Back, refreshed and excited for the new year.

 Matt, myself and the boys have recently been on a quick trip back to visit my Queensland family.  Thankfully we were both able to take some time off work to get away (thanks Ma Ma and Pa!!), I'd only been back at work two weeks before we'd left - and now that I'm back I didn't realise how much I'd needed to get away.  Even though the trip was rushed, driving all over, visiting here and there, exhausting for some - it has refreshed me.  I guess you really can't put a value on what touching base with your own family can do for you.  I am one blessed chick - especially that I can return to be surrounded by another wonderful family.


It was disappointing that I didn't get to spend a lot of time visiting friends as I have tried to do in the past, but despite this I have to say the most rewarding part of the trip was that Jack and Will really got to know mum and dad a lot more - and showed an instant bond with them instead of the usual 'resistance' that are very characteristic of my boys.  Even when we saw Em and Tony they knew who they were.  Amazing how lucky we are with technology that we can keep updated and in touch so much more effectively than in the past.  


Happy days.


Anyway, after reading a few friends goals for the year, I decided I should do the same, not new years resolutions at all, simply a few goals to work on - so I'm off to work on it, and if I'm successful I'll post it for all to see....

Wedding Bliss

Had the privelege of being part of a very special friend's wedding on Saturday.
Not only was I invited, but I was able to be up the front, as Jack says 'you get to wear a pretty dress mum!' - yes I did Jack, and it was fun.
Such a beautiful day - weather was questionable, but its amazing how it all comes together - happy days!

 Love these moments - when all the attention is on the wedding party - how cute are these two - La has been to as many weddings as we have in the last six months :)

 the focus

what a spunk

A few more recent shots

As is customary to my blog, is the lack of use.... lack of adding.... lack of regular photos, so here are a few photos of the last few months to keep you updated regarding what my lads have been up to.
As for me..... about the most exciting thing that has happened is that I have a new mower that I can start myself and whip over the lawn in an evening after dinner..... prior to that the item around our home that gave me the most joy was a new clothesline that contracts into itself - to give me more washing longevity in the winter!  How life changes!

Today the boys and I had the privilege of hanging out with our dear friends Lolah and Declan, some special friends whom Jack is especially fond of, it is such a blessing to just be able to chill out with the kids and watch them interact - thanks for a lovely avo!

So, despite the continual regular tasks of each day, I still keep observing each moment, so incredibly thankful for the gift of life, the beautiful moments I get to witness with my boys and finding the simplistic beauty in each and every day.

Enjoy

 There is nothing short of crazy carry-ons in our house - folding washing usually always turns into pants on your head time...?  Who needs dressing up clothes?

Hide and seek in the canola - Jack's first game of Marco Polo

 Will and his continuing obsession with balls..... Uncle Marcus - I'd recommend getting down here before this AFL interest gets any deeper!

 Ever watchful Will - nothing short of cheek this boy:)

 'It really was that easy mum!' Jack teaching me how to decorate cupcakes and eat oranges at the same time

 Will - a couple of shots 

(dad has complained he hasn't seen any of the young fella so here he is) 

 Busted climbing up on Jack's stool to get to some bikkies

A beautiful Summer's day calls for raiding the strawberry patch and bike riding topless

 None left here!

Chilling out in the back of the car having their lunch break between sessions on the boat.

The boys have skiing right up there on their list of favourite things to do

The Mackay crew came to stay

After a very very wet beginning to the year for Tony & Em, they decided to have a change of scenery and get a taste of the south!

 After we met up in Mt Gambier, we did a quick swing by to Port Mac to show them some more of southern style coastline (I mean really how can the North Qld beaches compare to here)

Its k k k kinda nice today mum, but perhaps a hot chocolate would be more the choice than water

 Will - any chance to get his hands dirty and he makes the most of it!

 my boys hanging with their biggest cousin Ryan!

Back at the farm - Uncle Tony and the lads on their way to feed the sheep - a novelty for these guys

Lee with the new lambie

 Jamie being well, Jamie - who wouldn't take this face home:)

 feeding lambs, check; trip to the murray, check; yabbying check -Ryan holding his dinner

 Me and my favourite boys - note that Jack is way more excited at how on earth he is to open the easter egg he's holding.  And Ryan - next time pretend to look excited;)

And the final queenslander thing to do when you come to SA - is to stare absolutely bewilderingly at a stobie pole - seriously they're an odity to us

Was a fab time had by all and I just wish we had the chance to catch up more often!

The last 10 months in a post.... hmm let's see.
Harvest dragged out for waywaywayway too long.
Had a visit from my bro and fam - a good 3000kms for them to come - well done guys!
This was closely followed from a visit from my dear sister which we concluded by a road trip to Qld and left poor Matt to work.... nothing like pizza shapes and a vitamin tablet to keep that man going through cropping whilst I'm away.
The little Will turned 1 which was a huge hit for Jack, knocked off another of my capital cities visits by heading to Sydney for a few days and had a huge birthday party for the 3 Yr old of the house.  My theory is once they start school, there goes the days you actually get to invite your good friends over, so why not do it while they're little at least once - I may be wrong, we can only see:).
And to top it off, Matt is very lovingly constructing the Custon/Bangham version of the Taj Mahal in my backyard - a lovely room for Bella and a fine construction for my 3 Indian Runner ducks and my chookies.... to come.  Very very excited.

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....