10 Year Wedding Anniversary

We are feeling quite proud of ourselves because against the odds, and the statistics, we have managed to survive ten years of marriage!  Additionally, by a miraculous turn of events, we managed to ditch the kids for a night away - woohoo!!!

We headed to the Gold Coast for a fabulous weekend.  The boys were in a state of extreme excitement when we dropped them at Grandad Paul's house on the Gold Coast for a sleepover, and we were finding it difficult to contain ourselves as well.  We had an afternoon jet-skiing and para-sailing on the Broadwater, then checked into our Suite at the Hilton, with a bottle of Veuve tucked under our arm all ready for toasting. 

Pre-dinner canapes and drinks in the Executive Lounge followed, then it was off to Salt Grill for dinner.  We decided to go all out and had the degustation menu - 8 courses with matching wines ... it took us 3 hours to get through it all but we made it!

I can't tell you how nice it was waking up naturally, without a kid jumping on the bed, and enjoying the serenity of a kid-free hotel room.  Breakfast was sublime, we took our time and went back for second cups of tea and coffee, lingering over the paper and enjoying the magnificent view of the ocean.  So this is what kid-free people do.  I like it.  A lot. 

So here we are back at home.  The kids are having a nap, all tuckered out after their sleepover, and we are feeling very relaxed and rejuvenated.

The Broadwater, the scene of our jet-ski / parasail adventure

Before and after shots

You know dinner's going to be good when you get this much cutlery

On course number 5 and still going strong

Random: ugly couch in hotel room.  It amused me.

Relaxing poolside.

Second cup of coffee and no screaming kids in sight

Zane contemplating getting back to reality

And now it's back to the grind. 

Christmas blog

We had a very nice Christmas this year with the Knight side of the family.  It was a bit of a shakey start, with the boys both waking up at 11pm and 3am after having a nightmare (maybe we overdid the bit about a fat man in a red suit sneaking into their bedroom after they went to sleep?), and it was a 5.30am start, which is to be expected in a house with young kids I guess!  The boys were thrilled with their stockings, and were wide-eyed with awe when they discovered the carrots and milk and cookies they had put out for Santa and his reindeer had been eaten.

Zane was inspired by a Jamie Oliver Christmas special we watched the night before and cooked American style pancakes for us for breakfast. 

After brekky it was time to open up some presents.

Ella was quite delighted with the way the morning was unfolding

James was thrilled with this present from the O'Dowds

And Liam was too

James needed some assistance opening this whopper up - a bright yellow scooter!

Ella was almost beside herself!

Another Christmas, another shirt!

Ella loved her ballerina & cat musical snow globe

Liam was dumbfounded when he realised all his dreams had come true and he was now the proud new owner of a DS!  I think he was still in shock when we took this pic.

James was thrilled with his new puppy, Snowy, who came with his own transporter and medical kit.

The obligatory family snap

After an exciting morning, we packed up the car and headed over to Brent and Penny's for lunch.

Opening pressies with Chae

Frolicking on the lawn

Catching up on the goss with the rellies

It was a great lunch, everyone brought a plate and the table was

laden down with lots of Christmas goodies

Ella's excitement didn't wane all day!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A xx

Christmas Party

We had our annual Mothers Group Christmas party at our house this year - I have avoided it for many years but finally the excuses had run out and it was well and truly my turn to host.  Fourteen adults and fifteen children aged 1 - 5 = controlled mayhem!  It was noisy and unruly, and there were a few bumps and bruises from the kids playing in close proximity and being in a state of extreme excitement, but I just had the frozen peas at the ready for any injuries, poured myself a champers and enjoyed watching the chaos unfold.  A great night was had by all.

Me and my girl

My lovely friends Tracey, Emma, Katherine and Kate

... and their other halves

Ella couldn't believe her luck when she found this empty juice box

that one of the big kids had tossed aside

Some of the boys managed to sit down for two minutes for a sausage!

Randoms

Just wanted to show you a picture of Ella in the beautiful dress Grandma sent for her birthday.  Pretty in pink!  Yes, that is a syringe she is sucking on.  Teething woes, again...

Most people who read this blog probably already know that we've had a student from Korea staying with us for the past couple of months.  She goes to school in the mornings and helps with the housework / childminding in the afternoons.  Her name is Elisha, and she is a very nice, courteous, friendly young lady.  We are all enjoying having her here, and I am loving the extra help.  Here she is with the kids:

We took Elisha sightseeing her first weekend in Brisbane.  Here we are at the top of Mt Koot-tha.

Liam had his last day at the day care centre he has been going to since he was two.  On the last day all the kids wore their new school uniforms for the day.  It was also the day of the Christmas party, a great chance to have a bit of fun and say goodbye to the friends we have made along the way.

Liam in his Wilston State School uniform, with James proudly standing alongside.

Liam and his buddy Wil.  They have developed a great friendship over the last couple of years, and although they won't be in the same class next year, they will still be nearby.

"The best teacher ever" - Cathy, she is everything you wish for in a teacher.  She is kind, caring, attentive, considerate, fun, I could go on and on.  Liam has forged a very strong bond with Cathy and will miss her next year.  Lucky James is in her class next year.

Moving on the kindy end of year celebrations !  Here is Liam proudly displaying the decoration he made to hang on our tree.

The kids put on a Carols concert for us.  It was heaps of fun, the kids loved being able to stay up late and run wild with all the other kids.

More on Ella's birthday

I put Ella's birthday blog on in rather a hurry, and there were a few nice pictures that didn't make it to that blog.  So, here they are:

Liam and Ella, wearing the gorgeous outfit Aunty Leigh sent for her b'day.  Don't you think Liam and Ella are two peas in a pod?

Before Ella's teeth started appearing, this was her 99% of the time - she is (or was) such a happy bubba!

Liam and Ella having some no-shirt time.  James is too cool for such shenanigans.

Having a cuddle with Great-Grandma Mavis - who is around 93 I think.

A lovely one of Ella and Aunty Kerrie (with Lorraine - Zane's Aunty)

Ella wasn't keen on opening her presents, but the boys were more than willing to help out!

James especially loved Ella's new pram and nappy bag.

Extreme close-up of the cake.  Yes, that's right folks, it is dripping out of her nostrils.

I just love this picture because I think it captures the innocence of a baby ... soooo cute.  I just want to smother those chubby cheeks with kisses.

Paul's 65th birthday celebrations

Paul (Zane's Dad) turned 65 last month and in true Knight fashion, decided to spread the celebrations out over a few days. 

The first event on the calendar was a cruise on the Gold Coast broadwater on a luxury catamaran, at twilight, followed by a party at their place at Mermaid Waters.  This was a surprise organised by Jacki.  Apparently organising surprises for Paul can be a bit dicey, but luckily this surprise was very warmly received by the birthday recipient. 

Kerrie was once again my guardian angel and agreed to look after the kids so Zane and I could go down and join in the fun.  Thanks Kez!  I didn't get any photos of the cruise and after-party, but there was a family lunch the following day, and here are the pics.

Ella was only just walking here.

Enjoying her new-found independence (with Uncle Brent)

The birthday boy and his brother Pete.

James just loves having a dip in the ocean.

Zane and Ella checking out the jet-ski.

This is the view from the end of their jetty, looking back up to the house.    The Riviera is parked behind me, right next to the jet ski.  Oh, how the other half live...

Time for birthday cake.

Ella and Uncle Brent having fun