Drive down to Melbourne



We drove to Melbourne over two days. It was a relaxing trip. Autumn, whom we sometimes call Jolie (on account of the lips), even slept. We got to know Justine Clarke's I like to Sing! very well.

We stopped for lunch at Holbrook, whose claim to fame is this submarine, 100s of kilometres from the sea.
Autumn makes a run for it..

..but then remembers we're the ones who feed her.

Blue Mountains Family Holiday

For ten days over Christmas I and 3 of my siblings--Thomasin, Benjamin and Solveig--with our families holidayed in the two houses adjacent to our mum's! A special way to finish up our time in Sydney. Tigger is standing in for Yvette who sadly couldn't make it.

All 10 cousins! I'll list their names too because they are so cool: Marlena, Paddy, Imogen, Otto, Esther, Ildiko, Soren, Reuben, Autumn, Arabella. As you can see Reuben has been forced to stand in the photo and is having a complete breakdown, but they all really did have a glorious time together..

..except for when Soren ran into a door playing chasings. Unfortunately we pretty much neglected to take photos during our entire furlough, but we did think to take some of brave Soren.





Playing tourist



One glorious spring day we caught a bus to Parramatta, then a river cat to the city. We took a stroll through the Botanic Gardens and Phil led us on a sculpture tour through the city.







Jasper Road Public Oct-Dec 2012



Soren did 4th Term of 1st Grade while we were in Sydney. I was

so nervous for him and had to try so hard not to show it. He had

some tricky days but in all in all he enjoyed it, and by the end of

the term had made some good friends. It was lovely to be able to

walk to and from school each day.

Soren's teacher Mrs Jensen.

  

Culture shock! A classmate's birthday party involved LazerZone, Tenpin Bowling, hamburgers and TimeZone in quick succession.

With new friends Samuel and JiSang.

Sydney December 2010: Friends

We caught up with a few friends, and sometimes even remembered to take pictures. After an epic catch-up with Helen in Newtown, we joined Phil and Jon for a scrumptious dinner at their place.

Jon and Helen.

Tash and Christian with Violette and Thomas, whom we got to meet for the first time.



Phil and Lil with gorgeous Susie.

Ruth was on furlough in Sydney--brilliant timing!
Classic I.am.not.amused Ruth look.



Lamps dropped in too.

We flew to Sydney via Perth, which allowed us to catch up with the Whitfields, which was so, so nice. Here Soren and Reuben do some drawing with Zac and Sam.

Sydney December 2010: Shelley Beach

It was a glorious day for the beach.

Father and son..

..and grandson!



Papa offers a helping hand..



..and the two of them wander off..

..and back..

..Papa shows him how it's done..

..precious times.

Sydney December 2010: Papa's Ferry

Phil, Nana and the boys caught Papa's ferry from Palm Beach to Patonga.