Post Holiday Post.

We're home! And I'll be honest in saying that I am suffering a mild case of post-holiday depression! Don't get me wrong....I love our little home & love the safety and familiarity of being here and I am so SO grateful that we had the most amazing week away! But, I miss that place! I miss the view, the beach, the fresh sea air, not cleaning or cooking or paying bills for a whole week! I miss feeling free & adventurous. I miss being in the moment with my family in a stunning part of the world. I miss it all! However, I guess that's the beauty of holidays......the reason we take them......to have a break from our everyday lives, to truly relax & embrace....and then re-book them so we have something to work towards, to look towards :)

So I'll stop my ungrateful whining, try to step out of my grumpy boots & reflect honestly on the last few days of last week. The rest of the week after I posted from Mooloolaba on Thursday continued to flow on perfectly. The week just got better & better :)

The best thing about being on a vacation, is the slow pace. Not having to be anywhere by any particular time. I love just going with the flow & making up the plans as we go. Late breakfasts out, long evenings admiring sunsets, snuggling with jammied babies & listening to the surf crashing onto the shore just metres from our window.....bliss! Pure holiday bliss!

One morning, as I got up to feed my hungry little baby, I got to witness this beauty of a sunrise! Gorgeous!!!! It made the sleep deprivation of long broken nights a whole heap more bearable. I stood out on the balcony patting my baby boy's back trying to get his post milk burp up....and I got to watch the sun peep up over the horizon & cast it's light over the gorgeous coast line. The world around me was so still & tranquil. Mother Nature at her best!

Then I snuggled back into bed, feeling very relaxed, hoping to get some more sleep :) Then Miss Ella appeared by my side... "Good Morning Mummy"......and the day officially begun!

So off to the beach we went for an early family swim & surf. We discovered {through trial & error} it was too hard to drag the pram, nappy bag & all our beachy supplies down to the sand to then combat the wind & sun with a newborn & 2 other kids. So Chris & I pulled out our best team work skills & did a bit of shift work! We took turns with lazing on the grass with the baby along with enjoying the sun & surf with the 2 bigger kidlets. We got the swap-over routine down pat by the 3rd day :) 

As the week rolled on, we got to enjoy catch up with friends and share this glorious break with them!

And soak up true summery things, like ice-cream's in the park...all sticky & sweet! And very delicious {until Mummy attempted to help Ella in licking the drips & lost the whole ball of chocolatey goodness on the wooden pier.....not a popular Mummy after that one!}

Chris & Jayden got up to all kinds of adventurous fun this past week! Body surfing, deep sea fishing and jetskiing! Happy Dad & Happy Son! Happy Days :)

And in between walks, adventures, beaching it, and swims....we enjoyed the peace & serenity of our unit. Siblings together. Some scrumptious cooking. Drinks on the deck & a few sneaky afternoon snoozes!

Ryder has been an absolute dream lately, he really has! And I know that with babies, there's so many stages....so many phases! So I'm just taking this delightful, happy, contented baby stage with big wide open arms coz I know it wont last forever, as teething & sick days & milestones are ahead of us. But for now, we're embracing his 'go with the flow' nature, his endless smiles & gorgeous giggles. This boy is amazing! I feel so blessed to have him! What a dream come true!!!

Ella took these 2 shots of Ryder & I :) Not bad I say :) {And Ryder & I were matching in our black & white stripes.....pure coincidence I promise!}

One morning looked like this:

A bewitching, dreary downpour greeted us by 7:30am! But by 8:30am.....perfect summer weather took back the stage & we enjoyed a day of blue, sunny skies! That Mother Nature knows how to keep us on our toes :)

The Chadwick family have a lot of history up on the Sunshine Coast. History that fascinates me! And Chris's Pa, Ken, has seen the Coast transform in so many ways {that I want to learn more about} since the 1930's. I love hearing his recollections of the way life was 'back when he was a boy' growing up on the beach! We hung out with him one afternoon/evening last week. Chris & Jay enjoyed a surf with him {yep....at the ripe old age of 83, he still catches a mean wave!} and then we enjoyed a lovely Thai meal with him! Generations coming together makes me happy.

And, on the last night, as the sun set and we tucked sleepy, sun-kissed babies into bed, Chris & I soaked up the last bit of goodness of the week that was! We clinked our champagne glasses & sat on the balcony admiring the glorious view! I sat there most of the evening.....drinking it all in!!!! Cheers to Mooloolaba! Cheers to being on holiday!!! Cheers to family!!! Cheers to following your heart!!! And a big cheers to 2012!!!!

Hmmmm.....just writing this post, reflecting on our week and looking back through the photos has lifted my mood :) That's what I love most about blogging & journaling. Sometimes writing feels forced, and I lack motivation or inspiration, but after a week with my family; living, laughing & loving....this post just rolled off my fingertips easily :) Life's a beach.....get out there & live it.....

P.S. As mentioned in my last post....Jayden & I went on the Mooloolaba Missile :) OMG.....freakin amazing!!! Here's the video of us on it......ENJOY!! Hold on tight :)

http://youtu.be/WPCqZ2-aiqc

Christmas Day 2011

I have only good memories of Christmas as a kid, I really do. My parents always made Christmas meaningful, memorable & fun. It was never about extravagant gifts or lots of money spent, but it was always about FAMILY! We had traditions that became so natural & habitual, that I now follow & continue a lot of them with my own children, because I want them to also grow up & remember nothing but happiness at Christmas time!

The lead up to Christmas is just as much fun as the actual day.....but the actual day....that my friends, is the icing on the cake :) The gift buying & wrapping & making, the craft & baking, the battling through crowds in shopping malls to get a 1minute photo with Santa, the money spent, the holidays booked, the handmade cards & MANY trips to the post office, the organisation, the plans, the creativity required......it's all hard work & can be very costly.....but all SO WORTH IT in the end! And as the sun sets on the 25th of December each year, I reflect back on not only the day we had, but also the magic & chaos that lead us to that day! And this year was no different.....as we got sleepy children bathed & into bed & then attempted some sort of 'cleanup', I felt a mixture of emotions. So happy & content with the day we had & the memories we made.....but also so sad that Christmas Day had come & gone yet again.....and all too fast....yet again! Relieved in some ways that it's all over for another year......and also excited about how we can make it even bigger & better next year :)

This Christmas was made even more special, as we had Jayden with us! He arrived on the 23rd & is with us for a whole month! Oh my, Ella adores this boy! She loves her big brother & the excitement she had on his arrival was bigger than any Christmas experience. Even though my girl loves Christmas & embraces it for all that it's worth.....I honestly think she would have been 100% just to have him here! Christmas was just a bonus on top of that :)

We had a perfect Christmas Eve night. The 'normal' routine of dinner at home, baths & couch cuddles, followed by Santa preparations. Ella wanted to leave Santa some coke {when we were at the shops, waiting in line to have a photo with Santa, she saw him take a swig from a can of coke, and thought it was the most hilarious thing ever that Santa drinks Coca Cola!!}, some cookies & some drawings she'd done. So.....that;s exactly what we did.....left 2 drawings, a glass of coke, a glass of milk, a cookie, a chocolate ball & a carrot for Rudolph. I lay with her in her bed {well...actually...the mattress on the floor in her room as she's given her bed to her big brother at the moment!} and I cuddled her as we talked about Santa & Christmas & the joys of this time of year. She was buzzing with excitement about the possibility that she may hear Santa's jingling bells during the night :) I lay with her until she fell into a deep sleep & felt good that she was mine....and it was Christmas.....and her big brother was here to share this magical time with us.....and it was her baby brother's 1st Christmas........life is good!

That night.....Santa came!!

He ate the cookie, drank the milk & coke, demolished the chocolate ball and let Rudolph nibble the juicy carrot. He filled their stockings. He took the drawings to share with Mrs Claus & he left a letter for Ella, Jayden & Ryder.

I was up at 4:30am feeding Ryder and was just nuzzling back into bed at 5:20am when I heard the pitter patter of children's feet down our hall way & whispers of excitement. Ella came bounding into our room "Mummy, you really truly have to come & see something! I can't tell you because it's a big surprise, but you HAVE to come & see this!!"

So....we obliged......excitedly, Chris & I followed Ella & Jayden down the hallway whilst pushing Ryder in his bassinet into the lounge! And we enjoyed a morning of bliss! Magical moments of discovery & gifts & giving! It was our baby's first Christmas....and although he won't remember it.....we will.....so special it had to be:

And special it was!

It was nice to sit back & just watch! And something that took me a little by surprise was Ella being more interested in giving other people their gifts & watching their reactions of joy.....as apposed to opening her own presents! She had more fun helping & watching Jayden, then devouring her own wrapped gifts! The girl had true Christmas Spirit!

After a home cooked hot breakfast by Chris and some cookie baking with the kids, we packed up the car & headed down to Chris's Aunty's house to experience some Christmas magic all over again with family! The wine flowed, the food was gooood & the company even better :)

My snoozing Baby {in Christmas nappies of course} & I.

Four generations were there that day :) Above: Chris's paternal Pa; Ken. {or as Ella calls him: Old Pa Ken....to determine the difference between her Pa's....cute}

Daddy & his girl

My 2 littlest loves!

Baby's first Christmas!

And it wouldn't be a complete Australian Christmas without some fun in the sun & swimming pool :) For both the small & big kids :)

As a child, I thought there would be no better feeling than being a kid at Christmas! I didn't want to grow up :)  But, now I'm not so sure....I think seeing & experiencing Christmas through the eyes & heart of my own children may {just may} be sweeter and a little more special! I feel grateful to be a Mum....especially this time of year!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope you too had a day of love & joy :)

Week~A~Boo.......{Christmas Love, A New House & BBQ Bliss}

It's almost 10pm, we've just walked in the door after an afternoon out & about :) We've carried a sleeping, unbathed.......but very contented little girl from the car into the snuggly, safety of her bed & unpacked the bags & eskies from a weekend of fun! I'm tired & completely & utterly 'weekend-ed out' {in a good way of course}, but wanted to get my week-a-boo post up for the night :)

Saturday morning brought in a lovely gust of Christmas wind! Before 7am, we were already elbow deep in red & green paint with glitter & stamps & rollers & glue :) Whilst I pumped out some really old daggy Christmas music {which I secretly LOVE}, Ella & I made a couple of metres of hand-painted wrapping paper :)

{I'm linking the painting photos up with Kasia'a KIDDY ART! Head over there for lots of crafty inspiration}

Chris then returned from his run & a massive bacon & egg breakfast was on the cards :) With full tummies & a craving to spend time as a family.....we headed down to the beach to a gorgeous broadwater park :)

{We love having him home after a week up North on business!!!}

We then headed to Chris parent's NEW HOUSE :) It was moving day for them! So, we greeted them at their new place to help unload the trucks & crack open a bottle of bubbly to celebrate their gorgeous new home!

Their new pool....had me at HELLO :) I am already imagining endless summers spent here!

And.....on Saturday evening...the CHRISTMAS TREE went up :) I may have even shed a tear.....just watching my 2 Loves hanging balls & tinsel & lights! Have I mentioned that I love Christmas? heeee!!

Saturday night, I fell asleep putting Ella to bed! I think I may have drifted off before her :) I was EXHAUSTED....bigtime!

Sunday.....today! A morning of shopping, baking & cleaning :) We then headed back to Chris's parents for a late afternoon swim {which only Ella & Chris's Mum ended up braving as the afternoon became quite overcast!} and a BBQ! It was LOVELY! We picked up Chris's Nan on the way and my parents met us there too! It was BLISS! I mention on here {quite a lot} about living in the special moments & taking it all in....but it was again this evening that I stepped back, had a look around & thought "Wow...this is it!" "This is what makes me happy.....makes me complete.....energises me.....motivates me.....THESE MOMENTS!!" Moments when our 2 families are combined as one....LIVING, LAUGHING & LOVING! I love watching them dote over Ella & truly hang on to every word that comes out of her mouth! I love watching Chris teach my Dad how to use his new iPad and my Mum & Chris's Mum have D&M's about life! I love it....every little part of it! And tonight, as we relaxed by the tennis-court, lagoon-pool, vegetable-garden, underground-carpark BLISS of the Chadwick's new residence, I watched Chris in the moment as he was the chef on the teppanyaki bbq & loving being right in his comfort zone there.....I watched {probably with tears in my eyes.....as always lol} Ella go-go-going {as she does} and took it ALL in, baby! Coz it's these moments, that help me through the bad times, stressful times & sad times! 

{Above: Terribly blurry I know......but I love it all the same!}

What did you get up to on the weekEND? I'd love to know {or see}, if you're a blogger {or even just a Facebook user}, link your weekend shenanigans back to here :)

Have a fabulous week my friends!

Week~A~Boo.......{A peek into our weekEND}

Oh.... Sunday night, you greet us again :)

I sat here tonight uploading photos from our busy weekEND & I pondered whether to do this week-a-boo post now....or wait til tomorrow morning {yahooooo.....no rushing off to work tomorrow....or for the next 2 weeks!!!!} and I decided to commit to tonight....so tomorrow morning truly can be a lazy start to the week!!! Well...I shouldn't say a lazy start....as I aim to start my Massive Spring Cleaning Mission tomorrow!! And whilst the weekend antics are still freshly in my head & on my heart....there was no better time to start typing :)

Friday Night well & truly started the weekend PERFECTLY!! My Mum had been looking after Ella at our house on Friday....and when I walked in the door at 4pm after work, I was greeted by a tidy house, all washing done & FOLDED, dinner cooked {including dessert}, the table set...complete with candles, flowers & chocolates....and a bottle of wine!!!! It was BLISS!!! The absolute perfect way to start the weekEND & my 2 week holiday!

Saturday was filled with a trip to Office Works to stock up on some supplies for a current client's order, a massive traffic jam so a long trip home, a morning tea date at the local bakery, a mini grocery shop, dinner brewing in the slow cooker all afternoon & a meeting with a client which I'll share with you in tomorrow's At My House post :)

Sunday {today} was a lovely mixture of family, adventure, new experiences & joy! Just as Sundays should be!

Chris, Ella & I piled into Chris's parents car with them and we set off on a road trip up to the Sunshine Coast {about an hour & a half drive}. 

The car trip was fun! With 3 iPad's & 4 iPhone's in use....it was like a little mini Apple Store on wheels ;o) We laughed, we chatted, we shared blog posts & pictures of art, we snacked....and we pretended to snooze in the hope to trick Ella into snoozing too {no such luck...haaa}.

The reason for the day road trip was to visit Chris's Dad's Uncle's House.....{whoa...that was a mouthful}. Chris's Nan sadly passed away last November & her brother had organised a massive family reunion for today on their mammoth cane farm property in Yandina! Before arriving at his house, we drove through the sleepy town of Yandina & I was in LOVE! This little quirky country town had me at hello.....and oh boy how much I am already dying to get back there to explore it more! It was so damn cute:

Just like Chris's Nan.....I became a CHADWICK through marriage! Her maiden name was APPS! And the family property we headed out to today was of course on Apps Road:

And the rest of the day just flowed.......with energy & joy that came mainly from the excitement & exploration of an eager 2 year old! She was in her element here......acres & acres of land to discover. A river. Chickens. A greenhouse. A vegie patch. Rows & rows of flower gardens. A fruit orchard. A house 5 times the size of ours. New faces.....oh so many new faces to take in. Many generations of family bond & love. Cake. Fizzy Drink. A pool. A dam. A view....oh the view. 

It truly was BLISS!

And of course....in true '2 year old' fashion....there had to be a moment of tantrum {or duck face as we like to call it} because we all know that life with a toddler can't always be sunshine, rainbows & cupcakes :) But this little moment of Ella's Sulking {due to not getting her way} didn't last long as there was just too much other fun to be had :) And it was then that the magic continued....

So, there you have it....and yet again, my peek was more like a novel...but that's just how I roll :) And as another week drives on in.....I look forward to having a peek into YOUR weekEND!! Please, share your link below & link it back here so your readers can also enjoy the weekend antics of other bloggers!

Have a lovely week!!

Our Weekend {Point & Shoot}....

Good morning! And what a lovely morning it is.....Ella was only awake once last night at 3am {which is wonderful compared to her usual nightly wakings} and it's my gorgeous Hubby's birthday today :) So i'm feeling slightly refreshed & in celebration mode ;o)

Here's my point & shoot entry for the lovely weekend we just had! It was one of those weekends where you just don't want it to end.....you are left mourning for MORE......more Sunday lol.

Saturday morning kicked off with a 1st birthday party for a friend's 2nd little bubba! Ella had a blast...and who wouldn't with all that party food, balloons, presents, a swing set & a heap of other kids to play with :)

Ella with a cupcake ~ Saturday 26th June, 2010 @ 10:30am ~ 1st Birthday Party!

Sunday...we headed up to the Sunshine Coast for the day! When we left our house {on the Gold Coast} it was grey & drizzly & cold.....but not even 2 hours later we arrived in beautiful Caloundra to clear blue skies and gorgeously warm sunshine! It was the PERFECT day! We started at the beach for a look around, then to the park for a play, followed by lunch at a stunning beachside cafe & then off to a local hall to watch my Hubby's Grandfather's Concert Band. This event was super special to the Chadwick family, as it was a fundraiser for the Cittamani Hospice who looked after Hubby's Grandmother, Val, in her last few months of life last year! The concert raised over $3000 for this lovely cause & was a tribute to the lovely Val Chadwick! It was a lot of fun....I love a big band!!! Ella was in absolute bliss as she LOVES to dance & sing....and her Nanny & Pa were there! Of course she was the hit of the crowd {being the only child there lol} and was used as the helper for the raffle presentations :) We got home last night & felt so relaxed & content with life!

Sunday ~ Midday ~ Caloundra Beach.                  Sunday ~ 1pm ~ Out to lunch.

Sunday 27th June 2010 ~ 1:30pm ~ Looking at the gorgeous beach ~ Caloundra!

What did your weekend entail?

This is part of Point & Shoot. You should join in too.....over here!