The Wedding Weekend

We arrive in Brisbane mid morning and took the "scenic" route to get to Gold Coast. Very impressed with our accommodation

 Of course we have lots of lovely sunrise pictures.

and you can see how close to the sea we are. Apparently it was quite warm, but I only swam in the indoor pool. Everything was very centrally located and we were able to walk to dinners out, and to the wedding and reception. Here we are, ready for action!

 Hannah looked absolutely gorgeous, and in this shot you can see the flowers which Robin and Michelle put together - for the bouquets and also at the reception. The church was a Uniting Church so the ceremony was quite straightforward and conducted with humour. Jim's Mum had the choir that she sings with come along, and of course I sang lustily. It is so wonderful to be able to sing again after cancer.

 This is Chris's side of the family - of course I was in the one of the Bush side so I hope that we will get a copy of that soon.

 We walked downtown to the reception and had a while to kill while the other photos were taken. This is Emilia with Bonnie, Robin and Chris's first grandchild.

 The venue had spectacular views over the sea and a very good omen - a rainbow

 Me and my grandies - Millie in a sequinned shift dress that we bought at the Robina shopping centre, and Alex in some new clothes too. They both looked very smart.

 Here's the Men's contingent of our party 

 And the girls!

 Chris did the Thankyou's speech

 A mother is always pensive at her daughter's wedding. Rob looked gorgeous in a navy lace dress and matching jacket which was also beaded.

 Nick and Phoebe made a sibling's speech, and I was very pleased that they took an idea of mine and turned it into their own. It was very moving.

 Jim and Hannah seemed to enjoy the bridesmaid's speech - which was a little bit saucy!

 Jim spoke

 Hannah spoke.

 Chris and Robin started to relax.

 Hannah.... 

 Very pleased with the whole event.

Nearly time to go home. Just finish off that bit of cake...We did a bit of dancing before we went and then walked home along the promenade. Such a lovely family event. Weddings are great!

Precious Moments

Queen's Birthday weekend  - and we had a visit from Simon, Jackie and Theo. Just meant for relaxing. We enjoyed taking over the daily responsibilities from Jackie and Simon - and I think they enjoyed that too!
Duncan was in charge of breakfast and by the time I got up Theo had had several pieces of toast. He wrinkled his nose up at one and said "Too much Marmite" I was in charge of baths in the evening and had to deal with a poo at one stage. Theo came to inpsect - he crinkled his nose and said "Too much Marmite!"

 He really loved his bubbles but unfortunately a nice relaxing bath did not guarantee that he would have an early night - especially on Friday night as he had slept for quite a bit of the journey down.

 The weather was very wet over the weekend and in the excitement to go out side in his gumboots he announced that he was going to "put on his gumpoos and jump in the cuddles" But he also used both gumboots and puddles correctly as well.

 He really pulled his weight in the housework stakes. And Camille was very impressed when we went for coffee that he put all the toys away when I announced that it was time to go. Same thing with the toys when we went out for brunch the next day.

 Theo did enjoy the piano and often played with a very delicate touch. "Grandma, you stand there and crap" he instructed. Needless to say I clapped.

 At school we had had a Flea Market Day and I bought some home made playdough which kept him occupied.

 The hens were also a great hit and had breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner while Theo was here. I was disapppointed that they hadn't laid an egg. It should be in the next week or two that they start laying.

 We have a little run for them now, and they have occasionally got out but always want to go in at night.

 Simon and Jackie got to go out for a short while while Theo and I hung out together. What enjoyable company he was too!

He looked such a Theo in his handknit sweaters and vests!

A Weekend Away

Over the long weekend at Anzac Day we went up to Hamilton, and from there onto Wairakei with The Bushies to enjoy the golf weekend that Duncan won as a prize. Here Duncan and Theo feed the birds in Hamilton. Theo wasn't all that keen to share the bread. However it was not like that on our visit to Lyn's - a huge feast for lunch which we all tucked into with great gusto. Jackie was thrilled to inherit some Crown Lynn plates from my Mum's place (via Lyn) as she is going to collect Crown Lynn.

We had a long detour into Taupo with the journey taking 1hour 40 mins instead of 50mins. We wove our way through Waikite Valley, past the turnoff to Ngakuru, then onto gravel roads and finally back onto the main road.

 We had a few drinks in our room before going to dinner and Theo enjoyed the small capsules of milk.
Next day the boys went off for golf and Jackie, Theo and I went to Taupo. On the way we stopped at Huka Falls and Theo was transfixed by the gushing water and even a bit quiet when we rolled up at the playground in Taupo. However a few circuits on the small train and he seemed in a better frame of mind. The morning tea stop was enjoyed - this fluffy had Hundreds and Thousands  on it. The cafe was interesting with whole (dead) grapevines on the walls and a dispenser system for getting drinks.

The boys returned after a a very enjoyable - and not too bad score-wise -game of golf. We had a swim in the warm pool at the hotel and then went to Taco Taco for tea. The meal in the hotel the night before had been slightly disappointing, but this was superb with a great atmosphere. Next morning time to check out - but lets get a family photo to remember the weekend by.

Not quite ready

What about a smile??

Yay, we did it!
Duncan and I played the nine hole course before returning home on the Napier Taupo Rd

Minor renovations

With the demise of my wall oven, and the decision to return to a free-standing one we had a few minor alterations to do. This is the gap where the wall oven was. We also decided to move the microwave down to a lower height.

 The cupboard was built in and a rolla door was added.

 And this is where all our breakfast things are stored now.

 Where we had the breakfast thinkgs stored was a bit fiddly, and heaps of stuff was piled on top, so we replaced this cupboard by a larger one.

 It looks a bit big at present but we are getting used to it. I'll try and put something distracting on the top of it.

 Its called an Appliance Garage. Again with a rolla door - just like a garage! The microwave is now at bench height. The only thing is - it looks quite full already!!

The Eagle has Landed

Yes, the girls have arrived!!

Kath and Kim were collected from the poultry raising place today and after an initial break for freedom - brilliantly handled by Duncan we got them both in the cage and transported them home to the Henhouse Hilton which we have bought for them. They will have to lay well for 2 years for us to get our money back, but the source of entertainment so far has been tremendous.

That's Kath facing us, she has less white on her, plus a smaller tail feather, although that may have been a result of the escape bid.

 They looked immediately comfortable and began pecking the nice green grass and scratching in the edge of the compost heap that we thought they might like. Certainly they turned up their noses at the breadcrusts and vege scraps I put in the henhouse.

I checked them out later on and they were investigating the sleeping quarters. They are only pullets so no eggs for about 2 -3 months so we haven't put and straw in the nesting boxes yet, so I hope they are OK.



Lastly  I have finally finished my knitting outfit for my great neice Bonnie Margaret Bishop born to Nick and Michelle on the 26th March. I've teamed it up with some Pumpkin Patch Jeans for a 3 month-old and I am very pleased with the finished ensemble!