Anzac day

No real words to say as l think the picture says it all.

Our new pup

Here are 3 of the pups (out of 4) and l am not sure which one is ours yet, as we have not met her but plan to in another 2 or so weeks.

l'll be Newsboys Lyrics

Newsboys are one of my favourite Christian bands, and l was blessed to see them on Monday evening for Easterfest. Michael Tait (was the lead singer for DC Talk another fav band) but is now lead singer for Newsboys. A great Move.

Anyhow their new song l'll be is coming out on their new CD in June 2010. I have included the lyrics just so you can learn the song before the Cd comes out.

l'll Be

If your sinking
If your loosing control
And your heartache has taken its toll
If theres things you've never thought before
Like your all alone
Afraid that love won't come home.

You will find me
l'm at the point of your breaking
Behind all the noise
When your world is
Darkest l can still see
Cause when theirs nothing left
l'll be

l'll be

Like a small tow
Talk is getting around
Now that you've found
A friend can still bring you down.

And when their faith in you comes crashing down
Know that l'm still yours
l'll be the hope that endures

You'll find me
l'm at your breaking point
Behind all the noise
When your world is
Darkest l can still see
Cause whens theres nothing left
l'll be

l'll be the light to help you find
All the things you left behind
Wondering will love come back
l'll be whispering you're still mine
When loneilness invades your mind
Your gonna be alright
You will find me
l'm at the point of your breaking
Behind all the noise

You will find me
l'm at the point of your breaking
Behind all the noise
When your world is
Darkest l can still see
Cause when theres nothing left, yeah
Cause when theres nothing left
l'll be.

You tube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57tagohmdbA

Parks & Playgrounds of Victoria. Silvan Dam.

Silvan Dam

Location: 50km East Of Melbourne. Set in the Yarra Valley Ranges. Just off Monbulk Silvan road, Silvan.

Facilities: Wood and electric BBQ's, Toilets, Shelters and picnic tables.

Rubbish is to be taken home.

Dogs are allowed in the park but not allowed on the forest walking tracks.

Playground for the kids to play on.

Website: For information check out http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/ and search Silvan dam.

History:

In 1914 Melbourne suffered a severe drought which prompted extra water supplies for Melbourne. It wasn't until 1917 that the site was found which is now Silvan Dam. Construction started in 1926 and was completed by 1931.

Nowdays it is a popular place for families to gather and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful gardens.

Things to do:

Try the short 20min forest walk that follows Stonyford creek.

Visit the lookout for views of the reservior and dam wall.

Enjoy a BBQ or picnic.

Check out the local wildlife, birds such as kookaburra, rosellas and magpies.

During a sunny day in the April school holidays we thought we would take the kids out for some exercise and decided Silvan Dam was the place to see.

Did the walk down by Stonycreek and was a lovely short walk (mind you the kids pretty much ran the whole way around), but they got to see some moss on the trees and some wild mushrooms.

Next to the playground, where the kids enjoyed the slides and climbing frames but were soon stating that they were hungry so snack next where we ate at the picnic area amongst the kookaburra, magpies and rosellas all who came down to check us out.

The kids enjoyed their time downt here and stated they would like a BBQ/picnic there next time.

Parks & Playgrounds of Victoria

Seeing we love to take the kids out and about and explore new places l thought l would start blogging our experiences and sharing them with you all so if you feel like an adventure then you too can explore some of these places. I will try new places as well as our favourite little spots.

So stay tuned for more to come.

Catch up post.

An Autumn Sunset. Just had to capture this on my way to do my weekly shopping. Just amazing and reminds me how beautiful God's creation really is. A sunset or sunrise can really make me stop and think about God and his creation.

Labor Day weekend away..

Wilsons Prom

That time of year again and we were very lucky to get into Wilson's Prom for the Church'es Family Camp. Nige was the organiser for this fun weekend away at such a beautiful place and we even had some first timers who had never been to the Prom and experienced God's beauty in the place. I am sure they went home with the Prom imprinted on their hearts forever. Just such beauty and untouched, not many places like that left in Australia.

Renee has been going down to the Prom since she was younger then Tahlia and still never tires of its beauty.

Tahlia tearing around the campsite


We thought we would spend a few extra days down there before the church families came down and so we went down on the Wed's.

Thursday was a day of adventure ( and one we could have dealt without) for poor Nige, he woke feeling tired and just had no energy. He still managed to play with the kids but kept complaining he was just so tired (not like Nige), we spent the afternoon down at Tidal river a lovely and safe spot for kids to play in. Just had to watch when the tide came in, it brought plenty of blue bottles down with it. Not common to find them down this far south.

We got back from Tidal river and Nige was complaining of a headache (something he never gets either) so he went to lie down. Renee ended up taking the kids for a walk on the beach so Nige could rest in peace. We mananaged to catch up with him on a walk and he stated he had not been well at all. We thought it would best see to see if the dr was in, nothing worse then being ill and camping.

After checking him out they thought they would call the ambulance from Foster to come down and see if they would take him to Foster Hospital ( a good hour or so away on widing roads). While they were with him Renee was showering the kids and getting them ready for bed. Nige was back when we got back and said he felt better, and said he would sleep in the car, they had given him something to make him feel better but an hour or so later he could not even keep that down and just felt worse.

They (ambulance men) said if he felt worse and could not stop throwing up to call them back. So thats what he did and they came for him at 11:30pm where he spent the night in Foster Hosptial.

Renee had called the pastor (who was coming down the next day) to keep him updated and for the prayer team to start praying for him to get better. At this time Renee was stressing and thinking how she was going to pack up the tent and gear with two kids and put everything in the trailer to go home. This was all Nige's job and Renee was a tad lost on everything, it was an alien territory to her. So we thought best wait to see what the next day brought.

But less work and more fun when your on the back of dad's bike.

Renee was up early the next morning after getting an sms from Nige to say they were kicking him out at 9am (literally). So headed on the long windy drive back to Foster ( a place Renee said she did not want to go this trip due to the road and the kids in the car), but had no choice this time.

Nige was back to himself by late afternoon and pretty much everyone else had turned up. So prayer was answered and God is good.

Some photography

The next day was spent relaxing and we hardly even saw the kids. There would have been about 12 kids from the church camp so they had a ball riding their bikes and playing together. It was nice to see them all playing together as they don't get much of a chance at church or even playgroup (well the older ones are at school). But was nice.

That Sunday we thought it would be nice to take a walk to Squeaky Beach with some of the kids. The day started off sunny, but typical Prom the weather can change in an moment. We car pooled and left some cars at the other end of the beach so the younger kids did not have to walk back. Just as well we did that as soon as we got on the beach the heavens open and it rained, thunder and even lighting. The kids were great tho and thought it was a great adventure. Champions.

Some of the group. Off hiking we go

No sooner had we got to the other side of the beach it rained even harder and we were saturated and ended up having to jump thru puddles. It was amazing how quickly the rain came down. But still no complaints, not even from the kids.

That afternoon it was time for a sandcastle comp, Here are the pics of the handiwork.

The H's Noah's Ark.

The M's little beetle car

Rained most of Sunday night so once Monday morning was here we thought best to start packing up sooner then later. Nige just had the tent down and was about to pack it away and the heavens opened, gone was our sunny blue skied morning. But no sooner that it rain the sun was back out and blue sky could be seen again.

Oh the pain

It all seemed like a good idea yesterday, while the kids were at kinder l thought it would be a good idea to clean their rooms, and change them around. But l am now feeling it. I woke this morning and was not even able to lift my arms up, they were so sore. And all b's l moved their beds around, they are rather heavy.... I even pulled the sliding door off Tahlia's wardrobe as l was leaning on it and trying to push Tahlia's bed against the wall... won't be doing that again.

Oh well at least the kids are happy with their rooms, and l won't be needing to do it all again any time soon.

So l think some pandadol and a relaxing afternoon is in store for me.

Swimming lessons

Both kids now spend their Friday mornings at swimming lesson's. I was a bit worried about Tahlia as she is a bit shy in new situations and was wondering how she would go in the pool with Renee sitting at the side. But there was no need to worry as she was more then happy to get into the pool

Tahlias New Toy

There have been a few fights and arguements in our house recently, with the younger 2 of the family.

A common ourrance in ones household? Yes.

How to deal with it? Easy.

She has taken to riding Nate's bike, so we thought it was best to go out and buy her own for her. Espically with the long weekend coming up. Last time we were away the poor girl had to take her trike which was not a good combineration with the rocky roadways/pathways. Many tears and tantrums.

So we looked on good old ebay and found her a bike just like Nathan's but had a more girly look, mich to Tahlia's delight.

So there have been a lot of bike rides here recently. We took them around the lake the other evening and they did very well. We were so proud of them, we had not planned to do the 4km round trip but both kids were like pro's and we had a hard time trying to keep up with them. Tahlia fell off just the one but like the champ she is, she was soon back on and making car noises, and ringing her bell to let everyone who was out walking she was around and to get out of her way.

It was a pleasent evening, and we were once again blessed with an amazing sunset and the skies colour changing as the sun headed to bed. Here are some photos of the changing colour of the skies.

What amazing colour...

I love a Summers Sunset.

Photography

Slowly getting there and learning more about my camera and how to take photos. Here are some l have taken. Not sure if l can link my flicker account where l have edited them on there onto here. So these are the unedited pics.

Nathan.

Tahlia.

8 Years Today.

Where has the time gone? I can't believe 8 years have flown by. In a way it feels only like yesterday and then is also feels like only 8 years... feels like we have been together forever. We have done and achieved so much in the last 8 years. I remember the day of our wedding, it has rained all week and l was worried it would be a cold and wet day for our wedding. But no we had the opposite and it got up to 37 degrees and was HOT. So hot that l even suffered some sun stroke but was prayed over and was able to enjoy our day at the wonderful Riverlea Estate in Warrandyte ( l believe it is now closed for the next 2 years for works and is now owned by someone else). Exchanged our vows by the lake and then had our reception in a marquee with a bush dance theme (including band) which was a HIT.

Still laugh to how the best man had spent the week before our wedding following us around (unknown to us) trying to find where we might hide our car so he could find it can "decorate" it for us. What a good plan it was to hide it at our neighbour's house, up the road. They never even thought to look there.... Renee used to work with her at Banksia and we thought it was a good and safe plan to park it there.

One of the guests drove us to the car's hiding place and not even they knew where the car would be. Planned work well. And just as well as we were on the boat to Tassie the next day.

Happy anniversary Nigey.... love you.

Day #19

mY work in progress

Day #18

Afternoon Tea.

Day #17

Tahlia just had to have a facial like mummy does.

Where is this year going?

It's flying by......

Only thought about it but its almost Feb and that means our anniversary, my birthday, mum's birthday, FIL's birthday and SIL's birthday but a lot more parties of other friends birthdays. We are going to be busy every weekend. As well as Nige starting back on kids church and him orgainising the church family camp (well that takes place in March).

And l am not organised.... I usually am and usually have Nige's present for our anniversary ready and our day organised but nothing this year and l can't even think of what to get.. I did ask him and he has no idea either. Seems we are both very laid back this year.

Off 4x4 ing this weekend and have not even organised that.... Well we have in a way but not every detail.

Maybe we are in for a very laid back year. If only...

So need ideas for wedding anniversary ( 8 years), and outings for my birthday and also anniverasry

Day #16

Day #15

Day #14

Sibling Love.

Day #13

Day #12

After another hot day and evening where it did not get under 30 C degrees l woke around 12:30am to what l thought was a cat climbing the front flyscreen door. I was shocked when l open the door to find a young possum sitting there staring back at me.

Day #11

Nate's first day back at the ELC, where he is now doing 4 year old kinder before heading off to "Big " school next year.

Day #10

Sunset on the Warby Trail

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I'm a Happy recipient of the blog award and didn't even know these were around. But will be happy to accept and glad to see someone loves my blogs.. lol

Thanks to the lovely and talented Daph for the award.

So in accepting this award, l must copy and paste and

1. Name 5 things l love and

2. Present the award to 5 other bloggers who l think are fabulous.

5 things l love.
1. Summer
2. Photography
3. Camping and 4x4 ing
4. Cross-stitch
5. My husband Nige.

Now for 5 bloggers who l would love to pass the award on to are.
1. Odyssey
2.Queen Latina
3. Top Gunns
4. Somewhere over the rainbow
5.Raising Willow and dexter....

Day #9

Roses

Day #8

Day #7

Day out with Grandma

Day #6

Chesterfield Farm

What to eat on a hot summers night.

Chicken Caesar Salad

300g chicken pieces
3 eggs
300g bacon cut in strips
8 slices of french stick cut into 1cm strips
1 baby cos lettuce, washed, dried and roughly chopped
200ml caesar salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon chicken salt
1/4 cup olive oil
40g parmasen cheese


Method
1. Place chicken in non stick pan over medium heat. Cook for 4 mins on each side or until cooked. Place aside on a plate.

2. Place eggs in cold water, bring to boil cook for 6 mins, run under cold water and then slice.

3. Palce bacon in pan and cook until golden. Drain on paper.

4. Mix oil and chicken salt in a cup. Brush oil onto each side of the bread.

5. Place under grill to brown on each side, cut into small cubes.

6. Slice chicken into thin strips ( if you don't use chicken pieces)

7.Arrange cos on plate, then add chicken, bacon, eggs and croutons.

8. Toss dressing over the top and add parmasen.

Day #5

Two photos for this day. Went to Werribee Mansion and Williamstown.

and view of Williamstown.

Day #2

Day #2 Back yard picnics are the best.

Photo a day challenge for Jan

I am involved in another photography challenge for the month of Jan. Thought l would share the photos with you in the blog so you too can see where we have been and what we have been up to.

Day #3