Off to Market

So every year various members of the Olsen fam trundle off to Rockhampton to sell their produce.... Bulls mainly..... and if they're up for it, they'll do some shopping of the four legged variety..... hmm mainly Tony this year, although they did try and convince Matt:) 

So what do you do when you get to sit right up the top of a grandstand?  yes, correct, eat:)

Jack kickstarts his bull watching with a sandwich, and Ruby thinks no one will see if she sneaks into Will's pram to hav her snack - busted Ruby!

 Clearly the bulls are providing excellent entertainment - as Marcus, Grandad and Matt are all paying so much attention!

 And really, let's face it, with this little man to look at - who wouldn't be distracted?

 The boys wanted to go matching today - gotta love the hats... You know you're in Central Queensland when....   

How times have changed, the boys kept busy with their DSi's - good old Nintendo - Gold star child minder!

Not quite convinced - Matt did his best to look interested - no seriously, he was.... 101, 102, 103 - counting the white hats in the crowd.

It was lots of fun though - never thought I'd say it - but it is a nice family time and reminds me of home.  Jack loved going for walks and looking at all the big bulls - and believe it or not they make good coffee there at Gracemere!

Auntie Andie

Saturday morning the kiddies awoke to find a 'surprise' on the lounge room floor - wasn't long before Andie was trampled by the kiddies

 Brekky time - the three wise monkeys line up

 The perfect seats to see all the action

Oldest and the youngest - 10 yrs between them, Ryan the eldest got a cuddle in with the latest cuz

The madness continues - blasting each other with the hose is always a good way to cool off - all the 'Olsen' cousins together for the first time

 Jack coming up for air - ready to go!

Family snaps

Just before we took andie back we scrambled in for a quick pic - of course we still didn't manage to get the whole crew!

 Time to say farewell to my gorgeous sister - Jack and Will accompanied us to put Andie on her 'red' plane - and now all planes that are red are andies of course - the logic of a two year old!

 Sisters and brothers

Andie and her Will

Day One.... starting very very very early

The hot seat - showing hippo the other planes out the window

The playing begins - being squished in the plane for 2 hrs and in the car for 5 beforehand - Jack was gearing up to go - Uncle rich had a nice big pile of dirt to fix his roads - which was perfect for getting their hands dirty...

Ruby watching her slaves Jack and Tommy

Climb up... slide down... climb up.... slide down... again and again and again

The boys on their 'mountain'

Ruby and Jack taking their earth moving skills to the sandpit

Trip home Oct 2010

After much 'encouraging' by Matt to actually book flights, we befriended good old Tiger and headed up to home for a week - this time different to the rest as we were actually able to just go to Rich and Sal's (In Rockhampton) and just stay put.  Was so nice not to have to trip around everywhere.... we managed to time the visit with the annual Rockhampton Brahman week - where mum and dad and the boys in our fam sell some of their fine Stud Bulls (Jack was very impressed with the 'BIG BULLS Moo!').  Was an absolutely delightful week.

Rich and Sal so generously opened their home for an Olsen onslaught - Sal I feel for you:).  As Will hadn't met anyone yet apart from dear Mum and Dad - he attracted a visit from Tony & Em and the boys (who very lovingly took time off school to see us and go shopping - thanks ryan lee and Jamie - you're so generous), a surprise kidnapping of my sister Andie - whisked her off the bus and kept her for two days before allowing her to fly back to Townsville, and thankfully a drop in from good old uncle scus - but where's Tracey???  Jack reassured Marcus when he arrived that its ok, 'Tracey's just a bit sick' - so sorry you couldn't make it Trace - we missed you terribly and would have loved to have seen you - hopefully one day in the not so distant future.

Unfortunately we didn't manage to get everyone there together at the same time - but the cousins were able to all be together for the first time - which meant of course some kidwrangling and couch photos..... always worth a laugh.

A lovely day at the beach was hadwith what felt like gale force winds, a high tide and lots of dirty water - while we sat on the hill and drank coffee and hot chocolate - Jack of course made the most of his new love for water - blue lips and all.

Of course where would any Olsen gathering be without food - food and simply more food - don't need to eat for a week now - detox maybe more like it:)  A desert off on most nights, and Emma and myself somehow attacking the kitchen with some sort of food creation - hope the bikkies are going well Sal!!

Missing everyone lots but thankfully we have the memories - here's to next time!

A spot of boating

Ah what a luxurious life we lead - spent the afternoon boating on our 'boatlake' - and an added bonus, we were joined by ma ma and pa for the avo (thanks to ma ma for the photos - see if i can actually put them up)

Jack of course claimed the hot spot - and had his slaves boat him around

Fun with Dad

I wish I had gummies like Ma ma's - where would the fun be if you didn't get half soaked with freezing water?  And Where would Jack be without his Ma ma?

Ma ma testing out the new oars engineered by Matt

A lot of fun had by all - here's to hopefully lots more relaxing Sunday avos....

Satellite Broadband

So I'm often discussing how we never post to our blog - well seldom and definitely not regularly - tonight is another perfect reason as to why - trying to upload one very small resolution photo - taking at least 10 minutes so far - therefore leaving me to deliver a beautiful photo of Jack and Will to your imagination.... Yes some of you also use satellite - and have success - perhaps perfect proof that I am really an active member of the 'now' generation? Hmm Activ 8 you're yet to prove your worth!

It's just so tiring!

Matt decided to bring the fire truck for a spin thinking Jack would love it


.... and he did, but so much so it wore him out

A bit of a closer look at our firie


Must have been tough, didn't even know he'd been taken out of the truck. Let's just say we had one disappointed little boy when he woke up to realise the truck was gone. I think we will leave this job for those that know how to stay awake... It's all yours Sami, Jack a bit too young for Red Bull I'm afraid.

Grape Picking

Jack has decided to be rather helpful of late, while we worked hard and picked grapes as a tennis fundraiser, Jack decided he'd do his bit.... I believe taste testing is more his thing.


Hmmm I think you're slacking off guys, there's not many in here!



These aren't too bad

we're back.... for now:)

Ok, after going through some old reno photos, thought I'd refresh you all with what our house used to look like, and maybe if you're lucky some updated photos - is amazing to go through the old ones and see how far you've come and how much has changed. We are so forever grateful for the changes and renovations that have taken place. Consider ourselves truly blessed. Although for some reason I still can't find the maid that's meant to come with the building renovation contract. If you see her please let me know.

This was a greenhouse area I assume, leading to the garage.

As you know Pink is definitely Matt's colour,

sadly the photo doesn't quite show the prickly walls

A man's home is his castle

Good invention fly screens

After the removal and patching of a few bits and pieces, mid 2008

And the rest.... will be uploaded after I find the photos:)

Garden Guru

Well if Mum won't get out here and do the weeding, I'd suppose I'll have to.... Lucky I've got my safety gear on
Here's one for the Gardening Australia fans

Soil Testing Jack style - or should we say 'soil tasting'
the sheep poo is in perfect bite sized pieces

Renovator's Delight in Action

Check it out - After much waiting and thinking and planning (the longer it took, the larger the ideas became:) ), I arrived home today to see a lovely wrapped gift for Christmas (i'm assuming this may be all that happens prior to the big day.... we'll see)

The back room nicely wrapped ready for it's decorating.
Window's are in...

We've gone for mismatched grass as our paving selection, what do you think?

a view from the inside, getting exciting!!