February

February was busy for us, amongst work and teaching school swimming, we still had time for some family fun!

Steve's latest idea was his 'Blo Kart' or Land Yacht, 

seeing as a brand new one was a little expensive, Steve set to work creating his own

putting it together 

Ready to go!

Unfortunately on its maiden voyage there didn't seem quite enough wind....

But the boys had fun all the same..

Even if it was drilling sand!

I entered myself into the Kingston Trialthon in the Olympic Course consisting of a 1500m swim, 40km ride & 10km run.

 That morning Toby decided to enter the 4km fun run as well! I was completely unprepared for that so he ran the 4km barefoot! 

AND came 5th! I came 2nd in my age group

We both were very proud of our effort!

 Finishing off February nicely was Lucy & My Birthday

Animal cakes all round in the form of a Horse for Lucy & Frog for me. 

Sorry I have no other pictorial evidence.... stay tuned for Ma ma's blog!

Christmas, Birthdays and the Beach!

Christmas 2015 was full of fun, family, laughter and love. 

We spent the hot Christmas morning with the Excell family and then ventured over the border to Ma Ma's & Pa's for fun with the Heinrich's

Water fun was on the agenda, so it was time to strip off and fill those balloons!!

Lucy was content with the bucket....

"if I put my hands here I'm all in!'

Boxing day was at our house with all the Altus clan, Old Pa with all his great grandies

The next morning we packed up the car, ute, trailer and caravan and headed off to the beach!

No sooner had we unpacked it was time for the birthdays to begin....

Toby was first cab off the rank with his 7th

Tip truck cake

Checking out his presents....

Finished off the day with a pizza tea 

Rent-a-crowd (aka us) went onto the next party....

Jacqui's 8th at the local park

As previously stated - the Altus Rent-a-crowd

Matt's milestone of 40 years on this earth made for the next celebration

A few days break then it was Relle's turn

Rounding off with Old Pa & Uncle David's

Amongst all the birthdays we filled our days at the shack with many an activity.....

 Stories.....

Milkshakes

and more milkshakes.... 

 Finding a pile of dust & dirt.... 

walks...

drives.....

more stories....

many a game of Uno

photo bomb Davy

 Rory in the toy box

a neighbourly game of badminton between cousins

 umpired precisely by more cousins!

Feeding the masses each night...

and a bit of down time before bed, ready to start it all over again!

At times it was chaotic, loud, noisy, messy, and at times outright bedlam, but we loved every inch of it and can't wait to do it all again!