beautiful family...

capturing a moment in the hammock...

so love this little grubby face girl...

uncle dewey and aunty kira at the zoo...

santa party...

Power Christmas Party visit from Santa.

kooks...

just back from kingscliff...

We had a fantastic time in Queensland. The kids loved all the theme parks and going to the beach. It started out action-packed – visiting Dream World and White Water World on the day after getting there, then on to Byron Bay the next day – but slowly we started to settle into the vacation and relax. Already planning our trip for next year! Here are some pics...

trick or treating with the cardboard gun...

I caved in last night and let Kai take a cardboard gun trick or treating. I knew he would be pointing it at people (which he did), I definitely wouldn't let him take a nerf gun but eventually conceded on the cardboard cutout. I wouldn't say he is overly obsessed with toy guns but he definitely likes and wants to hold them... I'm just fighting an uphill battle trying to keep him away from them. Anyway, I had to show this picture because I think the kids look so awesome, regardless of the silly gun. I took them around the Upwey streets and we had a really nice time. It was just the three of us awandering around spotting the houses with balloons (which indicates trick or treat friendly houses). Last year we bumped into other kids from Kai's school and ended up joining in with them, but this time it was just us and I really enjoyed just holding the boys hands as we criss-crossed our way along the streets.

roll up, roll up, roll up...

We got tickets to go to the new circus show on. All tricks by Kai, Liam and Zoe, costumes by Nana Judy!

lovey doves...

Kaisy had his first "real" ride on the Cha-Cha at the St Kilda Primary School fete... totally LOVED it!

oh my god, It's a double complete rainbow... what does it mean...

happy birthday to lily and sage...

We had a great time at the party.

cubby house moved....

Eli has been working his bum off getting the cubby moved so we can start thinking about dropping THE tree. The kids are well pleased with new spot. Meanwhile I've been pottering around the garden trying to get things done, not knowing at all what I am doing but loving it all the same : )

zo at ceres...

Mum invited us to her friend Carmel's 60th birthday at Ceres in Brunswick, it was totally awesome and inspiring. The kids had a great time running around the gardens and playground and then we all sat around a big bonfire... we all left totally worn out... fun!

squeaky clean kids...

come over to our house for tea... so relaxing...

boys turn 7 and 5...

We had a great time at tree adventure and the rain held off for most of the afternoon. So much fun watching all the little kids either ploughing straight ahead through the courses, or overcoming apprehension and fear to continue on the tough bits. We had family around on the Sunday which was also mellow and lovely. A full weekend for the boys. Happy birthday to our two beautiful, very naughty, frustrating, funny, happy, kind, fair, challenging, smart, and full-of-life Librans. Here are some pics...

zoe girl...

at the park with kids...

out in the yard all weekend...

What a difference a trampoline, some decking and a bit of hard work make. If you are familiar with our backyard, it's pretty wild, to say the least... we have been completely overrun with the most pervasive weeds and it's just such an overwhelming task trying to control them. But bit by bit we have been chipping away at small areas of the garden. It's still a weed wasteland mostly, but I felt pretty pleased with my efforts on our small rock garden here... I wish I had have taken a "before" photo as then it would been more obvious what a change it is. Kids LOVING the trampoline and we have roughly spent more time outside this weekend than in the last 6 months combined... hooray!!!

i love this photo...

Mum just sent me this old photo. It was taken at my aunty Gemma's house. She had a massive big valour bean bag that i used to fall asleep in... It felt safe and warm.

BBQ-ties...

in olinda...

us...

zoe's birthday party

We had a really lovely day on saturday for Zo's second birthday... She loved running around and being the centre of attention, and especially loved her angel wings (she ran straight to the mirror to check herself out). Here are some pics...

weekend shenanigans...

night out for the units...

Parentals that is. We went and saw Love Never Dies on Sunday night. Eli got tickets to go because he is helping to film the production. I got to meet the people he has been working with for the last couple of years which was nice. Loved being out without the kids for a change. We went to the Japanese restaurant Chocolate Buddha in Fed square which was pretty good, i will definitely go back again but have a better idea of what to order next time. The show was pretty full-on. I really enjoyed it and was blown away by the sets and costumes. Mum looked after the kids and all were sound asleep when we got home.... ahhhh... heaven!

twinkle twinkle...

i can't believe zo is turning 2...

Feels like i missed her whole infancy in the blur of sleep deprivation... least I have the pics to remind me.

kids in st.k...

first ever crane... 999 to go...

zoe wearing her beautiful skirt by simmone star...

visit her site here

my latest ebay acquisish...

lovin' these boots!!

lili takes a ride...

the winning table...

Yep, the Ugooglies won the Upwey Sth Preschool trivia night. We had a lot of fun doing it too : )

grubby face, but so cute too...

old fashion day at school...

cool kids...

with sock for glove?

so excited by the dustbuster...

harry potter and popcorn on a chilly winter's night...

melbourne aquarium...

so much fun with iphone aps...

ok, majorly self indulgent but i really love the effects of some of the new iphone aps...just move away from the camera jo... move away....

sleepy girl...

soooo sweet!

Simmone dropped off some of Lily's old clothes for Zo and in there was a hat I had given to Lils ages ago... before I even was pregnant with Zo... Now it's come back for my little girl. Thanks Simm... I love it!!!

weekend with my babes...

Have had such a lovely weekend with the kids. Yesterday we headed into Melb to the Elwood School market. The kids loved the small portable farm where they could sit and pat the animals. Eli stayed at home and enjoyed a little time off before having to go back to work today. He has been working 6-7 days a week and we are hardly getting to see him at all... although thankful he gets home relatively early during the week.
Today I took the kids up to the SkyHigh lookout. It was really blowy and very cold but we rugged up and decided to do the hedge (or hedgehog as the kids call it) maze up there. We then went and had our lunch in Olinda before getting Zoe home for a nap.
It's pretty windy still but might try and venture outside to see how the garden is going.
Loooook!

Mumma during filming in Adelaide...

ZoZo on the beach with Gaye...