Marion Bay 2011

Our annual photo in the same spot! 

Marion Bay 2011 was so much fun this year.  Catie, Kath, myself and six kids rented a holiday house for the October long weekend to catch up with our gorgeous friend Jess who lives at Marion Bay on the York Peninsula. 

We've been holidaying annually for about seven years now, so its a great tradition and our families are ever expanding with eight kids running a muck. 

It was really full on during the day with kids running around and the house was not that kid friendly outside because of some large stone steps and no fences so I had to really keep my eye on Owen who is only 18 months and accident prone. Charlie has really grown up now, so he is keeping up with Mia and Samuel the older kids and Charlie and Jarrah were playing nicely too.

So we just spent time with the kiddies and then at night we would have a few drinks.  Our first drink was on arrival with Kath opening a bottle of watermelon flavoured champagne. Too bad Catie was so jet lagged from her trip to London, she kept falling asleep at night early.  I drank lots of alcohol that weekend.  Too bad I feel asleep on the last night quite early.

The ever expanding mob

We had a visit to the beach, play ground, visit to Jess and Ryan's house to play with chickens and watch the kids climb trees.  We also managed dinner at the local pub to but it was run and eat  as quick as can be when going out for dinner with so many kiddies.

Girls fun after the kids have gone to bed.

Loved this weekend and cannot wait for next year. The girls are also planning a strictly "Girls Only" weekend at Victor in December/January so will look forward to that for sure!

I feel so blessed to have such beautiful friends like Catie, Kath and Jess. They are totally amazing, intelligent, down to earth, easy going and a lot of fun too! 

Feeling free for life - de ja vu

I just love that feeling when I'm driving up Happy Valley Drive on a beautiful sunny day.  It's such a gorgeous stretch of road with a dense scrubland either side that gives the feeling of country. 

I have a feeling of de ja vu quiet frequently in this same spot as I cross the roundabout leading from Happy Valley Drive to Education Road. 

It's a beautiful day and blue skies.  I have the windows down and music blaring usually trip hop, or something FreshFM.  I'm singing! 

As I drive past the retirement village the thought crosses my mind - "wow I am so lucky to have a car, and be alone.  Back in the days they didn't have cars, they couldn't see all the places or do all the things I can do."

I am totally alone, and no-one is with me.  I'm totally enjoying this moment and freedom! I am so lucky.  It's an amazing feeling.

Taking the kids to the show

This year Jamie and I thought it would be fun to take Charlie and Owen to the show.

It was a very exciting day.  Jamie took the day off work and I already had Wed free now that my studies do not start again until November.

We payed for parking across the road in the park lands near the Wayville Showgrounds.  It only cost $11 and the walk was not too far at all. 

We used both strollers for the boys, sunscreen, hats, drinks and jackets were packed for the day.  It was a bit unclear how the weather would turn out, actually it was quite strange.  When the sun appeared it was really hot and when it disappeared behind clouds it was very cold.  Odd but no rain so that was a good thing.  At first it was forecast to rain, thank goodness it did not.

The first place went to was the show bag pavilion as Jamie insisted we venture there first.  Charlie of course wanted a Hot wheels show bag and I bought a natural lollies show bag to keep the kids at bay.  haha what a joke!!  :) So we filled both Owen and Charlie full of the natural lollies!! 

We walked around various pavilions full of food displays, animals, and agricultural equipment.  Were totally amazed to see electric chain saw wood cutting, Jamie said "whats the competition in that."  I agreed what a joke.  In a previous year we had watched wood cutting with proper axes which was really exhilarating and exciting. 

We had lunch at the gourmet food area and shared a table with a nice man and his son.  Jamie and the m an struck up a conversation about horses and I chased Owen around the food court because he was more interested in running away and climbing on things.

Instead of seeing the baby animals which was totally packed by families with prams and tiny baby animals trapped behind fences, so we visited the pigs instead.  They were very cute, the piglets were gorgeous.  I couldn't believe how big pigs can grow nearly 2 metres in length and they have about 10 piglets that are so cute.  I wanted to take one home as a pet but Jamie said "No".  O well, I suppose cleaning up pig poo is not that much fun. 

Both the kids enjoyed bouncing on the Jurassic Park castle, Charlie was bouncing around the place, climbing and jumping like crazy and Owen enjoyed it too with the occasional attempt to escape.

Back to the show bag pavilions to get Charlie another show bag as he had insisted every minute for about two hours, "I want a toy", "I want a toy" so we gave up in the end.  Jamie bought the Charles Worth Nuts, Bertie Beetle and another Hot wheels show bags. 

Charlie went for another ride on a proper show ride and also a very steep slippery dip which I was too scared to go on and he insisted that he wanted to go by himself.  Jamie and I made short films of these and some photos. 

By 3pm we were exhausted, totally wired from all of the sweet food and ready to go home.  We had fairy floss, dippy dogs and hot jam filled donuts which were all very delicious! What a great day and we had so much fun.

The past year

Just realised that its been a year since I started to blog here.  The recipe blog did not really take off and the My life one the same, but Im glad this one has continued.  It will be a lovely keepsake. 

Looking back on the past year, there have been many exciting changes taking place in our family.

This time last year I was at home with Owen who was five month taking note of Owens first words, teeth, and the tranformation from baby to toddler in such a small time.  Such a gorgeous cute little boy.  He is cheeky, and he stands on tables and watches us knowing we are going to say something to him.  He is also very needy, a mummy's boy, sleeps in my bed everynight, wakes up a few times and sits on my lap all night when we watch TV.  He loves cars, outdoors and kisses.

Charlie's third birthday celebrations at the MV railway mini steam trains was so much fun.  He is growing up so fast.  I have just enrolled Charlie into Chandlers Hill Kindergarten. He seemed really happy there, and it was lovely. Also, the two full days appealed to me - Wed and Thursdays. Its hard juggling the 1/2 days with work.  He is also very tall.  Time has flown. Scary. I was originally going to send Charlie to Happy Valley kinder and I love the playgroup too (despite not going now because Im working Fridays), but the full days appealed to me at Chandlers. Charlie will be going to Happy Valley Primary School so I figured a lot of kids going to Chandlers would go to there too as its just across the road. On the Wednesday my study day I will do volunteer at lunch time to help out at the kindy. Looking forward to it. Charlie starts pre-entry on the 19th October.  Jamie was really pleased with Chandlers Hill Kindergarten too and liked the idea of it being across the road from the primary school.

The creative life writing class with was awesome, and taught me many things about writing with more expression and meaning.

See devastating natural disaster this year, with cyclone Yasi and terrible floods that severly affected QLD and other states with loss of life and livelihood. Just a terrible set of events, and very hard to beleive that this can happen all at once. Also the terrible earthquake that hit Christ Church with 200 people dead. 

I am still going strong with family history, three months this year was spent researching the Jenkins family history with my cousins Lynfa Maeer, Rebecca O'Reilly and Charlie King.  What an incredible and special experience meeting many people from Wales and learning about my ancestors past.  Still have not written up final notes yet, but I have a folder full of stories and photos. 

Met with cousins from all side of the family both Jamie's and mine through www.penhall.id.au This website is proving to be a valuable resource for the family in terms of sharing information and meeting cousins as I originally suspected. Just recently meet cousins from the Mayo and Owers branches both interested in family history, and having access to information and beautiful old photos.  The prize was a photo of my great x 4 grandmother Elizabeth Newman! 

Sad at the passing of my beautiful Aunt Betty in April, I miss her dearly.  I also miss my dear Nanna Jenkins too as I have not been to see her at all this year. Having an extra child has definately added to the complexity, so have not had the time to travel to Mt Gambier this year.

Still going to yoga although not as often as I would like,and doing palates too.

Walking a lot more, started walking with Sarah Dixon (nee Davies) good friend and business partner.  We did not realise that we were both walking along the river Torrens at lunch times in the city, so decided it was a good chance to walk and catch up. So we usually do that on Mondays or Tuesdays to enjoy the beautiful river with many swans, and their baby signets and also the pelicans.

Enjoying my studies in Web programming, exams next week but very happy to have started my studies with the Curtin University Bachelor of Internet Communications.  The next unit should be a little easier, the unit is Internet and Everyday Life.

Jess had a baby this year, beautiful little Leela, met her for the first time the other day.  We've beens o sick this year with colds etc.

Renae had a Bollywood party for her 30th bday (x5 times) so that was awesome.  Everyone made a really big effort with beautiful bright costumes. 

Received invitations for my friend Michelle Barnes to Haidon Linke on 8 October at Serafino Winery McLaren Vale.  Looking forward to that.  Michelle is my dear friend since I was 14 years old. 

Started working at Southern Adelaide Health for two months reviewing the Southern Health Websites ready for the migration to the new SA Health website.  Its a short drive to work now only ten minutes and I get paid more money for easier work.  Gr8! 

Mum and Dad have been in Tully for two months, Dad is working to rebuild homes after cyclone Yasi.  I think they are having a lovely time, and looking forward to seeing them in November. 

Jamie's business has survived for first 18 months, business is going well and he seems happy with this. 

So the past year at a glance as been full of changes and all positive of course.  Looking forward to more fun this year! 

Precious Moments with Owen 16 months

Owen 16 months

I love cuddling with my little boy Owen.  He is such a mummy's boy. 

I love his tiny little hands, and tickle his tiny feet.  He loves tickles. When I remove his shoes I massage his feet.

I grab his nose and pretend to take it away from his face and then put it back on again. This always amuses him and he starts to laugh and smile.  Then he pretends to take my nose away.

He sucks his thumb for comfort.

I say 'kisses' and he gives me a kiss sometimes with a little booger but mummies do not mind their children's boogers do they.  He knows the word kiss.

He smiles and is happy most of the time except when he is teething. His molar teeth have pushed through recently so he suffered with sore gums, red cheeks and a runny nose. 

He has a mind of his own to, is very cheeky and determined. When he is trying to get into the kitchen cupboards or open a door he is not meant to be exploring he looks to see if anyone is watching him and smiles cheekily and does it anyway.  He already knows how to open the child proof locks in the kitchen cupboards.  He drags the little wooden chairs around the house to get into things on benches and tables. He is a pretty good climber. 

Owen a few days new

Every night he climbs onto my lap demanding my every attention. At 16 months he is still breast feeding but we are starting to give him a bottle but he still loves mummy cuddles. 

I consciously try to remember every little moment and detail, his pretty blond curls, blue eyes and adorable smile.  He is small, so small, and so beautiful. 

Please let me remember these precious moments forever because these are the best times of my life. My precious sons who I adore.

Renae's Bollywood Birthday Party

Renae's Bollywood Birthday Party was a really awesome.

Everyone look amazing in their brightly coloured Bollywood outfits, jewellery and little bindi's. Even the guys made an effort with their costumes excepta few of them were trying to hide from cameras.

Renae looked really beautiful in her green sari and pretty jewellery. Matt looked like the cult leader of the Orange people from the 1970s with his little white beaded necklace, loose shirt, and pants and a big orange scarf hanging around his neck. Another guy wore a table runner around his head, and curtains draped over his shoulder. He was the guy avoiding photos. Classic!

Jamie and I hired outfits from 'Fancy That' costume shop at Christies Beach.  I think they have the best outfits.  The outfits were so beautifully and brightly coloured and sequenced. I did not want to give my back because it was so pretty with dark blues, gold and white, with little diamonds sparkling all over the dress, and a pretty long dark blue scarf that I wore around my neck.

The girls helped out with the preparing food like hot curries, rice, and poppodams.  Renae started organising the food too but we insisted that she go enjoy herself.  The Masterchef butter chicken that I cooked was a real hit.  Great recipe and flavour.

To start the night they played Indian Bollywood music.  A bit later Josh cranked up the turn tables to hip hop, break beat, trance, and rnb. After a few drinks everyone started dancing.

Matt took some lovely photos too.

I love the feeling when friends meet like this, to forget about life and embrace the moment, enjoy each others company and have fun dancing, and chatting with each other. It makes me feel young again.

It was a great night!

Friends collage

Facebook has some pretty cool applications.  Here is a Friends collage which shows the faces of my friends on Facebook created by some clever application.  It has gathered the profile pictures of people who have been interacting with my profile.  Funny enough most of my BFs are on it.