I'm a blogger and I'm ok ...

Sunday lunch at the Masons

2012-02-25T22:03:00.011-08:00

It has been a while between meals so we thought it was high time we lunched with the Knights again. It was a great day - lots of food and lots of catching up on the last couple of months. Yep, it's been that long!

The boys contemplating their next move ...

You lookin' at me Willis??

James!

The boys ...

The girls ...

Ella and her Uncle Tricky

Me and Ange. We are usually the ones taking the photos so thought one together would be in order.

Sophie goes to NZ

2012-01-01T22:56:00.001-08:00

Sophie left this morning with Linda, to fly out to NZ for a couple of weeks. She is then flying back on her own (as an unaccompanied minor and the airline assures me they look after the kids VERY well)

This photo has nothing at all to do with anything, but I thought it was funny. It was the sight that greeted me when I opened the bathroom door. Apparently it was too noisy everywhere else in the house to talk to her best friend on skype! And yes, that would be Rick gym gear she is wearing.

Waiting at the airport this morning

Again

Getting ready to go

Nervous excitement building

Bye Soph! See you in a couple of weeks.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Boxing Day BBQ with the Knights

2012-01-01T22:37:00.000-08:00

We caught up with the Knights on Boxing Day and it was a lovely relaxed day. Lots of leftovers from our respective Christmas dinners followed by some more present opening and a big swim. Relaxed and laid back, just what we needed.

With three young boys there was no doubt that soccer would be played

Even Ella got in on the action to give Linda a bit of female support (isn't she cute!)

Me and Ella. Was very hot ....hmm or it could have been the champagne that made me glow....

The boys just 'happening' past the Christmas tree ...

More presents!

Liam loves Star Wars and I was delighted to see his face when he opened this up

That's James behind that big box!

Ella watched all the proceedings from the table - best view in the house

Christmas Day

2012-01-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely day at Christmas. Linda was with us this year and it was excitement all round when the wrapping paper started flying. Sophie chose purple and silver for our Christmas colours and so for the first year ever we have not had all the creations and collections from the previous decade adorning our tree.

Before the chaos

Tricky got new sunglasses
Tobes was very pleased with his book and shirt. He's hardly worn anything else since.
Some shopping time coming up ...
Toby got some nerf gear and Sophie quite fancied herself as the next Rambo

Some photos before lunch is served ...

Turkey parcels, ham and prawns. We went high protein for the occasion.

Skylarking in the kitchen while dealing with the aftermath

Woops did I get your butt with that!

Hmmm ..... the aftermath of the new skateboard / longboard. Not pretty upon close up inspection.

Auckland - Brisbane cruise

2012-01-01T19:03:00.001-08:00

The much anticipated cruise left Auckland on the afternoon of Ricks 40th birthday. Again, it was a beautiful day in Auckland and a great day all round to be cruising in Auckland Harbour which was looking her sparkling best.

One of the first things we had to do on boarding was attend a mock evacuation drill. Everybody was champing at the bit to get out and explore the ship so it was a bit like torture having to pretend it had all turned bad and we had to get off the ship.

Ok I know we all look a little ridiculous. We all felt a little ridiculous.

Escape was quick however and we made it up on one of the decks ready for departure

Tricky enjoying his birthday

Auckland was beautiful that day

This is the show lounge where we spent many an evening watching whatever show was on that night. Also they had bingo there every afternoon at 4pm .... Toby fast became an addict and could be relied upon to make sure everyone was there and ready to go on time, armed with their dabbers.

He also won a door raffle one day ...

Enjoying the view from "The Dome"

There were all sorts of shows on at all sorts of times. This was a laser show one afternoon in the main atrium. We learnt quickly to get there early to secure a good seat .... it was dog eat dog when it came to getting the best view

Our cabin. A little compact for the four of us but we coped well so long as none of us was snoring.

This is where we had most of our meals. Silver service, three courses every night. Quite decadent.

A nice photo of Rick and Sophie

Another day, another show.

The endless corridors

Another show ....

.... and I got to go onstage and do what I do best - eat! Here I am sampling the scallop dish. Nice but a couple more scallops would have been good for my pre dinner snack!

Me and the chefs - I had to buy the ships cookbook for the privilege of this photograph

Cruising back into Brisbane in the early hours of the morning

Sailing under the gateway bridge

Getting ready to dock at Portside. Brisbane not as lovely as Auckland to cruise into.

The indignation of being back on land. We were all a little terse that day.

And another holiday over. Sigh.

Tricky turns 40

2012-01-01T17:32:00.001-08:00

The night before Ricks birthday, which was also our last night in Auckland AND the night the All Blacks played in the final, we had a bit of a birthday celebration for Tricky on the very auspicious occasion of him turning forty. Welcome to the club Rudy!

Warming up for the big family photo fest

Add a few more ...

And here we all are together. Nobody is quite sure which camera to look at though (there was a couple on the go) and I don't think anyone got a shot with us all looking at one camera at the same time.

The kids had painted a birthday card - that's us all playing rugby on the beach earlier that day. Not sure who that is with the scary hair.

Toby and Luca. Toby is starting to look a little weary from the last few days of action

Then it was time to settle in for the big game

Boys with flags

The next morning - Ricks actual birthday - we drove into the city to have a walk around the viaduct and then to head on to the cruise ship which would bring us home to Brisbane.

The viaduct was very busy - everyone was out in force to celebrate the big win

So funny, someone offered to take this photo of us, and while they were doing so another tourist just stopped quickly to take a photo of us as well - on their own camera! Talk about exhibit 'A'

We headed over to the wharf to board the Pacific Dawn, which we did just before the ticker tape parade of the All Blacks started. We got to see some of it from the decks though without the crowds.

All in all a fantastic few days in NZ - thanks to everyone for your time / bedrooms / cars etc. It is my personal mission to get back for more as soon as I can.

Visit to Tutukaka

2012-01-01T16:17:00.000-08:00

During our stay we went up to Tutukaka for a night to catch up with Mum and Dad. Tutukaka is just lovely and we were lucky enough to have beautiful blue skies while we were there. We did loads in the short time we were there - meals out, hiking around the headland, exploring the nearby surrounds, a bit of cruising and of course the obligatory partying that night! We had a great time and I am already making plans to go back. Love it.

Showing our support on the drive up

A beautiful little beach at the marina

Me and Mum - not sure what Toby is up to in the background there

Dad's yacht

The kids quite fancied this lifestyle

A nice picture of Mum and Sophie

Stopping for a quick plank on the way to lunch

The boys

Dad and Sophie

The cruise around the nearby bays was awesome

Another quick plank at Whale Bay, which is quite possibly the best little bay in the world

Crystal clear turquoise water, but icy cold (well for us Brisbanites anyway!)

A bit of a paddle to the beach

Leaving our mark on the beach (it says Go All Blacks in case you can't read it)

The cruise back to the marina - it was all windy and salty and stuff, again, loved it.

Cruising back into the marina at a more sedate pace. The hotel in the background is where we stayed - The Oceans Resort. Highly recommend it - very nice.

All too quickly it was time to head back to Auckland for our last couple of nights.

More All Blacks supporters

Trip to NZ

2012-01-01T15:56:00.000-08:00

In October we went home to NZ for the first time in many years (too many!) It was great to get back and see everyone again, and we had organised it so it coincided with Ricks 40th birthday and the final of the World Cup rugby. Bonus.

We left Brisbane with all the appropriate gear on

Luca and Toby had a great time catching up and there was a driveway just perfect for ripsticking on

Sophie and Zara partaking in more electronic pursuits

Rick and the girls

Linda and the girls.

We did a lot of sightseeing around our old haunts. This is taken at Waiwera.

Rick spent many a weekend here in his younger days ...

No visit to Auckland would be complete without a drive to Piha ....

.... and a climb up the rock

That's as far up as you can go these days

Yes, that's Ricks head in the middle of us! No show without Punch ...

Some of the Mason ladies

A bit of beach rugby

Pausing for a breather

Zara!

Taken from the Aratiki Information Centre in the Waitakeres

Classic New Zealand

There was lots of eating ....

And a bit of quiet time too.

Storm season starts

2011-10-15T02:21:00.000-07:00

We had an interesting little storm here today ....

The clouds looked like they were boiling - unfortunately we didn't get video of it but it was actually quite scary watching them and wondering just what they were up to ...

And then the hail started ...

Sophie just couldn't help herself

We kept some of the evidence in the freezer

Nice.

Tomorrow is a balmy 29 degrees which should make it just nice for a dip in Ange and Zanes pool while we are there for lunch.

Sunshine and soccer balls

2011-07-24T02:43:00.000-07:00

It was one of those really beautiful, crisp and clear Brisbane winter days today, the type that confirm just why we don't live anywhere else. We took advantage of the Sunday afternoon sunshine and made our way down to the local park to have a kick around ...

Toby contemplating his target ...

He just got this new tee today and was keen to try it out

Meanwhile Sophie is in Canberra in sub zero temperatures on a school trip for the next week. It's very quiet here in our house tonight. I wonder what she is doing right now ......

Kerrie

2011-06-26T03:23:00.000-07:00

We found Ricks old scout jumper today while having a big sort out of things. Toby thought he would try it on for size ...

It was a perfect fit!

Just need a photo of Tricky in it at the same age to compare.

Hard to believe Rick was once that size .....

Kerrie

Sophie turns eleven

2011-06-11T01:16:00.000-07:00

The photos seem to have landed themselves all out of order here so this is a bit of a jumbled update.

The main news is that Sophie had her eleventh birthday on Thursday, however it all started the Saturday beforehand with a party at the local ice skating rink. The boys were not game to party with the girls so took off for a bit of car racing . While they were out doing laps in Grouch with other car fans Sophie and ten friends tackled the ice .....

Rick and Toby on the track

The party is started

Sophie with her besties ...

more cars ...

Sophie and the gorgeous Ella at the family lunch the following Saturday (today) to continue the celebrations

Me and Ella. She is such a happy wee thing. She was all rugged up for the cold today in her winter party dress and tights ... just delicious.

Kerrie

Mothers Day

2011-05-08T04:21:00.001-07:00

A great day today - tea and newspaper in bed followed up by a full cooked brekkie, a drive up to the Sunshine Coast hinterland, a relaxing bush walk with the Knights at our favourite park and a buffet lunch at our favourite local. Just how a weekend should be!

Group photo at the start of the walk

Tricky took the opportunity to wear his new hiking boots to try and wear them in (he had a few blisters after last weeks effort). If anyone has any tips on how to stop them squeaking please let us know.

All the boys together

Liam and Rick horsing around

Ok well lets just sit on Dad ....

I'm back!!

2011-05-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

Once again it has been a long time between posts and a catch up is well overdue. There has been a lot happening over the last few months but rather than waffle on now I'll put a whole lot of pictures in and put waffle around them.

The gorgeous Ella with the lovely Sophie who is very pleased to have another female cousin at last

Toby turned nine in April, and we were lucky enough to have Mum over here as well to help us celebrate. Heres some of the boys checking out the birthday cards

Meanwhile the girls congregated for a bit of a photo opportunity

There was lots of cake and silliness going on ...

Meanwhile Ella continued being gorgeous

Mum left that night and after dropping her off at the airport we went to Hogsies at Toby's request. He consented to a photo with Dad but drew the line at posing with the big pink hog that was walking around the restaurant ....

Here's the girls on the other side of the table

For the first week of the school holidays we were lucky enough to have the use of Ange and Zanes place up at Twin Waters which was a very welcome escape from Brisbane. The weather wasn't flash but that didn't stop us from getting out and about. Thats Sophie in the orange top about to leap off the trampoline.

Despite a distinct lack of wind between the ferocious storms sailing was a popular activity

As well as the obligatory posing every time a camera was within sight!

Zero wind did not deter Sophie from having a go at wind surfing ... who needs wind anyway when Dad is there to lend a helping hand

Sophie got brave and decided to tackle the trapeze one afternoon...

She told me that right about at this point her hands became strangely sweaty and her legs felt a bit trembly

Off in full flight on the practice run ...

Legs over ....

and reach ....

And then the real thing

contact ...

holding on for dear life ...

and phew, we all relaxed considerably

She even got a certificate for completing it. I think I should have got a certificate for watching it.

Over the several long weekends we have had, we have done a fair amount of hiking. This particular walk was on Labour Day, and is in Cunningham's Gap south of Brisbane. It was a 10km hike up to the top of a very big hill and back down again. Interestingly this was the only walk we have ever done where we have seen snakes on the track ... which made for a few heart-stopping moments. The vote was then unanimous that Rick walked out the front making lots of noise with his boots ...

At the top of Mount Mitchell - there was only a very small area to stand on, with sheer cliff faces on three sides. Some of us got trembly legs when we looked at just how high we were ... Sophie for some reason was absolutely fearless and could not understand why she couldn't just walk to the edge and look over.

Very sheer drop to Ricks left

The views were awesome and pretty much 360 degrees

Then it was back down again, blessed relief for the legs!

Well that's all for now, hope everyone is well.

Kerrie

Flood cleanup

2011-01-13T22:15:00.001-08:00

After days of being stuck inside because of the rain we decided to get out and about and have a walk on the beach at Sandgate. We were so not prepared for what we were confronted with when we got out of the car. After having watched endless footage on TV of the unfolding dramas in the city area affected by flood, we didn't stop to think where all of the debris that we had seen flowing down the Brisbane River had gone. We found the answer for some of - the once lovely Sandgate foreshore.

Cleanup was in progress and obviously had been for some time, but the devastation was still very evident. We took a short walk and a few photos which we thought you might find interesting given our time living out there, but the smell was pretty bad and the debris was full dangerous things that we weren't sure were dead or not (ie stonefish, snakes, toads ...)

One of the first things we came across was this watertank - I can only imagine how far this thing has travelled over the last few days

There were trucks coming every couple of minutes to take debris away

We saw LOTS of these things - very poisonous apparently so we kept well clear

Also I lost count of the number of pumpkins we saw ... I guess someones vege shop or truck of veg got washed out

I think this was previously a pontoon on the Brisbane river in the city

More pontoon

Yet another piece of pontoon or boardwalk or whatever it was

And some more ...

I kid you not I was watching footage of the Brisbane river in the city and actually saw this (or at least one exactly like it) flow under the Gateway Bridge

There were bulldozers ...

The water is just pure mud - like Sophie so eloquently put it - this place looks like a dump

The smell emanating from this was overwhelmingly bad

Sophie and I surveying the mess in disbelief

All this is nothing though in comparison to what thousands of people not far from us are going back home to now. Whole suburbs have been wiped out and are just a heaving mess of mud and debris, and people are literally standing with just the clothes on their backs and little else.

We feel so lucky to have escaped the flood waters at our place and feel the pain of those who weren't so lucky.

Rick has registered to go and help clean up peoples homes over the weekend and I can't begin to imagine the sights he will be seeing.

Back soon with another update

Kerrie

Holiday ramblings ...

2011-01-04T13:50:00.001-08:00

It's been a very wet Christmas and New Year here in Brisbane - we can't complain too much though as half of Queensland is currently under water and we have been lucky enough to escape that here.

We had a lovely Christmas. Sophie and Toby loved all of their presents that everyone sent for them, thank you to you all. Here's a selection of pictures of what we have been up to over the last couple of weeks ....

Rick and Ella catching up with each other

Her foot is about the same size as his thumb!

All of the rain has meant that things are growing furiously, and unfortunately the palm tree started to move the fence which meant all sorts of good things started happening - like the electronic gate would not shut! This called for drastic measures and after much deliberation we came to one conclusion - the palm had to go. Why we decided to do this on a 32 degree day that was very steamy I have no idea but it certainly is not an experience I would care to repeat. Bit by bit I carried that whole tree to the trailor! Can I just say that it seemed so much bigger than what it looks.

A before shot ....

Rick armed and ready to go

bit by bit it came down

oops this picture should have been first!

The after shot ... it looks a little bit naked now don't you think. The good news now though is that after realigning the gate it now shuts and movement should not be a problem anymore.

Welcome to the world ...Ella May Knight

2010-11-22T00:57:00.001-08:00

Little Ella May has arrived and we were delighted to be able to spend some time with her yesterday. Ange is looking fabulous, despite being a little short on sleep!

Ange and Ella

The boys with their little sister

Ella May

Sophie having a cuddle

Proud Aunty Kerrie

Congratulations to Ange and Zane, she is lovely.

Kerrie

Grammy is here ... and it's Halloween!!

2010-11-03T02:03:00.001-07:00

There has been much excitement here lately, with the long awaited arrival of Grammy and to top it off Halloween. The kids (and I) have had a great time catching up on everything that has happened since her last visit and we all had fun getting ready for an evening of trick or treating.

It was witches and ghouls galore ....

Toby with his friends getting ready for a big evening

The fake blood took a bit of scrubbing to get off afterwards but looked pretty realistic

Tricky is smiling on the inside

Sophie all make-upped up and ready to go

Less photos Mum - lets get going!

She did all the makeup herself and was pretty pleased with the end result.

They trick or treated to their hearts content with their friends and came home laden with goodies, along with the odd piece of fruit! Then it was into the shower for both of them to scrub off the evenings festivities ready for school the next morning (while I hid all the lollies on the top shelf of the pantry - but somehow I don't think they will be forgetting about them!

Hope everyone is well

Kerrie

Rick's Birthday

2010-10-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

Tricky celebrated another birthday recently

Liam wishing his Uncle Rick a happy birthday

The boys checking out the birthday pressies

To mark the occasion we went out to the V8 Supercar race track

where Rick got to do a few laps ...

Registered and ready to go

Meanwhile Sophie passed the time by doing a bit of reading

(wearing her Mr Magoo specs)

Heading out to the track

Off on the test lap

Toby watching his progress

Moving in for the overtake

Nine laps completed

Question time afterwards

Done

The Big Roast Dinner

2010-10-09T00:22:00.000-07:00

Another day, another dinner together! Dad was the master chef and whipped up a feast of roast beef and yorkshire puddings which we demolished with gusto. Another great evening with lots of good company, good wine, good food and stories to tell.

A rare photo of Rick and I together ... usually one or the other of us is behind the camera

More paparazzi!

A nice family photo

Katie!

Dad doing the carving knife thing, getting ready to carve

The kids having a bit of a rest in between games

Sophie found it all a bit much and had a bit of shut eye ... all the girls were sharing a room and I think there were a few midnight meetings under the light of the torch

Dads shoulder was comfortable too

Kerrie

Family BBQ

2010-10-09T00:12:00.001-07:00

It's not often the whole family gets together so it was definately cause for a BBQ when Leigh arrived from Sydney after finally giving up on Virgin Blue and booking on another airline. It was a photo fest with the paparazzi out in force.

Not quite sure which camera we should be looking at!

Tricky was a bit daunted by the sheer volume of food that needed to be barbequed, but he held up to the task well

The foods out and we are all in (yep thats me tucking in first!)

All our photo smiles were firmly in place ...

No not another photo Mum!

Just wanna eat my dinner Aunty Kez!

Sophie's hair

2010-10-07T02:47:00.001-07:00

After a week of plaits Sophie was ready for me to undo them all. With a bit of help from Leigh and Rick we got them all undone and Sophie looked like this:

She tells me a shampoo and conditioner treatment have never felt so good

Kerrie

More Vanuatu ....

2010-10-07T00:06:00.000-07:00

On our third day in Vanuatu the Pacific Dawn cruised into the Port, and on it were some friends of ours who live up the road from us! They braved the minibuses out in force and hottailed it to the resort where we met up for the day

Toby and his good mate doing a not so good job of hiding from us

Meanwhile the girls hit the pool

The girls found a dainty little starfish to play with...

while the boys came up with a man size version of the same

The man size boys got into a bit of paddling

...while Sophie tried out her stand up version

Then it was into a minibus to the Port to do a bit of touristing

They are fascinated with the All Blacks there - this was one of several vehicles we saw supporting them

After a spot of lunch we had a leisurely walk through the markets back to the ship (I don't think I have ever been so hot in my life)

Sophie getting her hair braided back at the resort ....

and the after shot -along with a bit of sunburn

All in all a great day. Boy was that pool back at the resort good.

More soon

Kerrie

Vanuatu!!

2010-10-06T03:43:00.000-07:00

We spent the first week of the school holidays in Vanuatu - had a fabulous time with lots of touring, resort activities, relaxation, eating and drinking. A bit of something for everyone! Heres some photos from our first couple of days .....

Sophie contemplating the flight ahead ...

We knew we were getting close when we starting getting views like this from the plane

Our resort room ... home for a week

The resort was right next a tropical lagoon - and the usual watersport type things

Sophie posing with a big black figurine type thing

I was so relaxed I even ventured into the pool a few times

Rick and the kids cooling down

The local market-place

There was a game of soccer every afternoon - it usually started with just us and ended up all the local lads from the village

Out for dinner one night

Sophie counting her millions to pay the bill

Back onto blogging

2010-10-01T21:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a while but I have decided to get back onto the blog circuit after having just un-facebooked myself .... it just wasn't doing it for me. It remains to be seen if I can work out how to publish this blog however so it resembles some sort of readable ditty with all the pictures in the appropriate places!! So here goes ...

Rick has splashed out and bought a 3D TV .... heres the kids watching a blue ray movie with their specs on. The specs are a little different from the one we get at the movies!

Toby recently made it to the U9 Zone team for soccer .... along with two of his best mates. They had a great day although experienced a loss for the first time ever. It took a bit of adjusting to get their heads around that one!

OK so far so good - I will attempt to publish it and if you are now reading it I must have been successful

See you soon with more!

Kerrie XX