Our backyard

Here you go Marian :-) finally some photos of our backyard! I love the garden in spring - all the plants are in flower, the grass is still green from winter rains - everything just looks fresh and colourful.









Rod hopes to get rid of this old shed and build a new and bigger one with two sections - one for garden stuff and the other as a dust proof store room, which will free up some space in the office.



The area where Olivia is standing is where we hope to do our extensions - that's her bedroom window/wall which will get knocked out.

Summer's coming!

Last Friday I caught up with Renae, who used to be my teacher's assistant when I was working. She lives in Rockingham, right near the beach, so I said I'd meet her there for a drink seeing as it was going to be nice weather. After a delicious apricot whip and cheesecake, we sat on the beach and Olivia had a ball splashing in the water, throwing shells into the water and chasing sea gulls. We just won't mention how burnt my legs were by the end of the day... Bring on summer!

Me, Olivia and Renae enjoying the sunshine

collecting shells

Having dizzy whizzies with Tin - she came after
she had finished her uni classes

And what better way to finish the day than with an ice-cream!

Mt Hotham Ski Trip

Rod and Mr&Mrs Kleyn heading for the plane
Yay, we're on our way!

boys playing footy in the shopping carpark while us girls
got the groceries

putting snow chains on - a new experience!
(and a challenge for the boys...)

Heidi and Mrs Kleyn getting dinner ready

the cosy sitting room of our house

me, Paul, Heidi, Ali, Mrs Kleyn, Mr Kleyn, Tony and Quint

unreal!

who needs a fridge around here?!

brrr, cold ski lifts

Heidi on top of the world

all our gear

cheers Rod

quick get a shot of me while I'm actually standing up!

Hotham Central

making snow angels

our cute little snowman

Heidi, me and Mrs Kleyn having fun on the snow

Look at the weather we get on the morning we have to leave!

Group shot: me, Rod, Ali, Quint, Mr and Mrs Kleyn, Paul and Heidi, Tony

what a hairy hubby I have!

beautiful views

dinner at the airport before catching our flight home!!

Avon Descent

On Saturday, 2nd of August, we headed off to the little town of Toodyay, about an hours drive inland, to check out the Avon Descent, a kayak river race. We've had heaps of rain so far this winter so the river was very full which made for some interesting watching. Last year the competitors had to carry their kayaks at some points in the river because there wasn't enough water, this year they had to close a section because there was too much water and it was too rough - so they still had to carry their boats! They also had a food festival there so we tried out some 'special' sausage on a bun with sauce and onions - mmm , it was yummy!

watching the action from the bridge

lots of competitors coming through

our view from the back of the ute

Having morning smoko on the back of the ute

Olivia and Rod watching the action

another competitor

the delicious sausages we tried