tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18255725573647691952024-03-27T16:38:19.864+10:00zoeyjoyfuljust another twenty-something mummy blogger...Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.comBlogger810125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-63525197492706741142016-09-21T17:51:00.000+10:002016-09-21T17:51:15.199+10:00Bullet JournalingHello hello!<br />
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Long time no see.... I miss blogging. I miss having TIME for blogging. This full-time-mum-part-time-teacher gig is a lot of work. And part time teaching is only part time at school... there is still plenty to be done at home on your "days off". And three kids. One with allergies. All the things.<br />
Buuut... I wouldn't change it. I do love it, and it's the closest I think I'll get to finding that elusive work/life balance.<br />
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And it's school holidays! And I'm giving myself a whole week of looking at nothing to do with school, so; hello blogging!<br />
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Actually, I wanted to check in to share something really cool that I've started recently. A couple of weeks ago I was waiting to board my flight back to Qld (oooh travelling! Fun!! More on that later!!) I was flicking through pinterest, and stumbled across an article about Bullet Journalling. This lead to more searching on pinterest, and googling, and youtube, and before I knew it I had fallen into a giant bullet journalling rabbit hole. And I'm so glad I did!<br />
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So what is this bullet journaling you ask? Well; if you want the purist definition, there's no better place to check than <a href="http://bulletjournal.com/" target="_blank">this website</a>. This is the official home of bullet journalling, by its creator Ryder Carroll. But the cool thing about bullet journalling is that you can make it whatever you want it to be for you. It's flexible like that. Have a look at <a href="http://www.bohoberry.com/" target="_blank">this blog</a> if you want to see what got me really intrigued by the whole thing. Kara from Boho Berry is a crazy-creative bullet journalist, and her blog and youtube videos really got me inspired to give the whole thing a good go.<br />
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My spin on bullet journalling (or Bujo, as the cool kids say) is that it's kind of like one beautiful notebook that you use to organise, write lists, make notes, journal, and generally be creative. Does that sound like my cup of tea or what? I love journaling and writing lists; I have dozens of pieces of paper floating around my house with random scraps of thought, and notebooks and stationery are somewhat of an addiction of mine. I loved the idea of having it all in one place, with a plan to keep it organised, and even better, to hopefully keep LIFE organised. In the end it was a no-brainer for me really.<br />
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It's like an organiser, but you get to set it up the way you like it, and you can do it differently every week or day if you really want to. And lists! I love lists. It's like my BRAIN in a book and it's so good to get some of it out!<br />
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Anyway, I'm not here to gab on, bullet journaling is much more interesting if you actually look at it instead of just reading it. I've had a lot of fun setting mine up. I used a notebook that I had at home (from Aldi), that wasn't really used, and has lovely thick good quality paper. I gathered up my collection of Staedtler triplus fineliners (my favourite pens), and I got to it!<br />
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I"m not going to show you my first few pages.... they were a bit scraggly until I found my rhythm, figured out what I wanted to include and the look I wanted. I'm in a good bujo mojo now.<br />
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So here's what this week's spread looks like. A weekly spread is basically just like a snapshot of the week. There's also a monthly spread, which is where you do longer term planning. This was my second weekly spread, and it is HUGELY different to my first one. In it you can see what I"m planning to make for dinner each night, and what the weather is meant to be doing. I've put in birthdays and special occasions, and started planning out the week.<br />
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This is how I've designed next week's spread. I LOVE that I can try new things every week. No chance for boredom here! Next week I've added a journal card into the schedule. On the back side is a space for each day of the week, and my idea is to write at least one thing I'm grateful for each day. This is something we used to do every day as a family, and it is a good practise to be in. All in one book is going to help me to keep much more on top of little things like this!<br />
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Then you move into your dailies. This is where you get into the nitty-gritty of your days. I list specific tasks/goals for the day, take notes of things that have happened, and do a touch of journaling. That's what that card I've taped in is for. You don't plan ahead for your dailies (that's what the weekly spread is for). It's an as-you-go kind of deal, which is fabulous because you can't run out of space! Some days might only take two lines, and sometimes you want a whole page. I've decided to stick with this journaling card bizzo for when I want to write specific memories or feelings and <i>journaly</i> type things. Lists work so well for me. It's so much more motivating if I have things in writing in front of me than if I am just filing them away in my ahead. That filing system is not great. And crossing things off a list gives me SUCH satisfaction. </div>
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Then there are the lists. I believe the official word is "collections". There are no rules for these and you can use them however and for whatever you want. They're super handy and the family has enjoyed being involved in brainstorming with me. Although Pete did have a good laugh at the title of this list! A list for lists! Maybe I do have a problem, Ha! Here are some of my favourites.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApa35d8gUnlSX0ckwHsr_mGI_CHww23zOBcMD_vHmWYIAJml3YkbMr9NyQKymW5hA9X2E17LPY34vL7PKw8HKSqxJy1P4Nc1WAl9eDbxFejXdprVOhwJ_N7xu3_Li2uS7ps1zKfRrEs1E/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApa35d8gUnlSX0ckwHsr_mGI_CHww23zOBcMD_vHmWYIAJml3YkbMr9NyQKymW5hA9X2E17LPY34vL7PKw8HKSqxJy1P4Nc1WAl9eDbxFejXdprVOhwJ_N7xu3_Li2uS7ps1zKfRrEs1E/s640/IMG_2056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The kids LOVED making this list with me. It's obviously a verrrrry long term list of dreams! And yay, I'll get to cross something off my blogging list! I'm hoping keeping a list of things I want to blog about will help me to pop in here more often... rather than just those fleeting "Oh I should blog about...." thoughts that fly out of my head as soon as they land there. Time will tell.</div>
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The school holidays list is a bit more populated now than it was when I took that pic! And we have marked off a few things every day. The kids love having a look each morning and deciding which thing they'd like to do. And the yarn projects page is to keep track of what I'm working on. There are definitely more WIP's floating round my house that need to be tacked onto that list.<br />
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The 'next visit' page is for when you think "Oh, next time we go to x store we really must get some...." Because I don't know about you but I'll always end up at x store and think, "What was that thing I said I wanted to get again??" No more!! The Chore Score page is probably my new favourite invention. The kids work on this together. Each time they do one of their 'jobs' (without any grumbling or complaining) we colour in a square. It's a teamwork thing; they need to get all the way to the centre, and when they do we get to go on a family date! It's been very motivating for them.</div>
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The kids also had a lot of input into this list. The idea is to collect the meals that we all really love, so when it comes to menu planning each week, we can easily get ideas. The Food For Reuben page is for my f<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Foodforreuben/" target="_blank">acebook page</a>.<br />
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This is another of my favourites. It tracks my steps each day, weight loss, my sugar-free days (we've gone a bit lax and I'm working hard to get back on track), and my cycle.<br />
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I've always kept lists of the books I've been reading, but it's funner when it's pretty! And yes, I"m re-reading my Anne books. I've also got a page in my journal of my favourite quotes from them too <3 p=""><br />
Anyway, that's just a small taste of my little foray into bullet journaling so far... I hope you enjoyed it! I know I sure am. So much so that I was motivated enough to tidy up the dumping ground that was formerly known as my desk!<br />
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It's kinda wonderful to have a creative space again. I'm determined to make this stick!!<br />
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So what do you think? Yay or Nay. Does bullet journaling float your boat?? Would you give it a go?<br />
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Talk soon!<br />
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Zoey x<br />
<br /></3>Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-2350164106831567632016-06-07T22:08:00.003+10:002016-06-07T22:08:57.809+10:00Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!As you may or may not know... I'm back teaching! Like, for real. I'm working part time-- a five day fortnight, sharing a year 1/2 composite class with my sister! How cool is that! Seriously it's a dream come true and I'm loving everything about it. <div>
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Possibly the only bummer to being back teaching is report cards, and we are in the thick of that fantastic season right now. Working at school.... looking after my three crazy and wonderful children.... making sure Reuben has the food he needs.... and then reports. You won't fully understand the craziness of writing report cards unless you've been there yourself, but I can be sure that any teachers reading this are nodding their heads... report card season is ROUGH!</div>
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I've been pulling out the old slow cooker a bit recently, but even that requires a bit of forethought. You have to be organised enough in the mornings to get the meal ready to go. My mornings are somewhat manic; getting three kids dressed and fed and prepared for school is certainly rarely a smooth progress and it's enough getting us out the door most days! </div>
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Enter dump bags!</div>
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I know, that sounds gross, but they're a thing- I promise! Seriously google it right now if you don't believe me. They're not at all gross in reality. </div>
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The idea is that you put together all of the ingredients for your slow cooker meal in a ziplock bag, and chuck it in the freezer. All you need to do is remember to take the bag out of the freezer and defrost it the night before you want to use it, and dump it into the slowcooker before you walk out of the door. </div>
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Easy peasy!</div>
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I made up four dinners in about 45 minutes last week, and haven't had to cook dinner at all this week. Now a quick disclaimer; I'm not the kind of person who pre-browns my meat before putting it in the slowcooker - ain't nobody got time for that. If that's something you like to do, I can't see why you couldn't do that before you froze it. </div>
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Anyway, I got a lot of interest when I posted the following picture on social media, and a lot of people asked for the recipes. So here I am, deep in the throes of report procrastination, bringing my dusty old blog out of hibernation, giving you not three but four dump bag recipes that will make your week awesome. Trust me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDxzVq1KH7iMN6cnKSXC2BjWfNaCyU7gjkmabmPmmwp6gOw2vP50rowky_gqyaAWw3PWPDNMy5XUQCLmUcKR3kcMENOBE8_ZepiCldrU-7WgWZv2FliQddCICisu-V7UxlsVOiVLZpAR-/s1600/dump+bags.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDxzVq1KH7iMN6cnKSXC2BjWfNaCyU7gjkmabmPmmwp6gOw2vP50rowky_gqyaAWw3PWPDNMy5XUQCLmUcKR3kcMENOBE8_ZepiCldrU-7WgWZv2FliQddCICisu-V7UxlsVOiVLZpAR-/s400/dump+bags.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, I know there are only three bags there, but I promised four recipes and four you shall get. Lucky for you, I ended up throwing one more together after I took this photo. So here goes. Now remember, these recipes don't need a method, because all you do is literally dump the ingredients in the bag, and then dump the whole lot in the slowcooker when you want to use it. </div>
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<b>1: Apricot Chicken</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>2 chicken breasts, whole</li>
<li>1 onion, chopped finely</li>
<li>3 garlic cloves, chopped finely (we love garlic, you can use less if you like)</li>
<li>about 1 inch of ginger, chopped finely</li>
<li>1 tbsp of veggie stock paste (if you're a thermomixer, if not, use whichever stock you like)</li>
<li>1-2 tbsp tomato paste</li>
<li>a can of apricot nectar (or do what I did and puree a tin of apricots)</li>
<li>frozen peas</li>
<li>Whatever extra herbs you like. Lots of people like to use french onion soup, but the one I looked at at the shops, Reuben couldn't have, so I used YIAH Baharat spice blend and Herb & Garlic spice mix. </li>
<li>A dozen or so dried apriocts, chopped roughly.</li>
</ul>
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I put it on low for the day, and when I got home from work, I pulled the chicken breasts apart with a fork and stirred it all through. Serve with rice.</div>
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<b>2: Bolognaise Sauce</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>500g minced beef</li>
<li>vegetables (use whatever you like. I always chop mine in the thermomix on about speed 6 for 4-5 seconds. This time I used an onion, a few garlic cloves, carrots, capsicum, zucchini, spinach, and olives)</li>
<li>1 jar of pasata</li>
<li>2 tbsp tomato paste</li>
<li>1 tbsp veggie stock paste</li>
<li>about 1/2 cup of red wine</li>
<li>whatever herbs you like</li>
</ul>
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Make sure you break the mince up when you put it into the slowcooker so you don't end up with a hunk of stuck together clumpy mince. Serve with pasta!</div>
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<b>3: Quinoa Enchiladas</b></div>
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I have a link for this one! <a href="http://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/slow-cooker-cheesy-enchilada-quinoa/" target="_blank">Check it out. </a> I used all of the same ingredients, but I didn't brown the mince first. I won't put cheese on until we eat it... because Reuben.</div>
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And your bonus recipe....</div>
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<b>4: Butter Chicken</b></div>
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Now usually I don't go past the absolutely incredible <a href="http://skinnymixers.com.au/skinnymixers-butter-chicken/" target="_blank">Skinnymixers recipe</a>, because it is AMAZING. But, it's reasonably time consuming, and I mentioned it's report card season, right? So I based this one on a version we invented when we went camping recently, except we cooked it over the fire in a dutch oven. It's a total cheat's version, and has nothing on the real deal, but perfect for what it is. Here's what you need:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>2 chicken breasts, chopped into cubes</li>
<li>1 onion, finely chopped</li>
<li>3 garlic cloves, finely chopped</li>
<li>1-2 inches of ginger, finely chopped</li>
<li>1 jar of pasata</li>
<li>1-2tbsp garam masala (I also used some YIAH tandoori spice blend for some extra kick)</li>
<li>2-3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar</li>
<li>1 can of coconut cream (you can use regular cream if you're not catering for dairy free)</li>
<li>100g coconut oil (you can use butter if you're not catering for dairy free)</li>
</ul>
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So there you go guys.... give it a go! And if my recipes aren't your cup of tea, get googling. There really are zillions of ideas for these things out there on the interwebs. </div>
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Alright.... back to the grindstone for me!</div>
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xx</div>
Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-72642580392624527892015-11-17T06:53:00.001+10:002015-11-17T06:53:41.328+10:00Christmas Star Pattern Freebie!Hello friends! I have something to share with you.<br />
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I created this pattern a few years ago, and it's super cute and super simple.<br />
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You can make them as individual stars and add a loop of chains to turn them into ornaments for your tree (they look so cute on a tree!), or even make a whole bunch of them an string them together on a chain to make a garland or starry bunting.<br />
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They work up really quickly. I prefer to use a cotton yarn for these, but I'm sure they'd look great in any type of yarn! My favourite cotton ever is the Bendigo Woollen Mills cotton, and I buy 8 ply. I see that they are currently on special; $11 for a 200g ball is an awesome bargain if you ask me! You'd be able to make hundreds of stars with that much.... and all the pretty colours...... Ok so I'm going to try my very best not to put in an order right now!<br />
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Anyway, without any further ado, here goes: My Christmas Star Pattern<br />
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And because I love you, I've even made a video tutorial of this pattern for you, in case you aren't familiar with any of the stitches :) <a href="https://youtu.be/YOtpLyt5jcs" target="_blank">Check it out here!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBmPYRHXv7EnPb6yB0oSl1SWQhACZFlflLTpnoHuuACKYImq5aNu-kylhvwWL_MZGzpdnIASWi0mMML4r-hdISq3le-iK5dDDL_pyKdBvBGXrcO27-8bNrBtDNZ0sLaGBkX6ESRANZ6us/s1600/star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBmPYRHXv7EnPb6yB0oSl1SWQhACZFlflLTpnoHuuACKYImq5aNu-kylhvwWL_MZGzpdnIASWi0mMML4r-hdISq3le-iK5dDDL_pyKdBvBGXrcO27-8bNrBtDNZ0sLaGBkX6ESRANZ6us/s400/star.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Materials</b>:<br />
8ply cotton (or preferred yarn)<br />
4mm hook (or larger hook for a larger star... experiment!)<br />
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<b>Stitches (I use US terms</b>):<br />
ch=chain, sc=single crochet, dc=double crochet, hdc=half double crochet, slst=slip stitch<br />
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<b>Special Stitches</b>:<br />
<i>Bobble stitch - (</i>yarn over, insert hook into ring, pull up loop)- do this twice. Then yarn over, pull through all five loops on your hook.<br />
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<b>Pattern</b>:<br />
Begin with magic ring, chain 1.<br />
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ROUND ONE: Into the magic ring, work bobble stitch, ch2. Repeat 4 times (5 bobbles with ch2 between each), then join with slst in top of first bobble.<br />
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ROUND TWO: ch3 (acts as first dc), dc into same stitch. Ch2, work 2 more dc into same stitch. Work 2dc, ch2, 2dc into top of each remaining bobble, then join with slst into top of begch3<br />
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ROUND THREE: ch1, sc into the space between the two lots of dc that's <i>behind</i> your hook. Work the following around: Into ch2 space, work 1sc, 1hdc, 1dc, ch2, slst into second chain (called a picot, makes the points of the stars), 1dc, 1hdc, 1sc. Sc into the space between the next two sets of dc.<br />
Repeat around, slst into first sc.<br />
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OPTIONAL: To make a loop for hanging, ch25, slst into the slst that ended the previous round. Finish off and weave in ends.Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-12831222741915228082015-11-11T14:41:00.000+10:002015-11-11T14:41:07.417+10:00Christmas Crafting. Hi again everyone! I'm not sure if anyone reads here anymore, and my blogging has become sporadic at best. Life gets crazy, huh? However, I love this little corner of the internet. It has so much of little family's history on it, and I come back here a lot to help jog my memory on things and to show the kids special moments from the past. So, even if it's not as frequent as it used to be, I'm going to keep popping back in and posting when I get the time.<br />
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Today, I wanted to share my most recent crafting adventure.<br />
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About a week ago, my mum shared an attic24 link on my facebook timeline. It was a picture of this <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/11/autumn-wreath-ta-dah.html" target="_blank">gorgeous wreath</a>...<br />
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<a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015528b5970b-500wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834019b015528b5970b-500wi" height="234" width="320" /></a></div>
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Isn't it lovely? I replied to my mum that I have followed the Attic24 blog for years, and that I'm sure Lucy had made a whole bunch of wreaths for different seasons or occasions. Which of course then led to me falling down an Attic24 rabbit hole (man that girl is talented!!), and eventually landing on her <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2012/12/christmas-wreath-ta-dah.html" target="_blank">Christmas wreath.</a></div>
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<a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834017d3ed97dd0970c-500wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://attic24.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551101c548834017d3ed97dd0970c-500wi" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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By that time I was totally itching to make one of my own. As beautiful as these wreaths are, they weren't exactly the kind of thing that I wanted to make myself though. So I did the only logical thing and headed on over to <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/zoeyjoyful/" target="_blank">pinterest</a> for some more inspiration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmlsOqiMYa3rEKn9qiW0sk-PLXRs38JE8QQlk6jWPXSDBi6rSUKj6lKXJxVJAXCdKU63HsNSqavyHiDfw6RT2YaH73lvGSNhSRqs2DOn2tMCzOYjiUD9Xrv7en7CcLaTyKVJahV0-Vjgu/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-11+at+2.15.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmlsOqiMYa3rEKn9qiW0sk-PLXRs38JE8QQlk6jWPXSDBi6rSUKj6lKXJxVJAXCdKU63HsNSqavyHiDfw6RT2YaH73lvGSNhSRqs2DOn2tMCzOYjiUD9Xrv7en7CcLaTyKVJahV0-Vjgu/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-11-11+at+2.15.46+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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By that evening, I had begun a little collection of christmasy crocheted creations (how's that for alliteration!) with which to embellish my wreath. (The colours came up SO WEIRD in this photo)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu41EYJpbvx3mye7QYqSinSIqP1Awl-8o9d0D4XjrcmnhMOmw2Ea6dfDCfOgSOqzQVZaCcZmiZWB_q3BL_mKZrPnO1OylxB6u5X4KK-DvTs-EEeuNvc48sG6oopjrhuy-XFei6Lkxa7DNg/s1600/IMG_8205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu41EYJpbvx3mye7QYqSinSIqP1Awl-8o9d0D4XjrcmnhMOmw2Ea6dfDCfOgSOqzQVZaCcZmiZWB_q3BL_mKZrPnO1OylxB6u5X4KK-DvTs-EEeuNvc48sG6oopjrhuy-XFei6Lkxa7DNg/s320/IMG_8205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the weekend I went on a wreath hunt, and found a <a href="http://www.spotlightstores.com/party/party-decorations/decorating-accessories/jolly-joy-decofoam-wreath/p/BP80334513" target="_blank">styrofoam wreath at Spotligh</a>t for about $8.00. I had found <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/122230577364368500/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> while browsing pinterest, and decided to use it instead of doing the stripey wreath cover from the Attic24 post. I just thought it was super cute! I chose an awesome bright pink fluffy yarn, and got to work. It really didn't take me too long. It was a little bit to get my head around at first; you have to kind of loop the yarn around with your left hand instead of picking up loops with your hook. Once I got the hang of it, it was easy peasy. I single crocheted around the whole thing, and then did a shell stitch to make the super cute scalloped border.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdypcvxoTqMzlhRbwLu7f6uS1tjAJftjv_fCm3r_KsgddRiuegesAS_zE8SsvfNKHOaIX9a4rQogWnPxg-mLuqfOb_PfaJfPG9xua8BWMJH5ECDizKJSBFTnYsvpSzSXSVW7vy-0fdJdn/s1600/IMG_8238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdypcvxoTqMzlhRbwLu7f6uS1tjAJftjv_fCm3r_KsgddRiuegesAS_zE8SsvfNKHOaIX9a4rQogWnPxg-mLuqfOb_PfaJfPG9xua8BWMJH5ECDizKJSBFTnYsvpSzSXSVW7vy-0fdJdn/s320/IMG_8238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The lighting in these photos is completely awful, I do apologise. I was working at night, and you know, no light an all... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ZNnsrjYepKGjE7AHjExiPAJVGG2Cl_hUOurUzWXJUQLnnD3Jti8lMPNTy65Bkm9AA11GM3-zntZlc7IYQDu_mzseU9riUcPwAtisMQEqrQuapkb8fFCVsmrQaCzpj29fLKLUC4EIaSQ/s1600/IMG_8240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ZNnsrjYepKGjE7AHjExiPAJVGG2Cl_hUOurUzWXJUQLnnD3Jti8lMPNTy65Bkm9AA11GM3-zntZlc7IYQDu_mzseU9riUcPwAtisMQEqrQuapkb8fFCVsmrQaCzpj29fLKLUC4EIaSQ/s320/IMG_8240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I started playing with placement of my bits and pieces and quickly decided that I was going to keep to flat embellishments (ie, none of those little red balls or curls I had made, and no pompoms). </div>
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I used the <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/holly-leaves.html" target="_blank">leaf pattern from her</a>e, the <a href="http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/how-to-crochet-a-heart" target="_blank">heart pattern from here</a>, the<a href="http://makezine.com/2011/11/14/how-to_simple_crochet_ornament/" target="_blank"> mini wreath pattern from here</a> (with little silver rings that I had stashed from my jewellery-making days), <a href="http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/suzies-little-angel-bookmark.html" target="_blank">angel pattern from here</a> (minus the tassel), and flower patterns from <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/triple-layer-flower.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-flowers-and-leaves.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I only used cotton yarn, and only used what I already had at home. My husband was very proud, haha. Oh, and I also used a star pattern that I made up a few years ago, but I haven't got a link for it, I'll have to do that at some point! </div>
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I actually ended up just pinning the pieces. I did this for a few reasons; firstly it was easier and quicker, and what's not to love about that! Also, it means that I can change them easily if I want to go for a different colour scheme or something another year. I made some simple little white single-crocheted strips to turn into curly swirls for my finishing touches. Annnnd..... voila!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEBnJ-m5-pQ2L8NL5CRXo9WqJi9RAvN62Jf_6zUhmTzaKUaVj2zVUl3GpXnIb9I3wSkdLZdwu0TFIDRbIwVhtoNcz_NGZM30xoG82VYzN6v9Kl7DAb8aJqpjkzkUNutfSkulwAu_tWgQS/s1600/IMG_8245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEBnJ-m5-pQ2L8NL5CRXo9WqJi9RAvN62Jf_6zUhmTzaKUaVj2zVUl3GpXnIb9I3wSkdLZdwu0TFIDRbIwVhtoNcz_NGZM30xoG82VYzN6v9Kl7DAb8aJqpjkzkUNutfSkulwAu_tWgQS/s320/IMG_8245.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I chained a loop which I pinned to the back for hanging, and today, I hung it! Yes, we have already decorated our house for christmas. Because, we are awesome like that, and we LOOOOOVE CHRISTMAS! I'll share some more photos of that sometime soon.</div>
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So here it is, my beautiful new Christmas wreath; in situ:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHOc2RGymFRKgpk5nfLzoTUnZVRd3zyJEAeQFQ_wJLR7a2L6MFVrZOUwRno2oZEXy2MwDhsNNfdNOS1-_JXwF_u9yzkVI3UYmJO0zNlXRB-qQ3JJpAzMC2h4qeIQaAsioy8oKMPcAC9wD/s1600/IMG_8256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoHOc2RGymFRKgpk5nfLzoTUnZVRd3zyJEAeQFQ_wJLR7a2L6MFVrZOUwRno2oZEXy2MwDhsNNfdNOS1-_JXwF_u9yzkVI3UYmJO0zNlXRB-qQ3JJpAzMC2h4qeIQaAsioy8oKMPcAC9wD/s400/IMG_8256.jpg" width="348" /></a></div>
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Go on, get crocheting! You know you want to!</div>
Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-62287972117950393632015-07-30T21:06:00.000+10:002015-07-30T21:15:12.810+10:00When Reuben Turned THREE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZH2ZNk-b3CT7yPU47QGSCygfrMxyA7h2i_p7z3MlNlOXZRXCRHNZPzwBAte0OYF9ktlW-juUDozRmMPKoNczN2Jp4BpVGZ9gOJUrCpGUWhczBsDPefQe4oBDX_W1GN_MCOGhVQTw0WBX/s1600/IMG_6045_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZH2ZNk-b3CT7yPU47QGSCygfrMxyA7h2i_p7z3MlNlOXZRXCRHNZPzwBAte0OYF9ktlW-juUDozRmMPKoNczN2Jp4BpVGZ9gOJUrCpGUWhczBsDPefQe4oBDX_W1GN_MCOGhVQTw0WBX/s640/IMG_6045_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This absolutely gorgeous boy turned three back in April! Three! Can you believe it? He is growing into such a beautiful little fella. He still owns the cheekiest smile ever, with a contagious laugh to match. He is just so much fun to be around. He has a great sense of humour and the biggest heart. He's loud and loves all the boy things. Dinosaurs, trucks, trains, planes, cars, superheroes. All the boy stuff.<br />
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So Reuben asked for a Superhero party for his birthday, and boy did Mama deliver. <br />
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I decided to make it a party where the kids could do stuff, so we turned the party into a Superhero training boot camp!<br />
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Each guest got one of these checklists, and each party game fulfilled one "competency". (***see the end of this post for a link to the prints!!***) When they had completed the whole list, they were presented with a certificate of completion. And yeah, I may have laminated stuff. I'm so a teacher.<br />
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First up they had to look the part... they came up with names, decorated capes (really simple ones I made with pieces of white cotton with a hem sewn at one end with elastic threaded through it), and had their faces painted.</div>
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They pinned the star on the SHIELD...</div>
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Single-handedly demolished "brick walls"...</div>
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Rescued a baby from a burning building... (and yeah, my husband does own a smoke machine)</div>
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Made their way through a laser maze...</div>
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And for their final challenge, they had to work together to defeat the evil villains (played by my brother and his BFF who turned up on motorbikes just at the right moment). The kids went to town on them with silly string and foam swords and karate chops.</div>
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The food was all allergy free, and I made little labels for each thing stating which superhero power it helps to build... like 'builds muscles', 'every blast', 'increases elasticity', 'boosts invisibility' and so on.</div>
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It was so much fun. The kids had a fabulous time, and I really enjoyed putting it on.</div>
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I also took allergy free cupcakes to kindy for him to share with his friends later that week...</div>
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All in all Reuben had a VERY happy birthday.</div>
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And now he's THREE!!! My beautiful big boy.</div>
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***If you're interested in the printable I made for Reuben's party <a href="http://bit.ly/superprints" target="_blank">VISIT THIS LINK</a>. You will find the training checklist, the food labels, and the certificates. Enjoy!!</div>
<br />Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-59860448124081966212015-07-30T20:06:00.000+10:002015-07-30T20:06:24.046+10:00KnitwitIf you've followed this blog for any length of time, you'll know that I am a notorious crafter. I'll give anything a go... I like to draw, and paint, and scrapbook, and sew, and cross stitch... But my craft of choice for the last few years though has been crocheting. I ALWAYS have a project on the go. I make hats, and little shoes, and cardigans, and blankets. I love it!<br />
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This is my most recent blanket, made from a beautiful pattern book I was given for Christmas. It was quite time intensive (took me months) and very challenging. I learned a new style of crocheting called Intarsia, where you work by the row, with multiple colours of yarn attached simultaneously. I think on my most difficult square (the spiral) I had about 8 balls of yarn attached at once. Definitely not one to do while the kids were around... I quite often landed myself in a tangle. I'm very proud of this blanket though, it feels like a huge accomplishment. also learned how to crochet by reading charts while making this blanket, so that was pretty cool too!<br />
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I've also whipped up a few hats for the kids recently. The minion hats are proving quite popular and I have a long list of requests.<br />
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Recently, my Nana challenged me to have a go at knitting. Being that I'm mostly self-taught with crocheting, she thought I was up to learning a new skill. So, I did what any Y-gen gal wanting to learn a new craft would do, and got out my iPad. I spent a while on pinterest finding a pattern that a) didn't look too difficult, and b) were still cute. Then, I switched over to youtube, and found myself some tutorials. YouTube is seriously fantastic for things like this. It doesn't get cross at you for holding your crochet hook differently (I'm looking at you Nana!), or get frustrated when its student just doesn't *get* the whole tension thing... Plus it lets you stop and rewind as much as you want. I mostly learned to crochet via YouTube tutorials. I would simply search for the name of the stitch in the pattern I was using and voila, hundreds of wonderful tutorials would appear! And it's the same for knitting.<br />
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In one evening, YouTube had taught me to cast on, knit (actually those two skills were just a brush-up, my Nana taught me those when I was about 8, and I was amazed that it all came flooding back), purl, add stitches, drop stitches (like, intentionally) and cast off. And within a couple of evenings, I had made myself (well, Mayana actually) a knitted beanie! It's such a feeling of accomplishment to figure out how to do something like that, and to construct a piece of fabric from a single length of yarn is just so cool.. it never gets old for me!<br />
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So beanie done, I decided to move on to something a bit more involved. My next project was a little sleeveless cardigan, also for Mayana. I just love the way knitting looks.. and I'm really enjoying watching pieces of clothing evolve on my needles. With crochet, I have a pretty thorough understanding of how it all works, and can visualise how things are going to work or come together, adjust patterns to suit my imaginings, and quite easily create my own patterns by just looking at something. At this stage, knitting is more like a paint-by-numbers experience. Working row-by-row, unsure of what each stitch is going to achieve on the actual garment. The downside to this is that if I made a mistake I'm not sure how to un-make it, and I did have three very time-consuming false starts on my little cardi before I realised that I was misunderstanding some of the instructions on the pattern. But I got there eventually (thanks again internet!!) and there's no stopping me now.<br />
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Next up, something for my Quinny-bean. I decided to use up my left over bamboo/wool blend from the gorgeous Intarsia crochet blanket I made. I found a Patons pattern at Big W for a cute little vest, and adjusted it a little to make it striped. It worked out beautifully, though I've just realised I don't have any good photos of him modelling it!<br />
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Currently on my needles is a vest for Reuben. He asked for his to have buttons down the front, as he's just learned to use them and LOVES them. Luckily the pattern I bought has a button option, and it also has pockets! So a few new challenges ahead.<br />
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So look out world, Zoey has a new addiction.... who knows what will come of this! I'm pretty excited to find out!Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-90272487134993748182015-05-20T16:53:00.001+10:002015-05-20T16:53:16.833+10:00The End of an EraYou may remember many posts from me over the years about our annual pilgrimage to the awesome Christian music festival, Easterfest. For sixteen years, Easterfest has been a highlight of the year for our family -- some years it was the only family holiday we had -- and last week, we found out that this year's festival, which we attended over my birthday weekend, will be the last ever Easterfest. You can <a href="http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/organisers-announce-end-toowoombas-easterfest/2639850/" target="_blank">read more about why here</a>, but it basically boils down to the same reason so many festivals all around the world are closing down; fewer attendees, greater costs - they just become unsustainable. And it's such a crying shame!<br />
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I've been blogging about our Easterfest adventures since 2008, and you can read those posts here:<br />
<a href="http://mrsfriend.blogspot.com.au/2008/03/easterfest-2008-agmf-turns-10.html" target="_blank">2008</a>, <a href="http://mrsfriend.blogspot.com.au/2009/04/easterfest-audio-reunites.html" target="_blank">2009</a>, <a href="http://mrsfriend.blogspot.com.au/2010/04/easterfest-sunday.html" target="_blank">2010</a>, <a href="http://mrsfriend.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/easter-adventures.html" target="_blank">2011</a>, <a href="http://mrsfriend.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/easterfest-2012.html" target="_blank">2012</a>. 2013 I attended but didn't blog about because I had to leave halfway through to go to my cousin's wedding in Perth, and 2014 was the slackest blogging year ever. But Easterfest has basically been an institution for our family. Mayana is six years old and this year attended her seventh festival. She was 10 weeks old at her first. Reuben was born two weeks after the 2012 festival, and was not quite one the first time he attended. And Quinten was a grand total of six weeks old at his first! I'm so glad that we got to share the festival with the kids, and that at least Mayana will remember it.<br />
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So given that 2015 is the last ever Easterfest *sob*, I thought I had better blog about it, and share some of the stack of photos we took! So here we go, a photographic wrap-up of the last *sob* ever *sob* Easterfest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Good Friday church service</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Lala and her two littlest boys</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-kjg-IMzTLlkyr0VTrzaHEtAqJXmm5KpBp5rT44AhSxSquID6NZeiOGYb1ZbORK30U8gQWC4DxSPiRsdQI5K7TfNvG3klSzVQxvznmZ3q9ox2nFOXRbkgU-2JdlH8Jg2hucVDleoMSVE/s1600/SAM_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-kjg-IMzTLlkyr0VTrzaHEtAqJXmm5KpBp5rT44AhSxSquID6NZeiOGYb1ZbORK30U8gQWC4DxSPiRsdQI5K7TfNvG3klSzVQxvznmZ3q9ox2nFOXRbkgU-2JdlH8Jg2hucVDleoMSVE/s640/SAM_0989.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Miss Mayana with her super awesome ear-muffs</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgE7VhiiUF6z1iMMnBlDX4YZ7i7vc7Rg7_IuIsmOs48DOhTc4YD_ys1W41vk9MMJv7ZynJObPWnJCgjCFSBcP2qWnJIlv7dc6hZxK_TvCA0q5Vnn8y4Z0E_43_kL-wfBbzdDn03S8UnaN/s1600/SAM_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgE7VhiiUF6z1iMMnBlDX4YZ7i7vc7Rg7_IuIsmOs48DOhTc4YD_ys1W41vk9MMJv7ZynJObPWnJCgjCFSBcP2qWnJIlv7dc6hZxK_TvCA0q5Vnn8y4Z0E_43_kL-wfBbzdDn03S8UnaN/s640/SAM_0995.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Selfie! Cool ear-muffs Reubs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpO_TfhpDkozhUICdozYMQkU410FfjThYtspUEqoAXvZLQbCRh1csiqwRW_V_6-wSfPGXPW4cPtKlTF_IG-GSwA6DDnGhCYRTLVFpwlG4HM_AyCZYZWC-8-oeWaB8TSS9xWA_h1uDKDDFs/s1600/SAM_1000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpO_TfhpDkozhUICdozYMQkU410FfjThYtspUEqoAXvZLQbCRh1csiqwRW_V_6-wSfPGXPW4cPtKlTF_IG-GSwA6DDnGhCYRTLVFpwlG4HM_AyCZYZWC-8-oeWaB8TSS9xWA_h1uDKDDFs/s640/SAM_1000.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Who let these guys have the camera? More selfies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8h1sH2ijZdkbSIvwvVyXb9M43DsfwoUsluexWDXtPtLA0PuENYA3a2fhRo-8SgpSDPaRCSnW16KyLa_jUraJFA92S-btDq2XqJhTCX_49BQhseH9eUBfZ82a1IsEY51zN4ftf2OYyoHe/s1600/SAM_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8h1sH2ijZdkbSIvwvVyXb9M43DsfwoUsluexWDXtPtLA0PuENYA3a2fhRo-8SgpSDPaRCSnW16KyLa_jUraJFA92S-btDq2XqJhTCX_49BQhseH9eUBfZ82a1IsEY51zN4ftf2OYyoHe/s640/SAM_1003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">More Reuben photography (you can tell by the way he puts his finger over the flash, lol). These our are very good friends Leigh & Lyndall. We met them about 13 years ago through Anglican Youth Ministries, and Easterfest was the one time a year we would definitely always catch up. I will miss that.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-nkCIFrcgI1evtjAuolt5OgcXiLKIdGxovG93h6e_0fFYd2r1UDhEgs_yHz3orQ1-qhsTM8rYXicNKHhzJgErGUcNYD5wxDtj9vrWpFDuTcPmIsi1UcPiNr1F9yR2fZA9_8T4jhfYqFF/s1600/SAM_1004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-nkCIFrcgI1evtjAuolt5OgcXiLKIdGxovG93h6e_0fFYd2r1UDhEgs_yHz3orQ1-qhsTM8rYXicNKHhzJgErGUcNYD5wxDtj9vrWpFDuTcPmIsi1UcPiNr1F9yR2fZA9_8T4jhfYqFF/s640/SAM_1004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Easterfest was always awesome for making new friends too. Like Danni! We met through mutual friends, and she stayed with us for Easterfest this year. That's one way to become very good friends very quickly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HT9sh6B9eIID2YHMnAJJEMQZQlr00SJofwKKWPa2ItiZiRL2k74ZHehgAqcR3JZEPdDdI27YQ1Ch5IO6KqOcuRSHWR2ZhWclcEsOp9UrR67caeuFuiFHdDcOI2X3LlYadWIOVim1hgjp/s1600/SAM_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HT9sh6B9eIID2YHMnAJJEMQZQlr00SJofwKKWPa2ItiZiRL2k74ZHehgAqcR3JZEPdDdI27YQ1Ch5IO6KqOcuRSHWR2ZhWclcEsOp9UrR67caeuFuiFHdDcOI2X3LlYadWIOVim1hgjp/s640/SAM_1022.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Me and my big boy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRIYQihBWvwKu4Z_psyyGDMbWP1lr9MkXF_NGsQLmsXf_3zD_69dbAGeptMJGfX6NV7wsXWthzSEIJBrA5xkPRG-EGDfp3XDo0sr5-5HtqhUc8JgDvXewoNv8VWZzm5C-RhgX5cimEoei/s1600/SAM_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRIYQihBWvwKu4Z_psyyGDMbWP1lr9MkXF_NGsQLmsXf_3zD_69dbAGeptMJGfX6NV7wsXWthzSEIJBrA5xkPRG-EGDfp3XDo0sr5-5HtqhUc8JgDvXewoNv8VWZzm5C-RhgX5cimEoei/s640/SAM_1024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My little sister and brother were lucky enough to be offered a performance spot at Easterfest this year. They had a set each day, and were fabulous. Their duo is called Alexie & Jordan, and you can <a href="https://www.facebook.com/alexieandjordan?fref=ts" target="_blank">follow them on Facebook. Do it!</a>!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUQhzpfFTX9Mok_lrV2qwUZpi6xxPqVYQBlxOJYqxp33Cx7HJRH519kYBv3J3BfEllJSXcbmgg4Y6f1sqeEtr5S19EWZpac37cpLArKkYJbQGUyY4dBnwTNkbPf0mkfjgoTCF07cz-eU_/s1600/SAM_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUQhzpfFTX9Mok_lrV2qwUZpi6xxPqVYQBlxOJYqxp33Cx7HJRH519kYBv3J3BfEllJSXcbmgg4Y6f1sqeEtr5S19EWZpac37cpLArKkYJbQGUyY4dBnwTNkbPf0mkfjgoTCF07cz-eU_/s640/SAM_1036.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">So it rained at Easterfest this year. A lot. It became a bit of a mudfest. And day two was a particularly rainy and muddy day. Pete and the kids and my mum and a few friends and me actually didn't make it to the park at all on Saturday. It was a shame to miss Switchfoot, but I couldn't bear the thought of trudging through heavy rain and mud with a pram and three kids. Mud and I aren't particularly good friends at the best of times. Plus at this point, Quinten was coming down with something and had begun to throw huge temps and get a mystery rash (which we found out the next week was a REALLY intense dose of hand foot and mouth disease), so I thought being outside in the wet may not have been the greatest idea for him. So we made the choice to hang out at the Easterfest Jazz venue on the Saturday evening instead. You know, I actually have no regrets. Aside from the fact that it was warm and carpeted and had padded seats and wood fired pizza... the music was simply amazing. We had such a fantastic night in there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwCIhDnIvEypGoKgBZthte3c3MiCY8ep5PMtc1C_KRdfzxOCJE9JRdfHktMAOsihdNYsicMEMW2ByH9lns1b9pxGoqw7CGbeQLQ8VLs_-CtrTRwZdRCSWp2HA2hDZzp9bKq0U-3dV1lHu/s1600/SAM_1037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwCIhDnIvEypGoKgBZthte3c3MiCY8ep5PMtc1C_KRdfzxOCJE9JRdfHktMAOsihdNYsicMEMW2ByH9lns1b9pxGoqw7CGbeQLQ8VLs_-CtrTRwZdRCSWp2HA2hDZzp9bKq0U-3dV1lHu/s640/SAM_1037.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">One by one the kids all dropped off to sleep, lulled by the sound of real quality jazz music.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjsJRT0pcxXZFbn7LePqZV2zHuhyX1L-xGJw3TlPLYMrm_dZAPw5SBGy8ZSDqRMt98Jn4DS1ekRPTRbaK4f8V_ecRb9KN_TWcIsagG8IPdmxmTEaMowksY3zC6_N0ZzClg0XbFqvOYdJg/s1600/SAM_1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjsJRT0pcxXZFbn7LePqZV2zHuhyX1L-xGJw3TlPLYMrm_dZAPw5SBGy8ZSDqRMt98Jn4DS1ekRPTRbaK4f8V_ecRb9KN_TWcIsagG8IPdmxmTEaMowksY3zC6_N0ZzClg0XbFqvOYdJg/s640/SAM_1039.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">He couldn't have done this in the mud!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZkPnr_z8fq3ZBc971unjr4ZcE9SgFP-l-vG0BRTt0-eSQSp6OC0HBRRMUNlOcvbX2M5I9N74DIi6adlF89XTo5-NeJaiRLF3yv7Ual8DaAduE4C0mwu_hAPCYNWO17d1p9TakdtZiOGF/s1600/SAM_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZkPnr_z8fq3ZBc971unjr4ZcE9SgFP-l-vG0BRTt0-eSQSp6OC0HBRRMUNlOcvbX2M5I9N74DIi6adlF89XTo5-NeJaiRLF3yv7Ual8DaAduE4C0mwu_hAPCYNWO17d1p9TakdtZiOGF/s640/SAM_1040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Note all the gumboots! We all had a pair.. they were very necessary. I'm pretty sure Toowoomba sold out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHeTF6gNYjnRND_vllVGe00t28l-D82UR8ZyqHHK04LlyjL98b0tEJ-9VQ0fP_u976R6j6Kp-Od1zxTkU4psIr2rBrStqkIplyg4UWDCOIeWF07q9s7L0951lQwTRdzkqkH8MWxegZ2mX/s1600/SAM_1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHeTF6gNYjnRND_vllVGe00t28l-D82UR8ZyqHHK04LlyjL98b0tEJ-9VQ0fP_u976R6j6Kp-Od1zxTkU4psIr2rBrStqkIplyg4UWDCOIeWF07q9s7L0951lQwTRdzkqkH8MWxegZ2mX/s640/SAM_1048.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">On Sunday the sun came out, and we ventured back to the park. It was still muddy. Oh so muddy. Have you ever tried pushing a four-wheel strider pram through ankle deep mud. Yeah. It pretty much sucks. But; worth it to get to the worship event on Sunday night! Oh, and also... Sunday was my birthday! How cool to get to celebrate my 28th birthday on the very last day of Easterfest ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnK1e4kNAU-V2yf0qsx-T0BgxENyPPI4PB7yr90J8Pu9A-8Fw5Fl-rAlApdJnlYJPWjfgJjmqGXYrhlJu22TgTUjZk5lEHEZyBpcNWZIJsqOstcIOQcvIQAmM7km7YxVYdRPdO3I26yZH/s1600/SAM_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWnK1e4kNAU-V2yf0qsx-T0BgxENyPPI4PB7yr90J8Pu9A-8Fw5Fl-rAlApdJnlYJPWjfgJjmqGXYrhlJu22TgTUjZk5lEHEZyBpcNWZIJsqOstcIOQcvIQAmM7km7YxVYdRPdO3I26yZH/s640/SAM_1053.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">It's blurry but I love this photo anyway. My dad and sister and I right down the front. This was during an African American gospel band called Light of Love. SO GOOD! The band that played next were called Bluetree, from Ireland, and I seriously get goosebumps just thinking about how awesome and impacting that worship was. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Vrgmm81EgOxw7mo1V9IPBdLtitab3HtUUOPJnI4yCnFa2SPbFA-oqAEBUkHopDmvhBztHsqfJXtdUs-7m7a2QyPLB4TcNp2KNfhs6cLs9SyOdGpvFNUpNhOKqdDbC6t2rTUiTYv6RnmU/s1600/SAM_1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Vrgmm81EgOxw7mo1V9IPBdLtitab3HtUUOPJnI4yCnFa2SPbFA-oqAEBUkHopDmvhBztHsqfJXtdUs-7m7a2QyPLB4TcNp2KNfhs6cLs9SyOdGpvFNUpNhOKqdDbC6t2rTUiTYv6RnmU/s640/SAM_1055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Twas a bit chilly once the cloud cover blew away.... Brrr!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYjUHY3NtKRg3Fl5IRNfnSP1_8GXhXJAZj-rZI5TXDFkBAl_yUG1kHv-kbUG_RoonPbWBvrS7PZva3xQtrW47CdbAIv-J-wqyAWu6NdbDib4smWbdXEYezIwymj8v7eDKs83ylV6vywgZ/s1600/SAM_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYjUHY3NtKRg3Fl5IRNfnSP1_8GXhXJAZj-rZI5TXDFkBAl_yUG1kHv-kbUG_RoonPbWBvrS7PZva3xQtrW47CdbAIv-J-wqyAWu6NdbDib4smWbdXEYezIwymj8v7eDKs83ylV6vywgZ/s640/SAM_1056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Bluetree</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpWdqUQiau5L2INy5Vkj2C463uYIGrBiw8PEs2aeEoI5-KrtyFlBqMPZNrrOZq-oSQX6m8eI8KxXsbg7YrOGZwYijALMdyR39KGfmy-srBdZcQ4v3K9AAtsWymqwC4in6O_efZEMBn7by/s1600/SAM_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpWdqUQiau5L2INy5Vkj2C463uYIGrBiw8PEs2aeEoI5-KrtyFlBqMPZNrrOZq-oSQX6m8eI8KxXsbg7YrOGZwYijALMdyR39KGfmy-srBdZcQ4v3K9AAtsWymqwC4in6O_efZEMBn7by/s640/SAM_1060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Down the front with Jase and Mays. Love these two.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rmeoO7n1ae7Mk5Q1YtHgksX5Bl_fHyi1wk6XrvvJ9FnR9KD32TVkm4HrFK9lwRTCVS06JG_kEQSqymg6Z2OjswY4n2Lm7qedOJZYwRhtPV4MfeYe4EVj8dKcx864I4Yz-fCDZNizZCJv/s1600/SAM_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rmeoO7n1ae7Mk5Q1YtHgksX5Bl_fHyi1wk6XrvvJ9FnR9KD32TVkm4HrFK9lwRTCVS06JG_kEQSqymg6Z2OjswY4n2Lm7qedOJZYwRhtPV4MfeYe4EVj8dKcx864I4Yz-fCDZNizZCJv/s640/SAM_1061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">No hands!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_dy3MNWxcnKreOlRW3i9bD_sFvGiq5PFGb66heZbO5jSuPyCWZfkNuJrRUH09NUd3nBwNkNTCe30bF_XM4sK1Av_bJ3EXFJwOtwcsRqo-Bw_jJEdL_Lv0bdbiq5lwg835QyRQfdcIFkx/s1600/SAM_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_dy3MNWxcnKreOlRW3i9bD_sFvGiq5PFGb66heZbO5jSuPyCWZfkNuJrRUH09NUd3nBwNkNTCe30bF_XM4sK1Av_bJ3EXFJwOtwcsRqo-Bw_jJEdL_Lv0bdbiq5lwg835QyRQfdcIFkx/s640/SAM_1062.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Easterfest. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQIXqMr1iDqEwjtMPYvF8Uur1BHlJWpVI7e2hIPnRlefEcsISIpl8A-_W1RYGfy_jI4RYJyaADb3-PXOt4d_QQ0jTFgkf8OjUDF7HZMaS3ED4yMrzusoRdsUwsU8e6TPARHLQ4YwN9woz/s1600/SAM_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQIXqMr1iDqEwjtMPYvF8Uur1BHlJWpVI7e2hIPnRlefEcsISIpl8A-_W1RYGfy_jI4RYJyaADb3-PXOt4d_QQ0jTFgkf8OjUDF7HZMaS3ED4yMrzusoRdsUwsU8e6TPARHLQ4YwN9woz/s640/SAM_1064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">It all got a bit much for Mays. That's a pretty fabulous place to take a nap.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CZEmRoeTt_t-jrcsco2iE-hmEhbW2AGunWBwOatfAnPx8IzRB29c5m7HZze5YTwE7HgRX0CGjlX13WN0jTqh0YVApYWn81Qu4_vdcm8eeTKK03T2rranhoONNzhSXqEpnL8QCKizo_NK/s1600/SAM_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CZEmRoeTt_t-jrcsco2iE-hmEhbW2AGunWBwOatfAnPx8IzRB29c5m7HZze5YTwE7HgRX0CGjlX13WN0jTqh0YVApYWn81Qu4_vdcm8eeTKK03T2rranhoONNzhSXqEpnL8QCKizo_NK/s640/SAM_1066.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The theme this year for Easterfest was, "Love Changes Everything".</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazEvpe6VLy0dbLsye7fBtP9IhnyiVrev8ukSGOyEJT-Tcx5BjFeahyphenhyphen5HB7ZY6CHqKFaXJg2cmgyc5xqp40YpCK0wZPBwMqm6-ju_XYXRnUE9HE1AcOAvUnyX3DiXolenDD9Tbxq9g-S7-/s1600/SAM_1072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazEvpe6VLy0dbLsye7fBtP9IhnyiVrev8ukSGOyEJT-Tcx5BjFeahyphenhyphen5HB7ZY6CHqKFaXJg2cmgyc5xqp40YpCK0wZPBwMqm6-ju_XYXRnUE9HE1AcOAvUnyX3DiXolenDD9Tbxq9g-S7-/s640/SAM_1072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">How beautiful is it? I think definitely the prettiest festival we've had. Even with all that mud on the ground.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaCYa90i623SDW6XJ8vJ-jA9m-Sz6yHGlsDqpyoUwEpgPVYf_dRWyIHhEKBjTuH6BlbPenTGY2jt-6GeKEQP5VKFu50Cj3EiYUD4baas27MD4PuRK9CHbVxgCBdJ1qi2y9PwVHRa-Z9au/s1600/SAM_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaCYa90i623SDW6XJ8vJ-jA9m-Sz6yHGlsDqpyoUwEpgPVYf_dRWyIHhEKBjTuH6BlbPenTGY2jt-6GeKEQP5VKFu50Cj3EiYUD4baas27MD4PuRK9CHbVxgCBdJ1qi2y9PwVHRa-Z9au/s640/SAM_1077.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I took this shot from right up the back on the hill. With our little point and shoot Samsung camera. Impressive, no?</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB-otoAq2FfHvfjJF6RLSd_HlImguFMhYKBtQPd7zWwRxYVFKj3iyibWBtfhuyJZErWEvjA_1RR1QTf-BpNIUDa7GBNsbg0aQrbYZv-emqiU3jAzoKCw34UuBwlJ2EJ3XxeuYoUv4laHX/s1600/SAM_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB-otoAq2FfHvfjJF6RLSd_HlImguFMhYKBtQPd7zWwRxYVFKj3iyibWBtfhuyJZErWEvjA_1RR1QTf-BpNIUDa7GBNsbg0aQrbYZv-emqiU3jAzoKCw34UuBwlJ2EJ3XxeuYoUv4laHX/s640/SAM_1083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I have to share this one, because my husband is actually crazy. It was fuh-reezing. Here he is rugged up in his woollen hat and leather jacket... and shorts. As you do.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH1di2j4KBORRh1p1_achXIHA-q14C80IM9_BzaB7hg2YkCrXXSvtT5jaWZ2Qz2qtNHxgbYg5nEeSs41lz0gCDc0l_NbEGsmeaoJBRtve_V1jAFX2dKW_B2hjz5UXBD52wSj8j-FBMTRe/s1600/SAM_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwH1di2j4KBORRh1p1_achXIHA-q14C80IM9_BzaB7hg2YkCrXXSvtT5jaWZ2Qz2qtNHxgbYg5nEeSs41lz0gCDc0l_NbEGsmeaoJBRtve_V1jAFX2dKW_B2hjz5UXBD52wSj8j-FBMTRe/s640/SAM_1087.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Goodbye Easterfest. We love you and have loved you and will miss you forever.<br /><br />
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Thanks for all the memories Easterfest... 16 years of fantastic memories.Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-86189926202399325962015-05-12T21:07:00.000+10:002015-05-12T21:07:23.515+10:00A Date With My BoysA few weeks ago, Playschool was coming to town. Well, not our town, but one a few hours away. My sister and I decided that we would road-trip it and take our three boys. Alas and alack, my nephew came down quite sick the night before and our plans were dashed. I decided though, that I would do something special with my boys by myself anyway. I didn't want to do the big drive to Playschool on my own, so I chose something a bit closer to home and took the boys to "<a href="http://www.snakesdownunder.com/" target="_blank">Snakes Downunder Reptile Park & Zoo</a>".<br />
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It was such a fun day out. The term 'zoo' might be a bit far-reaching, but reptile park it is indeed. When we arrived, we literally had the whole place to ourselves, and the non-venomous snake show was about to start. Reuben enjoyed seeing all the big snakes, and also one very special "dinosaur" (read: baby crocodile)... but the fun was just beginning.<br />
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You see, after the show, the handler brought out one of the large pythons, and the said dinosaur, and let us have a hold! It was so cool that we were the only ones there at that point; no waiting around for the boys, and we got to spend as much time with the creatures as we pleased. Reuben was keen to hold both animals-- I myself was not quite so keen. Unfortunately, I was required to help him hold the crocodile as it was much too heavy for him to have on his own. It was well out of my comfort zone to do so, but he was beside himself with excitement. And not to worry, as Reuben explained to my mum, the dinosaur couldn't bite him, because he had sticky tape on his lips. Ha! I know I should have corrected him about the whole dinosaur thing but it just bought him such a great lot of joy to think of it as a dinosaur that I couldn't bring myself to do it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhpKmwHhUGrBUBxy__oIl-a53Bv1dslF22QDXje2b5ynhqWkoN257Fo-QULsiZ9bYzM8AJeo-EHf-6XfLXz1cKQaGr6-2cY-T2zGyPBbdhhWmMJF91VijyUpS3xgXmDbhN_u-jhmLIb-a/s1600/SAM_1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhpKmwHhUGrBUBxy__oIl-a53Bv1dslF22QDXje2b5ynhqWkoN257Fo-QULsiZ9bYzM8AJeo-EHf-6XfLXz1cKQaGr6-2cY-T2zGyPBbdhhWmMJF91VijyUpS3xgXmDbhN_u-jhmLIb-a/s640/SAM_1135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding a crocodile. You wouldn't do this at a Playschool concert! Note my very forced smile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up was the creepy horrid snake. Reuben again couldn't have been more excited to have his hold. The handler wound the snake around his body, and Reuben giggled as the snake explored around his neck, flicking its tongue in and out. I took a bunch of photos of my little man, cool as a cucumber, with this gigantic snake wrapped around his body. He handled it really well; only freaking out a tiny bit when the snake tightened its grip around Reuben's legs when it started to slip down at one point. The handler offered Mama a hold, but I was nowhere near as brave as my cool little dude and politely declined.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EhkZVAD0qjLwfun0ID0PfSslM_P9TLoHKPjAzrmbAJYlyfQz53qvX_jR03jPGY0oYop90kyB4MJkV4z1LWjz7ufv4YQOWv-365hRiRDOnAE0ykO0rEnZ1k1wMAZYt6C1WNV5AmmBHtUW/s1600/SAM_1143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EhkZVAD0qjLwfun0ID0PfSslM_P9TLoHKPjAzrmbAJYlyfQz53qvX_jR03jPGY0oYop90kyB4MJkV4z1LWjz7ufv4YQOWv-365hRiRDOnAE0ykO0rEnZ1k1wMAZYt6C1WNV5AmmBHtUW/s640/SAM_1143.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Yeah, that's right, I'm holding a snake". Coolest dude.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Quinten was sitting in his pram while all this was happening, but as the handler unwrapped the snake from Reuben, he started to call and reach out toward it. He was, of course, too little to handle the snake properly, but the handler head it over him in his pram, and Quin was delighted about the whole thing. He had a pat, the snake flicked its tongue all over Quinten's feet to check him out, which Quin thought was completely hilarious.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpJEbXPoEKXt1mrbBtxGlZiHpW62Okp624ye_tzGz2EjzncVs7vesjH6egsHNEkLn-B2EXYNmTIMK8FyUhHDyaVVouuUkKdvdAmbHc_1rqSeM34z9mJhR4iehtlqFKQI1Yd_JHKhEXoDK/s1600/SAM_1148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpJEbXPoEKXt1mrbBtxGlZiHpW62Okp624ye_tzGz2EjzncVs7vesjH6egsHNEkLn-B2EXYNmTIMK8FyUhHDyaVVouuUkKdvdAmbHc_1rqSeM34z9mJhR4iehtlqFKQI1Yd_JHKhEXoDK/s640/SAM_1148.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you think Quinny's a parseltongue?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once all that was over, we explored the rest of the park and said hello to all the other animals. We watched a koala presentation which the boys were pretty underwhelmed by-- the Koala's were sitting with their backs to us and pretty much just ignored us.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamZ7rJev6sAHAzYOUQyOz4pqeGENqdFXEiEoF_EmLfUgpdXz0NjwdZCj_kWax4XjijT8wA492GUuAbm_0F6N7MblKhuT92dXr5QGEXCgNhwVGrt6zofDKyjCOHu6yA0xFDtg7WsWaIY2N/s1600/SAM_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamZ7rJev6sAHAzYOUQyOz4pqeGENqdFXEiEoF_EmLfUgpdXz0NjwdZCj_kWax4XjijT8wA492GUuAbm_0F6N7MblKhuT92dXr5QGEXCgNhwVGrt6zofDKyjCOHu6yA0xFDtg7WsWaIY2N/s640/SAM_1150.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The koala's weren't in the mood for being show ponies today.</td></tr>
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The kangaroos were a bit more accommodating, and we spent quite a while hanging out with them - once we got brave enough to sneak past the Emus who were guarding the gate! They are rather big and intimidating creatures!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07YX_FWKdfxbDdlAM3PFN36XTBRqfiXKe1sXCJP3okr4wqHwRePhFqmpaPGWZ7IBQohKVslV8v0FbDN9dlMXXuKS48Oz1N2e43UmHco1lvQd8G_135fSqKrkq9HvJnrfNib91-DnoHf6s/s1600/SAM_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07YX_FWKdfxbDdlAM3PFN36XTBRqfiXKe1sXCJP3okr4wqHwRePhFqmpaPGWZ7IBQohKVslV8v0FbDN9dlMXXuKS48Oz1N2e43UmHco1lvQd8G_135fSqKrkq9HvJnrfNib91-DnoHf6s/s640/SAM_1151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Man Emu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD28Xcu8V5p5EqJ7nVwUe875AHB1ShdqQ0DfHjvk4c-_nc-nQYhXuAVVRvO7lJjfeOUMwQ4QF8-ODL_qkvVMAFtoKIJQLUZMb4nmcKw6_Ueu_k2lcCUomxYgk2PfsH2wOeNCvkaybsm3T/s1600/SAM_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRD28Xcu8V5p5EqJ7nVwUe875AHB1ShdqQ0DfHjvk4c-_nc-nQYhXuAVVRvO7lJjfeOUMwQ4QF8-ODL_qkvVMAFtoKIJQLUZMb4nmcKw6_Ueu_k2lcCUomxYgk2PfsH2wOeNCvkaybsm3T/s640/SAM_1155.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reuben was so cute talking to the kangaroos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7k1cRT6BkAN496HQFSzS4VqjUXxGXIDynvgRNdXbUeMrCdgJQHefIwm4jQ7-gZFV49oxkKOMW8zjxd8NK-W5WUQqHt14uVFUzzS8M_l2caIJCR2l79i1WMlF3kBDI1h5DJf4zWgPHkHi/s1600/SAM_1160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7k1cRT6BkAN496HQFSzS4VqjUXxGXIDynvgRNdXbUeMrCdgJQHefIwm4jQ7-gZFV49oxkKOMW8zjxd8NK-W5WUQqHt14uVFUzzS8M_l2caIJCR2l79i1WMlF3kBDI1h5DJf4zWgPHkHi/s640/SAM_1160.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sizing each other up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMe3XwjDsUjyBKfrvABQnANv4rcBRFiul_J0dOqunB3_j-SCeCLXlkbkG7keVrpWKAaaSPX5tmvNAn7NwbZ9-GZ9ztSHAamqgWILbVpP2wBtrHxxI8xMAyfHdHQirBCt_XZsBjfw2mfWQs/s1600/SAM_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMe3XwjDsUjyBKfrvABQnANv4rcBRFiul_J0dOqunB3_j-SCeCLXlkbkG7keVrpWKAaaSPX5tmvNAn7NwbZ9-GZ9ztSHAamqgWILbVpP2wBtrHxxI8xMAyfHdHQirBCt_XZsBjfw2mfWQs/s640/SAM_1161.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quin was pretty intrigued with these guys too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We saw a gigantic four metre crocodile (from a distance) and explored a snake house filled with dozens of extremely venomous snakes which totally gave me the heebie-jeebies, even if they were well and truly contained within their glass cages.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qpfSsptX-73VIcm9h57r6tDKfFlVCNUIbMe0fCKIdZsEIwJOwlmQPRFwlxEH_qzex69SUaXwLl_LUuzJbZEIOIeuciv33mYJRZYUgnX3k6OWMyIw089CE-pKUiF4KOrG_mhjaZ_2mrT_/s1600/SAM_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qpfSsptX-73VIcm9h57r6tDKfFlVCNUIbMe0fCKIdZsEIwJOwlmQPRFwlxEH_qzex69SUaXwLl_LUuzJbZEIOIeuciv33mYJRZYUgnX3k6OWMyIw089CE-pKUiF4KOrG_mhjaZ_2mrT_/s640/SAM_1167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah... we ain't holding that one... and he sure ain't holding us!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfDZ0q-vs0ket79sOs83z_J2Ux83iE5J0oRWVk6IQ7jLIcuh0kvDsZuUuewg7H0J4nB_xVjK6uAyX48KuWQV5hPrP-8jgyDbWNRl3ZW5AGP1IwE25Q9rlFSAq2kzwrMbWwIb3bVs9bbhm/s1600/SAM_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfDZ0q-vs0ket79sOs83z_J2Ux83iE5J0oRWVk6IQ7jLIcuh0kvDsZuUuewg7H0J4nB_xVjK6uAyX48KuWQV5hPrP-8jgyDbWNRl3ZW5AGP1IwE25Q9rlFSAq2kzwrMbWwIb3bVs9bbhm/s640/SAM_1173.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the snake that Reuben held earlier. *shudder*</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It was such a fun day out with my boys... Especially Reuben. I am beginning to discover that he responds really well to quality time, and doing something like this where it just us, was really good for both us us. I definitely need to do more of it!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi594WxCczsgrOjjqR_Vkd1lgbT4Ea3ltVRKnXCnr26aXNi9IlqN5jkA46Tejy1eTFreO4Zg92oQx-yVmuAvo6XcOsBIqjHn2js2O7tQu_P1FabYOng0cwNEqeb3dNuH7C4azaq2OnaNdjq/s1600/SAM_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi594WxCczsgrOjjqR_Vkd1lgbT4Ea3ltVRKnXCnr26aXNi9IlqN5jkA46Tejy1eTFreO4Zg92oQx-yVmuAvo6XcOsBIqjHn2js2O7tQu_P1FabYOng0cwNEqeb3dNuH7C4azaq2OnaNdjq/s640/SAM_1179.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any outing that ends like this is good with me!</td></tr>
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<b>Do you like to take your kids on dates? Any ideas about other places I can take my boys? Would you have held the snake!!??</b>Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-70255278323170879922015-05-11T13:40:00.002+10:002015-05-11T13:44:13.733+10:00I'm baaaack!Hello world!<br />
Does anyone still read this old thing? We have been without a properly working computer for about six months now and blogging from an iPad is painful, so alas and lack, I have become a rather absentee blogger.<br />
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And yet; here I am! That is because my (slightly insane) husband bought me a flipping MacBook Pro for Mother's Day yesterday. After I unequivocally made it clear that this would NOT be setting a new bar for gift-giving, I graciously accepted my VERY generous gift, and here I am... with a computer that actually talks to the network and internet... how novel!<br />
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Now it's just a matter of getting my blogging mojo back. I have plenty of stories to tell, but finding the time to sit and tell them may be another matter, so let's see how we go.<br />
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I thought I'd start off by catching you all up on life in the Friend house. Life goes on, much too quickly for my liking, and the kids are growing like weeds.<br />
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My beautiful Quinny-Bean turned one in March. One! Can you believe? He has six teeth (four at the top, two at the bottom) and runs faster than I can catch up with most of the time. He started walking just before his birthday, and once he started there was no stopping him. He's a gorgeous little fella, he's pretty chilled out, though has a much louder voice than his siblings and doesn't like to stand for too much badgering from them that's for certain! He's a lovely little boy, who charms everyone he meets.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4CQyDYJgD9hhgmLSeHfpX0y4bLV5WBNjtnLWIdfSkYaBCLBaAElte2vX1_XZyLmxpSzCWfMRnt1iWy_WG-TxMZjMu3gWx_QcB-qwvlneyLrxkgAsErIYRgmTeiUeA0aYXQzplbGkLKdX/s1600/IMG_5921_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4CQyDYJgD9hhgmLSeHfpX0y4bLV5WBNjtnLWIdfSkYaBCLBaAElte2vX1_XZyLmxpSzCWfMRnt1iWy_WG-TxMZjMu3gWx_QcB-qwvlneyLrxkgAsErIYRgmTeiUeA0aYXQzplbGkLKdX/s640/IMG_5921_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quin is learning lots of tricks from his brother...</td></tr>
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<br /><span id="goog_263594144"></span>
Reuben turned three in April. He is a real boy's boy. He likes all the boy things... dinosaurs, trains, trucks, cars, making LOUD noises. He is rough and tumble, incredibly mischievous, cheeky as anything, and completely adorable. His EoE is well under control at the moment, and keeping him off wheat, dairy, eggs and peanuts has helped him to avoid a flare-up for quite a few months now! He is scheduled to see the immunologist in October, and I'm interested to see what comes from that. He goes to kindy one day a week and loves it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4438ucnrquQunVAejPV87f3HqrFd2vW9d4P_bwUDaVFQvQ6AaGTHZCjPksVzOGgXofgokv_fAo7Pg4GlxxAatlcxA4SCj50JTBQn-jB1JvmYk9Pulj1tWFVnc5t6qEzDV9rhUSpaTM55/s1600/IMG_6044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4438ucnrquQunVAejPV87f3HqrFd2vW9d4P_bwUDaVFQvQ6AaGTHZCjPksVzOGgXofgokv_fAo7Pg4GlxxAatlcxA4SCj50JTBQn-jB1JvmYk9Pulj1tWFVnc5t6qEzDV9rhUSpaTM55/s640/IMG_6044.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reuben and I on his third birthday. This photo sums up his personality beautifully.</td></tr>
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Mayana, my big girl, is now SIX! She is in grade one and jumping ahead in leaps and bounds. She loves school, and works hard. She is up to level 19 readers, nearly finished sight words, and her teacher had only wonderful things to say about her at our parent-teacher interview. She's still our social butterfly, and is never happier than when surrounded by friends. This year she has started a few extra-curriculars, and thoroughly enjoys both Girl's Brigade and Calisthenics. She still loves her 'making', and our house is always brimming with her creations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1W2Nn_4Ge3SX_PNXHxMp-LW5FZNQoafyWeg-vb-qMgdtBSCcT056wsGO0dFLCiWxYiAMiwUTjWpe9GealmEiwjUX5SrL4C4oKZyP1yiawCXKF82pDDP7JLNphUmnid1F-ZkVvONjKIPI/s1600/IMG_6251_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1W2Nn_4Ge3SX_PNXHxMp-LW5FZNQoafyWeg-vb-qMgdtBSCcT056wsGO0dFLCiWxYiAMiwUTjWpe9GealmEiwjUX5SrL4C4oKZyP1yiawCXKF82pDDP7JLNphUmnid1F-ZkVvONjKIPI/s640/IMG_6251_2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Could she be any more beautiful!?</td></tr>
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And Pete and I are well! We moved house last October, into another old Queenslander, which we are renting from my parent's. In essence, we get to treat the home as our own, and Peter and my dad are constantly planning their next project for the house. Pete has so far painted the entire living area, and next on the list is Mayana's bedroom. I've started doing relief teaching again, and am enjoying the one or two days a week work. I love relief teaching; getting experience with so many different age groups and picking up ideas from various classrooms and teachers. I'm still into all my crafting (which is obviously where Mayana gets it from) and crochet is still my hobby of choice, although I have been getting back into my sewing machine a bit too. My other hobby is creating allergy-free food alternatives for Reuben. I have in fact started a Facebook page to share my recipes, which you can <a href="http://www.facebook.com/foodforreuben" target="_blank">find here </a>if you're interested in following along!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZ2uXRb0IwIiM_wTRL1O_JsmHdiS5zxnTsNc6Uy6NBMLdVjbykca4x63NBKPU_y6oALMiUxxhGJdppaIyRMLh-ya30zQmc7HBOCaBuBr6ABHbzId24E0ImppwVWRy9vZb0SsQ2Da0yF63/s1600/IMG_6005_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZ2uXRb0IwIiM_wTRL1O_JsmHdiS5zxnTsNc6Uy6NBMLdVjbykca4x63NBKPU_y6oALMiUxxhGJdppaIyRMLh-ya30zQmc7HBOCaBuBr6ABHbzId24E0ImppwVWRy9vZb0SsQ2Da0yF63/s640/IMG_6005_2.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My SUPER family. More on this later, promise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So there you go, our 2015 so far in a nutshell... We are well, healthy, happy; life is good.<br />
<br />
And hopefully, you'll be seeing more of me in the coming months!!<br />
<br />
Ciao for now!Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-38172409289939608052014-08-11T23:35:00.001+10:002014-08-11T23:35:18.333+10:00Staycation<p>I don’t know about you, but life for us has become incredibly hectic. We have been busy for more weekends in a row than I can count. Not bad busy; fun busy… lots of time with family, fun adventures and great memories… but busy, and always with other people. I literally couldn’t remember the last time it was just us.</p> <p>I was craving some time with my people. Just my husband and kids. Call it grounding.. or regrouping.. I needed it. I would have loved to have gone away for a night or two and totally escaped, but money is a thing… a thing that we don’t have lots of.. so we did the next best: a staycation. A pretend holiday, where the accommodation is free <em>and</em> you get the luxury of sleeping in your own bed. Win-win-win! We spent the days doing whatever we wanted to do, holding hands, and just enjoying. It was magic, and it made me so, so happy.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TZQ5HuPbOnE/U-jGAKBc4CI/AAAAAAAAJnE/LodRSkpccQY/s1600-h/IMG_2561%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2561" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="352" alt="IMG_2561" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6aVuNlZi-6s/U-jGBq4YcQI/AAAAAAAAJnM/wv0MotpK8uY/IMG_2561_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It’s getting harder to fit our family into a selfie!! We started off the day at a local craft festival… checking out market stalls and enjoying free show rides and cheap locally grown fruit.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WA6vnMiFZzw/U-jGC3YM9LI/AAAAAAAAJnU/Up5ZB2zzCkE/s1600-h/IMG_2564%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2564" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="345" alt="IMG_2564" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lfpp-qGo-to/U-jGEX0OjKI/AAAAAAAAJnc/B6oOSAjsgII/IMG_2564_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" border="0" /></a>  <br />And yes, Mayana is wearing a beard…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dBNk9LEtEgk/U-jGFsKvgII/AAAAAAAAJnk/gARtpCZrXdU/s1600-h/IMG_2568%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2568" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="625" alt="IMG_2568" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kfw3Yu7y9XQ/U-jGGw-HsEI/AAAAAAAAJns/Q0CSPSpNiL4/IMG_2568_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" border="0" /></a> <br /> How did I get so lucky as to marry this boy? </p> <div align="center"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" align="center" border="1"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><img title="IMG_2602" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="373" alt="IMG_2602" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rBy5DJNwAcU/U-jGH_6yyJI/AAAAAAAAJn0/u7WO57GYiAk/IMG_2602_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" border="0" /></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><img title="IMG_2603" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="373" alt="IMG_2603" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wM7AO2_eYws/U-jGJCs5x3I/AAAAAAAAJn8/wT9S1FH7bWo/IMG_2603_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" border="0" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p> Did I mention the rides were free?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2aKdPgdooeM/U-jGKREb2XI/AAAAAAAAJoE/qURAmDCSqUQ/s1600-h/IMG_2600%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2600" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="352" alt="IMG_2600" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jqsu5pUrCc8/U-jGLYbZzqI/AAAAAAAAJoM/6ahrZHc5aWQ/IMG_2600_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="467" border="0" /></a></p> <p>We also stopped at pretty much any playground we went past, much to the kids’ excitement!</p> <p>When it started to sprinkle a little, we bought some bits and pieces for a picnic lunch and jumped in the car to another nearby town, where we found a little museum with picnic shelters, barbeques and another playground. Happy days!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7AZaac2GwWA/U-jGM4MroTI/AAAAAAAAJoU/2XIL4qFENBE/s1600-h/IMG_2597%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2597" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="532" alt="IMG_2597" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pC1Y-T_hrC8/U-jGOIQdKNI/AAAAAAAAJoc/GGgwT8DCDpc/IMG_2597_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vrFtOn4rq7M/U-jGPM36dWI/AAAAAAAAJok/46GZjydlIsI/s1600-h/IMG_2595%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2595" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="542" alt="IMG_2595" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TjUNvatqw1I/U-jGQKHBjHI/AAAAAAAAJos/EgKthiwiTWk/IMG_2595_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" border="0" /></a>  <br />Quinten has huge problems with watching us eat. He wants in on that!! He was particularly cranky this day, and wouldn’t be calmed until I gave him a crust off my sandwich… which he proceeded to go to town on… hands-free!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s_1haa-0QBA/U-jGReNTd3I/AAAAAAAAJo0/3SQv7mNp8wU/s1600-h/IMG_2596%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2596" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="310" alt="IMG_2596" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RuQCVC1y4i0/U-jGSbFSbnI/AAAAAAAAJo8/9BttKCoM1A8/IMG_2596_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" border="0" /></a>     <br />These two were a bit thrilled when I gave them a lolly… and that thrill was increased ten-fold when they discovered that it changed the colour of their tongues!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LyveKoUAmvw/U-jGT3iM1mI/AAAAAAAAJpE/hCvVXPdMGyA/s1600-h/IMG_2604%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2604" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="309" alt="IMG_2604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b-M-givN8bA/U-jGVCg63bI/AAAAAAAAJpM/W-aOiGr7Oek/IMG_2604_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" border="0" /></a>  <br />My men in their fabulous hats!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-85bEJkgXJVI/U-jGWvfziTI/AAAAAAAAJpU/1yjAUKle7xA/s1600-h/IMG_2605%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2605" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="305" alt="IMG_2605" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cfG5yk6vGkQ/U-jGXojRukI/AAAAAAAAJpc/lWiqQ3f2vRA/IMG_2605_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" border="0" /></a></p> <p>I didn’t take any pictures in the museum but we had lots of fun exploring. Mayana got it in her head that you have to be REALLY QUIET in a museum, and proceeded to adopt a very theatrical whisper as she pointed out all the things that interested her. Reuben decided that museums are a place to see dinosaurs… luckily, there was a gigantic crocodile skin on display, and that was close enough to a dinosaur for him!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1Rw7BYFQ5gI/U-jGY5kqfSI/AAAAAAAAJpk/ePV03tfO30M/s1600-h/IMG_2593%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2593" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="501" alt="IMG_2593" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aJJqJr7szBo/U-jGZ9V7jXI/AAAAAAAAJps/nOedCmIlu5c/IMG_2593_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" border="0" /></a>  <br />The kids asked for a movie night, and we decided to go old-skool and hire out DVDs. The kids had fun choosing, and we all enjoyed watching The Croods with a lounge-room fish & chip picnic (despite the serious look on my kids’ faces).</p> <p>On Sunday, we went to church, then popped home to pack up the picnic basket, change into some summery clothes and hit the road.. destination: unknown.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I1-GdZjSI48/U-jGbDxAwdI/AAAAAAAAJp0/FuTOqucV0vg/s1600-h/IMG_2639%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2639" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="329" alt="IMG_2639" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2zDKh5JIoPU/U-jGcDP7V4I/AAAAAAAAJp8/dLNDBsPT5NE/IMG_2639_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" border="0" /></a>  <br />We landed at the beach, and found a secluded spot under some shady trees to roll out our gigantic picnic mat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FhQ27wVSUdw/U-jGddB6ckI/AAAAAAAAJqE/kXVgAw0SvpQ/s1600-h/IMG_2640%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2640" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="331" alt="IMG_2640" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lq0xF5dtZpw/U-jGebiBsKI/AAAAAAAAJqM/IM1muAlT-zQ/IMG_2640_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vo3_tIpjY98/U-jGffAXVoI/AAAAAAAAJqU/tHoyv1fGP38/s1600-h/IMG_2642%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2642" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="443" alt="IMG_2642" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1CViXwp_Zww/U-jGgQKfUiI/AAAAAAAAJqc/Fh0zj6h4sjk/IMG_2642_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Not a bad lunch view eh?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6sur0DJHklk/U-jGhZzg3oI/AAAAAAAAJqk/1C-jmYHM0d0/s1600-h/IMG_2641%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2641" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="584" alt="IMG_2641" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DMkK6j3AdIw/U-jGiWN8XFI/AAAAAAAAJqs/_6PksCLXVWw/IMG_2641_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" border="0" /></a>  <br />Isn’t Mr Q getting a bit clever? I dug a little mound of sand around him under the blanket to help him balance, but he sat there for most of the time we were eating… all by himself! Clever fella.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P7Z4WVq-BRY/U-jGjRUmzVI/AAAAAAAAJq0/6iTDbdu_0M4/s1600-h/IMG_2636%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2636" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="392" alt="IMG_2636" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KZZTmG012WQ/U-jGkRwBHsI/AAAAAAAAJq8/wKHFHHbjKic/IMG_2636_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" border="0" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It was still a little chilly for swimming, but down by the water enough wind picked up to fly our kites. Mayana had been given this butterfly kite for Christmas, and this was the first time we have had a chance to fly it. Such fun! The kids enjoyed running around on the wet sand. Reuben inevitably got completely soaked… running around and jumping into puddles, which of course almost always ended with him landing pretty much flat on his face (“Splat Mama!!!”) </p> <p>We had such a beautiful weekend pretending to be on holidays. My family is so awesome; it was such a happy time just being us, being together. I feel refreshed and ready for our next slew of busy weekends ahead. I can certainly see more of these staycations in our future!</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-81099938311256651102014-08-11T22:32:00.001+10:002014-08-11T22:32:18.761+10:00Our Top 8 Challenge<p>If you are a regular reader of this blog, as well as noticing how behind I am in my blogging endeavours (Quinten’s 365 anyone!!?) you will know that we are currently doing an elimination diet with Reuben, after he was given a borderline diagnosis of Eosinophilic Eosophegitis.</p> <p>Last week was <a href="http://www.ausee.org/nationaleosweek.htm" target="_blank">EOS awareness week</a>, an initiative run by a fantastic organisation called <a href="http://www.ausee.org/" target="_blank">AusEE</a>, that aims to raise awareness and money for education and research into Eosinophilic Disorders. Anyway, one of the ways to fundraise was the ‘Top 8 Challenge’, which we registered for. Our family committed to eat top-8 free for an entire day (the 8th of August), and friends and family could sponsor us. So basically, we went the whole day with no dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts or peanuts. All of which, along with corn, Reuben has been without for the last few months now. We are trialling corn at the moment, which means we really are only off the Top 8 at the moment, so that worked out well!</p> <p>I wanted to share our day here. Creating allergy-friendly food has become somewhat of a second nature to me.. I read a recipe and automatically start to ‘translate’ it in my head… <em>I can use coconut oil instead of butter… sunflower seeds instead of almonds, tapioca instead of cornflour, chia seeds instead of eggs… </em>Reuben eats well… he eats interesting and varied foods and meals, and I have managed to find ways to recreate most of his favourites. So with that experience under my belt I was confident in going into this day. It was trickier for our friends. You see we decided that to make Top 8 Day a day worth celebrating we would end it with a dinner party in honour of Reuben. I was so excited at the thought of a meal with friends where Reuben was free to eat absolutely anything that he wanted to. So we invited our friends to join the challenge and bring along a Top 8 Free meal to share.</p> <p>So here we go… our day of Top 8-Free food, in pictures:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mny_qIuNgXM/U-i3iAlA-yI/AAAAAAAAJlM/YRa69v9Vv6I/s1600-h/IMG_2612%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2612" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="468" alt="IMG_2612" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wbp2oHxSqTc/U-i3jghppkI/AAAAAAAAJlU/fCFSIpug_kA/IMG_2612_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We started the day with <a href="http://www.sanitarium.com.au/products/breakfast/weet-bix/gluten-free" target="_blank">gluten-free weetbix</a>. These are new from Sanitarium, made from sorghum, and taste close enough to their wheat counterpart to make my weetbix-loving-and-missing boy very, very happy. We served them with rice milk. Which was also in our coffee. The kids did not have coffee… Mayana had rice milk and Reuben had his neocate. None of us other than Reuben really like rice milk very much at all, but the weetbix were okay!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P0UgPSI3fxU/U-i3koFWebI/AAAAAAAAJlc/Lqi1AT0KbeA/s1600-h/IMG_2611%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2611" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="487" alt="IMG_2611" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yWiNieHIrgg/U-i3lxxplmI/AAAAAAAAJlk/YyMkNhs6G7I/IMG_2611_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Mayana took a Top 8-Free lunchbox to school. She had a Sinchie with apple puree (we love those things), everything-free baking, rice crackers, corn cakes with ham & nuttlex, cucumber, grapes and dates.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iT7aPRL8dTs/U-i3m5t8JeI/AAAAAAAAJls/MFVm-SrmmUY/s1600-h/IMG_2610%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2610" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="476" alt="IMG_2610" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9ohXwC5xEp8/U-i3n0m0BKI/AAAAAAAAJl0/dA0ldy-FGCs/IMG_2610_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Reuben and I had chocolate brownies, medjool dates, corn cakes and banana for morning tea.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6xQaAEkBppE/U-i3pBSBa_I/AAAAAAAAJl8/cf0dFWYhNmk/s1600-h/IMG_2609%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2609" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="480" alt="IMG_2609" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UyLpavViBsA/U-i3q-A7E4I/AAAAAAAAJmE/tXGJ2UvEP0I/IMG_2609_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Lunch was some delicious leftovers. Pete invented this very yummy top8-free carbonara with rice pasta. Quite delicious.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WyRn-bMzUXw/U-i3uk4bH0I/AAAAAAAAJmM/Yx3fQbIkGTo/s1600-h/IMG_2608%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2608" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="IMG_2608" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tLMFTWqu2Mo/U-i3vjZcQNI/AAAAAAAAJmU/u2C7NxaCmBk/IMG_2608_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Afternoon tea was apricot-date squares (made by blitzing dried apricots and dates, and shredded coconut), a coconut ‘chocolate’ fish, and potato bread with blueberry jam. The <a href="http://www.zehnder.com.au/our-products/breads/potato-700g/" target="_blank">potato bread</a> is a new find, and one of the few gluten-free breads I’ve come across that contains no soy or egg. It does have corn, so we’ve only been able to buy it since the corn trial. It’s very expensive, but as far as texture and taste goes it’s probably the best gluten free bread I’ve tasted. Also, it’s made locally on the Sunshine Coast, which is pretty cool.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lm21wIhz8zw/U-i3wisqaVI/AAAAAAAAJmc/_ZWmnY36Ubc/s1600-h/IMG_2607%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2607" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="479" alt="IMG_2607" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J9zfNMO-spA/U-i3x0OPeRI/AAAAAAAAJmk/A0sg4t6bYCY/IMG_2607_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Dinner. Well. Our friends completely outdid themselves and we enjoyed an allergy free feast of epic proportions. We had amazing soups, Asian-inspired noodles, sticky rice with delicious curries… a feast fit for a king!</p> <p>When I told Reuben that our friends were coming over for a special dinner and he could eat anything he wanted to he got very excited. “Party? Me?” he asked? <br />”Yep, a party for you Reuben,” <br />”Yay! Chips? Cake” <br />I think he thought it was his birthday, hehe. But yes, we did have chips and cake!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G8t9EEVRn-M/U-i3ylPVgfI/AAAAAAAAJms/pbGHnOGaDaI/s1600-h/IMG_2606%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2606" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="479" alt="IMG_2606" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ioBB82waDEw/U-i3zoRIRHI/AAAAAAAAJm0/zV4bQznrkuU/IMG_2606_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" border="0" /></a>      </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>And dessert. Oh yum. I made a chocolate self saucing pudding with whipped coconut cream. It was very popular, and I should have at least doubled the recipe. We also had coconut rice pudding with strawberries and peaches, and coconut caramel custard with banana. So much yummy.</p> <p>And that was it! Our Top 8 Free Day. We succeeded, we didn’t go hungry, and we actually enjoyed our food. And to top it off, <a href="http://www.mycause.com.au/page/79351/reubenfriend" target="_blank">we have raised over $300 for AusEE</a>, which is pretty fabulous given that our initial fundraising goal was only $150. </p> <p>I’d call that a great success for our very first Top 8 Challenge Day. Thank you so much to all our friends who sponsored us, and who joined us on challenge day.</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-48265212844435092042014-08-06T14:19:00.001+10:002014-08-06T14:19:24.529+10:00That time we went camping…<p>I have had this blog post half written for a ridiculous time, and it occurred to me that our camping trip was about 2.5 months ago and it was time to get this post published!! <br /> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CzGp2tIMHuQ/U-GsWZmsj7I/AAAAAAAAJhQ/RW-3PxXx7j8/s1600-h/IMG_1373%25255B3%25255D.jpg"></a> <p><img title="IMG_1373" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="435" alt="IMG_1373" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fxqey0JUeaw/U-GsXmoIZAI/AAAAAAAAJhY/JXP_ZM-wFHs/IMG_1373_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" border="0" /></p>  </p> <p>Yep, we went camping with a two-and-a-bit month old baby. Honestly, camping with babies is way less stressful with babies than toddlers. Babies stay in one spot when you put them down. Babies stay in their warm clothes once you’ve got them dressed. Babies don’t try and play with the fire. </p> <p>Anyway. We went camping at the beautiful Kenilworth Homestead. It’s a great place for camping.. close enough to civilisation that you can go and buy things that you may have forgotten, it has flushing toilets and hot water showers, and acres of beautifully manicured green grass on the banks of the Mary River. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KgxwfsQ_dkI/U-GsYuANfFI/AAAAAAAAJhg/0gt3NkdoaCY/s1600-h/IMG_1437%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1437" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="445" alt="IMG_1437" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EvT0_uoD6k8/U-GsZ7Q5HlI/AAAAAAAAJho/E1nft6To6b0/IMG_1437_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It’s a cool place, and has heaps of memories for me, because my family actually lived there (in a tiny duplex behind the main homestead in the picture there) in the early 1990’s when my dad used to be on staff running camps. Chances are if you went on a school camp in the 90s at the Kenilworth Homestead, my dad cooked your food and organised your activities. So it was extra cool for me to go back and check everything out from an adult perspective.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yTkgcn_Gd_A/U-Gsa0azBBI/AAAAAAAAJhw/WtNhN4henhE/s1600-h/IMG_1439%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1439" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="329" alt="IMG_1439" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9C_UlAJTZS0/U-Gsbx45S-I/AAAAAAAAJh4/FoSpjZZDLTA/IMG_1439_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We chose a gorgeous shady spot to set up our campsite. We went with a couple of other families, and decided to set up Petes ridiculously enormous tarp as a central ‘living area’, with our family tents around it. This is the first time that we had opened up Pete’s tarp which he got for his birthday last year, and we knew it was big but boy…. is it big!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4jH7Rb9vedI/U-Gscq39zRI/AAAAAAAAJiA/Ukgtm3hFsrk/s1600-h/IMG_1440%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1440" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="574" alt="IMG_1440" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L2jOgO97UQw/U-GsdqZZ5eI/AAAAAAAAJiI/sa-HIVK9AYU/IMG_1440_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Quinten was our site supervisor, and gave Keith from The Block a run for his money!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v0lknlZPyHg/U-Gse6oBbqI/AAAAAAAAJiQ/yDPAfBox-jY/s1600-h/IMG_1443%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1443" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="343" alt="IMG_1443" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S-tFQn5twKI/U-GsgJqQlQI/AAAAAAAAJiY/ceDa0USix5I/IMG_1443_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Pete was in his element. Between our group we had enough equipment for a really great set up. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cK8qYqj3NIA/U-GshAbX8xI/AAAAAAAAJig/hKj4erYt5Zw/s1600-h/IMG_1454%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1454" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="435" alt="IMG_1454" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Us63Mmj6lk/U-GsiBLFg5I/AAAAAAAAJio/FH8OlUWLhmg/IMG_1454_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gFcORJiqDGY/U-GsjOlkIRI/AAAAAAAAJiw/U7A2zqk5g_M/s1600-h/IMG_1472%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1472" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="427" alt="IMG_1472" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GjUDQ4dooeQ/U-GskHbIdfI/AAAAAAAAJi4/9P-DptObmrI/IMG_1472_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Our tarp had plenty of room for a kitchen and dining area, as well as a 3x3m picnic rug which made a play space for the kids.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YIzfxOHYiJM/U-Gsk3L3nqI/AAAAAAAAJjA/qRM52A9CioU/s1600-h/IMG_1492%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1492" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="327" alt="IMG_1492" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pjP0N3Xy4uc/U-Gsl3moKII/AAAAAAAAJjI/duvLC7E951c/IMG_1492_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" border="0" /></a></p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UHlHrYrBTSc/U-GsmjxZQfI/AAAAAAAAJjQ/y0KPrJ8c7Hk/s1600-h/IMG_1493%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1493" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="323" alt="IMG_1493" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O3uJGnAz7a4/U-GsnhPbpII/AAAAAAAAJjY/J4YTxaX1f88/IMG_1493_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Our family realised that we would no longer fit in our tent! Luckily Pete still had an old 4-man stowed away, so we set that up for the kids. </p> <p>Both sides of our family has since chipped in for Pete’s dream tent for his birthday present. Boy-oh-boy… just you wait till you see it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EMi0X8sh0tI/U-GsohYxWSI/AAAAAAAAJjg/v3gaCfvb3pU/s1600-h/IMG_1483%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1483" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="599" alt="IMG_1483" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QdD3Jlr2DWY/U-Gsp6YXQ9I/AAAAAAAAJjo/2bZVmUO2IEU/IMG_1483_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Pete kept the fire going for the whole weekend, and we cooked some pretty delicious food on there. Pete had it down to a fine art, and the kids were all completely enthralled and very keen to help whenever possible.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xNHSXHeu6eU/U-GsqwDV2xI/AAAAAAAAJjw/SHMdsGjUk2M/s1600-h/IMG_1451%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1451" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="348" alt="IMG_1451" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZelDKctaQe8/U-GssPvY3bI/AAAAAAAAJj4/YPQRlccDbJs/IMG_1451_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" border="0" /></a>  <br />We spent the days hanging out by the river, sitting around talking and doing an awful lot of eating! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GbWWVYNs300/U-GstMasQ_I/AAAAAAAAJkA/Kr_kREU4Dfs/s1600-h/IMG_1457%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1457" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="323" alt="IMG_1457" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kgiUuUMoYN8/U-GsuPuKTVI/AAAAAAAAJkI/7YJwpjtC5BU/IMG_1457_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Mayana is standing in front of the schoolhouse where I started my education. She couldn’t believe that this was my school.. it didn’t match up with her experience of what school is at all! The building is in disuse now, and is filled bits of broken furniture and pieces of wood. There are signs up warning against entering. But it still brought back a lot of memories… it’s a pretty special place to me – I learned to read there!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7Ikt7A0E6eI/U-Gsu81Bg6I/AAAAAAAAJkQ/ixdylRsJHqA/s1600-h/IMG_1491%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1491" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="335" alt="IMG_1491" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XMFegmm5yPE/U-GsvyE-trI/AAAAAAAAJkY/kwKHyDhzWKM/IMG_1491_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" border="0" /></a>   </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Quinten coped splendidly. It was quite cold, which disrupted his sleeping a little, but once he was snuggled into bed with Mama and Papa, we all got a bit more shut-eye. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SLkQyz8acsM/U-Gswn1Ha9I/AAAAAAAAJkg/0ZX-j2i8sU0/s1600-h/IMG_1497%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1497" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="393" alt="IMG_1497" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4lWbba2Z5bU/U-Gsx5X3GYI/AAAAAAAAJko/iMJxPFPpNrk/IMG_1497_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" border="0" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>And well.. this photo of Mayana and Reuben not long after we pulled out of the driveway of the homestead is pretty telling as to how much fun they had!!</p> <p>Camping is something that Pete and I both love to do, but seem to put off, thinking that it will be too much work with the kids. I’m glad that whenever we decide to do it we always prove ourselves wrong, and find it pretty much the complete opposite.</p> <p>Pete has a whole week of holidays booked in the September school holidays and we are looking very much forward to heading out for another family camping trip and trying out our brand new house-tent!</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-3606703708874409362014-06-10T14:28:00.001+10:002014-06-10T14:28:41.740+10:00Everything-Free Baking<p>After a slight hiccup where he was accidentally fed pasta at daycare on day five and we had to go back to day one… we are nearly half way through Reuben’s elimination diet. It isn’t easy, and the combination of being off corn, soy, wheat and nuts makes baking interesting. </p> <p>Pretty much every gluten/wheat-free product on the market, including breads, flours baked goods etc. contains either one or more of the other flours that are off limits. And probably eggs as well. So I can’t really buy any pre-made gluten free products. I need to make my own flours so that I can make my own breads and biscuits and pancakes. I’ve been using combinations of different flours like tapioca, potato starch, buckwheat (which is NOT wheat), quinoa, oats (which Reuben is allowed to eat because he is technically off wheat not gluten), besan (chickpea) and rice. None of these behave in the same way as wheat flour, so it’s a bit of trial and error, and learning about which alternative flours have which properties. </p> <p>This <a href="http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/chia-seed-buckwheat-quinoa-bread-egg.html" target="_blank">buckwheat, quinoa and chia bread</a> has been a favourite, although it’s sometimes quicker and easier to make up some simple pancakes with whichever flour I’ve got on hand and some <a href="http://www.orgran.com/products/174/" target="_blank">Orgran egg replacer</a> and oat/rice/coconut milk. The <a href="www.thermomix.com.au/products/cook-books/7912-a-quirky-cooking.aspx" target="_blank">Quirky Cooking thermomix cookbook</a> that I was given for Mother’s Day is full of great ideas, but I will be able to use it even more once Reuben is allowed nuts again. The poor lad has eaten a lifetime’s worth of rice in all of its various forms (rice milk, rice cakes, rice biscuits, rice flour, actual rice) and lots of coconut too.</p> <p>A few weeks ago, a lovely friend gave us a package of absolutely delicious everything-free chocolate chip biscuits, and I decided to use the ingredients list on the package as inspiration to make my own. It only took me two experiments to get a cookie that, which not exactly like the one in that package, tastes pretty delicious. And so, I thought I’d share it here.</p> <p>I made mine in the thermomix, so I’ll include directions for that as well as how you could do it without one. Here goes…</p> <p>Ingredients:</p> <ul> <li>100g oil (I used a mix of nuttelex and coconut oil)</li> <li>50g raw sugar/rapadura/coconut sugar</li> <li>50g rice malt syrup</li> <li>10g molasses (or 60g golden syrup – I like to use RMS + molasses to make the flavour of golden syrup with a lot less sugar)</li> <li>1tsp bicarb soda</li> <li>200g besan (chickpea) flour *</li> <li>90g tapioca flour * </li> <li>1tsp baking powder</li> <li>100g dairy-free chocolate (I use the lindt 70% dark stuff, use dairy-free chocolate chips if you can find them)</li> <li>pinch of salt.</li> </ul> <p>*If you have a thermomix, you can grind your own chickpea and tapioca flour. You just need to mill on speed 10 for about a minute. I found this wasn’t fine enough, so I let it cool (it heats up when it milling at that speed), and mill for another minute, and repeat until it is an appropriate texture. Just be prepared, milling chickpeas is LOUD. Like <em>nasty </em>loud. But waaaaaaay cheaper and easier to find than the actual flours. </p> <p>Method (with thermomix):</p> <ul> <li>melt together the oil, sugar, RMS + molasses/golden syrup and bicarb soda 60degrees/3 minutes/sp2.</li> <li>add flours, baking powder, salt and chocolate and mix on interval speed for 30-40 seconds until combined. </li> <li>roll into teaspoon sized balls, and flatten slightly. Bake at 180degrees for 10 minutes or until cooked. They will harden as they cool.</li> </ul> <p>Method (without thermomix):</p> <ul> <li>melt the oil, sugar, liquid sweetners and bicarb soda over a low heat on the stove. </li> <li>Add the remaining ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined. </li> <li>roll into teaspoon sized balls, and flatten slightly. Bake at 180degrees for 10 minutes or until cooked. They will harden as they cool.</li> </ul> <p><em>note: I found that the lindt chocolate kind of melted into the mixture, so they kind of turned into chocolate biscuits instead of chocolate chip. I will hopefully one day find dairy free chocolate chips so I can try it that way!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1ITzCgNvQ60/U5aJbK7vOyI/AAAAAAAAJgY/8cU1YDTV81A/s1600-h/IMG_1642%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1642" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="425" alt="IMG_1642" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-apG0d6AjBk0/U5aJdNrxIwI/AAAAAAAAJgg/ujaK-5BHxU4/IMG_1642_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>And there you have it… gluten free, dairy free, corn free, soy free, nut free, egg free chocolate (chip) biscuits, a delicious little treat for my gorgeous boy!</p> <p>The other snacks in the picture are apricot balls and date balls. I made them both in the thermomix, but you could do them in a food processor too. I used the same method for both; a handful of dried fruit (dates/apricots), a good dessert-spoon full of sunflower seed butter (which I also made in the thermie – and you could use any kind of nut butter if you’re allowed nuts) and a handful of shredded coconut. I pulsed on turbo for a few seconds to get it started and then blitzed on speed 8 until it was cut up and blended enough to hold together. You can add more coconut or sunbutter to make the mixture wetter/drier as needed. Reuben loves these little snacks, they’re a nice little treat!!</p> <p>As much as I’m not enjoying the actual diet or the reason that we’re doing it, I’m trying to approach it from the attitude of an opportunity to be a bit creative. I’m learning a lot about alternative foods and different ways of looking at food, so that is kind of cool. And Reuben seems to enjoy <em>most</em> of my endeavours, which is pretty awesome. I hope you do too!</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-51437439104693105042014-06-09T21:15:00.001+10:002014-06-09T21:15:21.108+10:00Quinten 365 {14/52}<p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">Apologies for the massive flood of these posts these last few days. We’ve been having internet troubles and I managed to get my old laptop hooked up to catch up. And this is the last one… I’m caught up!! Yay! Quin’s photo a day posts will now be (hopefully) published each Sunday night. I hope you enjoy them!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pfj5rdj8QZc/U5WXBQUb4ZI/AAAAAAAAJeU/voXMANjRWHg/s1600-h/92_365%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="92_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="508" alt="92_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fUee1ym_2r8/U5WXCz40gVI/AAAAAAAAJec/TnQIFj60g3g/92_365_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">92/365 |  Seriously. Could he <em>be</em> any cuter?<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wPQ4R08Ny34/U5WXD9dGFPI/AAAAAAAAJek/X9P6ob7V0w8/s1600-h/93_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="93_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="512" alt="93_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IbyeXHWGAIE/U5WXFMydOzI/AAAAAAAAJes/r3tX8uhJMqA/93_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">93/365 | Three months old today!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZbHdbLm3hX0/U5WXF-HCUtI/AAAAAAAAJe0/6hg0OjJeg8U/s1600-h/94_365%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="94_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="509" alt="94_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I4UO0WVv5Z0/U5WXHK5L8MI/AAAAAAAAJe8/LcdeU8Z0wMo/94_365_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="509" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">94/365 | Quinten often sleeps with his eyes open. Funny fella.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wjkKU2NDNcs/U5WXIOzZNFI/AAAAAAAAJfE/oyNya0Q5OjM/s1600-h/95_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="95_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="683" alt="95_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RkzhA_--1hw/U5WXJPTbwtI/AAAAAAAAJfM/az7E-_1PlhY/95_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">95/365 | Taking a steam train ride</p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" border="1"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VU0hRGMcgnU/U5WXKL_vyGI/AAAAAAAAJfU/JEl67eDKwRo/s1600-h/96_365%252520%2525281%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="96_365 (1)" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="374" alt="96_365 (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IbYAbgxzzfY/U5WXLPnEBsI/AAAAAAAAJfc/lPUlNxN-LEE/96_365%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B17%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" border="0" /></a></td> <td valign="top" width="200"><img title="96_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="373" alt="96_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o0YtHuQJuk8/U5WXL9wyy1I/AAAAAAAAJfk/6LIfFeJ6GNA/96_365_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" border="0" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p align="center"> 96/365 | Two photos today. Because I couldn’t choose between the cuteness.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h-ws6qml3kY/U5WXMyggp3I/AAAAAAAAJfs/6iJhI8XScg4/s1600-h/97_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="97_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="646" alt="97_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lMuxxM1qiBw/U5WXOFhwilI/AAAAAAAAJf0/-wc7hqv3OUM/97_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="487" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">97/365 | Listening to sweet tunes at the local food and wine festival.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1wDSMrl-9Bo/U5WXO_yzqzI/AAAAAAAAJf8/mg2foqEfYN0/s1600-h/98_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="98_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="632" alt="98_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LT1gQcTBJYw/U5WXQKnqD5I/AAAAAAAAJgE/Jp4GjUP6SyQ/98_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center"></p> <p></p> <p align="center">98/365 | Opa FaceTimed from Singapore Airport today. Quin was underwhelmed.</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-21548717266006309632014-06-09T20:41:00.001+10:002014-06-09T20:41:27.118+10:00Quinten 365 {13/52}<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kWNFqYr-iMA/U5WPHWZZGHI/AAAAAAAAJcc/XT_bxWLlLhg/s1600-h/85_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="85_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="492" alt="85_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L8ggD65BVug/U5WPI_-lLjI/AAAAAAAAJck/2pZhDCGUPjs/85_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">85/365 | There were three in the trolley and the little one said… “Help!!!”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yqN66YDXrUU/U5WPJ8tJQ0I/AAAAAAAAJcs/q2ubpJMAnMc/s1600-h/86_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="86_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="332" alt="86_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XZ_RKmhBxwY/U5WPLLylyhI/AAAAAAAAJc0/aMidYLn1wQY/86_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">86/365 | My assistant photographer and I went and did a photo shoot for Tante Boo. This is his ‘I’m concentrating really hard’ face.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--8rTonqIrRE/U5WPL-1AmoI/AAAAAAAAJc8/ra2AsjpLycA/s1600-h/87_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="87_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="662" alt="87_365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLX7w8XT7oYIaHGjZ7vyXPeRj1TETEo9ErcHWSif_-p-zrNgQrUwFZk6ITX9_ckviAewiUPlDxRaE14LpZPbHnJltLkwE3m5wwMnRcwCgomjv3pnui7kGScDmKKeGj3OZtDEKRqQbA-yC/?imgmax=800" width="499" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">87/365 | Feeling a bit under the weather today.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t1GwRosLWSo/U5WPOIIk6WI/AAAAAAAAJdM/8PU9Sfy9z4w/s1600-h/88_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="88_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="656" alt="88_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wSzMK6NaeRg/U5WPPIanBtI/AAAAAAAAJdU/ftL-eYDhxVc/88_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="494" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">88/365 | But ready to smile again today!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i51ezXMh8x4/U5WPP03O4cI/AAAAAAAAJdc/jVfjPxgKZHc/s1600-h/89_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="89_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="649" alt="89_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--JAi8yPcxOo/U5WPQx2reuI/AAAAAAAAJdk/SG8lC2opUOU/89_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="489" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">89/365 | “Oh I say” *Imagine posh English accent*</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4delHG2Eghw/U5WPR_k0sZI/AAAAAAAAJds/G9XJdZYTIEc/s1600-h/90_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="90_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="634" alt="90_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nOHvotJ8F8M/U5WPS1UDuQI/AAAAAAAAJd0/evQEy6K4jD4/90_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">90/365 | Heading home after a big day out.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vN8fs9rdGVA/U5WPT1rZdKI/AAAAAAAAJd8/EmWorVxMizY/s1600-h/91_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="91_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="625" alt="91_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PMoMDDsCgDk/U5WPU7yDQeI/AAAAAAAAJeE/Zr_nKeU11OM/91_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">91/365 | <em>I wanna be a cowboy baby!</em> Showing off his genuine Wrangler onesie that he got for Christmas before he was even born!</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-45407378873301505532014-06-04T22:47:00.001+10:002014-06-04T22:47:17.133+10:00Quinten 365 {12/52}<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-99b2hfp-c9w/U48VFlP4pUI/AAAAAAAAJaU/eHo2bwBmVLw/s1600-h/78_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="78_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="528" alt="78_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iDVoaGdFV0A/U48VG0w_m1I/AAAAAAAAJac/-5s46BPT_h0/78_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">78/365 | Chillin’ with the Lala</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh64P29dRC75rOo4q3EXY9bXI71H0IBaDDIze6kAFUYL1mjE-2zcJ5gtMbMVNBFhI65yU7s00bepp9xn719CAwM0ckiYKQxmtgpj8D5C1La1lUDQQLq936NCLcC2KUJoefbo08aRod3kl/s1600-h/79_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="79_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="529" alt="79_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LlaLueJlWPg/U48VJF8rVJI/AAAAAAAAJas/UvPpvzcaIJI/79_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">79/365 | Uncle time</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5qM751-6Qno/U48VKbYoilI/AAAAAAAAJa0/I6rIkVyQIAA/s1600-h/80_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="80_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="523" alt="80_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ujLDSFdP_HQ/U48VLaKLF2I/AAAAAAAAJa8/D4F4i_T_mjk/80_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">80/365 | Sissy-selfies. Quin’s crazy eyes just never gets old.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rMESN7Xbyd4/U48VMXfWtdI/AAAAAAAAJbE/yR13EEudahg/s1600-h/81_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="81_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="492" alt="81_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PhY0HTxy5II/U48VNi7XrUI/AAAAAAAAJbM/APFabsl157k/81_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">81/365 | Quin’s face when I told him we were going camping tomorrow! Ha!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-faq163XOWyY/U48VO7jlRZI/AAAAAAAAJbU/RQ4YEzbpAcA/s1600-h/82_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="82_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="486" alt="82_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oTLvEdTb0Dg/U48VPu20pGI/AAAAAAAAJbc/O2sQ0VVo83I/82_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">82/365 | Quinten was our site manager for our camping setup. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UvZG39yVdnw/U48VQ5kHrbI/AAAAAAAAJbk/RvG2e_4aYzg/s1600-h/83_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="83_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="500" alt="83_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g6IF9Y8XiBM/U48VR9dh_PI/AAAAAAAAJbs/YzbwfuMEa_0/83_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">83/365 | He has a special look he reserves just for his sister. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zC93julZMnE/U48VTfDjrbI/AAAAAAAAJb0/9su98t41do0/s1600-h/84_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="84_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="321" alt="84_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fi_5FirLbXk/U48VUbNy3QI/AAAAAAAAJb8/4TEPEvtkSLA/84_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">84/365 | Sleepy tent snuggles with Mama. I was soaking that up, I can tall you!</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-23301717636150057612014-06-04T22:35:00.001+10:002014-06-04T22:35:36.406+10:00Quinten 365 {11/52)<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AZMfZt1gbpw/U48SVr3QZ9I/AAAAAAAAJYg/DBZ6QEIQrCc/s1600-h/71_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="71_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="761" alt="71_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_HaYBF21Tcs/U48SXKGunHI/AAAAAAAAJYo/7VKZSe7yU8c/71_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="573" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">71/365 | Trolley Bros</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VtCMWlJQe94/U48SYcSUlMI/AAAAAAAAJYw/J4ge1ZrxIqc/s1600-h/72_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="72_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="689" alt="72_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-13rPye028ac/U48SZr4wFPI/AAAAAAAAJY4/BySJucN57Yo/72_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="519" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">72/365 | Quinten meets his Great Nanny Vi</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p2LDXDBJ_E8/U48Saw8-mcI/AAAAAAAAJZA/F_BriQ9sKgk/s1600-h/73_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="73_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="383" alt="73_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-59szwM19oa4/U48Sb9VyS9I/AAAAAAAAJZI/bFkAsSIMQZ8/73_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">73/365 | hanging out wit Papa</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-heiKm7OrlFU/U48Sc0j6NtI/AAAAAAAAJZQ/O5LYDKHLn1Q/s1600-h/74_365%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="74_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="536" alt="74_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x11PGlDFgWs/U48SeNs8MbI/AAAAAAAAJZY/NrHWOdB_P6w/74_365_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="509" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">74/365 | Having snuggles with Tante Boo when he spotted his Mama</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KYqHTbb859k/U48SfJYt4-I/AAAAAAAAJZg/KQ7FKULlNfo/s1600-h/75_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="75_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="660" alt="75_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OoenQ3OENBQ/U48SgstisYI/AAAAAAAAJZo/xJlGrEDuH5I/75_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">75/365 | Lifegroup means lots of snuggles for Mr Q!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rXDPvwVYxx8/U48Sh29AMGI/AAAAAAAAJZw/ek8FYh5mrXM/s1600-h/76_365%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="76_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="421" alt="76_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ztuf7K6iucQ/U48Si-Jp3PI/AAAAAAAAJZ4/KPwVUUJLX8U/76_365_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">76/365 | Kami and her boys</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gJUM7jJXfNQ/U48Sj3ueQRI/AAAAAAAAJaA/0QRBeRaOl3Y/s1600-h/77_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="77_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="643" alt="77_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qxnP_i_z6XA/U48SlIUzV6I/AAAAAAAAJaI/aYGsIZs2HSM/77_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">77/365 | Sleepy snuggles with Lala</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-38074298544749770052014-06-04T22:24:00.001+10:002014-06-04T22:24:21.799+10:00Quinten 365 {10/52}<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AC-88EMiAgg/U48PsRblckI/AAAAAAAAJWs/R6QZHIYPwaQ/s1600-h/64_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="64_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="561" alt="64_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fw8DhK8JPdM/U48PuYYTiQI/AAAAAAAAJW0/m527YExHiZk/64_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="561" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">64/365 | Two months old!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-41UEWZXDmQk/U48PvclJZGI/AAAAAAAAJW8/70cnnBWRXLA/s1600-h/65_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="65_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="735" alt="65_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DyN9YrMf_qw/U48Pwq15I7I/AAAAAAAAJXE/4AKnguWSDtQ/65_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">65/365 | He’s all eyes.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UdMUDOB7GvI/U48PxppOJPI/AAAAAAAAJXM/2oVZIMd0Sic/s1600-h/66_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="66_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="716" alt="66_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FeqvlCDwCD4/U48PzFaP7II/AAAAAAAAJXU/p7L5RcZu1W8/66_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">66/365 | And sometimes those eyes are cray cray!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-37W0ZQsH1Ms/U48P0EnAT_I/AAAAAAAAJXc/PHLP8wgyUTU/s1600-h/67_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="67_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="693" alt="67_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LFcfvQ2tcV4/U48P1N1X0QI/AAAAAAAAJXk/sviJSrMvR7Q/67_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="522" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">67/365 | Handsome little dude</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MZZ34nDiDcA/U48P2M6zAHI/AAAAAAAAJXs/3oyCKeotbJ8/s1600-h/68_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="68_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="673" alt="68_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P4nlA7QRNYQ/U48P3XAFuTI/AAAAAAAAJX0/Xf_YAYvyO7E/68_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">68/365 | Morning snuggles</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-imSeUpelLmQ/U48P4mOon2I/AAAAAAAAJX8/UeNghR92QBQ/s1600-h/69_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="69_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="659" alt="69_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ymkbH-ypvK4/U48P58oueHI/AAAAAAAAJYE/L8dIDUih9eU/69_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">69/365 | Say whaaaat?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nXFOO_p2FTI/U48P7PaidcI/AAAAAAAAJYM/h3WOQ7QV9Uo/s1600-h/70_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="70_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="372" alt="70_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5V2tkMKGxwA/U48P8bOnugI/AAAAAAAAJYU/82zTLL1j-ys/70_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="494" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">70/365 | Happy Mother's Day! My first as a Mama of three.</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-69530558855145811712014-05-28T23:22:00.001+10:002014-05-28T23:22:24.655+10:00Reuben’s Tummy: An Update<p><a href="http://mrsfriend.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/reubens-tummy.html" target="_blank">Last time I blogged about this</a>, Reuben had just had his second gastroenterologist appointment and were waiting for an endoscopy. If you read that post I just linked, you’ll get a great big overview of what’s going on… in case you’ve missed it!</p> <p>So, in December, we had the endoscopy. It was weird, scary-ish. He was meant to be second in line for the procedure that day, but because the little girl who was scheduled before him had drunk too much juice (they had to drink 50ml of apple juice before the procedure) he got swapped and was lucky enough to be first on the table for the day. I got to go into the theatre with him until he was put under. I was a bundle of nerves… I’ve never been under a general anaesthetic, and the idea of it scares me… and here was my little baby about to have one! I kissed him goodbye once the ‘knock-out gas’ had done its thing. The procedure is relatively quick, and then it was just a matter of waiting for him to wake up. Post-anaesthetic Reuben was very grumpy, but also a little funny. Reuben’s Gastro was pretty happy with how things went, the good news was that there was no visible scarring on his oesophagus, which had been one of our concerns. As for the rest of it, we would have to wait for the biopsy results…</p> <p>Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when we finally had our follow up appointment. Things move slowly in gastroenterology. There is such a small number of Gastro specialists in our state, they definitely get busy! </p> <p>Long story short, it’s looking like Reuben has an <a href="http://www.ausee.org/whatisegid.htm" target="_blank">Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease</a> (EGID), most likely Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE). Crazy big words huh? So basically, it boils down to being an allergy disease.. much like eczema, only on the inside. An allergy occurs when the body mistakes a non-threatening food (the allergen) as something bad, and attacks it. For Reuben, this happens when the allergen passes through his oesophagus, and causes a build up of eosinophils (white blood cells). So his biopsy showed a reasonably high count of inflammatory cells in his oesophagus and duodenum (small bowel). Back when he was a lot smaller, his oesophagus was really tiny, and the inflammation would have been so bad that it would have essentially blocked the oesophagus (hence the weird barium study results), and caused copious amounts of vomiting. As he’s gotten older, and bigger, the oesophagus doesn’t necessarily get entirely blocked, and the vomiting decreases (in the second barium study, when he was over one, they saw that it was slowed, but not blocked… he was a lot bigger then than he was in his first one). </p> <p><a href="http://youtu.be/HLs7qKuJtBY" target="_blank">This is a really great little video</a> that simply explains the condition.</p> <p>So what now? First thing we have to do is find out what Reuben is allergic to. Reuben’s inflammatory cell count was not quite high enough to make a confirmed diagnosis of EoE, but his Gastro called him a ‘borderline case’ and said that it is bad enough that if we don’t work on fixing it, it will get worse. Inflammation of the oesophagus has pretty yucky long-term risks, so we really need to find out what is causing it.</p> <p>Unfortunately for an allergy like this, a skin prick test or allergy blood test is not going to be accurate. Reuben’s Gastro in fact said that it would be a waste of time, because his reaction is delayed and compounding, and those tests really only show results for immediate reactions. So now the fun begins.</p> <p>For six weeks, we have to eliminate the following foods from Reuben’s diet: dairy, soy, wheat, fish, eggs, corn and nuts. Phew! As you can imagine that really doesn’t leave a whole lot. And can I just say, soy and corn are in <em>EVERYTHING</em>. I thought those two would be the easiest for us to avoid, because at face-value I didn’t think we ate a whole lot of them.. but yeah, we do.. and you probably do too. Also, pretty much any gluten/wheat-free product is guaranteed to contain either corn, soy, or both, so that’s fun. Anyway, we go allergen-free for six weeks, and then we reintroduce the allergens one at a time, each one taking 1-2 weeks, and observe. We look at Reuben’s symptoms.. the vomiting (which has really slowed down in the last few months, thank goodness!), bowel movements (which were MANY and gross and all kinds of unpleasant), nappy rash (the condition can cause very acidic faeces) etc. He will also have another blood test to check how his iron levels are going (he is still on is iron supplement as he was still quite anaemic), and he is still on his acid suppressant medication. It hasn’t been mentioned yet, but from the reading I have been doing online and in a Facebook support group for parents of children with EGIDs/EoE, it is possible that he will have a follow-up endoscopy to make sure those inflammatory cells are leaving his system.</p> <p>Can you believe it! I can’t. It is certainly overwhelming, but I am so grateful that I listened to my Mama-instinct and pushed to get this thing followed up. I praise God for out amazing health-care system that has allowed us the opportunity to access highly skilled specialists who could give us some answers. Mind you, joining the facebook support group I mentioned before has shown me how blessed we are that Reuben has such a comparatively mild case of this condition.</p> <p>This diet is pretty full on. I have to make most things from scratch, and he is missing a lot of his favourite foods – particularly dairy. He as to drink this disgusting elemental formula called Neocate. It’s got pretty much everything he needs to survive in it, and will help him to stay healthy and gaining weight while he is off so many essential fats and proteins. He’s doing so well with drinking it (I dress it up with honey, chocolate or in a banana or berry smoothie). I’m so grateful that we still have access to the thermomix, and it is definitely making things easier. I have used it to make my own everything-free flours (commercial gluten-free flours are made with corn), milks (coconut, rice, oat), breads, and lots of other yummy treats. Without having had the thermomix all these months, I never would have had a lot of these ideas for alternative foods on my radar, and it’s made a huge difference. I’m being as creative as I can to find ways to give him alternatives to his favourite foods, and most days we are doing ok. Sometimes I just feel really sad for him though, when he knows that the ‘milk’ I’m giving him is not milk at all, or when he sits next to someone at Mainly Music who is eating a piece of his beloved cheese. I think the fact that he’s old enough to know what he wants and likes, but still too young to really understand why Mama is suddenly not feeding him those things!</p> <p>But. We are getting there, and doing this diet and finding his allergen is going to be the beginning of the end of this long journey, and I can’t complain about that! If you are interested, you can follow the hashtag #reubenseliminationdiet on instagram to check out some of the allergen-free foods I’ve been making for Reuben, and I will update here as we go. Thanks to everyone who has followed along on this journey so far, I’ve had lots of support and it is so appreciated!</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-77905044888184633452014-05-27T19:59:00.001+10:002014-05-27T19:59:15.378+10:00Quinten 365 {9/52}<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KjCiX1sceG0/U4RhukvzS7I/AAAAAAAAJUg/QLvHqHHHk2o/s1600-h/57_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="57_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="587" alt="57_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O8ci7SlgcX8/U4RhwD5g1aI/AAAAAAAAJUo/ob9r8krHbhk/57_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">57/365 | Our very own Meme Baby. Seriously. That face!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i1169uCU9EQ/U4RhxODIR5I/AAAAAAAAJUw/IZQ7WzK374s/s1600-h/58_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="58_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="590" alt="58_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3hAbKj8HdY4/U4RhyUQMYQI/AAAAAAAAJU4/mvemW-0_Jp4/58_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">58/365 | Snugglepot</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--Hubuv-oj2w/U4RhzJcZdGI/AAAAAAAAJVA/OXUBo30YXSY/s1600-h/59_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="59_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="612" alt="59_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g6JV3t3DCsM/U4Rh0LI6TrI/AAAAAAAAJVI/AXzeHTKWen0/59_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">59/365 | Bros. Besties.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sy5XiDRdTfA/U4Rh1PfEDOI/AAAAAAAAJVQ/WUBua-4Kxdc/s1600-h/60_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="60_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="474" alt="60_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iOjScKyjjUw/U4Rh2OflK3I/AAAAAAAAJVY/B-a3ukTtlrc/60_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">60/365 | That smile!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uh1B-ol8Xe0/U4Rh3N20b_I/AAAAAAAAJVg/o27oU7pNWes/s1600-h/61_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="61_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="632" alt="61_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-93du7qbQ0UQ/U4Rh4NTNYEI/AAAAAAAAJVo/SY0Kbsnj6iY/61_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="476" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">61/365 | Morning tea with my boys.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fLVZjYZnpRM/U4Rh49hvQpI/AAAAAAAAJVw/nS7gzaiF_9Q/s1600-h/62_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="62_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="638" alt="62_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DpjB4gAsLyk/U4Rh5_nwlqI/AAAAAAAAJV4/t0fVUY8z7wk/62_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="481" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">62/365 | Quin’s first visit to The Block. And snuggles with Grandma Suki.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WpIXklbk_Y4/U4Rh68zEC-I/AAAAAAAAJWA/fpm42XZdLLc/s1600-h/63_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="63_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="489" alt="63_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-THLFi27zIXg/U4Rh74uuSFI/AAAAAAAAJWI/8X5w8340ebI/63_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="489" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">63/365 | Eyebrows. Yeah we did.</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-64980765779591892852014-05-26T20:31:00.001+10:002014-05-26T20:31:36.818+10:00Quinten 365 {8/52}<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZMLH3XxSdkA/U4MXyyzMvPI/AAAAAAAAJS4/upSQfCymISc/s1600-h/50_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="50_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="593" alt="50_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zW74JVZ5Mc8/U4MX0DZoX6I/AAAAAAAAJTA/kkFnGFaG8Uk/50_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">50/365 | Those eyes.</p> <p align="center">51/365 | We didn’t take a photo :(</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VSy9Sf3ADvM/U4MX1Gptd3I/AAAAAAAAJTI/lDjQ1W_j4vM/s1600-h/52_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="52_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="338" alt="52_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NFQCFToBiIY/U4MX2G2kwgI/AAAAAAAAJTQ/ubAafa8SPPM/52_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="449" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">52/365 | Tummy time chats.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tliUiO_g2Bo/U4MX24menFI/AAAAAAAAJTY/UTTg3nkMhBU/s1600-h/53_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="53_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="600" alt="53_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VaYqb3_J00k/U4MX38pQDyI/AAAAAAAAJTg/bsT1TLvBoQs/53_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">53/365 | snoozy</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4yOm6tHkGbM/U4MX4zl1nuI/AAAAAAAAJTo/iGUrIaHuB8E/s1600-h/54_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="54_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="583" alt="54_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rZwRaVILw-4/U4MX50NRTUI/AAAAAAAAJTw/9nfWLXlHRX4/54_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">54/365 | Meeting Poppy Goose. Pop said he looks like a gecko.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qA00iIAl95E/U4MX6wMcLnI/AAAAAAAAJT4/I_zoarpgK-A/s1600-h/55_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="55_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="447" alt="55_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9ynN82zugXE/U4MX_K8kUwI/AAAAAAAAJUA/e3MLdPv_nTo/55_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">55/365 | Chats with Nanna Joy</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GnPZ_06Cgf4/U4MYAE_tu1I/AAAAAAAAJUI/f3-2ZV7DrKA/s1600-h/56_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="56_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="584" alt="56_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LA35jxzwatI/U4MYBSXc5XI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/217LEaFoGM4/56_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">56/365 | Ready for church.</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-83181489542925908052014-05-26T20:07:00.001+10:002014-05-26T20:07:59.341+10:00Quinten 365 {7/52}<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uKhwS5KevPY/U4MSRhNiqtI/AAAAAAAAJRA/k-8Gv0umz1A/s1600-h/43_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="43_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="649" alt="43_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MTjdfhwJ3CA/U4MSTJbLr7I/AAAAAAAAJRI/yN98ZsG3OPs/43_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="489" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">43/365 | First time in a shopping trolley. So nice to have all three children contained while out and about.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--mkiuk8dDCY/U4MSUcMDuoI/AAAAAAAAJRQ/VFyq0SEH6Ds/s1600-h/44_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="44_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="368" alt="44_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GFxCEuS7nY0/U4MSVdb86PI/AAAAAAAAJRY/xiN0TLGgUxg/44_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="488" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">44/365 | The shirt. Says it all. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g5fanTdhYFQ/U4MSWWgeiiI/AAAAAAAAJRg/oZ70dk5c9NM/s1600-h/45_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="45_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="494" alt="45_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H5fFhF9MPHg/U4MSXTEo01I/AAAAAAAAJRo/nhBUxepNalg/45_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="494" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">45/365 | pensive</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q8D2E4fZOnE/U4MSYGW3zTI/AAAAAAAAJRw/v1ICYKJlzZU/s1600-h/46_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="46_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="491" alt="46_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wT80s3vy_sE/U4MSZIQMUDI/AAAAAAAAJR4/5utugKPtRpI/46_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">46/365 | Quinten is back there somewhere. Roadtrip day… we were off to Esterfest!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-76CrHs6JkG8/U4MSaCedvXI/AAAAAAAAJSA/ENRiNPI2Jo4/s1600-h/47_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="47_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="641" alt="47_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aPs5Yir02ro/U4MSbUcnPrI/AAAAAAAAJSI/u2b1T7FRHIw/47_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">47/365 | Quinten’s first Easterfest. First of many.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BtBqHovpfSU/U4MScKUvZYI/AAAAAAAAJSQ/rqtlJX6_1sM/s1600-h/48_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="48_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="638" alt="48_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i4NaaAeeWXQ/U4MSdGNozJI/AAAAAAAAJSY/FGnslINSWnM/48_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="482" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">48/365 | Probably the cutest baby at the festival. Definitely.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4QWM1bk9lAM/U4MSdy0JWDI/AAAAAAAAJSg/k_L0pRpbhwo/s1600-h/49_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="49_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="481" alt="49_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oVk_nx0t1AM/U4MSe4jrA8I/AAAAAAAAJSo/8jWuDPs1Ork/49_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="481" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">49 /365 | Definitely the best behaved baby at the festival.</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-71722723006016674862014-05-26T17:03:00.001+10:002014-05-26T17:03:57.657+10:00Quinten 365 {6/52}<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-weAu0KN3Xu0/U4LnJupOoVI/AAAAAAAAJPI/mgiigVRjUF4/s1600-h/36_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="36_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="355" alt="36_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sai5zF4jFNY/U4LnK3fsV3I/AAAAAAAAJPQ/H6NuTAzsBy0/36_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">36/365 | morning cuddles. Quinten loves to look out of the window.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihE16POSfNF90PzZSfX8YFX0n2BFwQ_KAnYVZxjIoBZDD9ZKXvCi4-2BOb6BzVNn5oYmwVuS4B0cjmVYS8qDD2jAo2Nvk4JCUJM-YX0JXkJSReNy5nnBv6oM3h3pAX4ZM7YFcq0V_n3Tx4/s1600-h/37_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="37_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="461" alt="37_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GCZQmhexex8/U4LnM5HgKSI/AAAAAAAAJPg/pohLL8vzzYI/37_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">37/365 | went to the movies where Quin tried out his ear muffs!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QWlKWdvO6FQ/U4LnNvYReAI/AAAAAAAAJPo/y3y_eeRJhi4/s1600-h/38_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="38_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="611" alt="38_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lRtGKE5QWHI/U4LnOrhxgsI/AAAAAAAAJPw/siyhQOq-uc0/38_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">38/365 | Captured the smile!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-celbC46nvwU/U4LnPqtYacI/AAAAAAAAJP4/TZ-2H7MmYKA/s1600-h/39_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="39_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="459" alt="39_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WHiM5FzzJRg/U4LnQnl7flI/AAAAAAAAJQA/V25HlcEVffU/39_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="459" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">39/365 | Always enough room for everyone for Mama snuggles!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F7LqPsNR7vs/U4LnR53bWYI/AAAAAAAAJQI/zfVPQ8RcyI0/s1600-h/40_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="40_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="348" alt="40_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YW5jdr9Y6E0/U4LnSnj0b2I/AAAAAAAAJQQ/_QKAerPlaxo/40_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">40/356 | A pirate family!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LLBIGxoKc1s/U4LnTsWH9dI/AAAAAAAAJQY/qBVaGnWnAh0/s1600-h/41_365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="41_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="606" alt="41_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rLOLlk8Ay1c/U4LnUkeKSII/AAAAAAAAJQg/ktL3cLPbXko/41_365_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">41/354 | Mama and her boy</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IKcuziw4NMQ/U4LnVny_01I/AAAAAAAAJQo/nPCqAkZAdUc/s1600-h/42_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="42_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="451" alt="42_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Smf0PRXDuYU/U4LnWtiFYjI/AAAAAAAAJQw/i_nQ1lFMM_U/42_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">42/365 | Super baby!</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-43174497235731899472014-05-26T14:25:00.001+10:002014-05-26T14:25:39.214+10:00Quinten 365 {5/52}<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zg6FMW1r8Xs/U4LCBeWPrfI/AAAAAAAAJNQ/U5ULmcaxY4Y/s1600-h/29_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="29_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="583" alt="29_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i6eRtV76KLU/U4LCDxmknKI/AAAAAAAAJNY/2VxSbjFafng/29_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">29/365 | snuggle-bun</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BZoFiSTbrEw/U4LCEg4ytqI/AAAAAAAAJNg/u-CO5FG74cU/s1600-h/30_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="30_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="591" alt="30_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DU_CiTVzrnE/U4LCFiqCFNI/AAAAAAAAJNo/pWIQ3cOaW5Q/30_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">30/365 | Time to introduce the dummy. Note the self-inflicted hickey on Quinten’s arm!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BcExH_g9TOg/U4LCGY9KsLI/AAAAAAAAJNw/MtBXCYy-bqc/s1600-h/31_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="31_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="552" alt="31_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NWSNg1z_tl8/U4LCHWFif3I/AAAAAAAAJN4/sbcJ4m_TQtA/31_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">31/365 | So snoozy</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W_Qxe6SQf30/U4LCIJLPpEI/AAAAAAAAJOA/xCSGNpL5Y6o/s1600-h/32_365%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="32_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="444" alt="32_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cNuQk_f5i8A/U4LCJa97gqI/AAAAAAAAJOI/zvT9ft59te8/32_365_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">32/365 | ONE MONTH OLD!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GjfC9SAJvcs/U4LCKNkz_sI/AAAAAAAAJOQ/M6tvqobGlDw/s1600-h/33_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="33_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="550" alt="33_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zr-2ETIWy-Q/U4LCK6JAVwI/AAAAAAAAJOY/OqFmFt68FKo/33_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">33/365</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MwZp5FldWhQ/U4LCLxRBbpI/AAAAAAAAJOg/RqQ0tK4FzRg/s1600-h/34_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="34_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="403" alt="34_365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wn79Jue059c/U4LCMiBYoII/AAAAAAAAJOo/GBScRBXHJWQ/34_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">34/365 | more sleepies</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HrZsoQRYMS4/U4LCO4Q1_fI/AAAAAAAAJOw/sTqHTaBXwlI/s1600-h/35_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="35_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="306" alt="35_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9pQuHfo5PE4/U4LCP5aRIzI/AAAAAAAAJO4/dzyQmKi45LA/35_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">35/365 | Quin’s first family holiday</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1825572557364769195.post-23833052766141509852014-05-26T14:11:00.001+10:002014-05-26T14:11:11.031+10:00Quinten 365 {4/52}<p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hgIKegi6p9Y/U4K-qDmZ6CI/AAAAAAAAJLc/9yQ02lEKclo/s1600-h/22_365%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="22_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="571" alt="22_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-097In3o39Ys/U4K-rNmJerI/AAAAAAAAJLk/mmQ3dEZHTx8/22_365_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">22/365 | Brothers.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LA0kOh0ARIQ/U4K-rxdb20I/AAAAAAAAJLs/g5RjB476W1Q/s1600-h/23_365%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="23_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="573" alt="23_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6YsCSdZaFLc/U4K-s2EZvtI/AAAAAAAAJL0/Lg9ZTcV0x6o/23_365_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">23/365 | I’m watching you Mama!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZFjMHMQR0Bs/U4K-t1t19eI/AAAAAAAAJL8/a4gCB7Js_H0/s1600-h/24_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="24_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="590" alt="24_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-V68sUeoYZgE/U4K-uz_A4wI/AAAAAAAAJME/7Vl4Rb1FpuU/24_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">24/365 | he has special looks reserved especially for his sister.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9f9pDoX0AkF_ZurL7fTqKMqFNzz0KzT0uamgVfvX7DpbwReswgYQhC411r-YG1bysCVF2NwKKA8JIvYfzGfpzffVbX9SqhQmD84OfkahsBNOrW8xyfvmy7Gsveyz4Zp4amXr8vm9Vgwk/s1600-h/25_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="25_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="593" alt="25_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5h71QoIswFs/U4K-w4rypWI/AAAAAAAAJMU/nxz3rBEmP0Q/25_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">25/365 | That yawn! It doesn’t look comfortable.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mPHBri3sVwU/U4K-xnbQBgI/AAAAAAAAJMc/q_TPhPenOac/s1600-h/26_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="26_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="584" alt="26_365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--oITZa3yvS0/U4K-zc_riNI/AAAAAAAAJMk/LV55si4VY3o/26_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center">26/365 | Meeting his Great Nana Joy for the first time.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MsHaYZZOlPI/U4K-0JWM5sI/AAAAAAAAJMs/JKM82VZcxe4/s1600-h/27_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="27_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="594" alt="27_365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CNIFOceRG6U/U4K-0xSo9xI/AAAAAAAAJM0/M3MJkPMagu4/27_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">27/365 | Quinten’s first wedding.. snuggles with the gorgeous bride, Rhaman.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U2Ki4TpzfeE/U4K-2Cntu1I/AAAAAAAAJM8/T_q-Xn4LKRA/s1600-h/28_365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="28_365" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="447" alt="28_365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0MC8DArJJiQ/U4K-2-Q6lrI/AAAAAAAAJNE/TmZyq-i_IMU/28_365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" border="0" /></a></p> <p align="center">28/365 | I have the prettiest baby…</p> Zoeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01439812983345486588noreply@blogger.com0