Christmas 2012

We had a fantastic Christmas day, Jackson, Josie, Richard, Dad and I.  Thankfully it didn't start too early with the present opening session, followed by the putting all the lego together session (which lasted the entire day), and then the eating session.  Richard put together a fabulous feast for us all.  We even managed a short walk to the beach in the afternoon.  Merry Christmas 2012!

Christmas Eve...

... and all dressed up to go to the Family Christmas service at the local church, followed by fish and chips at Bar Beach whilst watching the lightning over the ocean.

Crazy hair!

Our keen mountain biker

Family Christmas Fair at Wolumla Pub

On the weekend we went to the family Christmas fair at the pub in Wolumla.  Jack and Josie thoroughly enjoyed the bouncy castle, pony rides (first time for both of them) and face painting.

Patting a python

We went to Potoroo Palace the other day, Jack, Josie and Grandad got to pat an echidna, a koala and a python.  I also got to pat the echidna and koala, but surprisingly I passed on patting a python - after all, it was my job to take the photo!!

Surfing and Canoeing

We took the surfboards and canoe out at Pambula rivermouth the other day, lovely morning for it.

Bike ride

It has probably been about 5 and a half years since Rich and I have been for a mountain bike ride together.  So, owing to the fact that Dad is here to babysit, daylight saving means it doesn't get dark until 8.30, and we have a single track approx 800m from our front door, we put the kids to bed and jumped on our bikes this evening for a ride together.  It was lovely, particularly so for me as I got to ride Richard's dual suspension 29er for most of the ride!!

A visit from Ash

Richard's brother, Ash, has been staying with us for the last couple of days.  It was really great to hang out.

This time we all made the local paper!

Early Christmas with the Rices

The Rices came to us for a pre-Christmas Christmas.  Both of us want to be home for Christmas, so we decided to have a Christmas celebration before Christmas here in Tura Beach.  We even had turkey, cranberry sauce, Christmas crackers, presents etc etc.  The kids, as per usual, enjoyed each others company.  Even though it rained most of Saturday, they still found plenty to do and we managed to get out to the beach after dinner once the rain stopped.  Sunday was spent at the skatepark before the Rices departed for Canberra.  A lovely little Christmas celebration!

Dad did a great job of lining all his grandchildren up for a photo, we were very impressed!

Jackson's Preschool Graduation

Jackson had his pre-school graduation tonight followed by a disco.  He had a great time and didn't leave the dance floor!

 All dressed up and ready to go!

Jackson's moves!!

Playgroup Christmas Party

Josie had her playgroup Christmas Party this morning.  Here is a picture of her with her little friends, you can tell Josie knows how to pose for a photo!!

Gingerbread house 2012

In keeping with our family tradition started last year, we made another Gingerbread house again this year.  This one we made from scratch with a special gingerbread mold we had, so it took a bit longer until it was ready to decorate, much to Jack and Jo's frustration.  But we got there in the end and once it was finished they were ready with their smarties in hand!

Riding his pedal bike

For a while now Jackson has been loving his balance bike, always keen to get out on it, and flying down mountain bike tracks.  Before he had a balance bike we tried to teach him how to ride a pedal bike, but he got worried if Richard let go and generally didn't enjoy the experience.  So he wasn't all that keen to try it again today, but was willing to give it a go and he gave Richard strict instructions on how to hold him so he wouldn't wobble.

We went to Pambula Wetlands, Jack got on his pedal bike, Rich gave him one push and he was off straight away.  No running along holding him, no falls.  He quickly got the hang of starting by himself without a push from us and then literally didn't look back. Loved it.

This afternoon Richard took him on the mountain bike single tracks around Mandeni, I'm not sure who was more excited!!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Jackson and Josie were very excited to put up the Christmas decorations this morning.