Ok so this term has started with School holidays and the kids had a Movie Night on the 9th which went really well with Aiyahna, Calem, Liam, Clint, Reidy and Leah. Liam unfortunately left early.

Then we had Thomas’ 16th Birthday and his first party in many years. He also had Nathan and Peter sleepover which was great, not to mention Reidy and Clint. Cupid visited on the holidays and we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Clint better who has since become Caitlin’s boyfriend. Lockie has introduced us to Pathfinder late last term which has been very interesting and fun.

21st Bridget and Justin went to primary schools for NTDL (National Tree Day Lockyer) and they planted trees with the kids. Went to the Hogan’s for dinner. Finished the back wall of house and moved the back door with great thanks to Ted for his help and some timber. Reno is coming along it is getting exciting. Another great weekend with the kids.  Sunday went to pick up a piano not without drama. The Piano fell on Justin’s big toe so the evening ended with him going to hospital to get it checked out. Matthew naturally did take photo’s but I won’t put them on here. Cupid is busy this month with Lockie and Tiff officially going out YAY!!

Caity on the 28th also went to primary schools with NTDL for tree planting with the kids. Thursday night was Girls night in for Beyond Blue at the school which Bridget was hosting and involved in.

We attended even though we shouldn’t have as Caity was sick wanting to support Bridget and Beyond Blue and we only lasted for the main meal and I had to take her home sick.  Matthew was away in Newcastle for work. Off to the doctor’s the next day to discover she had larungitis, and unfortunately had to cancel helping with NTDL for planting trees at Lake Clarenden, although Justin and Bridget we able to assist. see NTDL post

Matthew went off to the V8’s at Willowbank to scrutineer for the whole weekend. So far we have had Lockie home most weekends which has been great!! Next step with Reno will be the walkway from lounge room to back verandah.  Windows are gone, and it is getting exciting… Now to get the piano inside LOL oh that will be fun. Curtis turned 18, and had a girls night at Nessy’s.

This term Starts with Easter  what a busy long weekend it was.  Got a lot accomplished on our stage 2 reno, kitchen benches (Huge thank you to Lachlan for a great find xo)on back verandah, windows are in and wall nearly secure so exciting.  Matt also secured the purchase of our new kitchen sink YAY will look great!  Huge thank you to Cherry and Uncle Rangi for helping all weekend and our kids (including Felix and Curtis)for helping get the benches up on the verandah.

Trip to Coffs Harbour for two nights and (my) Julie’s Birthday. We went to The Big Banana for a photo. Accidently discovered a boiled lolly shop that made them while you watched and got to taste test.  Then went to Carobana a confectionery factory for Carob Chocolate where we saw some honeycomb made and got to taste test. Back to resort to have a bbq lunch and time in the spa.

Caitlin made me a cake for my birthday which was amazing. She did an awesome job also used a convection oven for first time too so I was even more impressed all by herself while I relaxed in the spa.  It was Strawberry cake with icing and Strawberry’s with strawberry boiled lollies from the shop we went to. On the way home we stopped at Byron Bay for lunch, and before we left had a quick look at the beach.

Was just the break we needed. Huge thank you to my Lachlan for house sitting and feeding our animals. Felix and Curtis went to mum’s for a weeks holiday and then Felix went away with his grandfather.  Matt Caitlin and Justin went away on the NTDL National Tree Day Lockyer Camp see NTDL post and last week of the holidays was mixed with sleepovers for the kids finishing with Big Day In. We caught up with some friends from Julie’s High Scool for a dinner at Jo’s which was a great night. Great family shot from Anzac Day Caity, Justin and Bridget all marched and Bridget as school captain was involved with the service. My Aunty Isobel turned 60.

Shopping trip to DFO suit shopping with Justin, Bridget and Caity which was lots of fun ending in a fashion parade of their bargins. Justin starting training at Shell where Caity is working. Trips to t he doctors. Eye tests sorted. Open day at TAFE with Thomas. Started the weatherboard on the back of the house with help from the Hogan’s. Caity, Justin and Bridget went to a Turkish Restraunt for Peter’s Birthday Party.

School dinner at Amy’s which was great and she amazed us with a Snickers Cheesecake OMG it was sensational!

Coffee with Ann while Matthew umpired. Month ended with Matthew in Newcastle for 3 days and sleepover with the Hogan’s. Then we had Matthew’s B’day somehow we forgot to take photo’s. Then a trip to Sydney for a surprise B’day Party for Nanny Zee for her 65th. Got to visit Nanny Michele, Stacey and Aaron before the party and then Poppy Stan on way home.

Then a catch up with Ann from School for her 40th bday.

Also had a sleepover at Damien and Nat’s and a day at Southbank which was great I got to go to the State Library and Curtis entertained our niece Matilda with his usual antic’s.

16 mar 2015  This year began with the family going to the Escape Room as we bought vouchers for Christmas and this was our family present.  It was awesome and we had a great time pretending to be detectives and solve the mystery.  The Choice we selected was “Missing Missy”.

Matthew was accepted back into the RAAF Reserves. We celebrated our nephew’s 17th Birthday, oh how times fly’s James. Had a family sleepover and Bridget got to meet them properly. Had a games night playing Cluedo which was great. Then to the rock pool the next day for a swim before heading home.

We have a new edition to our busy family. Curtis is now living with us while he finishes this year in year 12. Curtis is one of Justin’s mates and like a son to us as we adopted each other years ago when we first moved to the Valley. Curtis and Felix his brother, one of Lockie’s mates, are two of our many extended family that we have adopted over the years and are both like sons to us, and siblings to the kids. Justin went to Simoun’s Birthday Party and went to a Tepenyaki  Restaurant for the first time. He has also joined the National Tree Day Lockyer Committee whom his girlfriend Bridget is junior area coordinator for.  Justin has himself a job at the Markets in Toowoomba where Curtis has joined him. Julie found a car finally.

So far have been able to catch up with the Hogan’s who recently moved down from Townsville which was awesome to see them again. Plan to have many more catch ups. Had a visit from Kim D which was a lovely surprise. Other catch ups have been with Cheryl R, Kellie-Ann, Nikki D and Grace B oh and Tom and Janet S.

Matthew and Julie started Lesson learning Rockabilly Dancing. So far Kellie-Ann, Caitlin, Curtis and Felix have come with us and we have all enjoyed it. Lots of fun for all age groups. Had to get some music to practice to so now we can practice at home. Justin left for Melbourne with school for the Aerospace Trip to Avalon Airshow. Caitlin celebrated her 14th Birthday. Justin became a Senior Leader and Caitlin is a Junior Secondary leader and are both on the Student Representative Council.

Busy Weekend Justin, Bridget, Matthew and Caity all did Clean Up Australia with NTDL. Then raced to Uncle Damien’s for Matilda’s 6th Birthday, and then off to our first Toga Party for Billy’s 18th and we all had a great time. More news for March Felix Curtis’ brother has also moved in whilst we help him with enrolling into the RAAF. Lockie also moved out on his own with 4 friends to Toowoomba to be closer to uni. Ready for the big world as a fully fledged adult now and I’m sure he will enjoy the adventure he is now embarking on being the start of his adult life. Matthew often joked about kicking them out once they were 18 but we lost one and gained two so I not sure that its working out quite as he expected ha ha. Felix also celebrated a birthday. Caitlin and Curtis both were selected into Dance Troupe so looking forward to the Estieddford’s later in the year. March is nearly over and so will term one of school for the kids.

Well another of our friends are also celebrating the ranks of their kiddies becoming adults.  Happy birthday to Billy!  Have to say was our first Toga Party for most of our family and my two adopted boys. We all had a great time unfortunately Justin was not available. Highlight would have to be dressing up Hayley’s nieces and nephew in toga’s and Thomas coming out from the games room to dazzle the kids (and adults) with his rubik’s cube skills. As always was great catching up and meeting Hayley’s family that attended.

This year we are going to try and use our website more.  So far we have had a new edition Curtis come and live with us for the year so the boys all started back at school together on the first day and Caity went the next day.  Felix Curtis brother came out to see him off.  Both of these boy are an extention of our family and are like sons to us, we adopted them verbally not long after we met them in 2009. Felix is one of Lachlan’s mates from high school and Curtis is one of Justin’s best mates. Cheeky Cailtin has missed out this year for first day was so busy when they left and got home forgot to take one.