Life is a Journey not a Destination

A bit of a lazy Saturday. Didn’t make it to the gym as I’ve got a bit of a sore throat and sore head. I did, however, manage to get some baking done, this time Peanut Reindeer Cookies and Christmas Trees.

Also put the finishing touches on a album for the girls Santa photos. I bought this album and was unsure what to do with it until I saw how Chanel at My Life is Brilliant had used the same album.

Well the kids finished up school and now have nearly 6 weeks holidays to look forward to. I’m excited too - I love having the girls home and not having to do the 3pm pick-up and then running them around to their after school activities. This afternoon we headed to the beach and for the first time since living in this seaside town (16 years) I actually went in the surf. I always loved swimming at the beach but in latter years have just been content to watch the girls. However, I am turning over a new leaf and determined to participate more in life. Only problem I didn’t get many photos - and none of the girls on their boggie boards. They are so confident in the surf now and Christy has become real good on her board (in fact I think it’s time to upgrade her to the next model). I can see us heading to the beach a lot more this Summer.

Christy was so excited tonight as her first tooth came out. Well, once she got over the shock of blood (she had inadvertantly knocked it out) so got excited. She had been given a little fairy stick to go in pot plants but she decided to put it out as a signal for the toothfairy to come and collect her tooth. In the morning she as pleased as punch to discover her tooth gone and $4 in it’s place. I thought she’d take it straight to the canteen at school to spend it but she surprised me by putting it in her money box - but that could be cause the canteen is out of her favourite snacks (due to end of year).

On Thursday I made up two more lots of my Granny’s shortbread. Now my Granny is Scottish so this recipe is the real deal and tastes absolutely delicious. I seem to have inherited the task of making it for all family occasions - not that I mind cause it really is an easy recipe to make.

Well, with all the rain we’ve been having (almost every day) our garden is growing very well. The following photo was taken in August when we had just started our Summer planting. Look how much greener the grass is due to all the rain.

Here is today harvest. I think we’re nearing the end of the zucchini’s (check out the HUGE one below), the tomatoes are in abundance and the pumpkins and cucumber are just about ready ( have already picked a few). We’ve got lots of Spinach, carrots, onions, and some strawberries..

I was just going to post this years Santa photo but since dh scanned them so I can make a special mini-album I’ve decided to share them all here.

Well, I’m hoping most people will have received their cards by now - they were posted on Monday - but I wanted to share them on my blog. A few weeks back Kevin took a family photo - the first in many years. I actually hadn’t planned to use it on my cards but it went perfectly with the colour I had already selected for this years cards - hmm… could it be that blue is my favourite colour?

Included inside is our annual newsletter. I haven’t put the photos here as most have already been on my blog.

Well 2007 year has passed by. This year was a bit more exciting than normal with 3 us visiting hospital, a new dog, Rosie, joining the family and Libby enjoying her first year at home without kids.

In January we went on holidays with Nanny and Poppy – renting a house boat on the Myall Lakes. We had a wonderful time swimming, relaxing, riding around in the motorboat and being together. Libby and the girls enjoyed the remainder of the school holidays. On the 22^nd we went to pick up our new little goldie who we call Rosie. And at the of the month Amy started 3^rd Class..

A few days later Christy started Kindergarten. Kevin celebrated his 36^th Birthday with a fondue night. The month was spent settling back into the normal school routine with the kids having dancing, swimming, tumbling and trampolining and cheerleading after school – making for a rather busy week.

In March we caught up with my Cousin Greg and his girlfriend Laurie –who were visiting from London. Amy celebrated her 8^th Birthday with a craft party. Kevin and I had a few nights out – first seeing a Queen Tribute band, then Weird Al Yankovic. At the end of month Libby escaped for a weekend away scrapbooking.

April was a busy month starting out with Easter. This year the Powell’s joined us for a holiday at our home. It was lots of fun and the kids all loved being together. Then at the end of school holidays we set of to LA and for our week-long cruise to Mexico (which we absolutely loved), a few days in San Diego and then a week at Disneyland.The trip, however, didn’t quite go as planned when Amy came down with appendicitis on our second day at Disneyland and had to go to hospital to have her appendix removed. We were able to change our flights and the girls & Libby stayed an extra 5 days. It was certainly a holiday to remember.

At the end of May we had Rosie’s first birthday and my beloved Poppa passed away. At his funeral I was blown away by how many people came to say goodbye. It was obvious just how loved and admired he was. We all miss him.

In June Libby turned 36. We went to see Disney on Ice – Finding Nemo – which was wonderful as always. Libby went on another weekend away – this time to Culburra – where she not only scrapbooked but learned to knit. Much to Libby’s disappointment the girls decided to give up Cheerleading.

July saw two more weeks of School holidays. We had a wonderful family day in Kangaroo Valley and instigated a monthly family day out. Amy started to become unwell this month and missed quite a bit of school during term 3. She did however manage to start Singing and Drama lessons – which she loves.

August was fairly uneventful, though we did celebrate Poppy’s birthday with lunch and homemade cake. After much consideration and research Kevin and I made the decision to have Weight Loss Surgery.

We had a fun month in September. A great lunch out in Gerringong on Father’s Day, Christy’s 6^th Birthday and party and quite a few social events.

In October Amy was in the Nowra Estedford for Tap – she did well receiving an encouragement award. We had a fairly full school holidays with friends sleeping over, seeing Circus Monoxide, celebrating Nanny & Poppy’s 40^th Wedding Anniversary and spending a week down at Murramarang. On the 22^nd Kevin had his surgery and recovered just in time for our annual Halloween Party, which was lots of fun.

November saw Libby go away yet again – this time to Scrapbook Convention and Kevin head out on his scooter for the Snowy River Bike Ride. Amy had her Singing & Concert and presentation night and received a special award for her Drama. Libby had surgery on the 12^th and recovered almost as well as Kevin.

Ah, December, at last. As always it’s been a mad month. The girls had their Dance Concerts, Christy performed on stage in Wollongong Mall with some of other Kindy kids, and they had their dance presentation and disco. This year Amy received the special award for Pre-Junior Tap so she’s had a great year with awards for both Drama and Tap.There have been lots of xmas parties and get-to-togethers, with still more to come.

Interesting title for a post I know but I really just wanted to share some photos that were taken yesterday.

Firstly when the girls (and a friend) came home from school they made these cute little candy cane reindeers. The girls had used up all our craft eyes so they improvised with buttons. You can find the instructions here.

Later Christy made a sleigh for her reindeer to pull.

And lastly a stick spider. It’s been on our back patio for about a week. It’s been eating mosquitos so we’ve adopted him as our pet and he’s allowed to stay. Pretty cute isn’t he?

 Well, being into Christmas as I am I just couldn’t resist joining in BooMama’s Christmas Tour of Homes. Since I already shared most of our decorations back on the 1st of December - click here if you missed it - I’ve gone around the house to find some that I missed the first time around.

Starting at the front door.

This is our main bathroom downstairs - the one all our visitors use.

A few more items from the kitchen.

Our loungeroom. No fireplace - so stocking are hung by the TV.

Top of stairwell.

And finally the girls decorated their rooms by themselves.

It’s been quite some time since I did up a menu plan. I was inspired by Lightening. I used to do it monthly but haven’t bothered since surgery. I think for now I’ll do it weekly until I see how it goes. Cause we eat so little I’ve had trouble cooking for just one meal. Plus we have loads in the freezer. I think I’ll plan on 4 cooked dinners, 2 leftover/freezer meals and one takeaway/easy meal.

MONDAY - BBQ Soy Sausages with mashed potato & corn.

TUESDAY - Vegetarian Tacos

WEDNESDAY - Tofu & Veggie Chow Mein

THURS - Pumpkin Cannelloni (Amy’s request)

FRI - From freezer

SAT - Homemade Pizza on Lebanese Bread

SUN - Easy or from freezer

MON - Christmas Eve Party - TA Pizza

TUES - Christmas Day Lunch