Back on board

A lot has happened in the last six months, good and bad. I've lost two dear family members, one way before her time. The day after my last post my beautiful niece passed away, at a mere sixteen years of age. It was, and still is, such a shocking, tragic period for my family. I made the journey back alone to the UK to be with them. I didn't have the motivation to keep blogging, and the longer I left it, the harder it seemed.

But in November we gained a new family member. Our little man arrived and made our family complete.

Here is a wrap-up on the second half of 2013:

The mild winter was spent riding bikes, spending time at the beach (and spotting piglets at the beach!), and parties (where jumping castles launch little girls high in the air!).

 

The first weekend of Spring we headed off to the snow, or what was left of it. The girls LOVED tobogganing and snowman building and still ask when we can go back. I found it hard work walking cautiously in the snow being 7 months pregnant, but lots of fun was had!

Our first crop of carrots from the veggie patch! Size doesn't matter!!

Weeeeeeeeeeeee!

Mummy-Leila day before bub arrives. A train trip to the city and a trip to the aquarium.

 Bush walks.

And rock climbing.

Family days out.

And a family wedding.

 

And more days at the beach!

Pamela the blind possum has taken up residence around our house, and dines on my veggie patch!

 A special little girl turned 5 (party piccies to come in another post)

 

A special little man makes his long awaited arrival (he definitely deserves his own post!)

Summer fun: Christmas tree went up, bike rides, picnics in the back yard, trip to the reptile park, fun times with Granny and Aunty Alex from the UK... and Christmas Day, with a nudie swim in the rain!

 

Leila desperately wanted a pink handbag, and Santa delivered thank goodness!

Eyes closed, for another surprise...

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A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2013.

We've had a quiet week here. My best friend went back to England, and I haven't taken the camera out much.

Mahlia: Yesterday, whilst hubby was studying, I took the girls for a bike ride/dog walk/play/duck feed. It was lovely in the sun. Mahlia tried to ensure every duck got some bread, and took it very seriously!

Leila: She'd spend all day on the swing I think. She took great delight in trying to 'get the phone' with those muddy feet.

Joining in with Jodi over at Che & Fidel.

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A portrait of my girls, once a month, every month, in 2013.

Mahlia: A ferry trip to Palm Beach—a windy and exhilarating journey in the sun.

Leila: We trekked through bush to the secluded and private Lobster Beach. We had it to ourselves and spent the afternoon soaking up the warm sun and having a picnic.

Bump: HUGE! Only 15 weeks! We went to Sydney to show Laura the sights and to view the lights of Vivid Sydney.

Joining in with Jodi from Che & Fidel.

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A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Mahlia: Looking so grown up in her new dress, catching the water dripping down the cliff at Terrigal Haven. Enjoying the afternoon sun.

Leila: A trip to the Hunter Valley, sitting in a knobbly old tree, holding on tight to her best friend's, Laura's, hand.

Little frog #3: My third little frog is cooking away nicely! 14 weeks, and it is going too fast! And yes, I am ridiculously large for 14 weeks—eekkkk!

I couldn't resist including the final photo. Exploring on the rocks at Terrigal, Mahlia holding Leila's hand and helping her climb up the rocks. I love the reflection.

Joining in with Jodi over at Che & Fidel.

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A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Mahlia: Little Miss Grumpy at the beach. She came good after a while though and enjoyed the sun and sand.

Leila: Collecting autumn leaves on a walk past the bats.

Joining in with Jodi over at Che & Fidel.

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A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Mahlia: She really is a daddy's girl. She'll run to him to ask him for something she knows I'll say no to, as he finds it so hard to say no to her. On the carousel holding his hand, safe in his arms.

Leila: Looking very relaxed with daddy on the paddle board. They'd been searching for fish.

Joining in with Jodi at Che & Fidel. 

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A portrait of my girls, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Mahlia: A trip to the Gosford Show, and she sure loved all the animals! She cuddled and petted everything living thing she saw, even holding an alligator. That little chick felt the love, and burrowed inside her cardigan for a closer cuddle.

Leila: Also loved the animals, but had a ball in the fire engine and the police Porsche—was obsessed with putting the seat belts on—safety first!

Joining in with Jodi from Che & Fidel.