Brain Dead Quote of the Year

I had said a few silly things this year (and I do mean no brain, random, what THE silly). And whilst I like to think it was due to the pregnancy, I went ahead and did this today.

We were parking the car when we ran into a neighbour whose wife is due to give birth any day now.

Mel: Hey. Any news yet?

N: Yes! She popped!!

S: Yay! Congratulations! (thinking in my head "I wonder if they knew the sex of the baby before it was born?") So is it a boy or a girl? Do you know?

Boxing Day

The family was over on Boxing Day and as it was a lot warmer than Christmas, we were doing all we can to stay cool.

The table is laid and readyMel's favourite gals

Salem sniffing for crumbs

How much prawns can one man eat!? A closer look

Family merriment

Annabel scoring in the gifts department

The family gets into the Wii
Cracking in to her gifts

Christmas Day

It was such a good week past. The past 3 days, we have had friends and family over at our place for lunch, and a barbecue at a friends. Everyone stayed till late for both nights and we even had to bring out the refrigerated leftovers for dinner as people got hungry again.

Amongst the cooking and cleaning and tending to our guests. I surprisingly felt relaxed and satisfied. It is quite unusual for me to feel this way. Usually when I have 12 people over for a sit down cooked meal (not to mention 2 days in a row), I would turn into a control freak and run myself silly making sure that everything was in their exact place. This year, I felt really happy, calm and content. As I looked around and saw all the wonderful friends and family that surround our lives. I cannot help but feel blessed. Really blessed.

And I have my daughter, whom from birth, has made me feel like I am the luckiest and most special person alive.

So in how ever ways you celebrate this beautiful day. May you find all the happiness there is to find.

Annabel making her way to her pile of presents

Salem digging for his gift. A can of Tuna.

Chao time

The folkies The sibs having a go at each other over a game of Wii. The Bestest Evil Santa pick EvER! More WiiAnnabel wearing her Xmas gift from Rina Determination personified

Food Food and more Food

We have such a packed week ahead! The family and some close friends are coming over for lunch on Christmas Day. The rest of the family will be over the day after. And we have a barbeque at a friend's the following day!

I lurve this time of the year.

Merry Christmas every one!

Masquarade Baby Faces on Parade

We were at a party whose dress codes were a mask and cocktail attire. It was so much fun! And I only needed a tiny purse as I need not bother with the make up!!

Hunter Valley & Alicia Keys Weekend Updates

As there are quite a few pictures taken over the weekend, I will leave this entry with mainly pictorial updates.

Wine tasting @ Tower Estate on a crowd free Friday.

If you squint really hard, you will find a tiny fly perched on her noise. Thus the face.Arrowfield Estate Nightingale Estate. Love their ports. Annabel and her favourite man.

Mel cooking breakfast. A Day on the Greens @ Bimbadgen Estate

Me and GenThere were 3 opening acts. Jordin Sparks (below), Lo Rider and some American dude we do not know. Finally. The main act Alicia Keys! If you look really really hard, you may just make her out! No luck? Try this one.Alright than. Shots of the big screen. I have always thought Alicia is beautiful but she is a lot more stunning real life. It is almost unfair how one could embody SO much talent! She is so musically gifted. Her supporting singers are amazing as well. It was an awesome night.

Annabel looking bright and alert just 5 mins before she comatose for the rest of the drive home.

Hunter Valley and Alicia Keys!!

We are off to the hunter this weekend. We will be dining at a 2 chefs hat restaurant, wine tasting, visiting cheese factorys and attending the Alicia Keys concert. My toes are just wiggling with joy as I type! Pictures when I get back.

Have a great weekend!

Xmas cookies

I am SO proud of the fact that I am SO organised this year. *wide smiles*

I try to make my gifts as personal as time allows each year. And because there are quite a few of us and a baby this time round, I decided I'd make the gang yummy butter vanilla cookies.

The Hsu's

The Hsu's have been in our lives for 2 years and are our bible study buddies. We see each other often and have through the couple of years, grown very fond of them. We are also very encouraged by their dedication to the spread of the gospel and have had the privilege of serving along side them in our church. However come December, they will be moving to another church in inner west Sydney as part of their ministry training. We will miss them tremendously.

It has been an honor knowing them and we wish them all the best in the coming years ahead. God speed.

I could not reach for the camera in time and thus the picture. They were exchanging hugs and kisses. Aww.

Annabel's swim class

It has taken me 6 months to take these picture, but nevertheless, here they are. Pictures of Annabel's swim class. Mum was the unofficial photographer.