Christmas Day

I know this is very outdated, but I have wanted to share pictures of our Christmas morning. It was so fun to see the boys reaction to Sydney and it makes me smile evey time I look at these pictures. We had a great day and the boys were thrilled!

The winner is...Sydney!

Meeting Darwin for the first time.

Well, we hope she feels like she is a winner! After spending her first week at Tara's house with Darwin so she could remain a surprise for Christmas morning, she may be very disappointed we are the permanenet people and they were only temporary! I told Tara that if she got a head start on training Sydney, that I will toilet train her baby for her! Fair trade I say.

From the moment I saw Sydney on the rescue pup web site, she just felt like our dog. She was described as a big lump of a pup...perfect for us because I didn't feel like our family would suit a petite dog. After several conversations to try to prove our suitability, I picked her up on the 19th Dec when I travelled down to Tara's baby shower in Canberra. Fortunately, Sydney was being fostered in a home only 15 mins from Tara and Greg's house. Tara and Greg came along as I was so nervous. I am glad they did or they may not have released her into my care. I really had no idea what to do with a dog. I had always refused another dog since Dougall went AWOL, feeling we didn't deserve or have the time for another one.

Tara and Greg did so well with her for the lead up to her coming to us. The boys had been begging me for a dog, but had no clue I had relented and were both shocked and surprised when we brought her out Christmas morning. We are still learning the ropes, but I have become an avid watcher of the 'Dog whisperer' and am cramming several good books on dog training. She is so good for me, but still thinks she is the boss of the kids, so we have to stamp that out. I am really enjoying her and feel that she is causing me to relax what Andrew considers as O.C.D. in me, as I am touching something that knowingly has germs on it without rushing to the tap to wash my hads every 3 mins. I have even let her in the house on occassion!!! I call Tara every day now with dog questions and ask her advice and give updates. It is so bizaar how much I love her already and I have never been a dog person!! She is hard work, I am not getting anything much else done, but I highly recommend it.

Erin

Erin has been a regular visitor to our home since July when Jordan and she started dating. She is a lovely girl. I just don't feel ready for girlfriends yet....does that ever change???

Mitchell and Radheya

Mitchell has a lovely friend called Radheya ( who we nicknamed 'Robbie' for Andrew who couldn't quite get his name right), who he met two years ago when he started hight school. Radheya is just a lovely boy and we enjoy him being around. We were really sad to see him move to England in September to live with his Dad and persue his soccor ambitions. Mitchell and he had some great times together and will have some memories that will last forever.

Radheya surprised Mitchell just before Christmas when he trurned up on our door step as a christmas surprise. He has come to visit his Mum for Christmas but will be going back to England on 8th Jan. We will have to say goodbye all over again....but hopefully will see him a gain soon!

A little toastie!

These are all old pictures but if I am catching up I want to include them as quick, short posts.

Isabelle (cousin) was having a sleep over with Bailey and when I went in to say goodnight to them, I found they had sneaked into the lounge room with a bag of marshmallows and were toasting them over our wood fire. It was hard to be angry at them! Very innovative!