Saturday, January 30, 2010

Now is that Tattoo or Tutu



Well - in Eb's eyes it's a Tutu! Everytime she says it I crack up. I don't even want to correct her! She was given it at the Doctor's surgery.....a change from a sticker :)

2010 - the year of independence part 1????

Gosh are things changing with Eb.

Here are just some of the changes....

Now toilets (well the easier part) completely on her own and has done for a few months now...it's just that now she doesn't even want me in the room some of the time!
Finally started getting out of bed on her own in the mornings and coming in to us. (started 27th Jan).
Is wanting to choose her hair ties and occasionally her clothes.
Can get into her car seat and seat belt on her own - but can't undo it yet.
Cleans her own teeth in the morning (Mummy 'do' at night :)
Get's out the breakfast cereal and things for lunch that she wants.
Can now hold a bit of a conversation on the phone.
When she wants to do something she says 'my do it' which is think is totally cute!

These are just a few of the things that have developed recently...but most have been since new year. Independence is so good for her...but takes a lot of patience for me!

I've just added a couple of cute photo's :) One of her just after we'd made a(nother) choccy mouse again and the other is of my angel sleeping.



Friday, January 29, 2010

Another trip to Wallaces Hut

We decided we'd try for a late afternoon picnic at Wallace's Hut with friends.
It was a very warm day locally, so I knew it would be nice up there. We got up there about 4pm and walked our 'gear' and children the 750metres only to find that the only available table was taken! We had to move locations slightly and eat whilst perched on logs! It was still fun and the girls had a ball. It was a beautiful temperature most of the time....but as soon as the sun went behind the clouds/mountains it got cool very quickly!
We headed back to the hut and spent a bit of time there with the girls before we felt the weather was really starting to set in. I is absolutely amazing to see the mist roll in and I can see how easy it would be to get caught out in the winter! It made me think of what the mores (?) in Ireland and places in the UK would be like. It was kinda eerie really - but we loved it. Took the girls for a ride for a short while and then it was time to head back down to reality!...

The two girls playing in the trees....


My little monkey...


The view from where we sat and had our picnic...


D, S and Eb having a lovely time together....


Daddy with our little monkey....who LOVES to climb!


Peek-a-boo


Just before the mist rolled in...

..then minutes later....


Mist over the Rocky Valley Dam at the top of Falls Creek




then some photo's on the way back down to home...


Thursday, January 28, 2010

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

A visit from Austin Thomas!

We haven't seen Tanya or Austin since mid December, so it was really lovely to catch up and see how much darling Austin has changed. He is still as delightful as ever...and so is his Mummy! We've really missed them.

How cute is this little man?




...not to mention the two together!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Australia Day 2010

What more can I say - the day we celebrate our lives here in this amazingly wonderful land. It is also the day we celebrate Ebony's 2nd anniversary as an Aussie! We went down to the local celebrations in the morning and then headed to the river in the evening for a lovely picnic and some fun family time with friends!

Finally loves having her face painted....


Eb and Sarah dancing...as they love to do!


A quiet moment on Daddy's knee..


The Mt Beauty get together.....(and this was only a small section of it!)


Just cute....


then it was down the river for some fun with Sarah...


with Daddy helping of course!


and Eb being very brave and having a wonderful time...


this is the beautiful area that adults and children alike have 'made' in the river...


and what fun the girls had together!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Wallaces Hut and Rover Lodge

Today we took a beautiful Sunday afternoon and made the most of it!
We went to Church in the morning and then had some lunch at home before heading up to Falls Creek and beyond. We've lived in this area over 3 years now and there is still so much we haven't seen or done.
I'd bought some maps for the B&B and had a good look at them. I had heard about Wallaces Hut, but thought it was a long walk. Well it wasn't so I suggested we head there.

Here's some info....
Wallaces Hut is the oldest of the huts still standing in the Alpine National Park and is classified under the National Trust. It was built by the Wallace Brothers in 1889, close to the Bogong High Plains Road just out of Falls Creek, from slabs of snowgum. In the 1930's its woollybutt roof shingles were replaced by the SEC when it was taken over as a workers' hut. Now it serves as a refuge and slice of human history nestled in wild country.

It was so beautiful up in the Mountains - 35+ degrees at home and about 23 up there. We walked to the hut and I took some more experimental photo's ....

inside the hut


the 'outhouse'


the hut


Then some family snaps...


Well done Daddy...a very special snap...




Then a family one...


Forever dancing and singing girl...no matter where she is!


Skipping with joy beside her daddy...if you look closely you'll see her feet are actually off the ground!


More exploring with Daddy...


Just a couple of sweet photo's....



And still more gorgeous Daddy time...I so love these photo's when Gra and Eb are close...


Then we arrived at the place I had been looking for - Rovers Lodge. A little known about lodge that you can stay in. It accommodates 35 people in dorm style (mattresses all over the floor!) but it a real 'experience'. It has a communal kitchen and lounge area and can be booked for a minimum of 10 people. Something to consider when the ski season is over (11kms from Falls Creek and NO transport - just ski in ski out!). It is available in the other seasons too and was particularly beautiful today.






We stayed there for a while and spoke to one of the guys that does a lot of the work there - it's owned by the Rovers Scout Group. He was great to talk to and very helpful and knowledgeable.

Then it was off for more photo opportunities.

love these two...




Another one of Wallaces Hut as we headed back to the car...


Then Rocky Valley Dam at the top of Falls Creek - taken as we were moving in the car...


Then finally - 4km's of walking later....one very exhausted, but beautiful, little girl...