tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308307682024-03-08T08:32:40.998+11:00girl talkThis is where i like to share about life, family, scrapbooking and all the other stuff girls like to talk about.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-63145636678876228822010-07-26T23:04:00.002+10:002010-07-26T23:06:40.937+10:00... and another month gone .....Good blimey ..... and another month bites the dust!<br /><br />It's just crazy how quickly this month is flying by.<br /><br />Gave my blog a bit of a makeover today ....<br /><br />Will be back soon to share some pics or our latest happenings & LO's from scrap camp on the weekend.<br /><br />Stay tuned ....<br /><br />cheers,<br />Julie :O)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-11400313384762390572010-06-28T19:51:00.011+10:002010-07-01T21:59:34.588+10:00Before another month is gone .....A quick post before another month comes to an end.<br /><br />Normality is returning to our house with Mark back at work and the leg is going well ..... Dad is making progress each week, allbeit tiny steps but going in the right direction which is all that counts ..... is makes me smile to see him winning the battle and a little glimpse of his old self returning.<br /><br />I am also happy that i have found some time to scrap and have some creations to share ...<br /><br />Blake's 12th Birthday Laser Skirmish Party at Maitland Goal (i have another large group photo so i think i will do another page to create a double LO for this one).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXK4NvQfgqh2sUWXZoz58lo2EYdZeiAWRZO8krF8AtSTllsuja3K5VZ7AZwsRoil7LBUAahyF39-r-JxSexfVbKKma22Id91D1KvfSF_a1a1pjA1G2YhjVldxveJYe1gTRds_o/s1600/12th+Birthday+web+sml.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 362px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXK4NvQfgqh2sUWXZoz58lo2EYdZeiAWRZO8krF8AtSTllsuja3K5VZ7AZwsRoil7LBUAahyF39-r-JxSexfVbKKma22Id91D1KvfSF_a1a1pjA1G2YhjVldxveJYe1gTRds_o/s400/12th+Birthday+web+sml.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487764064924689986" /></a><br /><br />Some old photos (pre owning a digital camera) from camping at Christmas in 2002<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO91wqf2wUrhUCii1QTfp_iLP2kCHrakkyj0tfJQYD-o6MnheKo2BvRyZX5CxHR-ZfArIqSqVNpVN6wsjrz7xUC9g252XFv5e-UePXgDHQ02CTNLH6nlnQtDNwnKYwOVpuiWi/s1600/Christmas+Camping+02.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 362px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuO91wqf2wUrhUCii1QTfp_iLP2kCHrakkyj0tfJQYD-o6MnheKo2BvRyZX5CxHR-ZfArIqSqVNpVN6wsjrz7xUC9g252XFv5e-UePXgDHQ02CTNLH6nlnQtDNwnKYwOVpuiWi/s400/Christmas+Camping+02.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487763098325237346" /></a><br /><br />Love these photos of Blake .... taken earlier this year at the Maratime Museum, Darling Harbour.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20zpqJWxqYUx_TFzRFpSutNWkJ3arKVLXKq3KmRPW0dWPE313uXedzCJTrnnbhICPRr3yyYmTVG-UsKfrJAksIJoUAovPTKL1cx9IlCNBIES3PFSMBkzXOuxgDbquWpMvDEi8/s1600/Twelve.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20zpqJWxqYUx_TFzRFpSutNWkJ3arKVLXKq3KmRPW0dWPE313uXedzCJTrnnbhICPRr3yyYmTVG-UsKfrJAksIJoUAovPTKL1cx9IlCNBIES3PFSMBkzXOuxgDbquWpMvDEi8/s400/Twelve.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487763552783275506" /></a><br /><br />a typical summer's day living at the lake<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTweEipaqv3FUHWLa5oi5jKSFoV5tjnHw8seTUc1_Yc0DsP0sQwUVR5lHqE37qFEKpCi4LRkgqlmNlgoQXfjqp8FwTgcvSq9qIIHwhNYXIqSnbesR7Bdmi6bjb_BclvTYh6qc6/s1600/Hot+Summer+Day+Web+Sml.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTweEipaqv3FUHWLa5oi5jKSFoV5tjnHw8seTUc1_Yc0DsP0sQwUVR5lHqE37qFEKpCi4LRkgqlmNlgoQXfjqp8FwTgcvSq9qIIHwhNYXIqSnbesR7Bdmi6bjb_BclvTYh6qc6/s400/Hot+Summer+Day+Web+Sml.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487762936827716338" /></a><br /><br />My nephew Jacob and his gorgeous blue eyes<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJUD3oZuWZE9TH6qVAFwqOmMrWkBv_Qm4xACOlRcASTtAm3f52uFgX0vHrf1YHeqLY0oUyHQC_RlbGV0787v3TkvwgPoTPc7VjgTUuM53uHtDLDlM2mE86ixg_bP8Sz0y8Iwz/s1600/EYES.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 359px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJUD3oZuWZE9TH6qVAFwqOmMrWkBv_Qm4xACOlRcASTtAm3f52uFgX0vHrf1YHeqLY0oUyHQC_RlbGV0787v3TkvwgPoTPc7VjgTUuM53uHtDLDlM2mE86ixg_bP8Sz0y8Iwz/s400/EYES.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487762675790540226" /></a><br /><br />The LO above & below are done with the gorgeous new <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=193">Core Impressions Cardstock</a> which Karen has in stock at <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au">SCRAPBOOK'n'BiTS</a> .... a little sanding creates an awesome effect ... i am totally addicted to this stuff!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzJIsTwZckPOL4bu7IY_UKvonGFA5z6aCswpwKcwddn_-vWbhPbzUE-DgfDy-FCd-V6YX7i_peRnHL09kbz0lF4q7UgLFnuTAGDT43RxsJRHFLsKau-Iv7rZ1OOBo8fMGRpNE/s1600/Removed+for+Publication.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzJIsTwZckPOL4bu7IY_UKvonGFA5z6aCswpwKcwddn_-vWbhPbzUE-DgfDy-FCd-V6YX7i_peRnHL09kbz0lF4q7UgLFnuTAGDT43RxsJRHFLsKau-Iv7rZ1OOBo8fMGRpNE/s400/Removed+for+Publication.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488905970884500850" /></a><br /><br />My niece Jessica .... this LO was accepted for Publicatin with SM but i didn't get around to sending it .... not to worry .... just as happy to share it with my blog friends!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgHqdplO6_wDoztMHYCJV4ZeD-PJE-3pXiwN8pKKvLv43aR92mvQPeGzKsfITZYxX518eq_UYKO3M_JyG-BnZZah3GRrgI0a81-xjNt7gUhyphenhyphenYKt2-M6X_KENnrOVhPZe-9bKO/s1600/ENJOY+Life+Web+Sml.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgHqdplO6_wDoztMHYCJV4ZeD-PJE-3pXiwN8pKKvLv43aR92mvQPeGzKsfITZYxX518eq_UYKO3M_JyG-BnZZah3GRrgI0a81-xjNt7gUhyphenhyphenYKt2-M6X_KENnrOVhPZe-9bKO/s400/ENJOY+Life+Web+Sml.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487762020573400530" /></a><br /><br />I have also just realised that i haven't taken photos and/or shared the project from my workshop at the SnB Retreat in May ..... will do for next time.<br /><br />Hope everyone is staying warm as the weather heads into Winter ....<br /><br />Keep smiling,<br />JULIE :o)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-73850999989719134802010-06-07T19:42:00.004+10:002010-06-11T08:08:33.497+10:00THIRTEEN YEARS ....Today is our Wedding Anniversary .... 13 Years !<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqlwWkhnKvZP2jc_e3RNHXQ_TVSgAk_L8lGXCVdlt7y12XxAIE2dDYR7MX20bNXsdpL16sT1ti0V4u2q-8NXg_QeAuPuw-l_ZX_EmTjeg_b4AmAQXDP-PBv4LpGxPG7aQueiN/s1600/Wedding1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqlwWkhnKvZP2jc_e3RNHXQ_TVSgAk_L8lGXCVdlt7y12XxAIE2dDYR7MX20bNXsdpL16sT1ti0V4u2q-8NXg_QeAuPuw-l_ZX_EmTjeg_b4AmAQXDP-PBv4LpGxPG7aQueiN/s400/Wedding1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479965073526228434" /></a><br /><br /><em>We were married on the June long weekend 1997 and we eloped .... well sort of .... Mum & Dad came to the ceremony with us .... then we headed off for a few days honeymooning and told all of our relative & friends etc when we got home that the wedding we had planned was off ..... cause we were already married !!</em><br /><br />Mark wasn't rostered to work today, i took the day off and we had a lovely day out together .... some more shopping for the house, then out to lunch on the harbour at Newcastle ... we went to Scratchley's (which is actually where we had our little wedding meal/celebration before heading off on our honeymoon travels). <br /><br />It was lovely to spend a day together ... just us .... remembering, laughing and enjoying our special day ..... hopefully many more to come !!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-82368614035654937212010-06-04T08:22:00.002+10:002010-06-04T08:36:47.982+10:00The end of another week .....I know we keep saying it but here's another week gone which mean another year rushing by ...<br /><br />We are back to our normal busy selves .... Mark went back to work this week. His leg is going well. He is still doing hydrotherapy and lots of physio excercises .... basically it is now about continuing this to re-strengthen & stretch etc to get things working as normal.<br /><br />Blake is finished his half yearly exams and starting to get his results back in drips & drabs .... all very good so far ... very proud of him!<br /><br />I have been in major "clean out & de-clutter mode" ... we have gotten rid of soooo much stuff that has been shuffled from one nook & cranny in the house to the other ..... sent about 9 garbage bags of clothes to St Vinnies, 3 bags of shoes, shredded and got rid of 3 bags of old paperwork ..... i am about to start on the linen press & then our study/spare room! It is a great feeling and definately makes for a different feel in the house. We have also been doing some re-decorating (which is probably what inspired the clean out) ... our family room is all but finished, we have a new dining setting & now want to start on the front loungeroom ... i love playing and changing things in the house! <br /><br />Haven't done any scrapping since returning from the retreat but hoping that will start again now that life is a little more normal!<br />But that doesn't mean i haven't been shopping .... Karen has lots of new yummy things arrived & arriving over at <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au">SnB</a> and i'm particularly impressed with the new LeChateau range from Kaiser ... the papers are lovely and little bird cages and embellies are gorgeous .... take a peek <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/home.php?cat=557&sort=title&sort_direction=0&page=3">HERE</a> <br /><br />Looks like we are in for a stint of wet weather .... have a great weekend everyone!<br /><br />Julie xJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-2828927964206379542010-05-18T21:12:00.003+10:002010-05-18T21:25:55.303+10:00Getting back on track ....It would be an understatement to say that things have been a little hectic of late .... but finally it feels like things are starting to "pan out" a little.<br /><br />Mark had his plaster off last week (after 6 weeks) and is now flat out with physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and lots of daily excercises etc. etc. to get him "up & going" again. He is walking/hobbling around ok and as of today is only using 1 crutch. Just having him somewhat mobile is great for all of us!<br /><br />Dad is improving allbeit very slowly and any improvement is a real blessing. Hoping the next week or two will make a big difference and a little bit of normality return for him and mum.<br /><br />Mother's Day was pretty low key .... i had a lovely morning out & lunch with Blake & Mark then we caught up with my Mum later in the night with a cake for supper ..... along with her Birthday celebrations, we'll put things on hold until Dad is well and all celebrate together.<br /><br />Last weekend was a welcomed break from the chaos and a wonderful time with a great bunch of ladies at the <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/">Scrabook'n'Bits</a> retreat ..... 3 whole days .... bliss!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALkbXSmA3Rbii5FeBwPrkJ5t8glp0Jb_A7D1_L6Y_PMypZV_yIbkNSa9ctXje9YpWc_4ym34SH_ay5s7uUJDls4el4YxMTwsBf3SI6uBEfU_muI9YCCE5u8PdLl0I7Iw_5IU-/s1600/Group+WL2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472566539019633714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALkbXSmA3Rbii5FeBwPrkJ5t8glp0Jb_A7D1_L6Y_PMypZV_yIbkNSa9ctXje9YpWc_4ym34SH_ay5s7uUJDls4el4YxMTwsBf3SI6uBEfU_muI9YCCE5u8PdLl0I7Iw_5IU-/s400/Group+WL2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I did actually get a few LO's done and hosted 2 workshops ... i haven't taken photos yet but will share soon.<br /><br />Well ... it's beginning to feel a lot like Winter .... love the cold weather!<br /><br />Have a great week everyone.<br /><br />Keep smiling .....<br />Julie xJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-81082257521848944032010-05-02T23:30:00.004+10:002010-05-02T23:42:54.275+10:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!This wonderful amazing caring woman <em>aka</em> my Mum had a birthday this weekend<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KgP-zw1RG5CJeWFjXeRv4eCZe_YhMZ-bbpOHNa9pFw3NgEm783FL213M_b-FulwpEoCBNYz371FK31UuKk7UtOqWTF1c8K19D7919uRiWZCKO1hyphenhyphenDuIgFEqQBueiYYqTRTy-/s1600/Mum+%26+Dad+Web+Sml.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466665806663632754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KgP-zw1RG5CJeWFjXeRv4eCZe_YhMZ-bbpOHNa9pFw3NgEm783FL213M_b-FulwpEoCBNYz371FK31UuKk7UtOqWTF1c8K19D7919uRiWZCKO1hyphenhyphenDuIgFEqQBueiYYqTRTy-/s400/Mum+%26+Dad+Web+Sml.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#66cccc;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM !!</strong></span> </span></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"></span>We had a very low key birthday cake afternoon tea and plan to have a celebration soon when Dad is well enough to join in .... then it will be even more reason to celebrate ! </p><p></p><p><br /><br /></p>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-22169341620926503072010-04-15T20:34:00.007+10:002010-04-15T20:51:14.427+10:00Busy time ...The school hols are nearly over and to us they have past in a blur .... we have done nothing but been sooo busy IYKWIM.<br /><br />Basically i have run between work, home & doctors/specialists.<br /><br />Today Mark had his stitches out<br />(<em>Warning: picture below may a little stomach turning</em>)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc4TEBLKsDOOJ1nZuAVaGG-T5M52Dxre8E-BcQRv1IQToheWQ8z0H9-deAL2NtdNp6H6LYJ0EwQ95M-kV5vV9A3D6HSsumv3MgMZN43Foqk3EHevl1U7Et6KN6F0aqGAaQMDS/s1600/Foot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvc4TEBLKsDOOJ1nZuAVaGG-T5M52Dxre8E-BcQRv1IQToheWQ8z0H9-deAL2NtdNp6H6LYJ0EwQ95M-kV5vV9A3D6HSsumv3MgMZN43Foqk3EHevl1U7Et6KN6F0aqGAaQMDS/s400/Foot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460311762080186082" /></a><br /><br />This means a small amount of progress as now he can shower without having to wrap his leg in a plastic bag and leave it hanging out the door.<br /><br />and he can rest it for periods without the plaster on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yv5SOxLgzi_CEeasWAcP4w6fxW597m4JCbEvgYqyu1VgYg1BIVcIvgwe6lYDuamoNz49_Oenjd6ug_Qs4eEfADTdl2pm_xbJUsRzQfG0S2nO8VpStdMS7DVlR_Z2X5HmA_rY/s1600/Mark.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yv5SOxLgzi_CEeasWAcP4w6fxW597m4JCbEvgYqyu1VgYg1BIVcIvgwe6lYDuamoNz49_Oenjd6ug_Qs4eEfADTdl2pm_xbJUsRzQfG0S2nO8VpStdMS7DVlR_Z2X5HmA_rY/s400/Mark.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460312133629698322" /></a><br /><br />Another 2.5 week and the plaster comes off for good, the the physio etc starts .... hopefully walking again in approx 6 weeks!<br /><br />On the scrapping front ..... i can share a peek at the project i have completed for the workshop at the upcoming <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au">SnB</a> Retreat<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fOcDUvjjMLb3Hq_NSi2r99MMdvUeNfwuTJOwb2IvIrWi98wf0ZbolVYZlJDsL97bnz8g6zGoXnDGxUQILJl3JmVyQXrkxS1f2nFKfgPPc7NyC9hNQ2gWFHf6pfkU5hcRWh15/s1600/Sneak+Peek+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fOcDUvjjMLb3Hq_NSi2r99MMdvUeNfwuTJOwb2IvIrWi98wf0ZbolVYZlJDsL97bnz8g6zGoXnDGxUQILJl3JmVyQXrkxS1f2nFKfgPPc7NyC9hNQ2gWFHf6pfkU5hcRWh15/s400/Sneak+Peek+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460314404888438930" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_w0qhCpk28YN3QdzIN-JLNCPoL4Un_e5bgnEWEl3EYigaaARtXA-hxyISI5ohjFZQUBKpehJ1vk-ljVqKQ1xPTe3Z6lDgK-cRahVd5n5ZYwYyHJpl5E4KIdskX67p3Zn2f5k/s1600/Sneak+Peek+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_w0qhCpk28YN3QdzIN-JLNCPoL4Un_e5bgnEWEl3EYigaaARtXA-hxyISI5ohjFZQUBKpehJ1vk-ljVqKQ1xPTe3Z6lDgK-cRahVd5n5ZYwYyHJpl5E4KIdskX67p3Zn2f5k/s400/Sneak+Peek+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460313676208873042" /></a><br /><br />Had lots of fun with this little creation .... including some papertowel mache .... can't say anymore .... <br /><br />Have a great weekend,<br /><br />Julie :O)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-82322917713763914142010-04-05T21:35:00.002+10:002010-04-05T22:35:02.373+10:00Hospital EasterWe had a very busy Easter ... but not doing normal fun Easter things like camping, etc .... we spent it at the hospital!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpleLiYtuZuxWg1AV6s8foIhtFxApb6EL5usvtIIw8PKuTam7SoxrkfHEhA6OFy1F_an9JotebfsROtS3_h9ERa9Lq3z15_1UW0oBQQt689fpdqel86zFFgZgSafimlrVRyrC/s1600/Mark+Hospital.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpleLiYtuZuxWg1AV6s8foIhtFxApb6EL5usvtIIw8PKuTam7SoxrkfHEhA6OFy1F_an9JotebfsROtS3_h9ERa9Lq3z15_1UW0oBQQt689fpdqel86zFFgZgSafimlrVRyrC/s400/Mark+Hospital.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456627265920511474" /></a><br /><br />Mark ruptured his Archilles Tendon ... Surgery was done Saturday night and now approx 8 weeks laid up and then the road to recovery !!<br /><br />Other than our trip to New Zealand, i just can't believe the dramas and bad luck that have plagued us since the beginning of 2010 ..... i truly hope things turn around from here .... just about ready to tear my hair out [sigh] !!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-69493980893957843992010-03-26T21:29:00.028+11:002010-03-26T22:43:52.196+11:00NEW ZEALAND - Part 2So where was i .....<br /><br />After spending a few night in Queenstown we headed across to the east cost to Dunedin where we had booked in to do a tour of the Cadbury Factory. <br /><br />Sadly, I don't have any pics cause we weren't allowed to take cameras in ... but i can tell you that we had lots of fun, it was all very interesting and we collected lots of treats and did lots of taste testing along the way ... not to mention the shopping spree in the chocolate shop at the end !!<br /><br />The we headed up the coast and along the way stopped at the Maeraki Boulders ....<br />it was blowing a gale but down on the beach was very pleasant and all quite interesting. The large boulders have basically eroded over the years into giant stone balls .... the almost look as though someone has just dropped them along the beach !<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPm5GOQMn9LMGzn7AHmTvmPUdQP6QSSXurCq6-HxdpldTI4OgpH9FghYIN_E_CBnvtov11II83DEbnPPCd23V6293h9EG3m0tBJZhyphenhyphenDFLjphyphenhyphenLv6IvAemAHwa5zwkq05FjVdvd/s1600/Web+022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPm5GOQMn9LMGzn7AHmTvmPUdQP6QSSXurCq6-HxdpldTI4OgpH9FghYIN_E_CBnvtov11II83DEbnPPCd23V6293h9EG3m0tBJZhyphenhyphenDFLjphyphenhyphenLv6IvAemAHwa5zwkq05FjVdvd/s400/Web+022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452889263793713730" /></a><br /><br />We spent a night at Oamaru which was simply a stopover making our way back to Christchurch.<br /><br />The next day on the way to Christchurch we made another treat stop ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j2TUTyY0gTY4SPf9q5_oRshf2t7TZ3Q3uxklyiu36yImkFCiXUgt0W98WcGWVh_HfpzjKGdCG8DHTcp7Zeclj9PtvkAKZ_alSa-lGf1KigrOS7hBlZ7xwLob9_19dsUD2XmX/s1600/Web+023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-j2TUTyY0gTY4SPf9q5_oRshf2t7TZ3Q3uxklyiu36yImkFCiXUgt0W98WcGWVh_HfpzjKGdCG8DHTcp7Zeclj9PtvkAKZ_alSa-lGf1KigrOS7hBlZ7xwLob9_19dsUD2XmX/s400/Web+023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452889826245838530" /></a><br /><br />We arrived at Christchurch and settled in at our beautiful accommodation ... this was the only accommodation we had pre-booked from home and were looking forward to our stay. The new Novotel on Cathedral Square which only opened 2 months ago is just beautiful and the view out of our window was awesome ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6vu4Mckh1Rsiw-MzmJXuKTdM_cknYFF8r_YriA_sxG4BRICFLRHEBWxiqj6WzKCgTIcmnqkrie7IySNWA478lIzR6Ph1kE8iPgt7jNnt3uJx16YXvBeyDguF3T2EDBuXUTPy/s1600/Web+024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6vu4Mckh1Rsiw-MzmJXuKTdM_cknYFF8r_YriA_sxG4BRICFLRHEBWxiqj6WzKCgTIcmnqkrie7IySNWA478lIzR6Ph1kE8iPgt7jNnt3uJx16YXvBeyDguF3T2EDBuXUTPy/s400/Web+024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452890464069361058" /></a><br /><br />In the night we had a bit of a wonder around and took some pics ... the Cathedral of a night is just beautiful (and that is our accommodation you can see standing tall to the left - our room was the end room on the right, second floor from the top).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xr4GgfyxLn1HY7SkOL_Q-_IFAUshk2i76pw7wNk0CEOIrGx3zPAVxejw0ldWIVYil7aFfQEKpgiZwbuiSXyUwCbaFqwbYoTdiuoFIclaV0rTUM8Vvx1hPDpZu7K6z8c3wOER/s1600/Web+025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xr4GgfyxLn1HY7SkOL_Q-_IFAUshk2i76pw7wNk0CEOIrGx3zPAVxejw0ldWIVYil7aFfQEKpgiZwbuiSXyUwCbaFqwbYoTdiuoFIclaV0rTUM8Vvx1hPDpZu7K6z8c3wOER/s400/Web+025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452891501002581394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP1GmCvr06YRG2MX6UF7W1TgdpLAKDHDyI407Q-az2RLU7QmvfEyWet0AQrO33xS_OHiz5yPukINzYeC0lXPmyx5X6S-_iZ5FCbImDUGWkgc3bms5DoU217ZImyN2zFrgmVsh/s1600/Web+026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP1GmCvr06YRG2MX6UF7W1TgdpLAKDHDyI407Q-az2RLU7QmvfEyWet0AQrO33xS_OHiz5yPukINzYeC0lXPmyx5X6S-_iZ5FCbImDUGWkgc3bms5DoU217ZImyN2zFrgmVsh/s400/Web+026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452891649118796946" /></a><br /><br />Then when we got back to our room, the night view was pretty awesome too ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dEONbsafktR75W9eYj-E-pQF10mJ9iQnex_VSnm5AOqLgM_wM2Nv26mXMrW-ib_gobN4ujAdvm1mZ81_dWukEYJRGTDNWbY17mZdjww8lZfNIpHb9Oy068TfieiTh1cLdf3n/s1600/Web+028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dEONbsafktR75W9eYj-E-pQF10mJ9iQnex_VSnm5AOqLgM_wM2Nv26mXMrW-ib_gobN4ujAdvm1mZ81_dWukEYJRGTDNWbY17mZdjww8lZfNIpHb9Oy068TfieiTh1cLdf3n/s400/Web+028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452892047373739634" /></a><br /><br />The following day we jumped on a tram and did a bit of a loop of sightseeing around the city, went to some crafty markets and visited the Cathedral. Everything inside was just beauty on a grand scale ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCrhyphenhyphenFs_M6coDiNcjewLsSsL-zBHOSVl-SHTfRWMIzzL6BEBxIu41zmOmr-JHoxGpue_qth0ZtRW8vBs1xowO4QAAsEnKbFBEQHH54F1qsyOFkvxJzV180vlJ5g7LxSouwhtV/s1600/Web+029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCrhyphenhyphenFs_M6coDiNcjewLsSsL-zBHOSVl-SHTfRWMIzzL6BEBxIu41zmOmr-JHoxGpue_qth0ZtRW8vBs1xowO4QAAsEnKbFBEQHH54F1qsyOFkvxJzV180vlJ5g7LxSouwhtV/s400/Web+029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452892964761488450" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifneZG7QJI9RkhEcWxolf4QU5GqAB9nCkNN7Y3gYOEeCuL-iCrkLQcNTTrbv3jIt9OcSrRCCdeEwaSIFZVLcdwygst02N7JgX3HlX5U6RGk055ZkqdJ0JGBAzZcaK3QxSoAhu3/s1600/Web+030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifneZG7QJI9RkhEcWxolf4QU5GqAB9nCkNN7Y3gYOEeCuL-iCrkLQcNTTrbv3jIt9OcSrRCCdeEwaSIFZVLcdwygst02N7JgX3HlX5U6RGk055ZkqdJ0JGBAzZcaK3QxSoAhu3/s400/Web+030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452892849545469666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBDc2b55SqW59WA5ZsnqQLWMafjUnH_1sVanwePa5FhyphenhyphenN2VGurWlhI-6fNxI7Z3XNBp1eVC9qhTzRMF6s9NFgzp8YepIhebsYLgahokWzaLe9yzb-eM_zzdbGGXYkJEZE1GEF/s1600/Web+032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBDc2b55SqW59WA5ZsnqQLWMafjUnH_1sVanwePa5FhyphenhyphenN2VGurWlhI-6fNxI7Z3XNBp1eVC9qhTzRMF6s9NFgzp8YepIhebsYLgahokWzaLe9yzb-eM_zzdbGGXYkJEZE1GEF/s400/Web+032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452892714527523746" /></a><br /><br />Blake wrote a prayer request for the next mass for Pop (my dad who is not well at the moment) and lit a candle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-5HxLauiVAheaeTF2da1Px5JGQd_l7lZdykI1uSPIiQ9j9geMiDnb7k9pIuUOwGjYsBCRsH6-09GnhR_Fk08xvHcU-vO71HBbkk07eVWQBjuep6dlVH1vulrx6aLFNsIf2fu/s1600/Web+031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-5HxLauiVAheaeTF2da1Px5JGQd_l7lZdykI1uSPIiQ9j9geMiDnb7k9pIuUOwGjYsBCRsH6-09GnhR_Fk08xvHcU-vO71HBbkk07eVWQBjuep6dlVH1vulrx6aLFNsIf2fu/s400/Web+031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452893564133010674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qKdK2GY6vtnJv0xtzYKl90t1nZi1LpAhd2q3InUrw8M4QLy491e3F0En13sBGTTmVJxnz4_GTnMyJDyiNwpWbNDsLZrsssDEZ0_cGg34Nh-Cs3cvbyDAaxrh_XS1pxKRquZ7/s1600/Web+033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qKdK2GY6vtnJv0xtzYKl90t1nZi1LpAhd2q3InUrw8M4QLy491e3F0En13sBGTTmVJxnz4_GTnMyJDyiNwpWbNDsLZrsssDEZ0_cGg34Nh-Cs3cvbyDAaxrh_XS1pxKRquZ7/s400/Web+033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452893464839305074" /></a><br /><br />After a rest in the afternoon we headed out on an evening bus trip to Willow Bank Nature Reserve & KoTane Maori Village.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0-Wzu_zqzeZm3yqEt8QaOMpyvoGF1xdx9Zs9S05FUwzjs6PT8gXbZmL11wNgWAIIo9vORNiT5295MzgM1skQ1DlOm6g195OAqGmlVN3fSPCeqbWVmrid9CorkARR6r9BjYsr/s1600/Web+034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0-Wzu_zqzeZm3yqEt8QaOMpyvoGF1xdx9Zs9S05FUwzjs6PT8gXbZmL11wNgWAIIo9vORNiT5295MzgM1skQ1DlOm6g195OAqGmlVN3fSPCeqbWVmrid9CorkARR6r9BjYsr/s400/Web+034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452894035617437634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLFf5U3mMSZwPNWraUoIHE_VEZNjJrO6aC-lJz0Hz0ff3Z1Scubvr2v5v9IGRbl1nOlFJXOTZt2MX3HmI_ibs7VDPEcBHoR_xKI3bZe9QQ2cuGIlEdoyY4E7SoQ84FkmFW-Kd/s1600/Web+035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLFf5U3mMSZwPNWraUoIHE_VEZNjJrO6aC-lJz0Hz0ff3Z1Scubvr2v5v9IGRbl1nOlFJXOTZt2MX3HmI_ibs7VDPEcBHoR_xKI3bZe9QQ2cuGIlEdoyY4E7SoQ84FkmFW-Kd/s400/Web+035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452893952292693618" /></a><br /><br />Our tour guide was walking us through the Maori Village and telling the Maori myth of how their land was formed and about the culture etc when all of a sudden (without knowing) we were part of a Maori re-inactment and a supposed foreign tribe threatening their village and out of bushes came Maori warriors with their weapons and Maori chants .... needless to say it scared the sh** out of us !!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42FKoIjItExkuwhaAGVFfUY3Xqo4qI352cBfEupsebS5snigJ2ybBT09Rgt3Jps4m78wVX6vEpyd8v9rvys4G50X_xrFih0BVhFqs31Vo1yKSvKBz9ZhahthP2cd4c0O0oi7o/s1600/Web+036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42FKoIjItExkuwhaAGVFfUY3Xqo4qI352cBfEupsebS5snigJ2ybBT09Rgt3Jps4m78wVX6vEpyd8v9rvys4G50X_xrFih0BVhFqs31Vo1yKSvKBz9ZhahthP2cd4c0O0oi7o/s400/Web+036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452895350879045682" /></a><br /><br />Then they gathered around and out come their Chief (i think that's what he is called ... no disrespect to any NZ'ers if i've got it wrong)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-0d1qNIKci3X_wYoNKo6zzUmc2_CyrIjTwwmXRbZlgIP3Kyv2hO-in2fTyJMvSV5JFxkKGrTRjhE70lT_cZz1CVDlUlT_GLy49xDWMEvQJIoEssUAH7K6-CJLIgRrLsEI-kz/s1600/Web+037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-0d1qNIKci3X_wYoNKo6zzUmc2_CyrIjTwwmXRbZlgIP3Kyv2hO-in2fTyJMvSV5JFxkKGrTRjhE70lT_cZz1CVDlUlT_GLy49xDWMEvQJIoEssUAH7K6-CJLIgRrLsEI-kz/s400/Web+037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452896005495281810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6M3nhOoMZQIPIUqmimJMtmLd6sOBW7zdi0wisH2KdSUdaylibDLsaRbgUB6cNLjhz3VH7I1gR14BbSBalHlBOkY3DNCM__G8zAtcs4kgVqA49b7Tcb31PGNA6GKRsi7EIKlUS/s1600/Web+038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6M3nhOoMZQIPIUqmimJMtmLd6sOBW7zdi0wisH2KdSUdaylibDLsaRbgUB6cNLjhz3VH7I1gR14BbSBalHlBOkY3DNCM__G8zAtcs4kgVqA49b7Tcb31PGNA6GKRsi7EIKlUS/s400/Web+038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452895885013317890" /></a><br /><br />After a bit if a ritual, laying a leaf and touching foreheads/noses it was determined that we came in peace and were invited into their little village for some Haaka entertainment etc. <br /><br />Before performing their Haaka, Blake was one of the males chosen to learn/perform a Haaka with them ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RWmC-F7JV5b25AlOPNhfL5nwvUxTEp27m1nUBW-OotFIP-Ms443irAQdT4n6_5BM7FcQUGULWt8m1KRhrsFxW_kkq4TqTs8hB4tivTCDH1oGS8RxSxXMm4k-ks9BvY1UObYi/s1600/Web+040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RWmC-F7JV5b25AlOPNhfL5nwvUxTEp27m1nUBW-OotFIP-Ms443irAQdT4n6_5BM7FcQUGULWt8m1KRhrsFxW_kkq4TqTs8hB4tivTCDH1oGS8RxSxXMm4k-ks9BvY1UObYi/s400/Web+040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452897025310104882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7gk6QOZewLnENyljGpvWpniDqbnibDd7GbtYF7bvwfOJb7QtIzdgEyKenaKsS1mui5Mh7rXiHBAy8GbpDHRbvPhxZiWduPP0N10H0ltJnbVFcBgG_kJSVR6HF74zz9TadviM/s1600/Web+039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7gk6QOZewLnENyljGpvWpniDqbnibDd7GbtYF7bvwfOJb7QtIzdgEyKenaKsS1mui5Mh7rXiHBAy8GbpDHRbvPhxZiWduPP0N10H0ltJnbVFcBgG_kJSVR6HF74zz9TadviM/s400/Web+039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452896921661568306" /></a><br /><br />Then it was time for the real deal ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNUQpwzz1SYkqMUGZ3UJfftssjPLlhr2eNEHIRtLzFWzR1u28kCbftcl6S9AZ9zkiwRwglaIFbe50BtCGcpIJB8iLdb2_mnM6AlXQrnRM9pEz2TdvtiRMzF6EqCFTKuyz56Hn/s1600/Web+041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNUQpwzz1SYkqMUGZ3UJfftssjPLlhr2eNEHIRtLzFWzR1u28kCbftcl6S9AZ9zkiwRwglaIFbe50BtCGcpIJB8iLdb2_mnM6AlXQrnRM9pEz2TdvtiRMzF6EqCFTKuyz56Hn/s400/Web+041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452897373462965218" /></a><br /><br />They are so passionate when peforming their Haaka .... and although it was a friendly welcoming thing .... i was almost certain at times they were swearing at us !! LOL !!<br /><br />It was all well put together and very enjoyable. <br /><br />After the show we done a twilight guided tour of the nature reserve including a Kiwi Encounter (this was the highlight of Blake's holiday). They really are unusually cute little things. We don't have any photos to share as you are not allowed to use flash photography and whilst i tried without the flash, it was just too dark to get a photo.<br /><br />The next morning we were up bright and early and on the bus for our 'Grand Tour' of Christchurch.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZfGwT71c-PuV8dTpsnUwwESyuiY-mrCZz144hVUeBQ2dOlubulo1iDipTBS4vFH7LHkDBp67ye4G9K7tCw4VeX4txCT-PmJswJSYaW2Xy0G8RCuUwmGjYgIN76DwgLv8BzbT/s1600/Web+045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZfGwT71c-PuV8dTpsnUwwESyuiY-mrCZz144hVUeBQ2dOlubulo1iDipTBS4vFH7LHkDBp67ye4G9K7tCw4VeX4txCT-PmJswJSYaW2Xy0G8RCuUwmGjYgIN76DwgLv8BzbT/s400/Web+045.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452898541017851682" /></a><br /><br />We visited beautiful parks/gardens<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbyA-nmIGQzywH8JrvbUukAyO4vUs-Wx1iJktRucuK8o-ymyYbTTOWpaCtLq4TrHtgksUTSFT6bYr18CnTXVbdwI6ZxQ-tIpt4meFkKn7rD3S67a0yGKw_aVy7mU3l_CUBdCD/s1600/Web+042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbyA-nmIGQzywH8JrvbUukAyO4vUs-Wx1iJktRucuK8o-ymyYbTTOWpaCtLq4TrHtgksUTSFT6bYr18CnTXVbdwI6ZxQ-tIpt4meFkKn7rD3S67a0yGKw_aVy7mU3l_CUBdCD/s400/Web+042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452898782058161394" /></a><br /><br />There are lots of beautiful parks/gardens around Christchurch ... in fact, we found along all of our travels their towns, parks etc. are very well maintained and beautifully presented. Hagley Park & Botannic Gardens in Christchurch is huge (apparently the 3rd largest park in the world!)<br /><br />We enjoyed very relaxing punting along the Avon River ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTqXMJdQb_7v7lIY1EgkuhjgPV163p4Y7Jarc3z0hla2JWetBn29mMefIrBXcilCq7Q6okT3C7mZ9tonAQsOCEcw0fWXOQcX8OLj8uxjl1iJVS2X090yMQZ7rn3x79dv9136-/s1600/Web+043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTqXMJdQb_7v7lIY1EgkuhjgPV163p4Y7Jarc3z0hla2JWetBn29mMefIrBXcilCq7Q6okT3C7mZ9tonAQsOCEcw0fWXOQcX8OLj8uxjl1iJVS2X090yMQZ7rn3x79dv9136-/s400/Web+043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452899801915099458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iXprk5U89uoO2jAE-VC4Av73CA7xiXDsZKbuO2F_Ihomnmm3SCt6ckOEgCq9rIPgW-QiUA6MP2fdtmPKalTLNNUUJbk8Y94y7eo2TITSzozb5TZn8TvUwIdW6LRO2JchCmSp/s1600/Web+044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iXprk5U89uoO2jAE-VC4Av73CA7xiXDsZKbuO2F_Ihomnmm3SCt6ckOEgCq9rIPgW-QiUA6MP2fdtmPKalTLNNUUJbk8Y94y7eo2TITSzozb5TZn8TvUwIdW6LRO2JchCmSp/s400/Web+044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452899558874394482" /></a><br /><br />We visited lookouts, Lyttelton Harbour,went up in the Gondola and stopped by the seaside at Sumner for lunch. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5JCt4hDwn4lGMRvyEmV68xLTCL6DSOeX6Jlj1BI9PhKFaPig8NTrSc1H-d7Z3ky130K1kJMeo-G649z2CUYZOPDHjgRaZSvOcLe16Yg3wtf93Am8XqGDKvULaRif3I3E_PyD/s1600/Web+046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5JCt4hDwn4lGMRvyEmV68xLTCL6DSOeX6Jlj1BI9PhKFaPig8NTrSc1H-d7Z3ky130K1kJMeo-G649z2CUYZOPDHjgRaZSvOcLe16Yg3wtf93Am8XqGDKvULaRif3I3E_PyD/s400/Web+046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452900193638989138" /></a><br /><br />This photo was taken in front of Cave Rock which was formed from volcano lava.<br /><br />The following day (the last day of our holiday) we visited the International Antartic Centre.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarVbEWimnUP2ZOCLDRvlv0KEdFc9sUbnqysaCs7u2Jm2LK2zn-sQoHmIwV-Z9UWRSAfCWSSr-gFSHzULmkfsQLNt1rTRe_lND2OwfPbpwM8XVMILoqyIUAQDyyPSIM-E9WkjM/s1600/Web+047.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarVbEWimnUP2ZOCLDRvlv0KEdFc9sUbnqysaCs7u2Jm2LK2zn-sQoHmIwV-Z9UWRSAfCWSSr-gFSHzULmkfsQLNt1rTRe_lND2OwfPbpwM8XVMILoqyIUAQDyyPSIM-E9WkjM/s400/Web+047.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452901080691769346" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42hAQVdQvzvsOo125A-DG6CQh_xlGA4S_A2BJ2LUtV59AIUMuMXb35KYfznOYeBsA3yS4B26EpwUMuPsPD984ZtFoLp6SYO1ZRQXEEt9qda98f_cWfKOOVT6ELyb4ab6gDS5B/s1600/Web+049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42hAQVdQvzvsOo125A-DG6CQh_xlGA4S_A2BJ2LUtV59AIUMuMXb35KYfznOYeBsA3yS4B26EpwUMuPsPD984ZtFoLp6SYO1ZRQXEEt9qda98f_cWfKOOVT6ELyb4ab6gDS5B/s400/Web+049.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452902515681708962" /></a><br /><br />Along with lots of educational information there was fun things to experience about the Antartic ... including the indoor snow & ice polar room. Every half hour is a simulated antartic storm where the wind reaches peak condition and the chill factor goes to -18 degrees celsius.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCZfcPHdt9lXAXNedKihtn_z5yU5rTqKBmUdcE-6B2O6BZZXMdsgpVa9SQqG4RO2hRuRh5XHqN8KoRerLX5HvmWbPy6Yjt0T_1yjPbFVGmYKR3yNqvd8mUK6GnFdE1_TktyZy/s1600/Web+048.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiCZfcPHdt9lXAXNedKihtn_z5yU5rTqKBmUdcE-6B2O6BZZXMdsgpVa9SQqG4RO2hRuRh5XHqN8KoRerLX5HvmWbPy6Yjt0T_1yjPbFVGmYKR3yNqvd8mUK6GnFdE1_TktyZy/s400/Web+048.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452902328885918034" /></a><br /><br />As a treat, we arranged a personal behind the scenes tour/encounter with the Little Blue Penguins (basically the same as our Fairy Penguins). <br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhux5NZhvLE91Es5bKTik05c07nkdsT-TdNqQrMG95NvR8WlgalWehaWer03opBqfG4TqQk0rcgDonC8Jk4ZsMG7WGuDUpbGuAm_W4juXXW1rrOhFtYUMAOVGnDF8T2sajvNrFG/s1600/Web+050.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhux5NZhvLE91Es5bKTik05c07nkdsT-TdNqQrMG95NvR8WlgalWehaWer03opBqfG4TqQk0rcgDonC8Jk4ZsMG7WGuDUpbGuAm_W4juXXW1rrOhFtYUMAOVGnDF8T2sajvNrFG/s400/Web+050.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452902930935665762" /></a><br /><br />All 25 of these cute little characters have been rescued and have some sort of permanent injury/disablity caused by predators, boat propellers etc. Ranging from missing limbs, broken beaks, paralised flippers and even one special little Penguin named 'Elvis' who is blind.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQi5MCWeW1TrkMr7KkHzV_FvPkduLlq-EIzJb22jgcx5eBfi1WmpOWP8nPJN4nrn_8TNA5lElm2hl5MjGeSTA0ohhVjQYq8Faqf-2Re23zl9MBQSaADvVdAwDlBFE3gMkzSLc/s1600/Web+051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQi5MCWeW1TrkMr7KkHzV_FvPkduLlq-EIzJb22jgcx5eBfi1WmpOWP8nPJN4nrn_8TNA5lElm2hl5MjGeSTA0ohhVjQYq8Faqf-2Re23zl9MBQSaADvVdAwDlBFE3gMkzSLc/s400/Web+051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452903641814853970" /></a><br /><br />The next morning we were up at 3am, at the airport for 4am and on the plane at 6am flying home.<br /><br />We had a great holiday and plan to go back next year and do the North Island as well .... but as the say ..... "there's no place like home" !!<br /><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Julie :O)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-10144763234957931922010-03-21T20:31:00.025+11:002010-03-21T21:35:19.397+11:00NEW ZEALANDWe're home from our holiday and madly trying to get unpacked, organised etc. before returning to "real life" of work, school etc.<br /><br />So whilst i have time and all is still fresh in my brain, i'll share lots (and i mean LOTS) of pics ....<br /><br />This holiday was originally booked for our family for DH's 40th Birthday ... he changed jobs last year and therefore wasn't able to arrange leave, so, my sister Karen (with my niece & nephew) made arrangements to join us for what was to become our little New Zealand adventure!<br /><br />So we were up very early on Tues morning and travelled to Sydney to catch the plane. Our flight was brought forward so going through all the airport criteria was rush, rush, rush and then straight onto the plane ...<br /><br />The flight was good and before we knew it we had landed in Christchurch. Went through all the airport stuff once again then off to pick up our hire car.<br /><br />Within an hour or so we were on the road .... first stop Lake Tekapo.<br /><br />Lake Tekapo is just stunning .... picture perfect like a postcard!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT-9wGmuR9LY4o9DtQEKQJc6uVrAhgPktHRdH85bKhJQ78ByQ4jC6Oq93j421QfE1XlABFyJcsVkI-HuAcNHChuViH6uqWHqee7RzPYnqh0a0j-GHzkU5yp_ct2gLmHXAvM9_/s1600-h/Web+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlT-9wGmuR9LY4o9DtQEKQJc6uVrAhgPktHRdH85bKhJQ78ByQ4jC6Oq93j421QfE1XlABFyJcsVkI-HuAcNHChuViH6uqWHqee7RzPYnqh0a0j-GHzkU5yp_ct2gLmHXAvM9_/s400/Web+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451019701148295106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQQG0BNusrmyz9uneGsS_KLTE_-DkmJfk5pZ2nsMZ_fFvqi72ZJ-3PNACiTYsERX8uXsgMxrWj-Pg520TzC503C_X3Kf2Lk_33oChnCdvKygDD9gUNrFkPA22YYWzM03yQtEA/s1600-h/Web+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQQG0BNusrmyz9uneGsS_KLTE_-DkmJfk5pZ2nsMZ_fFvqi72ZJ-3PNACiTYsERX8uXsgMxrWj-Pg520TzC503C_X3Kf2Lk_33oChnCdvKygDD9gUNrFkPA22YYWzM03yQtEA/s400/Web+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451019530873377026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPcYD2gxBCjxf5WFtXx7dUZVBLJlaCYTh9IYWuCiy96OEz6eLpvOEo1oVcHs6z3zVT_F4pKHWgqWzmniYR3FfvpRzE8DUm4N8tWlbdA4E2AfymOZp9zedyZWNWMh0FwTDXIpk/s1600-h/Web+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPcYD2gxBCjxf5WFtXx7dUZVBLJlaCYTh9IYWuCiy96OEz6eLpvOEo1oVcHs6z3zVT_F4pKHWgqWzmniYR3FfvpRzE8DUm4N8tWlbdA4E2AfymOZp9zedyZWNWMh0FwTDXIpk/s400/Web+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451019372408787202" /></a><br /><br />The next day we travelled to Mount Cook. Along the way was Lake Phukaki .... once again, just stunning.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXQCkEeGlr0kF_G5OcvBg8WmlmN1O1wjDmDD2Gi8bXDvEzgprNOc_HRlyiG_uhhNXPWW65flDtfkca2d8zjnklWXXeniTbskHXZeXUs7JolG6ZGffwPjFNIyJslEofwhSjMWj/s1600-h/Web+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXQCkEeGlr0kF_G5OcvBg8WmlmN1O1wjDmDD2Gi8bXDvEzgprNOc_HRlyiG_uhhNXPWW65flDtfkca2d8zjnklWXXeniTbskHXZeXUs7JolG6ZGffwPjFNIyJslEofwhSjMWj/s400/Web+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451020443712580242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwIzrdXx6SpBIB4JHNEjve3cKXPF1g2a2fH0KCU9xg6lNL11QR3g0cwck7oP_VbUheZDKemQhXUkmnt-2SwdWXW2crD_PSFcRyE4Jf2qbeUKys2O403giMN84tbQo3iFZoFiE/s1600-h/Web+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwIzrdXx6SpBIB4JHNEjve3cKXPF1g2a2fH0KCU9xg6lNL11QR3g0cwck7oP_VbUheZDKemQhXUkmnt-2SwdWXW2crD_PSFcRyE4Jf2qbeUKys2O403giMN84tbQo3iFZoFiE/s400/Web+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451020344108224786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_1WdrkYFv6yqXzOM8JWdAgRwp5oHoISSM29CNA_GXXyuT768bX9y3RWIzF8AZdQ_MznG4fEeEYOpq2GzcWt7QuN2v5UyeG9Lh3nRRfvoNXKjKmfcpUq8XhoB4Kke5SXmuxz5/s1600-h/Web+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_1WdrkYFv6yqXzOM8JWdAgRwp5oHoISSM29CNA_GXXyuT768bX9y3RWIzF8AZdQ_MznG4fEeEYOpq2GzcWt7QuN2v5UyeG9Lh3nRRfvoNXKjKmfcpUq8XhoB4Kke5SXmuxz5/s400/Web+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451020245917626162" /></a><br /><br />We stopped at the little airport on the way out to Mt Cook as this is where we did our scenic helicopter flight from.<br /><br />Our flight took us up onto Mt Cook where we landed in snow ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYh0Sh679zv3sHL_53ejGHoyF3dBwR7sGYvDRadImh8E9cz3R42pMmFklvqdmjZGZtEVBfAecCT3n3jArBqve154V3U1xKxzcUle9Qgl18v6ltqg9LDYu6xY0OyGsQlybVglr/s1600-h/Web+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYh0Sh679zv3sHL_53ejGHoyF3dBwR7sGYvDRadImh8E9cz3R42pMmFklvqdmjZGZtEVBfAecCT3n3jArBqve154V3U1xKxzcUle9Qgl18v6ltqg9LDYu6xY0OyGsQlybVglr/s400/Web+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451021520173283634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HdhALuEVRRHLViUWPVLclIK21g4C_H9-usKKcOZ0kyg2OHaHW0braOJUcmxqmSI6Lt3leTAIS39CBB930ADlahHmKokn9tkbANQUSt59HGH4fG6_Mqefpg5o6oBHMeQHVP1l/s1600-h/Web+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HdhALuEVRRHLViUWPVLclIK21g4C_H9-usKKcOZ0kyg2OHaHW0braOJUcmxqmSI6Lt3leTAIS39CBB930ADlahHmKokn9tkbANQUSt59HGH4fG6_Mqefpg5o6oBHMeQHVP1l/s400/Web+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451021412664431698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4T8lswAE59pgkb8cPxBS9G0OTZJjlBguKMh_vfVlNylSA3v5CaYVinW7ExuyZPxTMooV2VpycmrxK3divY6fD0gqRE7yg-9o030rKMliA7n9HWxvSnIG_ED4ulxOhSZXwG_kp/s1600-h/Web+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4T8lswAE59pgkb8cPxBS9G0OTZJjlBguKMh_vfVlNylSA3v5CaYVinW7ExuyZPxTMooV2VpycmrxK3divY6fD0gqRE7yg-9o030rKMliA7n9HWxvSnIG_ED4ulxOhSZXwG_kp/s400/Web+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451021306180866690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGQvNJeT0gkNIckA0ijgbVE4JiSJxcEq1q5ukyTtOBdQ9JqBdGApkaL3o-TRRgWyfnrZO21uvnqT5xPMwv02bQls8b9j-XhMuu-w9xvi9UfpBdRyxx98gzhET_ajat-1z75GP/s1600-h/Web+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGQvNJeT0gkNIckA0ijgbVE4JiSJxcEq1q5ukyTtOBdQ9JqBdGApkaL3o-TRRgWyfnrZO21uvnqT5xPMwv02bQls8b9j-XhMuu-w9xvi9UfpBdRyxx98gzhET_ajat-1z75GP/s400/Web+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451021190705217778" /></a><br /><br />On the way back we had the most gorgeous aerial view of Lake Phukaki ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsK4yaQzjIRLvJqhWpr_QME7O32FCOa_TIybDXJ5T__qoNi3mqSPEpO5Kl70uxRPZKOmrLRePyVhsxuuf6G36fvh5qyB0Eu5ehirIsR607VzqrySMU310NxP2JrUJOSYgtgU_/s1600-h/Web+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsK4yaQzjIRLvJqhWpr_QME7O32FCOa_TIybDXJ5T__qoNi3mqSPEpO5Kl70uxRPZKOmrLRePyVhsxuuf6G36fvh5qyB0Eu5ehirIsR607VzqrySMU310NxP2JrUJOSYgtgU_/s400/Web+012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451021996702284002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9rIgsigWybfMlDat9_zvL8DHTzgThVN3XydoOgz6DS3ksaAy3pzBDYHxQ9WCYmYzRWy8cXseQGfFRVBKFMMt6wqFmNK7VvlVSTqRlxTdA4tDLq27pEnzBu61aT1FkvaO3O7G/s1600-h/Web+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9rIgsigWybfMlDat9_zvL8DHTzgThVN3XydoOgz6DS3ksaAy3pzBDYHxQ9WCYmYzRWy8cXseQGfFRVBKFMMt6wqFmNK7VvlVSTqRlxTdA4tDLq27pEnzBu61aT1FkvaO3O7G/s400/Web+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451021913978963202" /></a><br /><br />At the base of Mount Cook we visited the Edmund Hillary Centre which had lots of museum articles and a 3d theatre, plus a great opportunity for some photos and fun with the kids ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wo0SfT9wJ3TETKijxs2wlI1fbjWgiCAZvkKUdT5dtbH1utsKRCZhY4kQoj0Hz6DEY1plahXN5YI5DVEbzH69_ozRioo3yJTc2nAnwtluSTG56Qc_URSfpiSF5IlIKiOvrswr/s1600-h/Web+014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wo0SfT9wJ3TETKijxs2wlI1fbjWgiCAZvkKUdT5dtbH1utsKRCZhY4kQoj0Hz6DEY1plahXN5YI5DVEbzH69_ozRioo3yJTc2nAnwtluSTG56Qc_URSfpiSF5IlIKiOvrswr/s400/Web+014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451022925612196962" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-2vl1btxjlm0ib-CLqua-npwNSxs_FrffX8hM0bKXV18fga9QJR4qt7aro_7njwykGZaSurgHJgYPGmNLSvpJoWVRBwoR-ri-Wb9RSs-DJpaN2hFpeopXXYUOpt6tnX-MxlH/s1600-h/Web+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-2vl1btxjlm0ib-CLqua-npwNSxs_FrffX8hM0bKXV18fga9QJR4qt7aro_7njwykGZaSurgHJgYPGmNLSvpJoWVRBwoR-ri-Wb9RSs-DJpaN2hFpeopXXYUOpt6tnX-MxlH/s400/Web+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451022814285313090" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB5wxjfYnYl1r757nWjIpQ3jIkpOsxmqacug5np3E_aw_cEQCgGzWpQpWjcY291vWv6sQFD0uet4mO-gNTghC2u8ipOZSiyQM_q92vSL7HgOXy0gbOJyu25QOM7RaPIAFv0H3/s1600-h/Web+015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB5wxjfYnYl1r757nWjIpQ3jIkpOsxmqacug5np3E_aw_cEQCgGzWpQpWjcY291vWv6sQFD0uet4mO-gNTghC2u8ipOZSiyQM_q92vSL7HgOXy0gbOJyu25QOM7RaPIAFv0H3/s400/Web+015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451022716458524066" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ6eTSCBxpd7B4IKKJzteNjeRuIQmAjgSFxJ_YiY_BRbtihPeu9BbNkeFjM30MFUcfPgnTylQMvQwE8T_TvKFTq6kkZ5nqtwAHQylYApUZYiVyPNARt7wm47tarPqOcPTkBa4/s1600-h/Web+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ6eTSCBxpd7B4IKKJzteNjeRuIQmAjgSFxJ_YiY_BRbtihPeu9BbNkeFjM30MFUcfPgnTylQMvQwE8T_TvKFTq6kkZ5nqtwAHQylYApUZYiVyPNARt7wm47tarPqOcPTkBa4/s400/Web+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451022587590336354" /></a><br /><br />From Mt Cook we had planned to travel to Wanaka and stay the night; however, our road trip bordered on disaster when we found ourselves stranded in almost the middle of nowhere with the fuel light on and the gauge reading "E" at a little town with one shop that was the local store, post office and everything else including a petrol bowser at the front ..... but they didn't actually have petrol .... [SCREEECH] ... We opted for the shortest distance to the next town which was 32km and rang Roadside Assistance to inform them of our dilemna and arranged that we would continue to drive as far as the car would take us and phone them when we came to a stop. We literally rolled down the hills and watched every km tick over .... and much to our amazement .... i don't know how but yes, we made it .... what a relief. We filled the petrol tank to the brim and worked out that there was possibly 1 litre of fuel left in the tank!! Needless to say, the tank was never below half for the rest of the holiday LOL !<br /><br />Anyways .... after our little adventure we decided to push on to Queenstown and were all very weary and ready for some R&R upon arrival. Our accommodation (at Rydges) was beautiful and knowing we were staying in one place for a few days was a nice feeling.<br /><br />We had a lovely outlook from our room ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikueJM1bIuV9FZR2UWpgdyaThjd6-twF3uP6-vCB19XxznpYsGOY81wxCm7Htm-e-cWX2F4cSeuyMqBrBplJUndv6L2F8xPiXb99JJYI6B2M_95U-Lldk2ApcibjMTPeIPwisj/s1600-h/Web+017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikueJM1bIuV9FZR2UWpgdyaThjd6-twF3uP6-vCB19XxznpYsGOY81wxCm7Htm-e-cWX2F4cSeuyMqBrBplJUndv6L2F8xPiXb99JJYI6B2M_95U-Lldk2ApcibjMTPeIPwisj/s400/Web+017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451025829815987330" /></a><br /><br />Queenstown is a really pretty & happening place .... we checked out lots of the local attractions and activities, and done our fair share of shopping.<br /><br />We went up on the gondola ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4baieveYJIDW_rKpbtZenmcyVkke-cpzlp_BcmR2I1OPX-wf_j7Amc5CGex6Pf99u85K64-l1XMrRG2PU39qHwO3ek1V79yUMbwCB-15qIh-malyMoCMUFfoC1CwI5-lF147/s1600-h/Web+021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4baieveYJIDW_rKpbtZenmcyVkke-cpzlp_BcmR2I1OPX-wf_j7Amc5CGex6Pf99u85K64-l1XMrRG2PU39qHwO3ek1V79yUMbwCB-15qIh-malyMoCMUFfoC1CwI5-lF147/s400/Web+021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451029465167109042" /></a><br /><br />where you had panoramic views over Queenstown ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglufj0Bh1x6-jvpjbEgrvs7qRJ0AHPZydxS6yCkOjiXoSrO0LfXOH6rOVzZbPsP1_lOfSyok-JYEFYBbXUZUJJzgAcGM0lQyNwNhlOGWbxLlgDtqq7DCB-Qp5x0nPCXQpG9OD/s1600-h/Web+018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglufj0Bh1x6-jvpjbEgrvs7qRJ0AHPZydxS6yCkOjiXoSrO0LfXOH6rOVzZbPsP1_lOfSyok-JYEFYBbXUZUJJzgAcGM0lQyNwNhlOGWbxLlgDtqq7DCB-Qp5x0nPCXQpG9OD/s400/Web+018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451029880064032914" /></a><br /><br />Blake's favourite part was The Luge (he said this was like a cross between riding a bike & taboggan) ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGgYDTkN4JuQrP-kj-51Ug7w7UK-jy9ov_6Dm7m2P7IJa8C0ssBXXYLkcTUxOxvyblqVPrzrZQtTxAziJ9RqNOdXif672eHSItL-CgQ12tAOW15JfWVuBkOg-LjegXla_sLj2/s1600-h/Web+020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 344px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGgYDTkN4JuQrP-kj-51Ug7w7UK-jy9ov_6Dm7m2P7IJa8C0ssBXXYLkcTUxOxvyblqVPrzrZQtTxAziJ9RqNOdXif672eHSItL-CgQ12tAOW15JfWVuBkOg-LjegXla_sLj2/s400/Web+020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451030218654112738" /></a><br /><br />We all visited the 'Minus 5' bar .... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh-DUwJTQqtQ1Ei4yijVVJrWTA8ygl84WuHyy2HOS_J5MjnYtSV0a3Gvw0g9To37T0AvfDfmFiDHkqNXDT61xevwD1WjKdwRstw8B12w3-mQOFpvwpa2XNXJtwqkz3OccYMV9/s1600-h/Web+052.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh-DUwJTQqtQ1Ei4yijVVJrWTA8ygl84WuHyy2HOS_J5MjnYtSV0a3Gvw0g9To37T0AvfDfmFiDHkqNXDT61xevwD1WjKdwRstw8B12w3-mQOFpvwpa2XNXJtwqkz3OccYMV9/s400/Web+052.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451033519555309378" /></a><br /><br />i had seen this on Getaway a few years ago .... everything is made of ice, the bar, the seats, all ice sculptures around the bar and even the glasses you drink out of (which you smash in a bucket on the way out). The kids thought it was such a treat drinking mocktails (only cocktails for the adults) in an ice bar .... it really was COOL <em>in every sense of the word </em>LOL!<br /><br />OK .... i'm running out of typing stamina (and you're probably on overload by now) .... so i'll be back in the next day or so to continue with more pics and holiday adventures!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by ...<br /><br />Julie :O)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-67485837947638748332010-03-03T09:09:00.004+11:002010-03-03T09:14:30.019+11:00A TEENAGERI can't believe it .... today my baby turns 13 .... a teenager.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0ut6-2ihS-_EOv_qKax_B9hws6BumoQdg_WvTZX2Gpt20xXyhtf7YWMFbmIeIk1yeoRfUYEGvplai3Y_j0tLkXDFM4bh2gcv0bysAGyu9UcHmkATx6bJ4POX-plmbC2yhAki/s1600-h/Blake+1a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0ut6-2ihS-_EOv_qKax_B9hws6BumoQdg_WvTZX2Gpt20xXyhtf7YWMFbmIeIk1yeoRfUYEGvplai3Y_j0tLkXDFM4bh2gcv0bysAGyu9UcHmkATx6bJ4POX-plmbC2yhAki/s400/Blake+1a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444162818973350194" /></a><br /><br />Happy Birthday !<br /><br />I will pop back in and do some more updating, pics etc .... Only 6 more sleeps 'til we go to New Zealand !Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-4800955409923747322010-01-29T16:14:00.008+11:002010-01-29T16:28:04.996+11:00Back to School ...Today was back to school for Blake .... he was looking forward to his first day in Year 8.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkpz662oKX2kHs29ewNGIlj-52zo3jm5XalklS3IkkzcT_iIyW2Pd47noyrulVHbUKr6LKxTon2bLExFgsvSUXhbUohfAnqz0E5BnvyxKREnL0_c41u2xe8E35eOBNoLB_kq2/s1600-h/Blake+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkpz662oKX2kHs29ewNGIlj-52zo3jm5XalklS3IkkzcT_iIyW2Pd47noyrulVHbUKr6LKxTon2bLExFgsvSUXhbUohfAnqz0E5BnvyxKREnL0_c41u2xe8E35eOBNoLB_kq2/s400/Blake+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432026425869402482" /></a><br /><br /><br />Before heading off to school for the first day of the school year we always stop for a quick visit and photo with Nan & Pop .... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jrXgt_Q9MwfEABL0slwN2VOTofmgnUoxDe3JqYCBTURIsYoYkI3J6tczG2RPuP2PTSt6d1Bf-_-c73R0vP6G3q2NZeB6uu_FHScK8RFaml2aYuCCaCllpa7APMW3DE0toLjt/s1600-h/Blake+%26+Nan.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1jrXgt_Q9MwfEABL0slwN2VOTofmgnUoxDe3JqYCBTURIsYoYkI3J6tczG2RPuP2PTSt6d1Bf-_-c73R0vP6G3q2NZeB6uu_FHScK8RFaml2aYuCCaCllpa7APMW3DE0toLjt/s400/Blake+%26+Nan.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432027153468343778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqzXExr0quSmBzM_IkY0hfScU4ijgcF012xY-dgdCRcR4eiGXdpu7uycv_aXJSNcGVOtobtWc6f50gjMnzeL0pQlmb4p5EZrjqVFwZeoR0xwEmHDRAufR4fUnpigLTcsObDnJ/s1600-h/Nap+Pop+%26+Blake+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqzXExr0quSmBzM_IkY0hfScU4ijgcF012xY-dgdCRcR4eiGXdpu7uycv_aXJSNcGVOtobtWc6f50gjMnzeL0pQlmb4p5EZrjqVFwZeoR0xwEmHDRAufR4fUnpigLTcsObDnJ/s400/Nap+Pop+%26+Blake+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432027627346586146" /></a><br /><br /><br />this year was quite a buzz with my niece (Jessica) starting high school (yesterday)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX-j1I0f8afUnk-FccBeCV4zMkWdZzf_S4lKbSNhQ_E3ETaJPsxjd5SMywodYLEgOfcfyZxM5BxyVkh6SD2xvmm37MbBE-G6MYD-2J6TGS8f4yA6SIKdhS1ddhHhk9pUQkP81/s1600-h/Jess+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzX-j1I0f8afUnk-FccBeCV4zMkWdZzf_S4lKbSNhQ_E3ETaJPsxjd5SMywodYLEgOfcfyZxM5BxyVkh6SD2xvmm37MbBE-G6MYD-2J6TGS8f4yA6SIKdhS1ddhHhk9pUQkP81/s400/Jess+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432027985769787058" /></a><br /><br /><br />and nephew (Jacob) off to Kindergarten for his first day today.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVb6IXSIGaEoR3FuxZ5A8F1iL1jjoskzwLs3Z2nJugq2rJ2CZwG5wP4TRswOAzk_NivmPB3YSpTQoKx0_gwTRJE8PaZBn53SImUtzxv_6zSDOu-Ki9UeAxCgtk_CNlw9FxKWA/s1600-h/Jacob+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVb6IXSIGaEoR3FuxZ5A8F1iL1jjoskzwLs3Z2nJugq2rJ2CZwG5wP4TRswOAzk_NivmPB3YSpTQoKx0_gwTRJE8PaZBn53SImUtzxv_6zSDOu-Ki9UeAxCgtk_CNlw9FxKWA/s400/Jacob+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432028354582402146" /></a><br /><br /><br />So here we go for another school year ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XpUEnpnhKwr6zv4VeDLLfrzXiguOt-S6MmANkvtfG9guA2F1Ehb9NJqnnd3eX9TkzKY-xglBsN3m-E8adg0goKi17Y9P9Ys3DOI2TCc22VK1_KHrqdht5bo-fVXLfMYsl4DF/s1600-h/Kids+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XpUEnpnhKwr6zv4VeDLLfrzXiguOt-S6MmANkvtfG9guA2F1Ehb9NJqnnd3eX9TkzKY-xglBsN3m-E8adg0goKi17Y9P9Ys3DOI2TCc22VK1_KHrqdht5bo-fVXLfMYsl4DF/s400/Kids+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432028978677220226" /></a><br /><br /><br />Now for a busy weekend covering books etc !Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-29731805281334580532010-01-28T21:58:00.003+11:002010-01-28T22:09:09.950+11:00Me & My Boy ....We have a tradition of an outing of Blake's choice on the last day of school hols ... today it was just him and I cause DH was sleeping (shiftwork).<br /><br />It was just a simple outing ... a bite to eat and the movies to see this<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI12FcxBZkAW7NpmS8xfqF5wOkUr4S3PR7BM77IUrwvxSXJf5TeydJuT8Hk-976YIURfeu4bx25fxZx6SJVje8hDM9aAq7VqllaRxjU1ANJLqDWa0-e1oYO_EyZY2qdjsIZQaO/s1600-h/BRAN+NUE+DAE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI12FcxBZkAW7NpmS8xfqF5wOkUr4S3PR7BM77IUrwvxSXJf5TeydJuT8Hk-976YIURfeu4bx25fxZx6SJVje8hDM9aAq7VqllaRxjU1ANJLqDWa0-e1oYO_EyZY2qdjsIZQaO/s400/BRAN+NUE+DAE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431744155283367890" /></a><br /><br />Not a bad movie ... the storyline is pretty basic with a few humerous parts & some catchy tunes.<br /><br />It fills my heart to spend time with my 'soon to be 13 year old' boy, always my baby but growing up so fast. Don't know how much longer he'll be happy to hang out with his mum but for now i'll cherish whatever comes my way :O)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-63652915457794873602010-01-28T08:40:00.004+11:002010-01-28T08:56:12.049+11:00Need some retail therapy ???Here's a peak at some yummy things to tickle your taste buds ....<br /><br />Lots of cute <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=185">MAYA ROAD</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgS1E4PsIHr37p0_OAVqSzj8_D2enHn-sGeo31O4_BfZbu_bYXN5Z2snG4PTeTYDe0hVPBZZ8nQHwq_jpz6QpRofB8BZ7Z5uJB0wLYZghjvXOjT1UfJOQmyrH7Qu6ERbmEJ7Eh/s1600-h/Maya+Rd.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgS1E4PsIHr37p0_OAVqSzj8_D2enHn-sGeo31O4_BfZbu_bYXN5Z2snG4PTeTYDe0hVPBZZ8nQHwq_jpz6QpRofB8BZ7Z5uJB0wLYZghjvXOjT1UfJOQmyrH7Qu6ERbmEJ7Eh/s400/Maya+Rd.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431538487073550242" /></a><br /><br /><br />Spunky <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=187">GENERATION Z</a> from LYB<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fsKZS9MWptsu9l1C7wdQITkpV5DDdUtRVakObr46uTT9i9rgU9ho7kt13Hvt3fD1bZtl9CLqUg0_BjTkjfyDFpoAfmvBksCDJcAXh7pDGfiodYOlSKveDFFjmP4T8-W5AsOj/s1600-h/LYB.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 329px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fsKZS9MWptsu9l1C7wdQITkpV5DDdUtRVakObr46uTT9i9rgU9ho7kt13Hvt3fD1bZtl9CLqUg0_BjTkjfyDFpoAfmvBksCDJcAXh7pDGfiodYOlSKveDFFjmP4T8-W5AsOj/s400/LYB.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431538632363329970" /></a><br /><br /><br />and the always gorgeous <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=186">PRIMA</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITIWDFbOIFbnkblF7MIQHF3HGXKxpR1c8EZO8JqF5SBDmO2K2DwgmtSZHcyVQit1Kj7jv00fmpoyga1YrmV1BnTSsM45VHqv3XgO6pePq73b6gwGd9V8qQfhPwuUm2-a2oYy-/s1600-h/Prima.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 390px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITIWDFbOIFbnkblF7MIQHF3HGXKxpR1c8EZO8JqF5SBDmO2K2DwgmtSZHcyVQit1Kj7jv00fmpoyga1YrmV1BnTSsM45VHqv3XgO6pePq73b6gwGd9V8qQfhPwuUm2-a2oYy-/s400/Prima.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431538761908641314" /></a><br /><br />Nothing like some new product to get the creative juices flowing!<br /><br />Well, today is the last day of school holidays in our house. We are off to do our traditional 'last day before school' outing .... then back to routine tommorrow!<br /><br />Keep smiling :O)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-5741677930066919422010-01-20T12:25:00.014+11:002010-01-20T13:07:44.068+11:00... so where was i ....Oh yes, more pics and chat about our school holiday activities.<br /><br />Following our fab day at Nelson Bay, the next morning we were up bright and early (well actually, i'm not so sure about the bright, but we were up early LOL!) and headed off to Sydney (for the 2nd Sunday in a row).<br /><br />Every year my sister (Karen) and i ponder over what to give each other's kids for Christmas ... which usually results in just exchanging money in cards .... this year we decided instead of presents/cash we would organise a day out together. <br /><br />So off we went on our little day trip ..... we caught the train, then the ferry to Darling Harbour.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uOKTEdAuc4S_Wv4hlmZ_UxkWY6vgBTCsNWZ64VX5ZhxGTBgi1SvmQjzDxMyWYvMGaqXolrDDtid-vzs1olC1fT07R4SvzhNHYS-Z2spWyQIXG3KCrcpvBPGc-NBRC2fIHosF/s1600-h/Ferry+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uOKTEdAuc4S_Wv4hlmZ_UxkWY6vgBTCsNWZ64VX5ZhxGTBgi1SvmQjzDxMyWYvMGaqXolrDDtid-vzs1olC1fT07R4SvzhNHYS-Z2spWyQIXG3KCrcpvBPGc-NBRC2fIHosF/s400/Ferry+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428628940722891874" /></a><br /><br />The weather was quite warm but certainly not complaining about a gorgeous sunny day on Sydney Harbour!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGXU1Q701oZafuHy5h35KrwliKpD4S1U2ij3JAemS2xAvLwOV9mRDtjtURMDb5DaJ2SIc0OFR0dPhz_LIbbMOdT7Jyzs-Hir3CcU0llI7xIqpew_Y3njWF47O4sguc0NDd1wW/s1600-h/Kids+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGXU1Q701oZafuHy5h35KrwliKpD4S1U2ij3JAemS2xAvLwOV9mRDtjtURMDb5DaJ2SIc0OFR0dPhz_LIbbMOdT7Jyzs-Hir3CcU0llI7xIqpew_Y3njWF47O4sguc0NDd1wW/s400/Kids+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428632791531504674" /></a><br /><br />We visited the Maratime Museum and seen their current special exhibition of Mythical Creatures ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qWTz0zeOBOisDmVqitOD38jiLmpTWAHqS9ejTE0WtpwddqDtNPISYUAfKJuvWofjcSYoBLEG-Dqendx85VSXKeOmFQQziwuU8lAO8-aevrVYS5dxHORfjzHOOeuuzouGpsS3/s1600-h/Blake+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qWTz0zeOBOisDmVqitOD38jiLmpTWAHqS9ejTE0WtpwddqDtNPISYUAfKJuvWofjcSYoBLEG-Dqendx85VSXKeOmFQQziwuU8lAO8-aevrVYS5dxHORfjzHOOeuuzouGpsS3/s400/Blake+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428630541153170882" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tD56IsjkHKKqZb0w8Ci-InGmf9fyOtkTlGRKGSzIWBNUwlcmHMC4D5VXtfnDL3pdb1rwXQxoId0oQRRkY2Fd2GEyDrot0t0cxx3E-PlKhjQutw_BbVbhpp9Zr1KqHvTtC2-b/s1600-h/Museum+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tD56IsjkHKKqZb0w8Ci-InGmf9fyOtkTlGRKGSzIWBNUwlcmHMC4D5VXtfnDL3pdb1rwXQxoId0oQRRkY2Fd2GEyDrot0t0cxx3E-PlKhjQutw_BbVbhpp9Zr1KqHvTtC2-b/s400/Museum+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428630403673467762" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OqIPa8UrCBbDrt0DqMt7Yd9wYWtF_oxdUB9aSSXkcmonjnSelJw0FiuQG7Ef_LV2-ee4y_FwoutJOe-eZFffVhbdHSCIK8-msUT-CWgVDwrYP3BUDuJrjAoPHv0ellSlv7xZ/s1600-h/Museum+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OqIPa8UrCBbDrt0DqMt7Yd9wYWtF_oxdUB9aSSXkcmonjnSelJw0FiuQG7Ef_LV2-ee4y_FwoutJOe-eZFffVhbdHSCIK8-msUT-CWgVDwrYP3BUDuJrjAoPHv0ellSlv7xZ/s400/Museum+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428630226237731906" /></a><br /><br />and then walked through the rest of the musuem which has lots of interesting things<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_-q2TWJWpLGwNXYDfL-9phiVwerYDyOEQhNp38YiRrxOEOth4jy7Mpj8eUict5buZubYe57FVim-B8BmobGuCsRDeVcx3UGGZukOIBfFctawEQrbQoOULK1iq-VDP4utvxNk/s1600-h/Jess+%26+Jacob+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_-q2TWJWpLGwNXYDfL-9phiVwerYDyOEQhNp38YiRrxOEOth4jy7Mpj8eUict5buZubYe57FVim-B8BmobGuCsRDeVcx3UGGZukOIBfFctawEQrbQoOULK1iq-VDP4utvxNk/s400/Jess+%26+Jacob+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428632421768830226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx74Arf8av_bnrVJx5O47iU9-oUw5kOIlyT4FltRfqEia9eYmjrzDJBfN_9jO3h2ZLeTDkk2P_jRA7-qGScVocqCzv_YUgEN36kWVSIO5-ZLzP2XKQu7wEZpDERsvi_Ow-xCP/s1600-h/Blake+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx74Arf8av_bnrVJx5O47iU9-oUw5kOIlyT4FltRfqEia9eYmjrzDJBfN_9jO3h2ZLeTDkk2P_jRA7-qGScVocqCzv_YUgEN36kWVSIO5-ZLzP2XKQu7wEZpDERsvi_Ow-xCP/s400/Blake+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428631857214382210" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOduZ4KRjxJ_MBcxrPMJetEu_Dqan65bUQUqAsbSeF9Jm6bfZaa4erZxwD7lTO6QmxCZW6GTperiYYgR55lZm4tbTvbHcHU508owbvmiKmQ4vAYjZFo1-jou-RH-dI4BGzlE-h/s1600-h/Blake+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOduZ4KRjxJ_MBcxrPMJetEu_Dqan65bUQUqAsbSeF9Jm6bfZaa4erZxwD7lTO6QmxCZW6GTperiYYgR55lZm4tbTvbHcHU508owbvmiKmQ4vAYjZFo1-jou-RH-dI4BGzlE-h/s400/Blake+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428631678657291010" /></a><br /><br />We had lunch and a bit of a wonder around (always so much to see with just the general 'goings on') and a bit photo play at the pier under the bridge (gotta take the opportunity whilst the kids are being co-operative)...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxylve14H9poyMaPBWh4wJgDXPZL0MSOw9KejX-XbfMBW6dPDBrYGBMPX5yR-iQ_H-JnyVYG1DNFkbnG8We6kB4c3PxoGW58-i7LzkjfEPvbJgl3hI-RT_LZp0HeLOiCfFfDC/s1600-h/Kids+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxylve14H9poyMaPBWh4wJgDXPZL0MSOw9KejX-XbfMBW6dPDBrYGBMPX5yR-iQ_H-JnyVYG1DNFkbnG8We6kB4c3PxoGW58-i7LzkjfEPvbJgl3hI-RT_LZp0HeLOiCfFfDC/s400/Kids+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428635361167476466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUfM8o49KpFsEyV_G6nupml_ojrpVUiB1UbkNZLzfKq2SmRYx4UjNFxjLSx3Iq76lFKaSsKrL1NVZMo1Cw8AERe77Z7uYVum_7Yg0TCBL0YOceS-Im3EpIr-sEzds9K_KBruo/s1600-h/Blake+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUfM8o49KpFsEyV_G6nupml_ojrpVUiB1UbkNZLzfKq2SmRYx4UjNFxjLSx3Iq76lFKaSsKrL1NVZMo1Cw8AERe77Z7uYVum_7Yg0TCBL0YOceS-Im3EpIr-sEzds9K_KBruo/s400/Blake+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428634868834878754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_doKBPf8DEb8zEEoo1QpARX1qLBUS-Gq_P5UjBpPqsSR6APf1HJl0gDJoDA8u0RyUQHYqDylo13g-iPfLDkXmH2wdtnZvnMxTBJGrHIwBMhVnPszezX78QVMt946uacVp_ZyC/s1600-h/Jacob.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_doKBPf8DEb8zEEoo1QpARX1qLBUS-Gq_P5UjBpPqsSR6APf1HJl0gDJoDA8u0RyUQHYqDylo13g-iPfLDkXmH2wdtnZvnMxTBJGrHIwBMhVnPszezX78QVMt946uacVp_ZyC/s400/Jacob.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428634730116264002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjao-XvAC7RH94QTk7in_DWvX-C4KLtwohmuFFDSn-rieuTgiUSpBT3pgfsZO5OX_rPhSkSzjP9_E81_2OD49aVRUAdLAk2o28w6kHVyPbSA-FyCwrKJDcdovrPn_phrmMYgSOE/s1600-h/Jess+%26+Jacob.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjao-XvAC7RH94QTk7in_DWvX-C4KLtwohmuFFDSn-rieuTgiUSpBT3pgfsZO5OX_rPhSkSzjP9_E81_2OD49aVRUAdLAk2o28w6kHVyPbSA-FyCwrKJDcdovrPn_phrmMYgSOE/s400/Jess+%26+Jacob.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428634572675224610" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByTEc4z35u254wwOKrNId-EVR7ItoRvSaQ78M-mcmpizevoBDho6RYj62_oinsIyIpNqissEn8knL553stTr99pdHr-Jv7zpw05H1wsIZLihsNEAxIf18NEUmF7jWLRQbXgMs/s1600-h/Blake+%26+Jess.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByTEc4z35u254wwOKrNId-EVR7ItoRvSaQ78M-mcmpizevoBDho6RYj62_oinsIyIpNqissEn8knL553stTr99pdHr-Jv7zpw05H1wsIZLihsNEAxIf18NEUmF7jWLRQbXgMs/s400/Blake+%26+Jess.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428634396870470354" /></a><br /><br />We spent the afternoon at Wildlife World. I love the butterfly enclosure there .... twice butterflies landed on the kids but i wasn't quick enough with the camer :O(<br /><br />But the taking this photo in the spider section was a bit of fun !<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7f-LuUxa5WMIj6esdbn1nW-aleapD2WEXgBPkujjmHWzaxj96laVKjsJhMC37LXz9wZx6Yn66gYv4D4aBVYGM4_JkK-DUPVYbQuiFZWmoww6Tk4cUiFrPU4XX4eKRESPh5zt/s1600-h/Kids+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7f-LuUxa5WMIj6esdbn1nW-aleapD2WEXgBPkujjmHWzaxj96laVKjsJhMC37LXz9wZx6Yn66gYv4D4aBVYGM4_JkK-DUPVYbQuiFZWmoww6Tk4cUiFrPU4XX4eKRESPh5zt/s400/Kids+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428635651532463138" /></a><br /><br />What a great day ..... i love visiting Sydney!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzLk5AkiuDHwfIjshua2x6Gvn75UxtF2U2It51cBMGey-dOEZuq982J6GAyVMNG0buVSqOC8XHieiV7DhsgTjJIMp4vh5ioYUPQbRAFGjEOnMaUzdNNRSWmHPTs-b2Ajbj1Xw/s1600-h/Kids+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzLk5AkiuDHwfIjshua2x6Gvn75UxtF2U2It51cBMGey-dOEZuq982J6GAyVMNG0buVSqOC8XHieiV7DhsgTjJIMp4vh5ioYUPQbRAFGjEOnMaUzdNNRSWmHPTs-b2Ajbj1Xw/s400/Kids+3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428628503763271186" /></a><br /><br /><br />Needless to say after a big day/weekend and long train ride home we fell into bed and slept like logs!!<br /><br />Hope everyone is enjoying their school hols ... can't believe we only have a little over 1 week left [eeeek]! All the school shopping (uniforms, shoes, stationery etc etc etc is all done ..... now just to squeeze the last bit of holiday mode out of the next few days before the routine starts again for another year!<br /><br />Keep smiling :O)<br /><br />Julie xJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-18167769329537706092010-01-12T09:13:00.006+11:002010-01-12T09:35:17.633+11:00SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN !We have been busily enjoying the school holidays and lots of day trip activities.<br /><br />Saturday with other friends/families we headed up to Nelson Bay. Firstly in the morning the kids and a few dads had a session of <a href="http://www.battlezoneplaylive.com.au">Battlezone Playlive</a> laser skirmish. We have done this before (including Blake's birthday party last year) as they hold sessions at Maitland Gaol ... the kids (and big kids) love it !<br /><br />Here is a pic of the group "hoo haaing" their chant before they set of into the bush for battle !<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yqhrFszSf-DvlCrYvyvNvjUrEv_r0JWP1MvRr0oOq_agfIDXv3b-JitX9o13Mj_V8L_dy631q7wZyEfzmAG2nxITChusvXeg1iROAcfodwscBqA8nYYFXsm_w4SuZqXy_5ux/s1600-h/Group+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yqhrFszSf-DvlCrYvyvNvjUrEv_r0JWP1MvRr0oOq_agfIDXv3b-JitX9o13Mj_V8L_dy631q7wZyEfzmAG2nxITChusvXeg1iROAcfodwscBqA8nYYFXsm_w4SuZqXy_5ux/s400/Group+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425610808767089330" /></a><br /><br />and the troups are off ...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh6YgVLiRL9ChscfmTzSJ9BsqaXP6wnkhXQsVmXY2IaDZOTWDJ3qGeXZ0N19nT3eRijcHGIKp3DxDgg56DHgGSywrzGMwbisA6bGUE4ZnMnfq-qdXwhrC_KqXl-4xWYr7wGhW/s1600-h/Group+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh6YgVLiRL9ChscfmTzSJ9BsqaXP6wnkhXQsVmXY2IaDZOTWDJ3qGeXZ0N19nT3eRijcHGIKp3DxDgg56DHgGSywrzGMwbisA6bGUE4ZnMnfq-qdXwhrC_KqXl-4xWYr7wGhW/s400/Group+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425611731653228738" /></a><br /><br />Ready for action ...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFcSnIFjKSV249W6IxyTZ62gypyvAbwZADFE2o-fzkk1GBSNL-sMQ4QwCWvnwreyNR_LhMaB0ZPP5WlygjgFvSTAOcoaUXBEEhm3v1scPqjGjj41k187A6peMRakFZvKzoWof/s1600-h/Blake+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFcSnIFjKSV249W6IxyTZ62gypyvAbwZADFE2o-fzkk1GBSNL-sMQ4QwCWvnwreyNR_LhMaB0ZPP5WlygjgFvSTAOcoaUXBEEhm3v1scPqjGjj41k187A6peMRakFZvKzoWof/s400/Blake+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425611566205016354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQi6CWewhluIXb3bJgKUdesHuCzVlgr7xmK-qe50kqxvqVC8jmYO0sFr5IvwFeqVa8CwIzERzaCizpJy7pQQsO5YKZ4aP2nlV4GPaV6Ejp-xTwh2JKdaw2L-x_Zr5UkzidvcC/s1600-h/Mark+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQi6CWewhluIXb3bJgKUdesHuCzVlgr7xmK-qe50kqxvqVC8jmYO0sFr5IvwFeqVa8CwIzERzaCizpJy7pQQsO5YKZ4aP2nlV4GPaV6Ejp-xTwh2JKdaw2L-x_Zr5UkzidvcC/s400/Mark+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425611382493153858" /></a><br /><br />After a couple of hours in the bush we then ventured into the bay and where a lovely shaded table beside the bbq was waiting for us and we spent the day (& early evening) by the waterfront. Lots of eating, drinking, swimming & relaxation ... perfect!!<br /><br />The kids spent the whole day doing this ...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYmWrbLmM6aMfLt138t-gfwzX9xmKjn390p300R0gy3U-npn6vWNMSoho1C8L9VivFoMXAhqZ50f7JjyXtFekwSne5Xyf4dTo-cei2L__MA0monFRhqVvCz30adBYtie2Br87/s1600-h/View+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYmWrbLmM6aMfLt138t-gfwzX9xmKjn390p300R0gy3U-npn6vWNMSoho1C8L9VivFoMXAhqZ50f7JjyXtFekwSne5Xyf4dTo-cei2L__MA0monFRhqVvCz30adBYtie2Br87/s400/View+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425613388124433170" /></a><br /><br />Sunday we were up bright and early and out for another full day of fun and adventure .... will be back soon to share some more pics!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Julie :O)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-5105133372979245342010-01-07T13:18:00.002+11:002010-01-07T13:22:41.336+11:00GOTTA LOVE A BARGAIN<strong> </strong>.... nothing like some bargain shopping to kickstart your scrapbooking in 2010 ... <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">40% OFF</span></strong> ... take a look <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/">HERE</a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-72578321717434394462010-01-06T22:43:00.005+11:002010-01-06T22:53:21.610+11:00GETTING ORGANISED ....Today Blake and i spent the day out shopping for 'back to school' .... all done and ready to return for Year 8.<br /><br />We had planned to have brekkie at one of the cafes by the lake but left home a little later than originally planned so we done brunch instead ..... i love little outings like this with my boy. Have to make to most of it .... i know that the time will come when he busy hanging out with young girls not his dear old mum !! LOL!<br /><br />I have done no scrapping over my Xmas/New Year break .... i really want to but just seemed to be busy doing nothing in particular and just didn't get into it.<br /><br />Here are a couple of simple layouts i done before Christmas (sorry 'bout the poor photography) ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniDZlBu79gZgYCecAF_D-cPYITEe7gVbmbGR-0wJtXEy-B7LkkER74f9d3z-nPC12TJ1Alb9_P1fbn0mOu70-ile5Z7gBLL_ISsmnxn_62NKNwQ7UpJtB8m2r0rdOXxkggoOX/s1600-h/Bloom+WL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniDZlBu79gZgYCecAF_D-cPYITEe7gVbmbGR-0wJtXEy-B7LkkER74f9d3z-nPC12TJ1Alb9_P1fbn0mOu70-ile5Z7gBLL_ISsmnxn_62NKNwQ7UpJtB8m2r0rdOXxkggoOX/s400/Bloom+WL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423592821780369250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG_hqTnEFZ5tP-ZBgJRQaFK0zZAkBbjPR7p-lcqEozCkvw_PloCXM7JlNEl_LNA4YbCHx22zgowRJ0hlOvmGuBY0OP9S1ZUetdoMXAqtJoJ0oMPiLeNT8f6A_ctFx_l82PiCY/s1600-h/Outdoors+WS.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 354px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG_hqTnEFZ5tP-ZBgJRQaFK0zZAkBbjPR7p-lcqEozCkvw_PloCXM7JlNEl_LNA4YbCHx22zgowRJ0hlOvmGuBY0OP9S1ZUetdoMXAqtJoJ0oMPiLeNT8f6A_ctFx_l82PiCY/s400/Outdoors+WS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423592718496644626" /></a><br /><br />Hopefully i'll get motivated and have more to share soon (or find some others in my stash that i haven't shared yet) <em>he he </em> !!<br /><br />Enjoy the rest of your week !!<br /><br />Julie :O)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-82444537603746812342010-01-03T20:58:00.005+11:002010-01-03T21:10:57.271+11:00A Day trip to Sydney ...Happy New Year to everyone .... <br /><br />We had a very quite New Year's this year .... just a bbq tea with Mum & Dad and watching the clock 'til midnight to welcome 2010 before climbing into bed .... very uneventful but quite enjoyed it that way!!<br /><br />Today we were up nice and early, on the train and down to Sydney/Darling Harbour for the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYj1sCn16jIbfbTfeRsseHgCcADiLaOEzkjGM2EQOfccu54vA3B9TyFk4PrUXHp1xSRgg4l7JDCdb3aAdIa4Jc7Ef9u-C4cDZjLYTmm0mMM7iDe6CM62dJc6IMNehEesOBs9F/s1600-h/Darling+Harbour+WL.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYj1sCn16jIbfbTfeRsseHgCcADiLaOEzkjGM2EQOfccu54vA3B9TyFk4PrUXHp1xSRgg4l7JDCdb3aAdIa4Jc7Ef9u-C4cDZjLYTmm0mMM7iDe6CM62dJc6IMNehEesOBs9F/s400/Darling+Harbour+WL.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422452057754427458" /></a><br /><br />The weather was very ordinary but the rain pretty well held off and certainly didn't spoil our day; however, i didn't really get the chance to play with my new toy (camera) as much as i would have liked :O(<br /><br />We went to the Imax Theatre and seen this in 3D:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PkYf_VPdY3Oyaq4mePz_edKC7-MN0jvZOHH31WhHhwtTbcx1e5TOryp9Sv9OqNsL4jPmHVa1HDXKYnWJjMmog0QqSyBOrQbhRGPhFSVIw3TFHC4v9Fg3Kpn8w35vHmizDGq1/s1600-h/2009_avatar_009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PkYf_VPdY3Oyaq4mePz_edKC7-MN0jvZOHH31WhHhwtTbcx1e5TOryp9Sv9OqNsL4jPmHVa1HDXKYnWJjMmog0QqSyBOrQbhRGPhFSVIw3TFHC4v9Fg3Kpn8w35vHmizDGq1/s400/2009_avatar_009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422452477608343202" /></a><br /><br />AVATAR .... this is actually the 2nd time we have seen it but Blake was quite enthralled and given the amazing special effects & cinematography we figured seeing it at the Imax would be a real hit! We went with other family friends .... the boys just loved it. Blake advised on the way home he would like to go and see it again ..... i think twice is suffice but will definately get the DVD for him when it is released.<br /><br />Back to Work tommorrow [sigh] ... back to reality.<br /><br />Never mind, it has to happen 'sooner or later' .... although i will be having a few days off "here & there" over the school holidays and hoping the have the last week off.<br /><br />Hope everyone had a great weekend.<br /><br />Keep smiling :O)<br /><br />Julie xJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-52162359067893075602009-12-27T21:06:00.005+11:002009-12-27T21:26:38.030+11:00Better update before next year ....I can't believe how quickly the time passes ..... i'm always popping in to read everyone elses blog but rarely sit and take the time to update my own ... i really hope to improve this for 2010.<br /><br />Although .... i did try and update back in Nov and blogger wouldn't co-operate, so in the end i just gave up.<br /><br />I'll catch up in point form.<br /><br />* Went to a concert in the vineyards with friends, atmasphere and company was fab but the main act (band) was very ordinary. At least the weather was kind and wasn't too hot.<br />* Had a wonderful weekend away with the girls at the <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au">Scrapbook'n'bits</a> Retreat. Here is a pic of the layouts we created in my workshop.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw0khgoDnSBNFHjrL5P-nT3SctJlD_XVpZEMxiCkhZL5z_kf4k2SbAusLg_8ng5laKhwjkdIPhKWCGYCRYmlf25FmBuoLktpBGDIxg_6GX7GoPSM4PWjjH-C807WyBvou2GSG/s1600-h/Full+LO+WL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw0khgoDnSBNFHjrL5P-nT3SctJlD_XVpZEMxiCkhZL5z_kf4k2SbAusLg_8ng5laKhwjkdIPhKWCGYCRYmlf25FmBuoLktpBGDIxg_6GX7GoPSM4PWjjH-C807WyBvou2GSG/s400/Full+LO+WL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419857021452271122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzKMwMFFjyEDjhPHQVOpydusAccQQHfR3bWadmUn13Eyzb-Ekl3GePH6WFtyzhse8CCgXXZjohlBmjbz-k1pTUdV8uRwM-e0njM6B8mQwGPh5gMnTR1xOCKLTNBKOj3vRNMip/s1600-h/Memories+Full+LO+WL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 393px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzKMwMFFjyEDjhPHQVOpydusAccQQHfR3bWadmUn13Eyzb-Ekl3GePH6WFtyzhse8CCgXXZjohlBmjbz-k1pTUdV8uRwM-e0njM6B8mQwGPh5gMnTR1xOCKLTNBKOj3vRNMip/s400/Memories+Full+LO+WL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419856859008778162" /></a><br /><br />* We attended a few parties in Dec for a 50th Wedding Anniversary & a 40th .... at both we caught up with old friends we haven't seen for quite a few years. Always great to catch up! 2010 will see lots of 40th birthday parties amongst our friends (but not me .... i have a little longer to go <em>he he </em>) .... that will mean seeing lots of old friends and reminiscing!<br /><br />* DH started a new job .... we are really happy with him being fortunate to get this opportunity .... now just to re-adjust to new rosters etc. It's all good!<br /><br />* Blake finished his first year of high school .... hard to believe [sigh]. We attended his end of year awards ceremony and were very thrilled that he received 4 awards (3 being subject scholastic awards for being in top 5% of his year) ... very proud!<br /><br />* Lots of Christmas Cheer and parties throughout December .... although i whinge about being so rediculously busy etc .... i really do love Christmas.<br /><br />.... and then it was CHRISTMAS ....<br /><br />We were all very spoilt and had a lovely day. Just hard to believe it is all over in the blink of an eye and another year rolls on.<br /><br />I will share some photos soon (taken with my new Xmas present camera [wink]) ...<br /><br />Well, here's hoping this post will upload (not like the last one).<br /><br />Last but not least ..... to my beautiful niece (in the top LO above) .... sending birthday wishes for yesterday (26th Dec) ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ! xx<br /><br />Have a great new year's everyone. I hope 2010 brings you a year of happiness, good health and all your dreams come true :O)<br /><br />Julie xxJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-55579033984229745002009-10-30T01:17:00.003+11:002009-10-30T01:26:56.294+11:00Time for some Summer scrapp'n !!<div align="center">The weather is heating up and we're in the mood for some<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/forum/viewforum.php?f=69&sid=f6fd17b87f8ba69822c4a6c3548e9090"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><strong>SUMMER SCRAPP'N</strong></span> ...<br /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>COME & JOIN US <span style="font-size:180%;">!</span></strong></span><br /></span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdKh8jfvVfbshgcf2LeHKow4X-KNdl4nvRsoYOLtjGh05xoF5qQo2DfrcKW-ftEIwzzeHziIlxehfmnYCodLl4rbYJtF7Eo7-zVrFHHtUVLBAwPyBQmjXl-N0FvKNNcHmoSR0/s1600-h/Cybercrop+Spring+into+Summer+wl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398026890763586274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdKh8jfvVfbshgcf2LeHKow4X-KNdl4nvRsoYOLtjGh05xoF5qQo2DfrcKW-ftEIwzzeHziIlxehfmnYCodLl4rbYJtF7Eo7-zVrFHHtUVLBAwPyBQmjXl-N0FvKNNcHmoSR0/s400/Cybercrop+Spring+into+Summer+wl.jpg" border="0" /></a>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-6000227031987563522009-10-24T22:32:00.011+11:002009-10-24T23:24:19.187+11:00Runnin' up that hill ....<span style="font-family:arial;">We are back into the school routine for the last term ... wow, Blake's first year of high school is almost over .... he'll be borrowing the keys to the car before we know it!! [screech] Now, that's a scary thought !!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The two weeks of school holidays were a lovely break from routine; however, my work schedule was more hectic than ever and my grand plan of having the first week off (DH had a week off also) so we could duck away in the van for a week sadly never came to fruitition [sigh] ... in fact i barely spent time at home and my days stretched out to near 12 hour days.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Not to worry .... i did manage 2 days off in the 2nd week and we spent time up at Nelson Bay. Such a gorgeous place ... only an hour from home but always feels like another world away!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Whilst there we went to the new <a href="http://www.ozsharkandray.com.au/">'Shark & Stingray Centre'</a> ... what an awesome place. You can feed the sharks & stingrays from the side of the large pool or you can get in with them!! Yep, right in the thick of it all .... which is exactly what my guys did!!</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">You have a choice of wearing waders or a wet suit .... my guys chose to wear the waders over their clothes .... very attractive LOL!</span>
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<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8w2y2JbAXfJ6-GvjLk_Ap8HEEpX6ZpMcgoMIT1_FEaoEK9akw8DE4VGjm7r5wcnM2ZZTWYDHZlLHpeXAt8N9CdnubZvkORdXkKpc6nQ5qTyVUgRCw4uI7j-XDMhY0BJIjNR6/s1600-h/Mark+%26+Blake+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396133365390724866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8w2y2JbAXfJ6-GvjLk_Ap8HEEpX6ZpMcgoMIT1_FEaoEK9akw8DE4VGjm7r5wcnM2ZZTWYDHZlLHpeXAt8N9CdnubZvkORdXkKpc6nQ5qTyVUgRCw4uI7j-XDMhY0BJIjNR6/s400/Mark+%26+Blake+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Then it was into the water ..... (i probably should have mentioned that the stingrays are "de-barbed" so no danger apparently) ... </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">oh, and the sticks you can see in the photos are to feed them .... not to fend them off !! LOL !!
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKjjHTA1dV3-jLREkprsFNUx9t6rpGyxw-eMdEuUnhNZTjvi92f3mxcHHRUT-06lG9gjBf3JHX9b8hmrE1VboCoJfIodJ5R8k5JyU8hgpwqAdn4eWP7RdJ5XJPXWWEfN7wXUs/s1600-h/Mark+%26+Blake+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396134679247254658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKjjHTA1dV3-jLREkprsFNUx9t6rpGyxw-eMdEuUnhNZTjvi92f3mxcHHRUT-06lG9gjBf3JHX9b8hmrE1VboCoJfIodJ5R8k5JyU8hgpwqAdn4eWP7RdJ5XJPXWWEfN7wXUs/s400/Mark+%26+Blake+3.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLfFSGkSxH2NGBy59Tp45IWKhRPoRekCemI0qvuolSZ3q5BI4-vDIuP-SFTaEcmPLovIQupvpOMKpJ2yuUvtfjQOdKKMYA9W8VE5RTOm9hi0FCL0rGZyLENPEwF60MBFDS0IS/s1600-h/Blake+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396134542161439298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 376px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 336px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLfFSGkSxH2NGBy59Tp45IWKhRPoRekCemI0qvuolSZ3q5BI4-vDIuP-SFTaEcmPLovIQupvpOMKpJ2yuUvtfjQOdKKMYA9W8VE5RTOm9hi0FCL0rGZyLENPEwF60MBFDS0IS/s400/Blake+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpagdjVTZLFFbFz34tL_y9uHpQeGyCy29ApsXVYHPNZ6ZTbyYrcTKHr4fVrwJqVxgh_R8kb54u0c5bUFssCR631CgmOU2UclaosTdYIshcX_wX4Dp03ktVMFR3hE_FYLQyA-1/s1600-h/Blake+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396134430448066722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpagdjVTZLFFbFz34tL_y9uHpQeGyCy29ApsXVYHPNZ6ZTbyYrcTKHr4fVrwJqVxgh_R8kb54u0c5bUFssCR631CgmOU2UclaosTdYIshcX_wX4Dp03ktVMFR3hE_FYLQyA-1/s400/Blake+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrePEzHAxOus3OIyr6bEDiHcdfPWZp6DYfnwQmgAeFr8xPeasVoOjPUK8zeZHAgGYtDJfmfZy_MbujuezseLezegm8f33DKMpJ2k1wh6b4BgnvIGgK0RpZc5IGDVX-6x8fZrN/s1600-h/Mark+%26+Blake+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396134276604019394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrePEzHAxOus3OIyr6bEDiHcdfPWZp6DYfnwQmgAeFr8xPeasVoOjPUK8zeZHAgGYtDJfmfZy_MbujuezseLezegm8f33DKMpJ2k1wh6b4BgnvIGgK0RpZc5IGDVX-6x8fZrN/s400/Mark+%26+Blake+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Then there was this rather large lady ... the photos really don't justify her size .... she was huge ... but harmless apparently ....</span></p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><p>
<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG-0F3VtN6EWAR9d0ni-hQEyngOg8jLjl6jx8s_KhVXAJXZa1PYPVacLn2B8mz5N4o77LQTpzlCG_bhbMNBLYv3MyIE1l1SXk4YYpjvssfLnNIYwq95sE5HD6A0-oSv6ojJMr/s1600-h/Blake+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396135464503593266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSG-0F3VtN6EWAR9d0ni-hQEyngOg8jLjl6jx8s_KhVXAJXZa1PYPVacLn2B8mz5N4o77LQTpzlCG_bhbMNBLYv3MyIE1l1SXk4YYpjvssfLnNIYwq95sE5HD6A0-oSv6ojJMr/s400/Blake+3.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">and i just had to include this next photo <em>he he</em> cause if you didn't know any better, you'd think Blake was about to be eaten !!!</span>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Tu7226hJLhDQDN1oMMa1sm1LVnmcx6CQeNCfg-HC6aDOwNI3T8uX91yBKomxvcmqHGh9EMXwFYPtt4NRzjPojfsqBOfZiPcS-7g_uhEcL_EW86ZS5WYVajDhMCOWjWtfl33Y/s1600-h/Blake+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396135335465014722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Tu7226hJLhDQDN1oMMa1sm1LVnmcx6CQeNCfg-HC6aDOwNI3T8uX91yBKomxvcmqHGh9EMXwFYPtt4NRzjPojfsqBOfZiPcS-7g_uhEcL_EW86ZS5WYVajDhMCOWjWtfl33Y/s400/Blake+4.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">It truly was a great experience ... my guys just loved it but next time plan to wear a wet suit so they can get a little more "up close & personal" ..... i think i'll volunteer for camera duty again LOL!</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;">The weather has really started to warm up this week and whilst i am not a fan of hot weather i do love long pleasant afternoons.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">On Thursday afternoon we headed to the waterfront and enjoyed some fish & chips for tea. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396138381426294658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWxpOdXJpidmoGq-ptRUfVpzBv4JRSy8ChwcWF790FJ82cihxqwmHbEm44Yt5sZnGm43-uQJgQnVkqemlpsvFCFZOTI8mC3pTqiqNFzx9b4kGKvCEMeabMLrGrsgbfunigkJ-/s400/Pic+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">The boys kicked the ball around the park for a while and as the sun went down it was time for home.</span>
<br />
<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpu9URt1f-MbdKKf3AekAlyGka8nC2Whzmjh3aMxDKkoH_MwFED0HuXsKXx8z7ot7YcmjbOR-S_xrWGngiqcm1FHGnUssyVXkENCpq1ndGDxVrlY9L-2mTyV2ICEC1BCco7Y7z/s1600-h/Pic+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396139006193903714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpu9URt1f-MbdKKf3AekAlyGka8nC2Whzmjh3aMxDKkoH_MwFED0HuXsKXx8z7ot7YcmjbOR-S_xrWGngiqcm1FHGnUssyVXkENCpq1ndGDxVrlY9L-2mTyV2ICEC1BCco7Y7z/s400/Pic+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-family:arial;">We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place!</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">and before i go ... just a quick reminisce .... this weekend 12 months ago we arrived home from our holiday in America .... wow, there's that 'time flying by' thing again!!</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">This weekend is very laid back with no plans & nowhere we need to be ... hope you are enjoying your weekend too!!</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Keep smiling :O)</span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span>
<br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">JULIE x</span>
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-50126045921351284302009-09-30T21:09:00.012+10:002009-09-30T22:08:55.017+10:00... and 3 months laterWOW .... i can't believe it has been almost 3 months since i updated. Where has the time gone? Why does it feel like it is getting faster? Why do i feel like each week is geting busier? Actually .... crazy busy??!<br /><br />I've even had to grab my diary so i can recap ...<br /><br />Rewind to July ...<br /><br />Just after my last post we jumped on a plane (my sister & I and the kids) and flew up to QLD to meet up with Mum & Dad (who had been away travelling for some months) and we all spent a week together at Bribie Island. What a lovely place. Our units were fab and great position ... at the end of the main street and opposite the pier/waterfront ... Gorgeous!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b5yKgEw0jgP0tX_76KouVMZ_z28ELHhgGhYj3vHt6Z2hrZ9glmkVNV5zwGmz3ImQcTXhXc7FOIoeOyFRfhiRHVAlwlcvhgvfMFAONXYxdTCgEQo-VcVGhxvrH6D1qmapHVol/s1600-h/Bribie+Island+1+Web+Sml.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387218794680849458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b5yKgEw0jgP0tX_76KouVMZ_z28ELHhgGhYj3vHt6Z2hrZ9glmkVNV5zwGmz3ImQcTXhXc7FOIoeOyFRfhiRHVAlwlcvhgvfMFAONXYxdTCgEQo-VcVGhxvrH6D1qmapHVol/s400/Bribie+Island+1+Web+Sml.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmupOZA4mHel5q79TV40aqbjbtN1jxJOOue7zeU6XMQUPkEt61F4kpbUHEtHQDEOxpn7FVgp2FTyjCNXHH__12e9y8OEfp3Jk7cQEvEuIhsqNmn9JcTngK4mK3u92thSSIjLX6/s1600-h/Blake+1+Web+Sml.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387218657727707234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmupOZA4mHel5q79TV40aqbjbtN1jxJOOue7zeU6XMQUPkEt61F4kpbUHEtHQDEOxpn7FVgp2FTyjCNXHH__12e9y8OEfp3Jk7cQEvEuIhsqNmn9JcTngK4mK3u92thSSIjLX6/s400/Blake+1+Web+Sml.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We had a few days enjoying Bribie and a few days of outings. One outing was to Eumundi Markets and the Ginger Factory at Buderim (which now also incorporates the Super Bee). It was very interesting finding out about all sorts of things to do with ginger, the bee information session and the honey tasting. They also have an attraction called "Overboard" which is a boat ride through an animated 'Gingerbread Man' adventure ... too cute!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzvCZ7NWFhO67OLsZE-1WZJ67heJ6eX4rBlnK5jiylfY-Wxa7JCGfLDHt3gdGqRigwMt8sRJm8rpcd1BhdqNYJ_MJp2tMtfC6dxbNj_QV3nSH4Waa79SxmMrJMujpjdzdVcjn/s1600-h/Blake+2+Web+Sml.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387221741805843394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzvCZ7NWFhO67OLsZE-1WZJ67heJ6eX4rBlnK5jiylfY-Wxa7JCGfLDHt3gdGqRigwMt8sRJm8rpcd1BhdqNYJ_MJp2tMtfC6dxbNj_QV3nSH4Waa79SxmMrJMujpjdzdVcjn/s400/Blake+2+Web+Sml.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo46dQsDj7bu4LeOZXIEt4JDp_dX7XQS0jmMJdDZilmCufp5Jy8dfDn7aY4aj2C50wPuvBAlxTvT9MOGS5kUOCV8MZ3wLN1pc864eaYbVU1l0DLiL48eT2CBlBw_-Nr0MQ5-m/s1600-h/Overboard+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387221628394315058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAo46dQsDj7bu4LeOZXIEt4JDp_dX7XQS0jmMJdDZilmCufp5Jy8dfDn7aY4aj2C50wPuvBAlxTvT9MOGS5kUOCV8MZ3wLN1pc864eaYbVU1l0DLiL48eT2CBlBw_-Nr0MQ5-m/s400/Overboard+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDkrNf5-Ij71LZbDjat2TWHM5mGzay0ZS6DiCPDCQmMAwYVBYFlZyonMuwK0WG6k5xr_Y_sZK1sA9mQU8OHOb3tt6-et3w9kjn1ZkDMiTw9d550SZab_3r_IOFLRAE4J3DBnv/s1600-h/Overboard+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387220620657815010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDkrNf5-Ij71LZbDjat2TWHM5mGzay0ZS6DiCPDCQmMAwYVBYFlZyonMuwK0WG6k5xr_Y_sZK1sA9mQU8OHOb3tt6-et3w9kjn1ZkDMiTw9d550SZab_3r_IOFLRAE4J3DBnv/s400/Overboard+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBJ3jv0MxiU8vS1LaVqNiOgw8WdshhMnMZOSIjQ01Qe9FXF_-YsGxnzkU1vNnKgSgl19hVEVlOyXBGd697XKIlEHxiwdcoaHuNNWMzPgpt-qLA26aVK0RCaDQb0TNDeCPyELJ/s1600-h/Overboard+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387220510814713986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBJ3jv0MxiU8vS1LaVqNiOgw8WdshhMnMZOSIjQ01Qe9FXF_-YsGxnzkU1vNnKgSgl19hVEVlOyXBGd697XKIlEHxiwdcoaHuNNWMzPgpt-qLA26aVK0RCaDQb0TNDeCPyELJ/s400/Overboard+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Upon returning home we 'hit the ground running' as August flew by with work, school excursions, hosting a trivia night for the local pre-school, and organising for our annual snow trip.<br /><br />Our week in the snow was once again a fantastic time with 10 other families ... yep 40 of us !<br /><br />Our first day on the snow was a bit of a shock to the system with almost "white-out" conditions ....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO6X4lfoaeCC7ahN7P3bNQ6tTjtDgTy_NRCcfKD-9PZdpixYv_NYqPjqPrmkg83QOi_m19iuhsZ8XwqFPCVRhGiS46a_dYK72cXABtuc9BRpiPM8FYns7fFOmF9nK0qYHI9Wu/s1600-h/Web+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387223762537950114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO6X4lfoaeCC7ahN7P3bNQ6tTjtDgTy_NRCcfKD-9PZdpixYv_NYqPjqPrmkg83QOi_m19iuhsZ8XwqFPCVRhGiS46a_dYK72cXABtuc9BRpiPM8FYns7fFOmF9nK0qYHI9Wu/s400/Web+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7NHes8lyENRcvADUUlvKQrmK2uMY4YwpYHCCe5miJxe4acDQjUHFD5ITgklLE88liSOHhp1w-R1HcOuXo_O8bPT_sEScc8ojynUpvCL2EeNs_0WpjFuBUztSFPcM_Q0nv6bb/s1600-h/Web+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387223675570803218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7NHes8lyENRcvADUUlvKQrmK2uMY4YwpYHCCe5miJxe4acDQjUHFD5ITgklLE88liSOHhp1w-R1HcOuXo_O8bPT_sEScc8ojynUpvCL2EeNs_0WpjFuBUztSFPcM_Q0nv6bb/s400/Web+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8XydzP2yTukHKcbyuQBnXO8WfefC7qqws3gcK3Oj3-MpmG48GYg3eFflMWfRSxGP1Ti5VDnRpqw7Oj26IX_rZ1rdH1IpvoAWrA2Bb1LNl2Ba-BocaQznentnorgXrAFBkBKw/s1600-h/Web+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387223548475052354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8XydzP2yTukHKcbyuQBnXO8WfefC7qqws3gcK3Oj3-MpmG48GYg3eFflMWfRSxGP1Ti5VDnRpqw7Oj26IX_rZ1rdH1IpvoAWrA2Bb1LNl2Ba-BocaQznentnorgXrAFBkBKw/s400/Web+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This certainly didn't stop everyone having a great time and the kids were super enthusiastic and energetic as usual. Blake learnt to snowboard this year and joined in on the action with DH!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxrIJztfr8Dzd9XriLgatGqMi9CNz-2T2WVOtSMhEYgehcPCGw5tkvg3K3lkuKRD_u7lUk7vwPutoPeLMqomPJ6rT_qmQAPtJMvW0V8cxrVED7CFGkVklAMSJ1HloPl11B3oS/s1600-h/Web+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387224735612909650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxrIJztfr8Dzd9XriLgatGqMi9CNz-2T2WVOtSMhEYgehcPCGw5tkvg3K3lkuKRD_u7lUk7vwPutoPeLMqomPJ6rT_qmQAPtJMvW0V8cxrVED7CFGkVklAMSJ1HloPl11B3oS/s400/Web+5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After the first day the weather turned glorious .... beautiful clear skies, perfect snow weather (minus the snow IYKWIM .... LOL!!).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEzbxbd7ypR7omrK98j1k4CuqLbyArmPDGrhKXgmq5fnDjMtdvWMYCemHlisSHmNdPjfoTAx1Cm4akARnXY9q-_yltc1IGa3_ONAGRrCwNI-xrTrGQ0NIBjUXElkKgpgBsvbx/s1600-h/Web+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387225253578118370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEzbxbd7ypR7omrK98j1k4CuqLbyArmPDGrhKXgmq5fnDjMtdvWMYCemHlisSHmNdPjfoTAx1Cm4akARnXY9q-_yltc1IGa3_ONAGRrCwNI-xrTrGQ0NIBjUXElkKgpgBsvbx/s400/Web+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We came home from the snow and barely had time catch-up on everything, unpacked, washed and re-packed and headed off to Gloucester for a 3 day weekend. DH competed in an adventure race thing whilst i spent a few days relaxing. Although it was hectic going away again in such a short time, it was lovely to get away in our van as we hadn't used it for 18 months .... that's that 'time flying by' thing that i mentioned earlier!! I took my camera away but took not one photo [shock horror] ... i simply couldn't be bothered!<br /><br />Since then we have had one other night away, i have hosted another Trivia Night, work has been busy busy, and everything else has been the usual hectic routine ..... i am soooo looking forward the the upcoming long weekend. We are not going away ... it will be lovely to have a few consecutive days at home ... !<br /><br />School holidays start from this weekend too .... yipeeee !!<br /><br />Oh ... and better not forget to mention that hideous dust storm we had last week ... how bizzaar ...<br /><br />These pics are straight from the camera .... no tweaking (except for blanking the number plate on DH's car).<br />I took these pics at about 7.30am .... thank goodness it lifted as the day went on but what a mess was left behind. Then of course, just after we started to make headway with cleaning everything .... a repeat on Saturday (luckily no where near as heavy) .... grrrr .... my thoughts go out to anyone that lives in areas where this is a common occurrence .... it would drive me 'round the twist!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWB5C2d7zTDW6w50WV01NDE2iGecb8mrp01axk-qZObYKQZKyV7h-bOqVTcqQ-4k89vYdCaa3eSGi5utkGLfWbyB23PLbpQ8XjcTzLh50URqx4FWgQE6B3mshQsIgsIPz0vea/s1600-h/Dust+Storm+1+Web.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387229192607282242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWB5C2d7zTDW6w50WV01NDE2iGecb8mrp01axk-qZObYKQZKyV7h-bOqVTcqQ-4k89vYdCaa3eSGi5utkGLfWbyB23PLbpQ8XjcTzLh50URqx4FWgQE6B3mshQsIgsIPz0vea/s400/Dust+Storm+1+Web.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbWXMenPP2JzuzpScFggaVJy5s4UOyKcAWZhW2oojStlbH2MQMpxhQXZNf-1KxI6_Wq1cyZXXJJ04jwrER1-hAio8wPOIr4x_RuD9UaOimVpGeUhWKCOC43WiFwK90Vu4m9Uh/s1600-h/Dust+Storm+2+Web.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387229074929269090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbWXMenPP2JzuzpScFggaVJy5s4UOyKcAWZhW2oojStlbH2MQMpxhQXZNf-1KxI6_Wq1cyZXXJJ04jwrER1-hAio8wPOIr4x_RuD9UaOimVpGeUhWKCOC43WiFwK90Vu4m9Uh/s400/Dust+Storm+2+Web.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Well that pretty much brings me back up to date again (a very condensed version anyway ... LOL).<br /><br />Just before i go ..... a <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">BIG <span style="color:#cc33cc;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY</span> WISH</span></strong> to the lovely Miss <a href="http://www.janebutler.blogspot.com/">Jane</a> !!<br /><br />Promise i will try and be back before another 3 months passes <em>he he </em>...<br /><br />Keep smiling :O)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-22908402852942656362009-07-17T21:09:00.006+10:002009-07-17T22:18:17.473+10:003 Weeks Worth!Gosh, i'm sure it gets faster every month .... the days fly, before you know it it is the end or start of another week, then a new month rolls around .... crazy!<br /><br />It seems like forever since i've updated but feels like i just haven't had the chance to sit for half an hour and think about what i've been doing for the past 3 weeks and put it into words.<br /><br />Two weekends ago my sister (Karen) and i went on a road trip to Tamworth and joined a fab bunch of ladies for a scrapbooking retreat. Met lots of new scrapbooking friends, had lots of laughs, experienced some good ole' fresh (or should i say freezing) country air, got a bit of scrapbooking done and generally had a great time.<br /><br />Here are two of the LO's i completed:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIhAUaC1aLv4bt7PK5dqndOnu_Ec0u6qN51jpB0loRs7bSBYAg9-zTLVlP7wucwQw2XCjnw7gPZA5TXh2X5wf9DnfJimsw_5gPpaOZh5MfqxwECTdkbzyXiQgXyycTcVMIxcN/s1600-h/One+of+a+Kind+WL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIhAUaC1aLv4bt7PK5dqndOnu_Ec0u6qN51jpB0loRs7bSBYAg9-zTLVlP7wucwQw2XCjnw7gPZA5TXh2X5wf9DnfJimsw_5gPpaOZh5MfqxwECTdkbzyXiQgXyycTcVMIxcN/s400/One+of+a+Kind+WL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359386658795408338" /></a><br /><br />This one was using items from my stash ... always good to find goodies that you forgot you even owned.<br /><br /><br />I love this new Cosmo Cricket <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/home.php?cat=505">Early Bird </a>range ... particularly because it can be utilized for boy or girl LO's.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_Zp1aK05-ww4eNF_4xnCBaqERa_MZg1kw_OsOeXOQXAbsMetSmLK25DMGeRyOzh-5B2bWspA1tavflTkV_GhhBfIe6o-dfaSFfz0fcUZlFIBR7l8m2U724S8iJvdFjP-peVb/s1600-h/Brekkie+WL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_Zp1aK05-ww4eNF_4xnCBaqERa_MZg1kw_OsOeXOQXAbsMetSmLK25DMGeRyOzh-5B2bWspA1tavflTkV_GhhBfIe6o-dfaSFfz0fcUZlFIBR7l8m2U724S8iJvdFjP-peVb/s400/Brekkie+WL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359386457210339618" /></a><br /><br /><br />After a weekend away the "back to reality" swings into effect real fast .... we were all hanging out for the school hols and a break from exams, routines etc. This last term has seemed very long. But it all seemed wothwhile when Blake's school report arrived on Monday great results and pleasing comments. We are very proud of his achievements for his first (half) year at high school.<br /><br />Next week we (my sister, myself and the kids) are flying up to Brisbane to meet up with Mum & Dad whom have been travelling for a few months .... will be great to see them and they are so looking forward to seeing the kids.<br /><br />The following weekend is the BIG <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au">Scrapbook'n'Bits</a> <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/home.php?cat=507">CYBER RETREAT WEEKEND </a>.... check this out:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEx5oHf0Aen_P3W9PdD0YWG79iWMvc-LjpdnajxvF28LO6dyHaYT4r0z9sSEEqj1fX25pheetKCy4G2ZrMOh5sZGD70ObKZGHlliC5hfhWeAFRzlH-8W_BLp660u0FW8GX3Tn/s1600-h/Promo+Flyer+Full+Page+WL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEx5oHf0Aen_P3W9PdD0YWG79iWMvc-LjpdnajxvF28LO6dyHaYT4r0z9sSEEqj1fX25pheetKCy4G2ZrMOh5sZGD70ObKZGHlliC5hfhWeAFRzlH-8W_BLp660u0FW8GX3Tn/s400/Promo+Flyer+Full+Page+WL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359390596031396962" /></a><br /><br />all the details are <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2210&sid=75e3c3afe7d886adfa9bcdaf8774bcc6">HERE</a> <br /><br />I will be hosting a workshop to create this little bit of cuteness ...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFcebbGDb_H4P6PIS_2QE9uO6IWuW1HOyoi4JzqLR90gkXvyeqDaDnXVZSQ_sxdo9ubO-mMpf4X6mMG6D_fCb2KugH-b2Gz3iakZyZkSBfaiDRRLVZA2p7LkgME3tBs-hjg_p/s1600-h/Workshop+Pic+2+WS.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFcebbGDb_H4P6PIS_2QE9uO6IWuW1HOyoi4JzqLR90gkXvyeqDaDnXVZSQ_sxdo9ubO-mMpf4X6mMG6D_fCb2KugH-b2Gz3iakZyZkSBfaiDRRLVZA2p7LkgME3tBs-hjg_p/s400/Workshop+Pic+2+WS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359391614137760546" /></a><br /><br />Have a great weekend ....<br /><br />Keep smiling ....<br /><br />JULIE xJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30830768.post-43798600757752795842009-06-24T22:30:00.003+10:002009-06-24T22:36:00.864+10:00Join us for Some Fun!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuOvKW7yVpg8DULxebPsPZ-4EaXYNg26PfLPdpONLnP5SRXtgYZkqeLcMzTri01I-VwL6CitHmG5oCH-EQIf23bljc7NLUTwl9jrH_QOE9Uw_4Qwkuwm5g6f8wI1hv4U28eGk/s1600-h/Cybercrop+Animal+Magnetism+Promo+wl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuOvKW7yVpg8DULxebPsPZ-4EaXYNg26PfLPdpONLnP5SRXtgYZkqeLcMzTri01I-VwL6CitHmG5oCH-EQIf23bljc7NLUTwl9jrH_QOE9Uw_4Qwkuwm5g6f8wI1hv4U28eGk/s400/Cybercrop+Animal+Magnetism+Promo+wl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350870951465387890" /></a><br /><br />All the details <a href="http://www.scrapbooknbits.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=2100">HERE</a><br /><br />Hope you can join us for some fun!<br /><br />But wait there's more .....<br /><br />Something else is coming ....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45c_drQyewK_ZHx7dBjwXTqPi7n083Y7qN46hZbUduH6Oqc3NjdYif9raPshmiUu-swNeP0O98GtgOvbf4s7_XE0dD3jXSoo6V5H9heh8GldDduWfpr96EQkTNd3lWZqzaNKJ/s1600-h/Promo+1+WL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45c_drQyewK_ZHx7dBjwXTqPi7n083Y7qN46hZbUduH6Oqc3NjdYif9raPshmiUu-swNeP0O98GtgOvbf4s7_XE0dD3jXSoo6V5H9heh8GldDduWfpr96EQkTNd3lWZqzaNKJ/s400/Promo+1+WL.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350871667967811074" /></a><br /><br />Looks interesting heh ...... stay posted !!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03528470541489909943noreply@blogger.com3