We had a good Christmas – celebrated with my family for lunch and Mal’s for tea -both at Sewjourn.  The studio was ideal for fitting everyone in – quite a few trips back to the cottage for ‘forgotten’ items but that was OK.  My brother-in-law did try to set the place on fire while cooking the potatoes and pumpkin in the Weber but everything escaped unharmed and the spuds had a nice ‘smoked’ flavour!

Since the big day we have just been taking it easy……..have done lots of weeding and parts of the garden are looking lovely – still lots of plans and ideas (and work needed) for the rest though!

Mal’s cleaned out the workshop/storage area…….

And been for a couple of bike rides.

I’ve spent quite a few hours here reading this………….

(great book by the way – highly recommended!)

And the girls have been to the Lancefield Pool every day – sometimes there is hardly anyone else there so it’s almost like having your own pool. (Almost!)

But without a doubt LOTS of hours have been spent playing this………….

Most of all though it’s just nice to be here all together and enjoy this beautiful place without pressure of having to renovate, paint and be in a hurry to get things done!  (There will always be more things to do though…………………)

Two of the girls’ best friends are moving to Sydney……..lots of tears over the last couple of days but promises of Skype and begging for MSN (not keen on that one!)  They both helped make cushions for them to take.  Trying to remember it’s not ‘Goodbye’ but just ‘See you later’.

On the flip side though good friends have just arrived back from NZ and will once again be ‘just around the corner’ - yeah!!

Lots of excitement, carols playing, laughing and 3 girls all jostling for the ‘best’ spot to hang their decorations on the tree………………………

It looks really good though and makes it seem more like Christmas……..we’ve had such a busy year I am struggling to believe that it is already December.  (One good thing about the new month is that our internet is faster again!)

And this is the new star I bought from Freedom last week to sit on the top of the tree.

A big night at our house.  4pm………….

5 pm………

HINT:

She’s waited a very long time to have her ears pierced and is VERY excited!

Daughter No. 2 is turning 8 tomorrow - where does the time go???  And these are the treats that are going to school for her class……..

Happy Birthday sweet Lucy!

Just had a wonderful long weekend here

We did a bit of gardening (but much much more needed) - a few spots are looking good though……..

Went on a family bike ride to Romsey (8kms but a great bike track all the way) and everyone did really well, even in the rain on the way home!   The fit one in our family didn’t have much sympathy for my sore backside given that he’d riden from Melbourne to Lancefield the day before (and back today). The girls and I also went for walks every morning which is one of their favorite things when we are in Lancefield.

Mal couldn’t resist doing a few more ‘handyman jobs’ - and we have a sliding fly screen door at the back to show for it…………

I also got some much overdue ‘crafty time’ - luxury having the whole studio to myself!

I would have finished this simple quilt top (fabrics purchased this day) had I not left one of the fabrics at home!  Got some more yoyos done for the curtain in one of the bedrooms - only about half way along though…………

………and made some ‘Welcome’ cards for the next few lots of guests to stay.

Annual School Concert tonight - and this year all 3 girls were up there singing and dancing!  The theme was ‘Dance Thru the Ages’ and it was great.  OK, so I AM a biased mother but it really WAS good.  Even the costumes looked great up on stage (you couldn’t see from a distance that the hems were zigzagged around rather than hemmed properly!)  As well as all the individual classes performing the choir played a big part in the show - and Kate was the only Prep in choir so WELL DONE for remembering all those words.  And I’m especially proud of Lucy whose tooth fell out half way thru - but the show must go on!!!  Hopefully the tooth fairy will visit our house tonight……….

What a gorgeous day in Melbourne - it’s a pity that I had to work from 2-7pm!  But afterwards we had a lovely family picnic at our local park.

This morning I managed to score a sewing machine at a garage sale for only $25!  It does sew but is feeding a little bit unevenly.  Does anyone have a manual for a Wertheim 3100 Sewing Machine?  Or know how we can get hold of a copy - can’t seem to find one on the internet.  Now there is no excuse for teaching the girls how to quilt!

Family Bowling Night tonight for school - lots of work to organise but lots of fun had by all!  Now ready for lots of sleep so short post today!

CONGRATULATIONS DAVE & TARA!!!!!

We are so pleased for you both……..it’s about time for another family wedding!