Merry Christmas To You All

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. Things have been hectic here for the last month or so. Spencer graduated from primary school, high school next year! So we have been getting things ready for the big move to high school and had his graduation ceremony which was really nice. He had to give a speech, which he was nervous about but wrote a great speech and did well giving it...

Growing up so fast...

Giving his speech...

Some of Spen's class mates, girl on far right of the front row, Kathryn, is Spen's girlfriend...

We were very proud of him and had a lovely time.
We bought a new air conditioner, THANK GOD!!! We didn't have one up til now and during summer on 40 degree days you could not be inside it was so hot and stuffy. We would go visit any one with air con or go to the river to cool down. Now our house is cool and comfy! At a cost of nearly $2500 we decide that that was the main Christmas gift and just got the kids a couple of small gifts each.

Then we had Christmas with Davids family. Spit roast lamb, salads, blini with smoked salmon, Xmas cake, pav and my croquembouche wreath, doesn't look as good as I had hoped but everyone loved it, which is the main thing...

Kim's Christmas cake...

Waiting for presents. Matilda, Skye, Jessica and Samantha...

The girls had a great time riding this bike down the hilly backyard..

Then we had Spencer's 13th birthday on the 28th December! We had a party with the family, he didn't want his friends, we tried to convince him to invite Kathryn but to no avail. We all had a good time though. He got this cool truck clock from Nana and grandad in NZ...

It has an alarm that sounds just like a big rig horn. It is awesome and he loves it! I made a triple decker chocolate as requested by the birthday boy...

So as you can see it has been go go go here and in January we have uniforms and books to get for Spencer and get him all organised for high school!!! Can't believe my boy is 13!!!!

Well from my family to yours we hope you all had a lovely Christmas and have a wonderful New Year, may 2010 be eventful and good to all of us

Teach A boy To fish....

David and Spencer went fishing with David's brother Danny on the weekend and they caught about 15 King George Whiting between them. Spen caught about 5 and got very sun burnt and sun stroke as well. He was not himself for a couple of days but we made him rest and drink lots of water and now he is fine. They had a good time, but Spen will put sunscreen on next time someone tells him to put it on!!!

Party!

Our niece Jessica turned 3 the other day and for her party we went and made teddy bears!! We all had a great time and made some gorgeous teddy bears!!!

You pick an unstuffed bear and take it to the stuffing machine....

Then a lovely shop assistant gets you to put your foot on a peddle that activates the machine to stuff the bear...

From left to right you have Skye, Ella Rose(seated),Samantha, Jessica and Regine(seated at front)

And then you get to do the fun bit, dress the bear!!! They have an endless choice of clothes, shoes, wigs, bags, sunglasses etc.... From left to right my teddy Rose, Samantha and Teddy (have to get Samantha to think of better name for princess bear). They are so soft and so gorgeous!!!! A great time was had by all, adults and children!!! We came back and had dinner with family and friends. Jessica loved her cake....It was a lovely day. Oh and by the way I have sorted things out with the mother-in-law, we are all talking again and getting along fine. Much more peaceful and calm for everyone.

Just thought I would share a photo of me and my lovely husband David. It was taken by David's Aunty Pauline(GREAT NAME), on our wedding anniversary, and it is probably the first photo of myself, full-length, that I really like!!

Doesn't look as good shrunk, but any way, apart from the hair being a bit out of control, I like it. My tummy isn't bulging out like it used to and I look good, even if i do say so myself! I have now lost 22kg's and still going. Feeling happier and healthier and more confident in myself. A few people have commented on how good I'm looking, which boosts my ego and encourages me even more.

Party!

One Year Already!!!!

The 19th October was our first wedding anniversary, where did that year go!!!! It hasn't been the easiest year for us but we made it! My darling husband organised a night away for us. We were hoping to go to the cottage we went to for our honeymoon but it is no longer available for use, nearly cried when I found out. Any way David planned a get away, his dad and his partner Maree looked after the kids and this is where we ended up...

The Loft

It is near a town called Healesville, about 30 minutes drive from home. This cottage is so sweet.

It was made up of three levels. Level one was the main living area....

Second level was the spa bath, with gorgeous stained glass window....And the top level had the amazing four poster bed...The views were amazing over looking a lovely lake and mountains in the background...

It was simply a lovely place. Cute little bunnies running around everywhere, of course they run away as soon as you get the camera out! The peace and quiet was heavenly!!! Longer than one night would have been nice, but considering it's the first night since our honeymoon we have had alone as a couple it was heaven for us!

Busy Busy Busy

Been a busy few weeks. Spen was on holiday and David took 2 weeks off work so we were all home. Of course most days it rained! But we managed a few good days, spent them painting the house, still not finished but it's looking really good. We took the kids to the Melbourne zoo for one day, took the train in and had a great time. Sadly most of the big cats were asleep but we still had fun. Only one thing ruined it for me...to many people! But being school holidays we had to expect that. Here are a few pics....

Giraffe

Toys for the kids. Spen wanted elephant and Sam wanted the tiger

Elephant

My Fav the Butterfly house

David, Samantha, Spencer & friend

Monkey mum and dad with baby

Baby Hippo

Spen & Samantha

Lions

Bears

We had a great time, but it was a long day, we left at about 9.30am didn't get back until about 7.30pm

Cushion I made for Samantha's bed. Would love a blanket made in this for her room but at nearly$7 a ball and knowing that this cushion took 4 balls can you imagine how many balls and what cost a blanket would be!!!




Here is a stool my son Spencer made at school for David. He has done a great job with it, we love it. So proud of him...

Samantha's New Do

Samantha had her first real haircut at the hairdressers yesterday. I want to grow her hair long but she won't keep clips or hairbands in and the front just gets in her eyes. So I made the tough decision to get it cut and hopefully when it grows back she will leave clips in, because it is lovely and wavy when it is long. Any way here is little Missy and her new do...

Still alive

Yes I'm still here, just haven't been in the mood to blog. Been busy knitting, knitting and more knitting, Here are a few few things I have made....

I made a bag for my step-mother-in law Maree for her birthday, love this bag want to make one for myself.

Made this skull pattern beanie for Spencer, he loves it,he's very much into skulls at the moment, which is good because all the clothing in the stores for his age have skulls on them! It is the first time I have knitted in two colours so I'm very happy with the end result...

I have made this hat and neck warmer for my mother for Christmas. I love the subtle lacy pattern on them, might make one for myself as well....

I have knitted a couple of other things but can't show them as someone who is to receive them for Christmas will see them.

We also got Spencer a new bed, he did have very ugly blue wooden bunks that were given to us. He hid dirty washing and rubbish under the bottom bunk all the time and his room just looked cramped and messy. Now the room looks twice the size and he is actually keeping it tidy!

Bag Lady

Yes it is true, I have turned into a bag lady!!! I have knitted two bags in the last week. One for Samantha....

With beads and cables and very girly, she loves it! And one for me...

Mine, a chunky black cabled one, that I even lined!!!

I have to say I am very proud of both of them.

Yes I know....

Hello my name is Pauline, I am an addict, a knitting addict!!!! If I'm not knitting, I'm thinking about what to knit next, what yarn to get get, what colour yarn to get, do I have the right size needles??????? But I am enjoying knitting after so many years of not touching knitting needles.