all in a day's work

It's been 15 months since we moved back to Australia, and our house hasn't changed that much. But, we had BIG plans when we moved in.

Renovations were going to include: a new kitchen complete with floorboards, a large study/music room/studio, built-ins (oh, yes please!), carpet, central heating (yes, we have had one winter without it - not a liveable environment really)... the list goes on. And that's just the inside.

The outside was going to be fenced, pathed, and basically a landscapers' dream including serious coveting from all our neighbours. We were going to be "The Joneses".

Well, today I had a friend visit from a friend who recently moved to NZ - so she hasn't been at our home for five months. And so I was pleasantly surprised when she said lots had changed.

It was inspiring.

And so I am thrilled to tell you the exciting new installment to our home is... lawn.

Yes, lawn.

You may say, "Oh, that's not THAT exciting". But I tell you, it is.

Our little guy has somewhere to play french cricket, somewhere to put his little swimming pool. Somewhere for our girls to put down a towel when they want to 'bake'.

Trust me, lawn is very important.

Okay. So we actually don't have any lawn yet. But we have cleared a place, planted the seeds and spent quite a few hours laying brick. But it will soon be a place with lawn.

And that's exciting.

little gromit

It's typical that an almost two year old would be messy when they eat, and so we have made the most of these moments and there will be hell to pay when he gets to his 21st!

So, here are a couple of attempts of making the biggest mess possible.

Above: did you like what's left of that chocolate frog? would you like sauce with that? where's the spaghetti bolognese? Gone!

SNEAKY GETAWAY.

After a small taste of a lovely holiday which was cut short recently, we had to make haste and travel again for work.

Being the optimists we are and also hoping for some 'personal time' and (desperately needing a holiday) we thought we could we could make the most of our time away and sneak in another day at the beach.

So, off we went to NSW and after the work was over we drove south to a lovely beachside town for just a day.

Just another small taste of paradise...

THE BEACH, THE SAND, THE SEA.

Since Christmas we have been struggling to find time for a break between work appointments. And our challenge, should we choose to accept it, was to find time.

We accepted it with open arms, and managed to find three days where we could chill and enjoy each other's company and went to Lorne - our favourite Victorian seaside town. Our lovely friends offered their beachhouse for the week, but alas we stayed for just three days.The weather was perfect and so we hit the beach as often as we could and enjoyed every minute.

We just wished it was longer.

it's been a while...

Okay, so it's been a while since I blogged.

But hey, I've been busy. And side-tracked. And getting over things. Big things.

But it's time to think about life and all the good things we have, so here are some of our blessings.

Aunty Daisy just loves Madison and here is a captured moment with them. He just loves her too.

Before we lost the baby, we spent some time renovating a property. On the weekend we got to relax and go for lovely bush walks. So beautiful spending time with just family.