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.

Ouchie!

Congratulations Tom and Ava!

I love going to weddings. Especially when the groom is one of your close mates, and your hubby is one of the groomsmen. I also enjoy hearing the speeches. Even more so when they are filled with so much love and sincerity.

We are so happy for you both, and blessed to have shared in your joys and celebration. May God keep and bless your marriage always.

Annabel @ 9 months old

Annabel is just 3 months shy from the big 1. I know I have been saying this a lot but I am constantly in awe of how quickly she is growing! And also very aware of how much I must treasure these precious moments. She is starting to crawl and can walk really well when held by both hands now. And since we got her her walker, she has been really keen to try walking on her very own!

She has a total of 4 teeth and can chomp off big pieces of banana. Amongst the many foods she enjoys, yogurt has been her new favourite thing in the world. And if given the chance, I am pretty sure she is capable of eating a full 6 tubs pack.





Annabel has always resembled Mel but of late, I was told by many that she is starting to look like me! I cannot really see the resemblance but I am really happy that she is FINALLY starting to look like mine. Just let one more person tell me how much she looks like everyone else but me..!! GRrrRRr!!

Besides her rapid development in her motor skills. She is also quickly growing into a little girl. Her joyous nature is contagious and just listening to her chuckle would make our day. She loves her Por Por and Gong Gong whom have been caring for her when mummy goes to work. And is also quickly discovering that her Grandparents are a lot more flexible and tolerant when it comes to rules around the house.

Annabel can get very animated and it is a scramble for the camera when it happens.
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Red faced

Ok. A couple of entries ago, I declared that I had passed my accounting exam and that my brains are still "in track".

Looks like I need to go into damage control!

NoooOOoooo!

A week past

My first week at work has come and gone without much fuss. Annabel seems to be adjusting well to the new routine and I am actually enjoying my 3 days away from playing mummy. I am back on a part time basis till next year and I think this arrangment is a good transition for me. I had been off work for 9 months, which really is not a long time at all. But it will be interesting to see how I adept to working life again. I used to be pretty ambitious though not over the top, but I am always ready to push myself over my comfort zone and I don't mind changes nor would I shy away from challenges. I don't think I had lost the drive, but something inside of me is whispering something that seems to be sending me in the opposite direction. I do not know what that is yet, or where it will lead me, but I am excited.

Back to the grind.....

Yes. My hoildays are finally over. Literally. I will be back to the work force come Monday and I am not happy campy. Annabel will be in Mum's care 3 times a week and I will have the remaining 2. It will be a huge adjustment for us both, but I am sure we will be fine.

Bring on the peak hour traffic and pack lunches!

I passed I passed I passed

And with distinctions!!!! Woohoo! My brain is still in tack.

I am sooOoooOoooOooo happy.

5th Wedding Anniversary

So. Yesterday was our 5th wedding anniversary. I cannot believe how fast the years have past! Every year, my husband would give me a traditional anniversary gift that suited the year. The 1st year was paper, to which he brought me out to a big seafood dinner (paper being the receipt I guess). 2nd was cotton. So he got us a luxurious 1000 count Sheridan hotel collection full bed sheet set. For the 3rd, he got me a leather bag. And the 4th was a huge bunch of lilies and champagne roses.

5th anniversary was meant to be wood, to which I was not overly thrilled about. So he decided he'd go modern instead. So we wounded up at Tiffany's to get me some silverware. *EEP* I was so excited because the last time we visited Tiffany's, I left almost hyperventilating after discovering how much we almost spent on a piece of jewellery (it was for my 30th). Needless to say, I left empty handed. I just wouldn't bring myself to to spend that much on a piece of jewellery. Even though it was studded with lots bling bling. Plus, we had just bought our apartment than. It was the sensible thing to do.

However, that was 4 years ago. This time round, I have no problem leaving my better sensible self at the door. *MUHAHAH* But aliais. I was reminded that I had to abide by the wedding anniversary gifts code and that for me this year was silver. So once again, bling bling was not meant to be.

Nevertheless. I was very happy with my little blue baged gift. And the one we both liked had a tiny tiny bling bling on it too. *jump for joy*

Thank you honey! And here is to many more great years to come.

Can you see the bling bling!!??