Hectic

Well its been a hectic week. With the sad news of Dodos passing it was decided that the Pete and I would fly back to the UK to attend the funeral and spend some time with Sam and Elsie. This was and wasn't an easy decision but once we were set on it Pete started looking at flights.

We pretty much had the dates booked when I wondered if my passport was okay. NOPE, expired.

Now sometimes I whinge about Aussie bureaucracy but never again. I rang the British Consulate in Canberra and was met with, "Please enter your credit card number". Yes to speak to a member of her Majesty's government cost me $10 bucks. She advised me to apply as normal but with URGENT printed on it. I might get my passport in time but who knows. So i set about this until i realised one of the blokes at work had experience in terrorism investigations. He had a contact who suggested I go to Melb office and shed a tear. This done I was told no problems an emergency passport will be here soon. So 10 bucks for crap advice. Never mind , all I have to do now is transfer my visa. Bottom line were booked to leave on the 12th May for 9 days all up.

In the meantime Mum and I have been having a competition as to whom can make this trip hard work. Mum of course was the early leader with her back but I have made a comeback with a possible case of the shingles. Still no sores yet so fingers crossed the Doc is wrong.

Thanks to Sam for being there with Dodo and Elsie and making all the arrangements during a busy time. Thanks to Dette for understanding I need to go home and for looking after my four children so wonderfully. Thanks to Elsie for making it an easy decision.

Here are some photos to cheer everyone up a bit and de-stress.

Sophie, Xander, Nate, Maddison, Amelia and Marshall

At Alison and Daryl's wedding

PS. HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY SAM

R.I.P Doris Amelia

Today is a sad day but also one filled with great memories of a great lady. Dodo passed away yesterday after a bout of pneumonia. We all miss her terribly, especially us all this way away in oz, but we know she is at peace now. We all love her and send all our prayers to Elsie.

THE DODESTER

Crazy Wednesday

Wednesday was crazy hair day at creche with the Musketeers joining in with some colours and sparkles.

In another non related points

• Amelia is going to the potty regulary
• Nate is, as we speak, having his first night in his cot in Amelia's room
• Dette got some cool new glasses (See below)
• Marshall is having 90 percent dry nights

Thanks Elsie - Musketeers wii

As per the arrangement with Elsie (via Sam) we went a bought a Wii. It hasn't taken long for the amigos to get the hang of it as you can see. Any recommendations for games for the kids accepted.

Thanks Elsie!!

Easter egg hunt at Michelle and Marks

Michelle and Mark have been in thier new house for a while now and we have been frantic on the email trying to organise a gang get together. To coincide it was decided to make it an Easter day and have an egg hunt for the kids. So M&M set the garden up and we split into teams to find the correct coloured eggs. Melbourne put on a smashing day with sunshine and the musketeers and pal Lachlan had loads of fun hunting.

The Gold Team - Nate and Dette

The Blue Team - Xander and Tim

The Red Team - Marshall and Dee

The Green Team - Lachlan and Mark The Yellow Team - Amelia and Richard