Our New Life in the Country

Well we successfully moved!!!

Despite the house being full of boxes (and still somewhat so now...), in the first few weeks we tried to find some normality by starting the day with a morning walk around the pond. Mt Beauty is nestled into the end of the Kiewa Valley and one finds themselves surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Australia. Biased I know!

We love it and Ferg does too...

The Move to Mt Beauty

Well at the end of October Duane, Ferg and I packed up our house in Malvern Road and headed up to the High Country to call Mt Beauty home.

Our departure was met with mixed emotions as we left our little house of the last three years, our wonderful community and all our local stores (Turner & Lane, Third Earth, Tas Ka, the Milk Bar, Pink & Sons, Miguel's, Patrick Davey and not forgetting our miniature Mitre 10). I will miss our walk up to Elizabeth St park and smelling the old world gardens hidden behind camellias that remind me so much of Gran. I will miss the sound of the trams that are so uniquely Melbourne. I will miss our dear friends. I will miss the support of my Mothers Groups and gorgeous new mothers and babies. But most of all I will miss my family.

But as I have said, now many times, we are just up the road. Albeit a very long road, but within reach all the same.

Ferg amazingly slept all the way!

UMG - Kylie's Garden

Our super groovy and talented host, Kylie.

The UMG met again, this time at Kylie's house. We had a glorious lunch in the garden and overdosed on lots of sugary treats!!!

Kylie's cupcakes and Kerrie's meringues were so delicious.

The UMG tribe taking over Kylie's garden.

Don't you love laid back babies...

Mummy, I love this retro rocker! It's just like the one you had. Can I get one, please...maybe I should ask Granny...hmmm

Duane in London

En route home, Duane managed to squeeze in a quick trip to London to visit the Taylors. Here he is with his god son Freddie. Gosh he has grown up since his last visit to Australia!!!

Beautiful Bryony!

Tommy

Bryony wouldn't let Duane leave without teaching the boys how to make Anzacs.

Who doesn't like golden syrup!

The finished product.

The boys then scheduled a play date in the garden and made this super duper water contraption. First animal into the bucket wins!

Phil and one for the ladies!!!

Ferg and I were very envious and will ensure we are in toe next time...

Duane in Austria

The office for the week just outside Innsbruck in the Alps.

Duane was invited by Swarovski to trek the Alps in search of Chamoix. He later discovered that he and his companion were in fact the first Australians to do so. Only 10 invitations are extended each year, so it was quite a unique experience!

Duane and his guide, Manfred.

Glassing the Alps for Chamoix.

Manfred suggests its time for a break, a wee glass of schnapps on the balcony no less. Duane could get used to Austrian tradition I think!

Finally the chamoix!

Cuz Cuz

Phoebe and Ferg finally meet!

and then get to know each other a little better...along with little Sam, this is all good practice Pheo!

The Many Faces of Ferg

A glorious day in the sun (in Ballarat of all places!) with Aunt Sarah. Fergus was showing us some of his many facial expressions. We love the last one!

Helping Hands

Whilst Duane has been away I've had the pleasure of some helping hands. Granny and Great Gran have been keeping Ferg and I company and busy! In fact we have hardly been home, hence why I have not posted a blog in a while.

Whilst waiting to see our maternal health nurse at McArthur St Malvern, Gran bumped into a very old friend! Doris and Gran were two of the very first volunteers to provide respite for parents with special needs children. A program that is still running today, some 30 years later. Doris almost fell over to learn Gran was 99!!!

After I met with the UMG at Fed Square, Mum and Gran braved a cold and wet day and ventured into town so that we could go and see the Salvador Dali exhibition.

It was extensive and to be honest a little exhausting. It didn't help that I had to resort to using the babybjorn to carry Ferg whilst trying to use my audio tour, push the buggy and tackle the crowds to see anything. All that aside it was fabulous!

Spring Sunshine

It was a surprisingly warm and sunny day today (albeit a little windy) and we quickly took the opportunity to play outside and soak up some sun.

Aunt Lottie & Ferg

Mummy & Ferg

Fergilicious!!!

Millie loved having us all in the garden, although wouldn't give up her ball to play with us!

Splish Splash

Bath time has become super fun for Fergus in the past couple of days and I have tried to capture a series of him wriggling around. These were taken yesterday, however, tonight he has perfected straightening his arms and legs at the same time enabling him to lift his bottom up, creating a BIG splash when he pulls his legs back in. He enjoyed doing this so much that that he did it continually and I had to mop the floor! It was wonderful to see him get so excited and he had me in stitches!!!

Afternoon Tea with the Berry Girls

Ferg and I were lucky enough to have the Berry Girls pop over for a spot of afternoon tea. We had lemonade, little sandwiches and quiches and of course pink cupcakes!

It was the first opportunity we had had to catch up since Jane, Molly and Phoebe had returned from the UK and of course their first cuddles with Fergus. We had lots of fun and can't wait to do it again soon.

Phoebe showing us her finest manners, she and Molly could easily have tea with the Queen!

Fergus with his new favourite toy, his hands...gosh he is noisy little boy at the moment!

Congratulations!

.Congratulations to Steve and Linda who announced the surprise arrival of Allira Jai Sayers at 00:22am on 6th September (Fathers Day), albeit a wee 6 weeks early and weighing 2 kilos. Mummy and Daddy are great and tiny Allira is doing extremely well!

Much love to the new little family Xx

Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day!

Fergus and I went on an adventure last week and went and made a Fathers Day present to remember. On the recommendation of our friends Kylie and Lila we had two little plates fired with Fergus' footprints. Very cute!!!

The finished products...

Unwrapped!

Daddy enjoying his breakfast!

My First Cold & Baby Shower

Who would have thought that this bright eyed bushy tailed possum hardly slept a wink last night! Ferg is suffering from his first cold and after visiting Dr. Crompton we are hoping a combination of children's Panadol and Dimetapp will help him (and Mummy) rest easily tonight.

Before we could even contemplate the thought of bed, we popped over to Linda's baby shower. Great company and lots of lovely little treats made for a wonderful afternoon. Six weeks and counting until little Miss Sayers arrives and we can hardly wait!

Thank you Amanda & Linda Xx