Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Birthday gifts

This year I decided to make dressing gowns as gifts for Ellyse's little friends. I have made four now but have only remembered to photograph this one.

They have all been lovingly recieved, which is just lovely!



...and one of little Ashton 'crawling'


Our day at Australia Zoo

We had a lovely day at Australia Zoo. Ellyse was a perfect age to enjoy it all. While I haven't ever been a huge Steve Irwin fan (nor did I dislike him - no opinion really), it was still a really emotional expereince for me to walk through the Zoo that he loved so much. They had a lot of shirts hanging up with messges from when he died and a lot of gifts left for his family, I did wipe away a tear or to while walking through that section.


Ellyse asking the kangaroo "Do you want to come to my house?" Too cute!

Our annual family holiday to Yamba - here again

I cannot believe it has been a year since I wrote this, Feb 2008 has come around so quickly, as has our annual family holiday. So off to Yamba we went. The Yamba tradition started about 13 years ago for us. Keiran went there to celebrate his 21st birthday with some friends, as the main purpose was for the surf. His best mate lives in Pt Macquarie and this is a greatmeeting point. Off course back then we did it rough and camped in a fantastic Caravan Park, nothing flash, just in a great location, no need for a car which I just love.

As our family has grown and our camping stuff slowly broke and wore out we started staying at The Sands. While I do love staying here I really miss the relaxed atmosphere of camping, and not having to get in the car. On the plus side though the pool at The Sands is just perfect for the kids and really is what keeps us going back. It sounds strange, but at least we know if the beach is yucky, or it is a bit rainy, the pool is just outside our door and is a great break.

While the weather wasn't perfect (poor K didn't even get his board wet!), it really was a great family holiday.

The first few days were us getting over a tummy bug - not the best start! From there it was all fun! We caught the ferry from Yamba over to Iluka and took a 6 km walk through the Bundjalung National Park to Bluff Beach, it was just absolutely glorious! We all ha a lovely swim and a play in the sand. We lef tit a little late to head back to the ferry and practically had to run back through the rainforest to make it! Funny now - not at the time though, the next ferry wasn't for another 2 hours!


Walking through the rainforest
The way Ashton spent most of the day, I still get so excited that Ashton sleeps so well in the pram (hence the photo) as Ellyse never did!
"Ocean are you there?"

We also spent a few afternoons at Angourie beach, and at some local beaches in Yamba too.



As the days were too windy to go to the beach we took a drive to Brooms Head and Sandon, these places were just lovely, so untouched and quiet. This definitely made us realise that camping and exploring holidays were the type of holidays we want for us and the kiddies. With K's new job came a Toyota Hilux, so he just loved going down all the bumpy dirt tracks looking for special little places.


Ashton just loved the beach and ate a whole lot of sand. The water was a bit cold for him so he just hung out alot cruising around the sand and gobbling up what he could. Ellyse has never really been a huge fan off the beach and really wanted to just spend her days jumping into the pool. We did however build some great sandcastles and take some lovely walks on the beach.



Not sure taht next year will take us back to Yamba, but we will be somewhere on the Clarence Coast.


Enjoy the photos

Very very late V day swap

I recieved a lovely swap parcel from Ingrid for Valentine's Day. I know this update is extremely overdue, I am sorry Ingrid. As I said in my post on EB, I love everything you sent me and the time you put into to making things and choosing things for me.

Ingrid sent me some lovely handmade coasters and a card holder, as well as some red buttons, some fabric that will be great for Ashton - should get me motivated for sure to sew for him, some lovely chocolate, some gorgeous Lottielulu postcars and some red ric rak. Oh and how could I forget the delicious chocolate -nothing left to show there I am afraid!


Thanks so much Ingrid and I hope you like what I sent you too - although it was very lovey doveycheesy valentine!
And the parecel I sent to Ingrid-