The Bandibandi

On one of our little adventures we accidently ran over a BandiBandi Snake. I have only seen one other snake like this - apparently they are really rare. One of sisters thought that they were on the endangered species list (which made us feel really good). The boys were a little freaked out when we went back to see what we had run over. They wouldn't let me hop out of the car. Ben must have know that we were going to come across a snake as he was sayng earlier there are snakes here and I want to go home. He was right!

Love to All
Rell

Feels Like Home To Me

Well I made the trip home to Dungarubba - the place where I am from. We spent a week with my family and had a lovely time. These photos were taken from about 1km from mum and dad's house at the river. It was just on sunset - my favourite part of the day. When I am home I am constantly looking out the window to see the sunset. My family take it for granted as they see the sunset everyday but I only get to see a few sunsets. I miss the sunsets and I miss seeing the beautiful night sky that is lit up with millions of stars. Stars are harder to see in the city but when I am home the sky is littered with them. There are so many things I associate with home - I love windmill as we had one that you could see from our kitchen window, the beautiful big trees, the cane fields, the frogs that perch on the verandah and talk to you at night, the old dairy that is now falling down and the Eastern Rosellas and wild birds that freely. Feels like home to me.





Love to All
RELL

My first Lockie Scrap

Just a scrapping share of gorgous little Lockie. Not the best photo of the layout - but I just love his little smirk. I want to get better at photographing my layouts - my aim for the year.

Love to all
Rell

Happy New Year to Everyone

We had a really quite New Year - we just decided to stay home. We played games in the pool all afternoon. Ben was riding his pool pony as a bull and tried his best to stay on it for 8 seconds as this is the bull riding time limit. Now I know that you don't think that this is a long time to stay on the pool pony but it is as I too tried to ride the bull and was lucky to make 2 seconds. A quite dinner at home. We ended up going to bed at 1.30pm - the boys probably would have stayed up longer but it was time for bed for the adults.

I love New Year and the promise of what lies ahead. Everyone makes their resolutions and generally feel positive about the possibilities. My only resolution is "LESS IS MORE" and I will continue to say that to myself throughout the year and hopefully that will help me keep things under control. I have been cleaning up and that is what I have been telling myself - "LESS IS MORE" less to clean, dust and pick up. I am going to try and be even more organised this year. We have a big year ahead of us with many major events (Boy's communion and confirmation, Chris turns 50, Belinda (sister) turns 30, mum and dad's 50 th wedding Anniversary, Lockies 1st birthday) and they are just the big things.

This year I plan to spend more time with my family (more time with dad as he is slipping away). I want to go away with my family more. I want to focus less on work and more on what matters to me most.

Hope that everyone had a great New Year. Here's to a great 2010

Love and positive thoughts to all
Rell

They Grow Up Way Too Fast

The other day the boys decided to make a new jump for their bike. So the boys got to work using the timber that we had lying around the house. They had hammer, nails. measuring tapes and even the electric jigsaw out. I looked out at these independent boys and wondered where my little babies went. The end results was fantastic and the boys got hours of enjoyment out of the jump - I think that they loved it even more because they had made it themselves.

They really do grow up way too fast - in the blink of an eye they became independent.

Love to All
Rell

Merry Christmas to All

Christmas seems to come around faster every year and I know that we all say that but I serious believe that the older you get the faster time goes. That must mean that I am getting pretty old as time flies around here. Christmas was good this year apart from the kids not sleeping Christmas Eve. They were seriously up all night. Michelle and I were talking about what we use to do on Christmas eve and how we too would stay awake all night in order to try and catch Santa out. My mum told me that I am getting my own back now. Kind of wish that I had not been so wicked (my middle name). The boys got everything that they wanted and were more than happy with their Santa sacks.

I love these photos of the boys. These were the photos that I took earlier in the year ready for the Christmas cards. It was the first year that I never sent Christmas cards and for that I am a little sad as I love receiving them and I usually put some effort into my cards. No time as silly season had me bad and school was crazy. I literally just had to keep my head above water.

Hope that everyone had a beautiful day and that you were all spoilt.

Love to All

Rell

Welcome Baby Flynn

On the 21st of December my beautiful friend Belinda had a gorgeous little boy - Flynn. She is amazing as I don't think I heard her complain once. I so wanted to be there for her as I love little babies (think that I missed my calling as a midwife). I went to visit the following day and got to help out with his first bath and then we got to take Max home for a few hours. I really enjoyed being around and little Flynn is just gorgeous. I love him to pieces. They are only little for such a short while and I feel very privledged to hold them.

A message to one of my dearest friends - I am extremely proud of you. You are amazing - you could not even tell that you had a baby!!!! I am so happy that you had another boy. Boys are great!!!! I think that little Flynn is ever so lucky to be born into such a wonderful family. He has a great mum and dad and a super big brother. Being a mum of boys does come with a few challenges but the joy they bring far outways these. You have given Max the best gift ever - a brother. Just wanted you to know how loved you are. Glad that I am a part of the adventure (Bel - sorry I stole your photo but I wanted to have one of him and I used your camera in the hospital - hope that you don't mind).

Love to the Howletts
Rell

Summer Soccer Season

This year we decided to giver Summer Soccer a whirl. Luke stayed with his regular team but Ben played for the Robbins in an age groups above his own. Both boys had a great season, however Ben's team went through to the grandfinal and they lost 1-0. It was a sad end to a great season.

Love to All Rell

How Hot Is He????

On the 14th of December we (Shell, Mary,Ree and I) went to see the gorgeous Keith Urban. We had a top night out shaking our tail feathers - boy did we shake our tail feathers. We had really good seats BUT I didn't want to sit down when I found that you could dance up the front. I got some great photos as Keithy was almost close enough for me to reach. If only I could have got my hand to him. Keithy if you ever need an official photographer look me up. I loved you before Nicole did (LOL). It was a great night out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxwLQmPHkT8

Love to All Rell

Swimming Carnival 2009

 

 

 

The boys did exceptionally well in their Swimming Carnival. It was Ben's first year and he got 1st in Breaststroke and 1st in Freestyle. Luke came 1st in Freestyle, 2nd in Breaststroke, 2nd in Butterfly. He came 2nd in the 100m Freestyle and then entered the 2oom Individual Medley and got piped in the touching of the wall and missed out on third. Luke was then selected for the Relay Team and they came 2nd. So it was a top day. We all came home exhausted as it was a big day in the sun. I am extremely proud of my boys.

Love to All
Rell

Lachlan's Christening

 

 

 

 

Lockie was Christened on Sunday and he was such a good boy. He was in church for 3 hours and did not bat an eye. I was priveleged to be Lachlan's Godmother. He actually enjoyed the Christening and smiled through the Holy Water. I think that he was quietly saying more as it was a hot day. The Christening go to much for Lockie and he fell asleep. Shell and John did a great job of the day. We had a lovely time. I am ever so proud to be his Godmother as I always wanted 3 boys and now I do!

Love to All
Rell

Published in Scrapbook Creations

 

Things have been so busy around here that I have not shared my recent layout to be published in Scrapbook Creations in the November Issue. It was a part of the 20/40/60 Minute Challenge. I had the 40minutes one and I loved working with these Websters papers.

Hope that all is well in everyone's worlds.
Love to All
Rell