Getting there!

Ok..we are into 2013 finally.  A few things happened in 2013 so far, so on with the pictures.

JANUARY 2013

As seen in the Chrissy pics, the kids got a swimming pool for Christmas.  Hopefully this one is better than the stock trough that they normally get!  At least this one has a filter.

 They also got a 'Slip and Slide' for Christmas, however this proved to be an abject FAILURE at our house because we have no lawn on which to put it and it is impossible for them to slip and slide on the rough ground covered with hard dirt clods and sticks.

Biddy at the dentist.

 For the second year in a row, we took a few days down at Apollo Bay in January.  In fact, we upped the time from 3 days to a week.  Whilst it wasn't blazing hot the weather was great and with wetsuits, we were all able to enjoy the waves.

 I even managed to buy a new wetsuit in a size 14!!  Thanks to Michelle Bridges I might add!!

 Of course, there cannot be any beach visit without someone being buried.  Tom loves this.

 Biddy got really good really quickly on the boogie board.

 Because he is not crawling - and prone to eating sand - this is where baby H spent most of his time.  He was so good....he slept every day for a couple of hours in here.

In time for return to school and daycare, haircuts were needed all around.  This is Bella's very first haircut!  She is just over 2.5yrs!  Really, it was much of a small trim than a haircut.  But she felt so special sitting up there!

 We kept the clippings......I tell you, you wouldn't want to sneeze near them.  They would disappear into thin air.

My Australia Day pav.....Red, Blue and White for the flag and Green and Gold for the traditional Aussie colours.

 January also saw Biddy's very first day of school.  The preps start on their own for the first 2 days, so Tom didn't join her, but she didn't care.  She couldn't wait.  Wonder how long that will last?  As a side note, baby H is now one day short of 9 months and this is THE VERY FIRST photo of the whole 6 of us.  Sad....must take more of us all.

In front of the St Mary's

Christmas & New Year

Finally made it to the end of the year.  Have you dropped off yet?  LOL.  Not much to say about these pics.....it is Christmas, there is lots of paper, gifts and fun times.

CHRISTMAS & NYE 2012

The birthday girl.  Happy 5th birthday.

My new addition..welcome to my KitchenAid family!

New Year's Eve at our place. 

 

At the end of 2012

I will break Christmas out of this as there are a few photos to show.  But really, December was all about parties, gatherings, breakups and celebrations.

DECEMBER 2012
Each year in early December, my mum's family all get together to celebrate Christmas.  Once upon a time, we used to see each other all the time.  These days, we are lucky to see each other once a year, hence why we all try to make this day.  These are random pics of family throughout the day.

Caitlyn and Henry

Emma and Biddy

 A very special celebration occurred in early December..Mark was awarded the Emergency Services National Medal.  This award is a very big deal and is given to someone that has performed above and beyond the expectations of them and their role.  Mark has been in the CFA for about 25+ years now and has been the Group Officer for about 16 of them.  About 55 people attended a surprise dinner for him.

Barwon Downs captain Gavin Brien and Larpent Lieutenant & Corangamite DGO Lachie Sutherland congratulate Mark

Deputy Chief Officer John Haynes awarding Mark the National Medal

Very proud to have his boys attend the ceremony 

 Last days at school and kinder occurred in December.  Biddy had a photo with Mark at the log at kinder to mark her final day.  We have taken this same pic of Tom on his last day because Mark went to Wydinia when he was their age and it is lovely to have them together in the pic.

Biddy with her kinder teacher Carylle Clancy

Tom with St Mary's principal Mick Mahoney 

and with his class teacher Helen McKenzie

Bella with her daycare teacher, Sharee

This was 2012's Christmas photo.  I thought I wold be able to escape being in it, but Bella has a fear of Fr Christmas, so I had to join in.....