Happy Australia Day....

More pics to come...

Sydney Trip - Part 1

Well I am finally getting around to uploading some photos from our trip to Sydney before Christmas. Prepare for photo overload..... I will be as brief as possible woith comments... LOL!!

First up we have 5 of the 6 cousins, who all got to meet the first night when we arrived... Lucas and Charlotte with my sister Michelle's kids, Grace and Liam, and then there's little Hamish (in the Thomas the Tank PJs), who is my little brother Morgan's son.
Lucas was having a ball with all the older kids, and holding his own for the most part...

My brother Morgan, with a less than desireable mo for Movember, meeting Lucas for the first time...

The next day my other sister Arianna arrived with little Jakey. This was the first time we had all met him, even though he was about to turn 1. He took a little while to warm to me with my camera...

Liam, trying hard not to crack a smile...

Then we headed to Balmoral Beach to catch up with our fabulous friends Em and Amelia. Two grumpy looking girls, waiting for their fish and chips (or really chips for Charlotte and Banana Bread for Amelia).

Amelia...

Charlotte...

I snuck this one of Amelia...

My two favourite boys... Love this one of Brett...

Em will probably kill me for posting this, but I absolutely love this shot..... It was her birthday and as you can see she is expecting number two, which we have since found out is a girl.... you look gorgeous sweetheart....

Lucas' first taste of the beach... he loved it...

The girls had a great time, keeping Em and I on our toes...

Later that afternoon, when Gracie was hard at work with homework, Charlotte informed me, that she too had homework for "big school".... it was so sweet to watch her with Gracie...

Very serious this home work stuff...

...to be continued...

I'm so not ready for this...

Oh Yes... we have a climber!! And the fun begins...

Happy Birthday sweetheart....

It was Brett's birthday yesterday!! I had such a flat-out day that I didn't even get a chance to blog a message for him - sorry sweetheart!!! He had to work, so it was a quiet day for him!

Charlotte and I made a sticky date pudding for birthday cake. And dinner was Vietnamese spring rolls, Brett's favourite... He scored a voucher to buy some new board shorts, a new wallet, and a gorgeous hand-drawn card from his princess.

Happy Birthday sweetheart!!! We love you so much!

Cass, Charlotte & Lucas xoxoxo

Lucas at 10 months...

This latest update will be a little light on photos as most of his 10th month was taken up by the Sydney trip, camping and Christmas, and I have already posted alot of those photos.

Lucas is still commando-crawling for most of the time with some time on his knees, usually when he is bare-chested and it is too cold on the tiles for sliding on his belly. He has mastered crawling to sitting, and pulling himself up from sitting.

He has sprouted 3 new teeth on the top... and another on the way. His top teeth are huge... with quite a gap!! LOL!!

He is quite the chatterbox. New sounds are nan-nan, gog for dog and car. He is waving and saying bye-bye.

He loves the water and the beach. He has no fear at all.

His eating is getting better. Still gags on just about everything. But his new favourite treat is Vegemite on toast...

A couple of months and he'll be one.... I can't believe it!!

Happy New Year...

...to all our wonderful friends and family. I always (well usually) feel refreshed and ready to tackle anything with the start of a new year, you know clean slate and all that! But I am a little weary... and I hate resolutions... so goals it is this year.... I know I should state the usual - lose weight, get fit, save money etc, etc, but I came across and list which I have decided to adopt as my guide for 2009.

Here goes...

1. Spread beauty

2. Do what you love

3. Love what you do

4. Keep it simple

5. Laugh out loud

6. Go with the flow

7. Be real

8. Focus on the positive

9. Do your best

10. Just breathe

Pretty good list to live by, I reckon..... I need to slow down, take stock and prioritise - my self and our family first!!!

On a more family orientated note, there are only 2 goals...

1. Squeezing in more Family Fun Time and

2. GETTING THIS HOUSE IN ORDER!!!!

I have been inspired by Peter Walsh, who is an Australian psychologist and organisational guru. I saw him on a couple of Oprah episodes a while back and have just read his book "It's all too much - an easy plan for living a richer life with less stuff". OH MY GOD, what a revelation...

A quote form the back cover:

"With his good humor and reassuring advice, Peter shows you how to face the really big question: What is the vision for the life you want to live? He then offers simple techniques and a step-by-step plan to assess the state of your home, prioritize your possessions, and let go of the clutter you have been holding on to that has kept you from living the life you imagine. The result is freed-up space, less stress, and more energy for living a happier, richer life every day."

Sounds fabulous..... I'll let you know how I go.... maybe I should do before and after shots....

And because I can't post without a photo. My two having a splash...

Hope the start of the new year has filled you all with hope and light.

Love and hugs,

Cass xoxoxo

More of Christmas... Boxing Day

Brett was working again so the kids and I had a quiet day at home. Nan and Pop (Brett's mum and dad) arrived mid morning with more gifts. Lucas got this fab Thomas ride-on... ...and Charlotte a 3-wheel scooter.... Our back patio is starting to resemble a parking lot, with nearly a dozen trikes, ride-ons, bikes etc. At least when all the kids visit there is enough to go round... LOL!!

And one of poor Lucas' nose...

Friends come to visit...

Just after Chrissy my wonderful friend Lisa, her hubby Matt and kids Troy and Emma, came to stay for a few days. They have been visiting Lisa's parents in Sydney for Christmas and made a quick trip over to catch up with us. Perth put on it's best (and hottest) weather for them, a dramatic change from the blizzards they left back home in Minneapolis, USA.

I only got my camera out the once, as Matt and Lisa were madly snapping away the whole time. So I have little photographic evidence of the stuff we did, including crabbing in the estaury, a visit to the beach and fish 'n chips at the foreshore (including a timely visit from a local dolphin who put on a bit of a show). But I can tell you we ate alot, sat round chatting alot and the kids had a ball. Troy is a little younger than Charlotte but they clicked instantly and played really well together.

Here are some pics from an afternoon of playing in the sandpit and having a splash in the inflatable pool...

Troy and Charlotte

Cute-as-can-be Emma toddling off to the pool

Waiting for the pool to fill

A cranky looking Charlie...

In she goes...

We miss you guys already!! Hope your flight home is quick and painless.

Much love,

Cass, Brett, Charlie & Lucas xoxo