Back to Oma's for some R&R

After a week with cousins, it was time to head back to my parents house so that the kids could rest up a bit. A full week playing with their cousins tired them out! On Monday Dec 14th, our first night back, Owen slept for 14 hours straight! We were also fortunate to get 3 days of great weather. We've spent time at different playgrounds, at the beach and at my parents house. It's also the last week of school, and so several times we've run into school groups enjoying their end of year picnic. On Tuesday we had the entire 800 kids from Ulverstone High School suround us while we were playing at the beach!

Ella kicking back in her bunny attire. She wore the bunny ears to the supermarket later in the day!
A gorgeous day at Ulverstone Beach. Warm sun, no wind and the tide was in. Just perfect!!!

Playing at Oma's house.

Dion and Kay's House

On Friday, Dec 11 we left the Rowlings and headed to Burne to stay with my brother Dion, his wife Kay and their five kids - Josh, Allister, Paige, Piper and Savannah. Owen quickly made friends with Savannah who is just 3 months older than he is. They were like two monkeys up to mishief together!! Ella and Piper had fun together and I had a great time playing games with Josh, Allister and Paige.

The last time we were home three years ago I played Settlers of Catan with Allister and Josh. This time we played Ticket to Ride and Starfarers of Catan. Three years on and Josh and Allister were much improved players and hard to beat! Allister won Ticket to Ride and should have won Starfarers of Catan also, but they let me (as the 1st time player) re-roll the dice and I ended up winning with a 4 point streak at the end.

I remeber my brother Dion playing rough with his boys when they were little. He had some good practice over the weekend swinging the kids by their feet and throwing them onto the trampoline.

Piper and Ella.

Dion swinging Ella

Dion swinging Piper by her feet with Ella and Savannah asking for another turn!

Dion throwing Owen onto the trampoline. Owen just could not get enough of all this rough and tumble and kept asking for more!

Allister playing with Owen on the trampoline, At his feet are Piper, Sam and Savannah!!

Catching up with Friends

While we were in Lanuceston, I had a chance to catch-up with a few friends. On Tuesday, Dec 7th I met up with my cousin Lisa and my friend Jacquie. Jaquie and I were flatmates in Melbourne right before I moved to Chicago 9 years ago. Right around the time I left, Jaquie started dating my second cousin Jared (who was living in Melb) and a few months later they got married. They then moved to Launceston and Jacquie is now friends with Lisa and my sister Tammy! What a small world!

It was so fun to see them both and catch up. We met at City Park - which has a really great playgournd for the kids. Check-out Lisa's blog for her commentary. (Lisa, I hope you don't mind that I "borrowed" a few photos from you. Yours were so much better than mine!!)

Lisa and Kobe...

Jaquie, Me and Tammy (holding Elliott)

Elliott and Me
Sam found a great tree to climb up

Later in the week, on Thursday, I caught up with Lisa again and two friends we went to Don College with - Lynne and Angela. I have not seen Angela since Don College (18 years ago!!) and it was super nice of her to drive up from Hobart so that we could catch-up.

Staying with the Rowlings

As we were planning our trip to Tasmania this time I thought about how I wanted to spend our time. The most important thing was for my kids to get to know their cousins and my parents. The best way to do that, was to spend time staying at each family's home. And so on Monday, Dec 7th we headed to Launceston to spend a few nights with my sister Tammy, her husband Jason and their 6 kids - Jakob, Aneika, Nathan, Henry, Katie and Lilly. We had a great time! Sam loved spending time with Nathan on the playstation. Ella & Owen quickly made friends with Katie and Lilly.

On Tuesday Dec 8th, Katie was home sick from school and so she was able to tag along with us to the city park. They loved riding on the Thomas train and seeing the monkeys. The next day, Sam got to spend the morning with Lilly at school, and later in the day Tammy bravely took Sam, Ella and Owen back to Lilly's class for a party for her teacher. We can't wait to go and stay with them again just after Christmas!

BBQ at the Punchbowl

On Monday, December 7 we headed to the Punchbowl in Lanuceston for a BBQ with my brother Simon and sister Tammy and their families. The weather was perfect, the food was great and the cousins had a great time together. What more could you ask for!!

Chefs Simon and Oliver...
Aneika taking care of baby Elliott for me.

Oliver, Owen and Lilly

Tucking in.

The cousins teaching Sam how to play cricket.

Jason and Henry. (Chris -check out the Solo Henry is drinking)

Saturday, December 6

On Saturday afternoon, my Mum took the kids and I to pick strawberries at Turners Beach, just outside of Ulverstone where my parents live.

After picking strawberries, we headed to Forth, about 5 minutes away, to play at a park that my Mum found recently. The play equipment is shaped like tractor.

Simon and Simones - Thursday, December 3

On Wedensday night I asked Sam what he wanted to do the next day and he said "Play with Oliver!". And so on Thursday we headed to my brother Simon's house for the day so that they kids could play with their cousins Sarra, Jallie, Oliver and Jonty. They had a great time together!

Elliott having a jump in Jonty's jumperoo.


Sam and Oliver played so well together and laughed and laughed.
The sandbox was a big hit with everyone.

When Hallie and Sarra came home from school, Simon got out the kids 4 wheeler. Sam and Owen just loved that!!

At 5pm we went to the Deloraine Ward Primary party. The kids got to decorate ginerbread cookies, played games, ate and got a present from Santa.

Hallie showing the cookie she decorated.

Dion & Kays - Wednesday, Dec 2

On Wednesday, December 2 we spent the afternoon with my brother Dion and his wife Kay and their kids - Josh, Allister, Paige, Piper and Savannah. The kids had a great time together! Kay is always known for her great cooking. For lunch she made homemade spring rolls (yum yum!) and for dinner parmesean chicken which had been dipped in egg, flour and bread crumbs with parmesan cheese and then shallow fried. Soooo.... good! Sam loved the chicken. Kay had made chicken nugget sized pieces and Sam gobbled up 5 pieces in no time and then took some home for later! Sam is my fussiet eater and to see him enjoy his food so much was great!

Paige with Elliott...

My brother Dion with Elliott

Savannah riding on Piper's back.

Checking out Oma's House

Our first two days in Tassie were spent checking out my parents house and the beaches and parks close by.....