Monday, December 29, 2008

Nan and Pops December Visit...

It is hard to believe that Nan and Pop's December visit is already over... it seems like we were only waiting for them to arrive!!! and that 2008 is almost over... also and we only have another
17 days remaining here in Darwin before our big move to Sydney...

We didn't do a great deal whilst they were here.. the Darwin heat left them both rather uninspired to do too much. They did a day trip to Katherine... and saw the seasons of the Top End in one day... Pooring WET season rain, and hot muggy Build up Weather the remainder of the day... it hadn't rained 'properly' this wet season until Mum and Dad went on their one and only Day trip... but that is typical for our family...

Other than that... our time in December was mainly spent at home... and largely uneventful. Yes we welcomed Baby Mathew into the world and celebrated Christmas but the days in between were quiet, relaxing... and I 'really' enjoyed mum taking over the washing duties... thanks mum!!!

A photo collage of Mathew with the family members he met shortly after his arrival....
Now for a photo share of December ....

And this shot we took just before the boys went to bed on the night that Nanny and Poppy caught the plane and flew home...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

2008 Santa Photo... success!!!

Yesterday... was a day of small 'Christmas' miracles... we decided to brave the shops with all three kiddies.. and get our annual Santa photo...

What I thought might go wrong didn't... in fact it was the opposite.. the outing was a complete success... in a number of ways....

1. travelling in two cars can often be a problem (mum and dad came too) .. but Justin and I both got 2 car parks 'straight away', all the previous outings to the shops, particularly to the great Darwin shopping metropolis of Casuarina... have begun with a longish (not as long as other parts of OZ no doubt) wait for a carpark.. only to finally get one and then have it start to rain!!!!

2. The boys were SOOOO keen to see Santa.. that there was no fear and we got a great 2008 Santa photo.. (Josh was so keen... he went and gave a fat greyhaired man a cuddle whilst waiting for his photo... he was convinced he was a Santa too... but he wasn't!!)
3. We scored table and chairs in the overpacked eatery....

and ...

4. The rain 'stopped' raining just as we wanted to go home! So I could get bubby into the car... and all the shopping without getting saturated... yay...

So all in all it was successful.. Amazing???

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Family Photoshoot... 2008

Yesterday afternoon after a swim... I organised the kids and took my annual family photo... for my Christmas cards and Christmas 'scrapbooking' layouts!!! I was completely surprised at how obliging the boys were... and even the Ella wanted to be in the photo jumping up onto the bed and insisting that the kids arrange themselves around her!
And I must say I am REALLY REALLY happy with the way they turned out....

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Aidans' last day of 'preschool'

Today Aidan attended his last day of preschool... or school here in Darwin... I dont think he totally comprehended this... and I am sure come next Monday he will be ready to go to school again... His class concluded the school year with a Christmas Party.... and the night before Aidan and Nanny made lolly bags for the kids in his class... for Christmas.


The next morning Aidan was so excited about his school Christmas Party. He was dressed-up in his Batman suit and ready before sunrise ... unfortunately - I didn't get any pics of him dressed up with the basket of lollies.


Aidan's teachers compiled a CD full of photos of Aidan at school throughout the year.... here are some of the pics of my big boys first year of school...

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Mathew Alexander Voute

We are proud to announce the safe arrival of our 3rd baby boy ....

Mathew Alexander Voute

Born on the 2nd December .... after a relatively painfree labour (epidurals are wonderful things) at 6.55pm @ Royal Darwin Hospital....
Statistics:
Weight: 3540kg
Length: 50cm
Head: 36cm


Aidan and Josh... two delighted 'big' brothers...

Our First Family Photo at Royal Darwin Hospital