Surprise Visit!

One phone call can change a weekends plans in an instant!! After receiving a phone call from my sister on Friday (the 23rd of March) just before 8am, I had flights booked to Perth for the following morning by 9.30am. Plans for a quiet weekend (having the kids on my own while Larry went to WA) went out the window and a surprise was in the making! A phone call to one sister-in-law and the surprise was set!

Roll on 6am and Larry and I (with Eleanor) depart for Perth arriving at 9.30am (Perth time). We met Bruce and Sarah (and kids) at the airport, and surprise a shocked Diana. On the way to the homestead, it was decided that Larry would go inside with the others and I would ring the doorbell. Dad H greeted Larry in the driveway and took about 5 minutes to register that I was there as well (hehehe). They went inside while Eleanor and I waited at the front door. I rang the bell, thankfully Eleanor managed to keep quiet for a bit, and Mum H answered with '....what?!?!?!'.

Eleanor all set for her big adventure (at 4.30am)!

As the day went on, other family members were in and out. Gerry's reaction was the best though! I think we almost had to pry her off the ceiling and were all temporarily deafened ;) !!

After a visit with all the gathered family, we headed up to surprise Jo! All she could manage was 'What are you doing here?'!! Thanks Jo, come all that way and I don't even get a 'hi' ;) !! Her phone call with the news of their daughters birth was the reason I booked flights!

Jo before she saw us 

(Larry was trying to catch her expression as we walked in the door)

Cuddles with Dayna

Jo catching up with (a sleepy) Eleanor 

(who was 2 weeks old when they last saw each other)

Eleanor (intent on eating her dress) and Dayna

 After a short visit, we headed back to the homestead for a quick rest before the onslaught of people/activities/fun began with the Huizinga/Janssen reunion!

 Cuddles with Aunty Diana

Action in the pool yard!

 

Clive and Kiera

Gorgeous Sophy (from Karlo and Annet Janssen)

Dad H directing proceedings

Start of the kids treasure hunt

From L to R: Annet and Sophy, Wendy, Me and Eleanor, Dad H

From R to L: Dean, Len, Damian, Emma, Rachel, Mrs Janssen

Huizinga/Janssen grandkids 

(minus Alywn, Quinlan, Sebastian and Eleanor - she was sleeping)

 Huzinga's and Janssen's 

(trying to replicate an old photo from a holiday nearly 20 years ago)

 Sunday we spent with Larry's family, I snuck up to Rockingham while everyone went to Church in the afternoon.

Ash, Elliott and Eleanor

Mother and daughter!

 Dayna waving 'bye'

 

 We caught of with some friends and their gorgeous girl in the evening before Larry headed home (yup, sort and sweet).

Gorgeous Adelle (from Joy and DongWoo)

 Monday Eleanor and I spent some time with Sarah, Janneke, Tash and relevant kids, finally got a tour of Bruce and Sarah's house and managed to sneak in a few more cuddles of my new niece before heading home on the midnight horror!

Lunch at McDonalds (where else can you 

sit in peace and catch up while the kids can play?)

 

Evan didn't want to look in the group photo!

Cousins, holding hands already!

Little Miss Bright Eyes, Dayna

Eleanor was/is a great traveler, it's much easier taking a 12 week old than a 11+ month old! She slept on both flights home, we had 3 seats to stretch out on on the flight to Melbourne. Got squished into a window seat to Hobart (at least it's only a short flight from Melb).


The boys had their own adventure at Granny's house and had a blast with her! THANK YOU so much for having them, Granny! Thank you to Mum and Dad H who put us up for the weekend, and to Bruce and Sarah for the loan of the car!!

Til next time.......

Church Camp

Last weekend we were able to join the Southern Presbyterian Church at their annual Church camp! It was great way to join the wider Church community (they have several congregations in the state) in fellowship and the Study of God's Word. We renewed several 'old' friendships and met more people in one weekend than I would in a several months. The boys (Q especially as they have an in-ground trampoline) had a blast and Eleanor had more willing pairs of arms than she could cope with, at times! We were blessed with beautiful, mild weather as well.

The study aspect focused on the birth and resurrection of Christ under the general theme of 'Christ a man for all seasons'. The guest speaker was Pastor Mac Callum from St Georges Presbyterian Church in Sydney. We also enjoyed a session 'Questions Panel' where 4 people where chosen from the camp attendees to answer questions that had been submitted (anonymously) prior to the session starting. Those in the audience were able to answer/comment on questions also.

Saturday night we enjoyed a night of games and fellowship, with some very competitive players (Bruce n Sarah eat your heart out!!).

We only took a few photo's during the afternoon activities on Saturday! There was 'The Challenge' for older (but youthful) camp attendees and a fishing activity for the younger children (which Q loved, but not as much as the trampoline)!

Little Miss all ready to go!

 Q a picture of concentration!

 

Sebastian having a turn!

All the children and a few random parents/helpers

Group photos (some people only came for part of the camp, or just for the day on Sunday).

So that's the updates for today! Hopefully it wont be quite so long between posts next time!

Til then..........LBQSE

Grandma and Grandad come to visit!

As the title says we've had visitors. They have been and gone and life is settling back into some sort of normality and routine.

Much work was done in the garden, two little boys and a little girl were spoilt rotten with gifts and love and lots of time with Grandma and Grandad!

So a few photo's to follow (been a little remiss in the blogging department of late)!

G and G arrived on a stinkin' hot 39 degree day! What better way to cool off than head to the beach at 6pm for a swim and bbq dinner!

Sebastian contemplating the beach scene

 Quinlan having fun on Larry's board

Next stop, the botanical gardens (I think this must be one of G and G's favourite places)!

 Then off to the cricket to watch Sri Lanka vs India (or is that Seer Lanka?)
Larry joined us when he'd finished work and he and Dad H stayed until the end of the game, I had cranky kids/baby to deal with (and it was jolly cold)!

Sebastian running amuck

Eleanor chilling on the picnic rug!

'Bit bright mum....'

 The day before they left we spent some time ambling through the forests and tree tops of Tahune! The boys had a blast (we mostly saw the back of Q as he charged ahead). We did an extended walk (forgot that it's quite a bit longer than I thought). The walk now continues on from the tree tops to follow the river and then crosses both the Arve (I think) and Huon rivers (it becomes just the Huon river once they meet). The walk goes to the point where the two rivers meet and you can look back at the air walk. We had to cross 2 suspension bridges along the way, definitely not Q's favourite part of the day!

Grandma and Grandad taking it easy on the way up!

Q actually sitting still for a few minutes (before he took off again)!

Sebastian enjoying the free ride (he did a little bit of walking along the way)!

Some flora shots (Larry likes to take macro photos)

We had a wonderful time with Grandma and Grandad! I didn't get the camera out as much as I should of, they have a lot more photos! There were hardly any of Eleanor in the ones we did take, she spent much of the time in the Ergo (carrier) and I mostly spent that time behind the camera!

Stay tuned for the next update, hopefully will get to it this afternoon still!