Beaching.

Today, we arrived at our annual 'Summer holiday'.

Before checking into our 'usual' hotel room, we christened our holiday with a quick beach play, followed by a Sushi lunch and a swim in the hotel pool.

From there, we unpacked bags and got set up in our room. Ryder and I did a big grocery shop and..... a trip to the bottle shop of course.

Chris took Ella and Jayden to the 'American Candy Store' and back to the swimming the pool, while Ryder and I went to Starbucks to stock up on my favourite instant coffee granules.

And then we finished off the day with a lazy dinner or picky foods and antipasto out on the deck, overlooking the coastline.

Perfection I tell you!

I have been looking so forward to this week.

A week of sun-kissed babies, long swims in the pool, sandy toes and salt-crusted cheeks. I can't wait to devour all things summer, have family come and stay. And seep this holiday for everything it's worth!

I do love me some summery goodness!!

***********

Tonight, after I put Ryder down to sleep in his portacot and poured myself a Mojito, I drank in the serenity of this place. I love our new tradition of coming here, to this exact hotel, and exact room, every summer.

Even though clouds littered the sky this evening and rain drops sporadically fell, I still admired the beauty of this place. I breathed in the salty beach air and exhaled. Ready for a week of nothing.....as well as a week of so much!

I love summer.

And summer holidays!

Cheers!

Hello Twenty Twelve. In Paradise.

I am writing this post from paradise! I wish I could use words to truly set the scene & describe my surroundings right now, but I don't think any words will really do justice of what I can see, and how I feel right now! I'll try though!

It's just after 5am. Chris & Jayden have gone on a deep sea fishing charter, Ryder is snoozing in his bassinet, Ella is munching on cereal & I'm sitting on the balcony of our 11th floor apartment, coffee in hand, laptop on table, overlooking a scene that may be close to that of heaven!

I have a panoramic view of the glorious Sunshine Coast. I can see to the ends of the Earth of vast ocean. I can see the slither of sun as it's rising over the horizon. I can see perfectly breaking waves as they are rolling & frothing into the shore. I can see white sand, early empty streets, eager beach swimmers, boats & motivated runners. It's bliss.....pure bliss! And I don't want this week to end! Being here on holidays, with my family, has been the PERFECT start to 2012! It's allowed me to relax, to reflect, to cherish, to be inspired & to be recharged! Gosh I love holidays :)

This time last year, we were up here on the coast for some family time, but we were at Coolum. On return, I declared my love for Coolum and announced our exclusive relationship! And although I pride myself on being a committed & honest person, I'll come clean & admit, that I have been cheating on Coolum with Mooloolaba! Only minutes from each other......but a strong competition for my love :)

I took the above photo yesterday, whilst out on a morning walk. The beach was magic! The water looked like a sheet of glistening glitter, with the sand so perfectly fluffy & white.... and at 8am, the beach was already littered with playing families, sunbakers, swimmers & keen surfers.

Mother Nature has been kind to us! Clear warm nights, and long sunny days. A perfect Summer really! Apparently a heat wave is making it's way up from down South. I guess we'll just have to do more of this:

Above: It's tiring work, this holiday business :)

And, just as much as beach walks, pool swims & cafe dining....I'm also LOVING inside quiet time, having a newborn around & watching siblings play!

He's such a happy little boy!

Home or away....I could never get tired of these pudgey little baby feet! He's so delicious :)

We're here for 4 more days, so I'm sure I'll have more to share soon......and I'll tell you about my fun on the Mooloolaba Missile {a video of us on it to come!!}....an amazing, adrenalin experience I shared with my step-son 2 days ago!! FUN FUN FUN!!!

But, for now, I'm logging off, going to pour myself another one of these {yum}:

And make some more memories with my family!!

Happy twenty twelve!!!!!

P.S. Sarah from Special Moments set the challenge of recording/posting a photo-a-day for everyday of 2012! There's 366 days in this year! The photos are to be of something we're feeling grateful for or something that makes us happy! I loved the idea of this! Hey, who wouldn't want to find the good in everyday?? It also appealed to me, as I just started reading "The Gratitude Effect". You can follow my daily pics of gratitude and/or play along on my Facebook page!

This was DAY ONE :)

Recent Happenings....from turf to surf.

Today..... I am 40 weeks pregnant! Full-term!! Wow!! Yahoooo!

We were given 2 due dates with this bub ~ October 28th came up in the most recent scans due to his size & growth & 1st of Nov was the original due date calculated on my cycle. Of course, I've been going by the 28th of October as baby's DD....coz it's sooner....and to be honest....I WANT HIM OUT!!!!!!!!!! I know it sounds petty & ungrateful....but I am well & truly over it now. I have gained 30kg+ now....every possible part of my body is swollen & full of fluid. I have Split Pelvis Disorder which causes me a world of pain during the night. My patience is almost non-existent & my frustration levels are high. I am ready....ready to meet this little baby & start the next chapter!

However.....the past few weeks have gone by quite quickly & we've been busy! I have refused to let the pain & discomfort of end-of-pregnancy stop me from LIVING life....so we've been here, there & everywhere! I've tried to squeeze in as many day trips with my girl as possible, we've been shopping almost everyday {a mixture of me trying to be organised & a craving to be out & about!} and we even squeezed in a last minute beach getaway last weekend :)

Last Friday, I wanted to do something we hadn't done before....go somewhere new! And with Ella very much into 'hands on learning' and persistent on her farm party ideas, I decided to head down to a public farm on the Gold Coast, not far from us. My Mum came along....and we had a great time being part of the farmlife for a day :)

Mum & Ella 

Milking Cows

My girl & I....on an old farm cart :)

Mum & Ella went fossicking :)

And Ella found some GOLD & treasures :) 

Whilst at the farm on Friday, Chris rung from work. Our conversation went something like this: CHRIS: "Do we have anything on this weekend, apart from Ella's dance classes on Sat morning?" Me: "Ummmm.....no not really, why?" CHRIS: "I think we should go up the coast for a few nights!" ME: "Ok!" CHRIS: "I'll book somewhere.....bye!" And just like that we were heading away....I love last minute plans :) 

Friday night we went to a charity cheese & wine night to raise money for a special yet very sick little boy, that one of Chris's business associates was hosting! It was nice! And I hope the money raised will make a difference in this amazing little boy's life! 

Saturday morning, we were up early, packing bags of clothes, swimmers & sand toys....went off to ballet....then jumped in the car & headed 1.5 hours North to Mooloolaba. 

It was a good few days away :) Are you apart of INSTAGRAM? {my new addiction} Coz, that's where I documented & put up most photos of the weekend! If you're on there, find me; clairechadwick {username}. 

We wined & dined & got sun-kissed. We stayed up late, got up early. We caught up with Chris's Pa & Ebony! We hung with friends & enjoyed the amazing surroundings of the local beaches. Australia really is a gorgeous place...and I love living here! 

Hehehehe!!! These mirrors gave us MANY laughs :) Saggy boobs, double chins, ape-long arms & stumpy legs :) 

Except this one.....made me look pregnant LOL:

No comment on the shoe-eating crocodile......oh the silly things we do :) Gosh, we had a laugh!! Happy Days! 

We went to Underwater World! Ella loved it! In fact, I think we all did :)

Bubble Girl! 

Ella, Karen & Baby Annabelle :)

I've said it before....and I'll probably say it again.....but I love being near the beach! It truly is the perfect way to revive the soul and recharge the batteries! The amazing sunrises & sunsets. The salty layer left on your skin. The sandy goodness. And the fresh crisp air.....nothing beats it in my books :)

But....we're home now....and the nesting is well & truly underway! Hopefully sooooooon, our little baby will be here!!! {send me some baby dust please!!} 

My feet are pulsating with a numbing, swollen feeling......they look almost fake.....like a blown up rubber glove. So I'm off to lay down & put them up!

Goodnight All.

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!