news from the capital

Hello all and a Happy New Year, well Marty and Claire are certainly getting around- lovely to have them in Canberra for a night, and it was great for the girls to spend some time with Uncle Marty, and I got to see him in twice in 3 months! We had a lovely (but cold) Christmas at Matt's out at Murrumbateman. It was OK when we got there, but by the time we had lunch the wind was up and it was freezing- we were all eating outside! Poor Matt, he got his beautiful pergola with decking built for Christmas- and everybody spent most of the day inside! However, it will be a memorable Christmas. We then went to Lisa's for Christmas Eve and she had 12 adults plus three babies stay the night!! Lucky she has such a big house. It was a really good night, and I got lots of cuddles with Ellen's and Lisa's babies! We spent yesterday afternoon and last night at Michael's with his family- Tim and Skye were in town, so we had an early new years- at 9pm,  complete with (illegal) fireworks, and I was home and in bed by 10.30. And of course, celebrations continue with our baby Clare's 18th on Saturday. She is celebrating with her friends on Friday night with dinner at a restaurant, and is actually going out to another party on her birthday- one of her friends shares her birthday. Then we have a family brunch on Sunday, and off to the casino for the traditional 18th birthday drinks,  which started  a long time ago, with only the uncles taking the birthday person out for drinks- now of course it's cousins and aunties. I should be in Sydney next Tuesday I think, and Steve and the girls will come up the following Sunday. Anne Plummer has organised a dinner with some school friends- our school reunion has galvanised everyone into action! So I will be spending my birthday in Sydney with Mum and Dad. Moo, hope you are ready for my list- it's quite extensive, Steve just raises his eyebrows when I make my lists of what I want to see and do when we travel.Anyway, that's about all, see some of you soon.
love you all, Annie

greetings from the south coast

Hi everyone,
Happy new year!
Firstly, thanks heaps Marty and Claire for visiting with Mum and Dad yesterday. Its always lovely to share our space with family. The last time you guys visited was 28/12/2006!! No wonder there had been a few changes. Trying to work out when mum and dad were last here, I think sometime when Moo was last here? Any guesses?? Also trying to work out when we knocked out that wall next to the kitchen.

Here are a few of 2006, and one is of about 2009. Good to go back and acknowledge all the work we have done.

Started this blog at about 10am. Interrupted by visitors, who we then went for a walk with to our neighbours up the road, and have just returned at 4.30 pm, after several hours of champagne and goodtimes on the new extention.

Dad, your incident with the bamboo was on 20th Feb 2008. Now Im trying to find out when we ripped that wall down between kitchen and loungeroom but I can't find it and it is starting to do my head in.

Anyway, better get a few hours of gardening in. Love to all.

Good travels to mart and Claire and thanks for visiting.

Love Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hi All
Just wanted to wish you all an enjoyable festive season.
Kev, received your parcel, thanks. I look forward to opening it on Christmas Day. Glad your parcel arrived in time Kate. Remeber there is a bit more to add but it was too heavy to post. Marty, your gift is not yet on the way but figured you are not home to receive it. You will get it later. Travel safely over the holidays.
We will be having Christmas dinner this year with Cynthia. She will be cooking a leg of Gower saltmarsh lamb we provided. Can't wait to taste it.
Thinking of you all and sending loads of love. Take care. xxxxxx

Welsh Greetings

Wow! Clare you look fabulous! Enjoy your "relaxing" on schoolies. If you fancy some time out to decide what you want to do, Wales is a great place to do it. A bit cold but we have heating.
Not much to tell. Just wanted to tell Clare she is gorgeous. Thanks for posting the photos Steve.
Love to All. xxxx

greetings from the south coast

Thank you Steve.I love a guy that responds so promptly to requests, you are a lucky gal Annie.
OMG, (oh my god, for mum and dad) Claire looks even more gorgeous than usual. No doubt she had a little help to glam up from her sis, so well done you two.
I hear Currarong is the new gold coast on the south coast! The toolies have been rolling in for the last few weeks and the all night beach raves are going off. I suppose she packed a few novels to make it look good for you guys. Go Clare, dance the night away!

Love Zak

Our Baby is growing up !

Well it had to come, Annie is a bit sad and Steve is a bit philosophical . . . Clare has finished school, celebrating in fine style with her formal last night in The Great Hall of Parliament House. Lots of beautiful people there but not one sighting of Julia or Tony. Here's a few pics for all you bloggers.

Clare with her life long best friend Emma, it was pretty windy and cold at the Carillon where most of the photo action took place.

and a few more friends, most are on their way to a quiet few days of "coasties" at Currarong.








and another view of the girls

so for Clare and her friends it's a few days relaxing then back home next week to get their final scores including that much anticipated ATAR. Uni offers start mid January, we reckon Clare will be able to pretty much pick what she wants. The only problem is she's not sure what that is !

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
All I want to say is Steve where are the formal photos?? Clare's tooo busy packing for her trip to put any on, and she says you have the good ones. I only want one! please/thanks
Love Zak