Basketball and backyards

Hello everyone, Just wanted to share a few snaps with you, and show you the recent changes in our back garden.

We have now finished off the covered area, so that it now includes some marble chips and looks a little more tidy.

The biggest change of all that you will notice is that Opa and Rob have put up Michael's Christmas present of his basketball backboard.

I think they have done a great job, they have used a cargo net as a ball catcher, and it does a great job! Michael and Rob (and I) have spent a good deal of time 'testing' it ;)

We are now going to focus on retaining the back part of the garden near Michael's swing, and put in a more permanent pathway, and eventually put in a water feature where our pond is.... one day! 

.... sorry

Dear Family! It's been good to see you all, over the last few days, and I apologise for being so grumpy! They reckon moving house is way up on the stress meter, but I'm finding it particularly hard this time - don't reckon it's been this bad before! But I AM sorry, and I hope you can all forgive me! Hopefully things will all be much better soon ..... I'm not thinking how many (few!!) more sleeps now! Love you all! Mum

Seems like we've all been too busy to Blog this week! I can understand that - it IS the silly season, after all! We survived our 5 "parties" in 3 days, and the fellowship ladies startled me yesterday, giving me a lovely little quilt! I'm very happy to be home today! I've made the Pineapple Nut Mould, and the carrot jelly, and fudge ..... just in case there's not enough food! (Ho Ho Ho!)
The packing is continuing - we even finished the china cabinet the other night, so that's good! There's really just the kitchen and study (and shed ... sigh!) to do, so we reckon we'll make it! Can't believe in less than 2 weeks we'll be there! Wow!
It will be good to see you all in the next few days, and the beds are ready for you, Debbie, Stu, Natalie and Calvin! I hope you ALL travel safe, whether long or short trips, and also hope work's easing up a bit etc! Be gentle on yourselves, all of you! See you Monday! (or tomorrow!) (or both!)
Love Mum

WE got a pressie today!

'Dear Families Brocklehurst, Kitto and Badenoch. Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Peaceful and Loving 2007. All our love Bella, Peter and Rike.'

It's safely under our tree!

well fancy that!

Dad's about to go for a walk with Gary ... around the golf course!! Beats packing!

.... I'm a bit weary ...

Hi All! Well, we've survived today's farewell at church, and are able to say it was an excellent morning! We had a baptism, of 4 month old grandson of a key couple, and that was beautiful - made a balance, between saying goodbye to us, and welcoming Lucas into the church family and looking forward .... and the church was packed, which everyone loved! There were very few speeches, like only one, which was possibly a bit surprising, but that's OK .... lots of folk spoke individually to us, and we felt good about it all! They've given us a voucher for local (VH) hardware shop, and we plan to get the "Loxton Memorial BBQ" ..... it can be a beauty, too, with some left over towards our out-door setting!
We have 5 "parties" between Tues and Thurs this week so I won't be doing much cooking this week!

I haven't been packing this week ... or was it last week? ... I DID get all the christmas mail written (Dad did Granny and Grampa's!) (I did the other 81!), and I wrote on "christmas/goodbye n thanks for all the fish" cards for our lovely local friends, and I wrapped all the grandies' presents ... had to pack the stockings already so i knew what wouldn't fit in, that I had to wrap ... and all in all it was a very draining, tiring week! I do feel good now it's all done, but it's all wrong, not having gifts for Isabelle! .... and that's just Nanna's view ... I can't begin to think what it's like for you, Debbie and Stu!

Grandad came up yesterday, and it's good having him here! I think he enjoyed catching up with some folk at Martha's last night, and church this morning. He's happy with his Hotel room .... has somewhere to retreat to when things get a bit chaotic! I plan to send the presents for Grandad to take to Heth's on Tues, to be one less thing for us to take on Christmas day!
Tonight Martha's is on again, and it's also the Carols by Candlelight, around the rotunda in the main street, so another night out!
.... only 18 sleeps! Love you all! XXX

Results are finally in!

Well I've known for a week the results of two of my subjects but was sweating on my Marine Science results cause it has such a challenging subject full of useful and useless information. So here they are:

Intro to Aboriginal Studies Credit
Marine Sciences 1 Pass
Ways of Explaining Education Distinction

So I'm just wrapped about it!

Thanks to Stu for help with my Education Essay which was worth 55% of mark I got a High Distiction!

My two essay's for Aboriginal Studies I got a Distiction and a Credit.

All in all a good start to Uni studies considering it's been a long time.

Natalie's School Concert

We have just spent the evening sitting in the school watching small children sing HUNDREDS of slightly off key songs! And I might add that I sat in the pram (we only have one folding chair). Despite the hundreds of songs it was of course still very cute. It was not much of a surprise to us that we had to wait 90 minutes brofore Natalie's class performed. AND it was SO worth the wait. Her class was certainly the best. They sung and danced to the 'polar express' song. I took some video - very cute. We were very proud.

Calvin didn't find the evening quite as rivoting as us but he was momentarily distracted by a jet flying over head (thus the telescope looking up). Notice the cute jocks poking over the top of his shorts? He is VERY toliet trained. Today we were in Target and he said he had a poo and I said he had to wait and he did and it was all fine (I'm so happy).

And now we are all tired and grumpy and it is time for bed. Nighty night.

(Still looking forward to hearing about Michael's)

Jacob's Care Photo

Speaks for itself I think ;)

What is happening at Christmas???

Hey there,

Can anyone please tell me what is happening at Christmas? I have my family jumping up and down at me as no one has told me what we are up to! They want to have something here, and I need to organise it quickly, so any input would be most appreciated!

Also there was talk of a Kitto Christmas, is this still going ahead?

Thanks!

Off to process some orders, what a change doing overtime! :(

We are the champions!!!!

Here is a champion with my champion. Work it out either way you like but I am one happy girl!

Go Rick Kelly you good thing :) 

.... moving .... pictures ...

.. and no, it's not quite what you think! Dad has just finished packing his first box (wow ... cheer cheer ... hip hooray!) .... of photos .... from our walls .... boy does it look weird! I've just caught up my diary for over a week (WHY do I get behind?!) and am about to do Friday's ironing, then start our Christmas mail! I think Dad's gonna start packing the study then .... he HAS conceded that he can't get the rest of the slides scanned before we go, so i guess that's something! Hope you're all cool n stress-free!

Bushfire

Here is a picture that was taken at about 7pm, the fire began at about 3pm, so it was still going strong after 4 hours. After this image was taken there was a mass influx of water bombers and choppers (we counted 2 bomber planes, 3 choppers and an Elvis). That dramatically reduced the smoke which is probably just as well considering that the wind got up quite strong at around 8pm 

Our new pergola area

Ok so its a little messy out there still, but this is our new pergola area. Rob and Dad did it in less than 2 days - one day last weekend, and yesterday.

It certainly makes a difference when it comes to shade, and heat entering the house. It was 41C here yesterday and it was like a fridge inside, we actually turned off the aircond. at one stage! Well done to my Dad and Rob for doing a great job :) (will look great once its all finished and tidy!) 

OUCH

About my lip it is OUCH!

OUCH

About my lip it is OUCH!

Update from our world - a little long I am sorry!

There hasnt really been much to tell lately from our neck of the woods until this week, which has been quite umm 'interesting'.
My work load was always going to be terrible this week with 10000 pre-orders in the system, my relief worker leaving Thursday for 4 weeks off on sick leave for a shoulder op, and the fact that its 2 weeks out from Christmas and the daily order count plus the pre-orders would be immense. That was the up side of things. The downside, is that I had to work from home all weekend, as well as EVERY night! I think I have clocked a 60+ hour week thus far. I have a new worker starting Monday that I will need to train, which shall be fun. We had stocktake yesterday in 41C heat - bear in mind I work in a tin shed with no airconditioning, which probably doesnt help the way I feel! The other bad thing is that I am really sick with some sort of flu (and really wishing that it isnt my chronic fatigue rearing its ugly head again). I am quite frankly exhausted. But that is enough on me.

This week saw a quite large bushfire near our home, and it was quite bizzare seeing the "Elvises" go over head very low (not sure if they were filling up at the reservior??), as well as water planes, media choppers etc. It was quite spectacular to see, but a little too close. I will post some images up once I download them. Michael was scared and sadly it reignited some old fears of his, and thus had nightmares about school fires with him there (curse you kids who lit that fire at Braeview, you just dont get it do you?). That was also the same evening that Rob and I were meant to be going to Robbie, which we didnt end up going to on the count that we were both suffering the flu - Rob's remainders and my coming down with. So with the bushfire around it was probably best we were home to keep an eye out. Downside is that, well we missed Robbie, and its something I dont want to dwell on as it doesnt hurt so much! A friend at work went and sent me some amazing pictures. :(

Wednesday night saw a very welcome visit from Grandma and Grandpa (aka Mum and Dad) who saw Michael at the Christmas Carols. Yes we finally located him during the last song! Its very hard locating a kid in a red t shirt and santa hat, when about 300 other kids are wearing the same! It was a lovely night, and yes I will post some photos of that too. Thanks Mum and Dad for staying with us, it was nice to have you here, I am just sorry I was chained to my computer working - damn orders!

Thursday saw Michael get his hair streaked again - he looks great :)

Friday saw Michael get his end of year report, and he has done very well. A few little behaviour glitches probably held him back, but academically he did very well, and is ahead of his years in spelling and reading, and did very well in design/technology and German.

Today saw Michael have a few accidents. Firstly he picked up Stormy, who didnt want to be picked up, and got a scratch on his tummy for his efforts. He then went swimming and bumped his chin on the bottom of the pool whilst doing the end of lesson dive. Then tonight he thought he would try shaving whilst having a spa, and with no idea on how to use a razor, sliced open (quite deeply I might add) his upper lip. Poor kid was totally in shock and really didnt cry all that much considering the amount of blood. And there was lots!!! He is now in bed sleeping - thank you panadol, but I think that it will teach him to ask next time he uses a razor! Needless to say I didnt go to my work Christmas dinner tonight!

I think I need to lie down now!

Ashes and things

Go Aussie!
This morning Al & Sam & I were out and about in the city so went to the Museum and saw the Ashes. It really is tiny (give me the AFL Premiership Cup any day!) but was nice to see a bit of history like that. One of the most beautiful things about the experience was observing the reaction of a well dressed old man wearing a suit and hat who would have been at least in his 80s or more - he was so chuffed, and said he'd been waiting his whole life to see it and it was such a privilege. That was nice :). I thought it was cute that chuffed old man and baby Sam were next to each other to see it!
Jacob's reaction to the Australian win last night was also note worthy. We cheered so he kept on cheering, and looked for his microphone to cheer louder, and hip-hip-hooray-ed it a few times, and was quite excited by it all! Might need to take him to a Twenty20 sometime ;)

Fudge!

No, really!! While Heth was here we (she!) made some delicious very easy yummy fudge and i thought we should share the recipe! Put 500gms choc bits, 60gms butter and 1 tin condensed milk in a dish and microwave Medium 4-6 minutes, stirring twice. Add chopped nuts, fruit, ginger (yum!!) or whatever, pour in tin and set in fridge! Heth Al Jacob Ian and I can all vouch for it being absolutely scrummy!

I've finished packing the lounge, spare room, sewing room (yes really!!), Christmas decorations, and will tackle the teak cupboard in the dining room tonight! We're going to leave about 7 tomorrow morning and spend a few hours with Granny and Grampa before we go to Adelaide for Michael's Carols night at school! I'll be happy to have a non-packing, just-sitting day!

I hope, Rob and Cherie, that you both have a wonderful time at the concert tonight .... I look forward to the Blogs! Take care, all of you! Love Mum XXXX PS What time do the Carols start?

More photos on the Cozens blog

For any one who is interested, there are some back dated pictures on the Cozens blog of sifferent things. Including some others of the kids playing in the mud! As you can see here they don't really know what it means to stay clean while making mud pies.
Hope you are all well.

(oh yeah, Stuart and I only forgot our anniversary for a little bit this year! We'd both remembered and exchanged pleasantries before he left for school!! Nothing exciting planned tonight, maybe just take-out for tea and a quiet drink on the verandah).

Calvin's finger

Here is a picture of Calvin's cut finger that we took last week (Thurs I think).
Owww. He still wearing Wiggles band aids and it still looks yuck.

It is still sore - poor guy.

4 bunnies, 1 owl, and 1 flat tyre...

And that was just on the way TO Loxton! (We didn't hit the bunnies or owl, just saw them). An hour out of Loxton at 11:30pm, in the middle of nowhere, with no mobile coverage, we got a flat tyre that was actually more like shredded than flat - we were very lucky and didn't lose control or anything. It was very bald (i'm talking more than Al-bald, but Dad-bald) so was lovely to get 2 new tyres as a souvenir from our last trip to Loxton. We unloaded the car and changed it (well Al did) and Jacob stayed asleep and got safely to mum and dad's a bit later than anticipated. Jacob did like sleeping in Nanna and Pappa's room and we liked it too! We had a very relaxing few days away, and saw some Christmas things, and had coffee at Berri, and chilled and it was good. Thanks for having us! We had a pretty uneventful trip home on Saturday arvo but was about half an hour too long for the boys. Was certainly lovely that they slept for half of it, but Jacob had had enough by the top of Cross Rd and Sam cried on and off from about Murray Bridge (more off than on really).

We had a busy day yesterday too. Al went to church in the morning (we put up the Christmas tree!) and got home about 1:30, and we got organised and went to Mt Barker for Dan and Bron's engagement party. Jacob went to sleep on the way of course but as soon as he woke up he was excited about the Party. We left there at 4:30 (and hour after I had been hoping to, but we only got there at 3!) and picked up a few things from home and went to our Playgroup Christmas Party. I think we all had a great time, and everyone appreciated Al entertaining the kids! Sam slept very well last night cos he really didn't get much during the day, and after screaming and bashing on the door for 25 minutes Jacob seemed to sleep well too. (It was at the 25min mark that Sam was woken up, so Al sat with Jacob til he went to sleep which was what J wanted in the first place! *sigh*) It's nice to have a quiet at home day today!

Busy weekend in Whyalla (No hospital trips!)

Looking back at the days that have just gone by I can see that we have in fact been quite busy. Friday night Stuart stayed home and got stuck into reports and I went and baby sat Matt and Sharina's boys (Daniel 4 and Bradley 2). After an hour of singing lullabys I then had a relatively easy night, though I didn't get home until after 12, and Stuart was still up reporting. Saturday morning became busier than we had planned with a trip out to the shops and then a dash to church to organise the power point for Sun night's Carol service. (Was not happy as I had been asked to do the power point and then was not given any details and was not told of the practise. Was very glad that I found out as I had some important changes to make). I got home in time for Stuart to run off to school for an hour before returning the car so that I could take Natalie out to a birthday party (at a guess I would stay there were 30+ kids there - crazy). Stuart kept doing reports. Then it was time for cleaning, tea, kids to bed and THEN PIRATE PARTY. We had a few of the guys around to watch Pirates of the Carribean 2 and I had fun dressing up in Calvin's Captain Jack stuff. Of course it was after 3:30am before we got to bed and Dave decided to crash on the couch (so I had fun at 6am keeping the kids entertained and quiet! Though they were very excited about having breakfast with Dave. Natalie is such a big flirt). Then Sunday was church (and more reports for Stuart) and THEN in the evening it was off to the Bethel Christian Centre's Community Carols. Apart from Calvin being sad that the lines for the bouncy castle and pony rides where too long for him to have a go, the night went well (though we had about twice as many people as the church can comfortably hold). The Children's church presentation was SO cute (they sang Colin's 'Christ the King of Christmas') and Natalie was dressed at a candy cane. She did really well, even though she did sing one chorus facing the back of the stage! Towards the end of the service she then joined the big girls for a dance (to Colin's 'Aussie Jingle Bells') and she got many cheers for her solo dance (I was SO proud). It was about 9pm before we got home and Stuart went straight back to reports and I decided to give him his space by going out with a bunch of people. Coming home at 11:30 probably wasn't the smartest thing to do and consequently my three very late nights (and early mornings) have all caught up with me today. Oh well, it is actually quite nice to feel tired as the result of personal choices and a jolly good time rather than an involentary trip to hospital. So that is our weekend. Hope that you are all enjoying the crazy party/service season too. Love and hugs.