra long play. She was really happy about that. Oliver was picked up from school by Nana and Grandad and taken up to their house for a sleepover and when we picked Alex up from the party we took her up there aswell. They had a ball especially as Nana and Grandad have a Wii..... guess what they did all day???

Over the weekend, we picked up the fish tank that was on layby and Sunday went down as a family to choose a few fish each... the kids were really excited and chose there own 2 fish which of course are now sporting interesting names. We have 10 fish in total, one black moore, one pearlscale, one oriana, one bronze moore, two danio's and four white clouds. At the moment, it's a novelty with the kids, racing to feed them etc., standing next to the tank just watching but it will be interesting how they will go with the first clean and to whether or not mam will have to do that.

Another pleasing thing for us is the Under 11's won again... and they blitzed!! I believe the final score was 118 to 8 but after a team having a 70 point lead they do not continue to score.. but we did! LOL!! Nana and Grandad came down to watch also. Needless to say Dean was happy, Noel was happy, the team was happy and we have had our 2nd win for the season...