Dinner tonight with the whole family.

Greta get together for dinner tonight. The whole family was there. Loved the meal, the drinks and the conversation. Mr Zoom helped put it all together.

Christmas 2019

Huge bushfires this year. Started early and consuming huge tracts of SE Australia.
Smoke haze has only affected us for 2 days, unlike most of the rest of the Eastern seaboard.
Anyway, lovely visit from all, and we managed to get pictures of all the GC’s in one place.

Sue came down with Luca and Mikaela by Jetstar, arriving at Avalon Airport a couple  of days before Dim who drove.
They returned with Luca only by car providing Nic and Vas a great opportunity to spend some time with Mike.

Vic, John, Maddie and Amelia and Rolo and Amelia’s plants drove down, but not without a stopover in Jindabyne and Kosciusko for a couple of days on the way.

All stayed with us and we enjoyed Christmas morning together. Reindeer poo proved Santa had visited. Then everyone was off to other commitments.

Sue, Dim and Luca caught up with John and Vic in Gundagai and slipped thru road closures due to bushfires.

Jeff and Jill dropped Madds and Amelia off today so we could get them up to Bacchus Marsh for a sleepover with cousins Owen, Alannah and Zoe.
We couldn’t leave without mowing the lawns to reduce the risk of snake hiding in the grass.

So here are the photos.

Owen's Fourth Birthday at Melbourne Zoo.

Regan did a great job organising a fantastic birthday celebration for Owen. It started with a 10:00 am Saturday morning start at Melbourne Zoo and finished with Sunday lunch and a beaut four candle chocolate cake at the Yacht Club.

We all met outside the main gate where 'zoo' bags, made up by Regan, were given out to the kids. The bags were full of delights including special binoculars, i spi sheets and a big favourite... cookies in the theme of zoo animals professionally made by Meredith. 

An obligatory coffee (for the adults) then off to see the animals. Taking on the role of expedition leader Owen navigated around the exhibits like a professional, never covering the same track twice and at a pace which kept the group scurrying.

We lost the obligatory one boy somewhere around the Butterfly Enclosure but reunited him with his Mum upon mounting a successful search party.

Some pics below. Happy Birthday Owen.

Sorry Gran, Too busy. I'm off to the Zoo.

Must see Giraffe

Dad, there is a bug on your shoulder

Meercats being photogenic. These guys know how to pose for the camera

A short break from Owen's gruelling pace.

I'm tired Dad... Carry me.

Ducks are animals too.. and need to be fed

My photo comp entry.

Yum. Meredith's cookies

Lots of lovely pics of the other Mom's Dads and kids ... available on request.

Can't have a birthday without family and cake....

Greenedge Ride and Shepparton Visit

Vic and John made the very brave and heroic decision to drive from Sydney to SHepparton with Maddie (4 years old) and Mia (2 years old) and Rolo (the teenage puppy) using the tent as accommodation. Its an 8 hour drive and they thought it a good ice breaker for a trip later this month down to Geelong for Xmas.

Well it all worked out fine. No car sickness and the girls and Rolo behaved amicably towards each other despite the cramped conditions.

Steve, Regan, Owen and Alannah were wonderful hosts. The kids enjoying each others company to the fullest.

John encouraging Rolo to go for a swim in the Broken River.

Maddie and Mia enjoying a cool off in the lake at Shepparton.

John chose to do the 140 klm ride which took in some decent hill climbs up behind Yea, whilst Vic and I did the 50 klm ride from the Michelton Winery to Seymour along the picturesque Goulburn River.

Do you like my tu-tu?

At Michelton Winery for the after ride picnic.

A well deserved "holiday ice cream" on our return back to Shep after the picnic and ride.

This girl really knows how to enjoy holiday ice cream.

Morning tea with cousins.

Thanks for having us Stev, Regan, Owen and Alannah.