Storm season starts

We had an interesting little storm here today ....

The clouds looked like they were boiling - unfortunately we didn't get video of it but it was actually quite scary watching them and wondering just what they were up to ...

And then the hail started ...

Sophie just couldn't help herself

We kept some of the evidence in the freezer

Nice.

Tomorrow is a balmy 29 degrees which should make it just nice for a dip in Ange and Zanes pool while we are there for lunch.

Sunshine and soccer balls

It was one of those really beautiful, crisp and clear Brisbane winter days today, the type that confirm just why we don't live anywhere else. We took advantage of the Sunday afternoon sunshine and made our way down to the local park to have a kick around ...

Toby contemplating his target ...

He just got this new tee today and was keen to try it out

Meanwhile Sophie is in Canberra in sub zero temperatures on a school trip for the next week. It's very quiet here in our house tonight. I wonder what she is doing right now ......

Kerrie

XX

We found Ricks old scout jumper today while having a big sort out of things. Toby thought he would try it on for size ...

It was a perfect fit!

Just need a photo of Tricky in it at the same age to compare.

Hard to believe Rick was once that size .....

Kerrie

XX

Sophie turns eleven

The photos seem to have landed themselves all out of order here so this is a bit of a jumbled update.

The main news is that Sophie had her eleventh birthday on Thursday, however it all started the Saturday beforehand with a party at the local ice skating rink. The boys were not game to party with the girls so took off for a bit of car racing . While they were out doing laps in Grouch with other car fans Sophie and ten friends tackled the ice .....

Rick and Toby on the track

The party is started

Sophie with her besties ...

more cars ...

Sophie and the gorgeous Ella at the family lunch the following Saturday (today) to continue the celebrations

Me and Ella. She is such a happy wee thing. She was all rugged up for the cold today in her winter party dress and tights ... just delicious.

Kerrie

XX

Mothers Day

A great day today - tea and newspaper in bed followed up by a full cooked brekkie, a drive up to the Sunshine Coast hinterland, a relaxing bush walk with the Knights at our favourite park and a buffet lunch at our favourite local. Just how a weekend should be!

Group photo at the start of the walk

Tricky took the opportunity to wear his new hiking boots to try and wear them in (he had a few blisters after last weeks effort). If anyone has any tips on how to stop them squeaking please let us know.

All the boys together

Liam and Rick horsing around

Ok well lets just sit on Dad ....

I'm back!!

Once again it has been a long time between posts and a catch up is well overdue. There has been a lot happening over the last few months but rather than waffle on now I'll put a whole lot of pictures in and put waffle around them.

The gorgeous Ella with the lovely Sophie who is very pleased to have another female cousin at last

Toby turned nine in April, and we were lucky enough to have Mum over here as well to help us celebrate. Heres some of the boys checking out the birthday cards

Meanwhile the girls congregated for a bit of a photo opportunity

There was lots of cake and silliness going on ...

Meanwhile Ella continued being gorgeous

Mum left that night and after dropping her off at the airport we went to Hogsies at Toby's request. He consented to a photo with Dad but drew the line at posing with the big pink hog that was walking around the restaurant ....

Here's the girls on the other side of the table

For the first week of the school holidays we were lucky enough to have the use of Ange and Zanes place up at Twin Waters which was a very welcome escape from Brisbane. The weather wasn't flash but that didn't stop us from getting out and about. Thats Sophie in the orange top about to leap off the trampoline.

Despite a distinct lack of wind between the ferocious storms sailing was a popular activity

As well as the obligatory posing every time a camera was within sight!

Zero wind did not deter Sophie from having a go at wind surfing ... who needs wind anyway when Dad is there to lend a helping hand

Sophie got brave and decided to tackle the trapeze one afternoon...

She told me that right about at this point her hands became strangely sweaty and her legs felt a bit trembly

Off in full flight on the practice run ...

Legs over ....

and reach ....

And then the real thing

contact ...

holding on for dear life ...

and phew, we all relaxed considerably

She even got a certificate for completing it. I think I should have got a certificate for watching it.

Over the several long weekends we have had, we have done a fair amount of hiking. This particular walk was on Labour Day, and is in Cunningham's Gap south of Brisbane. It was a 10km hike up to the top of a very big hill and back down again. Interestingly this was the only walk we have ever done where we have seen snakes on the track ... which made for a few heart-stopping moments. The vote was then unanimous that Rick walked out the front making lots of noise with his boots ...

At the top of Mount Mitchell - there was only a very small area to stand on, with sheer cliff faces on three sides. Some of us got trembly legs when we looked at just how high we were ... Sophie for some reason was absolutely fearless and could not understand why she couldn't just walk to the edge and look over.

Very sheer drop to Ricks left

The views were awesome and pretty much 360 degrees

Then it was back down again, blessed relief for the legs!

Well that's all for now, hope everyone is well.

Kerrie