Bubble-O

A bubble machine for Xmas and some great weather

- boxing day in Curl Curl.

Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve swim in the pool.

The build up this year has been big, barely a day has gone by in December without Scout singing "jinga bells" or Luca asking how many more days until Christmas. The photo with Santa this year did not have to include Kelly or I, Luca asked for a scooter and Scout wanted "ollies" (lollies, candy) and there has been some extraordinary toy putting-away at bed time knowing that Santa is watching.

The big day arrives...

Luca and Scout just before they see the tree and presents.

Luca with the tree.

After seven "get-ups" between us during the night to get Scouty back to sleep, (this is a problem unrelated to Christmas), Kelly and I were dreading Luca's anticipation driven early wake up - but it came at something past 5 in the morning. Somehow Kelly convinced him to wait another 20 minutes in which time he fell back to sleep and we were able to delay the start of festivities until 7:15am.

Scout unwrapping "Snow White" her first "girl" movie.

There was zombie like wide eyes for a few seconds looking at the tree with all the presents, we somehow delayed Luca enough to read Santa's thank you note for the beer, cake and apples we left. The kids loved the present opening, as you would expect, and Luca took great pride when Scout and I opened the presents he had actually chosen for us.

Luca's present for Mark "Tiger Beer"

It was just us this year and it was nice as a change. We took our time opening the presents knowing we were on no schedule to get anywhere else, lunch was mostly leftovers from the delicious Christmas eve turkey dinner that Kelly had made and the afternoon was spent enjoying some nice Sydney, December weather in the pool.

Scout making lunch in the new kitchen Santa brought to her and Luca.

It was as chilled out a Christmas as I've ever had and I have a trail of chilled out Christmas's behind me. We did spend a fare bit of time on the phone to family in Perth and the U.S. and next year we will definitely be spending Christmas with family and we will enjoy it just the same if not more.

Scout and her new baby having a post unwrapping drink.

Our Christmas best wishes to all of our family and friends. Joy to the world.

Merry Christmas

Soccer

Luca has been taking a soccer skills class for the last few months. Today was the last class before the holiday break, not only did Mark make it to the class to watch him score 3 goals (top scorer on his team (to be fair, some of the girls were sitting in the goal on the other side of the field)), he also was told he gets to move up a level next term. He loves his soccer and I couldn't be more proud of the little man!

Of course, he is all decked out in his Chelsea gear, this makes him a big favorite with the coaches! -kel

Summer afternoon

Scout in our garden this afternoon. She is growing up fast and she is cheekier than ever! -kb

School Concert

Mark and I attended Luca's "End of the Year School Concert", Luca didn't sing a note, didn't even open his lips once! We aren't so sure if it was stage fright or distraction, he was totally not in to it. Mark and I had a few good laughs and the kids were really cute. He is growing up quickly, sitting in the seats with all of the parents it made me feel so grown up. Luca had a great year at school, Mark and I could not be more proud, seems like just yesterday we were taking him to his first day. The party afterward was great fun, and Luca had no hesitation participating in the cake eating! Here he is with his good friend Millie after the concert. -kel

The Big Guy hits four

Present opening in bed, cinnamon scrolls for breakfast, a day at "his" beach, more presents in the afternoon and finally fish and chips with Grandma an Grandpa for dinner - a birthday any four year old would be happy with. To celebrate his dual nationality it didn't end there with phone calls and web cam's to family in the U.S. on his "American" birthday the next day.

He is getting bigger and more independent but still Luca is really very little trouble, he is a good, happy, fun kid ... happy birthday mate, we love you.

33

These days it's pretty much impossible to get a family photo with all three of us smiling. For my birthday, Mark and more importantly Luca and Scout indulged me in a few picture taking attempts. Here is the one and only that we are all smiling in. I had a wonderful birthday, enjoyed the beach the fantastic weather, some great pressies and a night out in the city with Mark. This summer birthday stuff is the best, so beats the rainy November nights of the past!

33 sounds old when I say it out loud, but as you all know, Mark makes me feel much younger every time I say his age out loud! -kel

Summer pt I

Ballerina

Scout started Ballet lessons a few weeks ago. While certainly not the most talented ballerina...yet....she loves it, absolutely loves it. I love it too, it's pretty much the funniest thing I've ever seen, she is all thumpy and loud and her attempts at "gracefulness" turn out pretty much exactly the opposite. All of that being said, she has such a great time, is one of the most attentive students and keeps all of the mom's well and truly entertained. -kel

Agapanthus

Some Aussies consider Agapanthus weeds, I however love the flowers. Carefully cultivated in our front garden, they are about to start blooming. -kel

Halloween...A day late

Trick or Treating on November 1st, yup! No it's not some Aussie thing. Luca was so excited for Halloween, all day yesterday talking about trick or treating, planning his route and singing Halloween songs (he made them up). About 3 PM, the flu hit big time, all over the bathroom and all over daddy. Luca had a fever and was not going anywhere. He was seriously bummed as all of the kids were knocking on our door (that he had decorated with jack-o-lanterns and bats).

So....I made a few arrangements with the neighbors, good friends and grandma and grandpa to do a little Trick or Treating today....everyone knows you can Trick or Treat on two days right??? Little did I know it was going to be pouring, and I mean pouring down rain all afternoon today. Would this hold my little Halloweeners back...no way! We went out, in wellies, rain coats, umbrella and we trick or treated. (close your eyes imagine seeing us on the street, a very very funny site, it was raining so hard it was like standing in front of a fire hose) Thank you to all of our lovely friends who made today so special for Luca. As we were walking home, Luca was gripping my hand for dear life as we crossed a raging river that formed on our street, he looked at me and said "this was the best mom, my treats are going to be so yummy." Soaked and all, we had a great time, it will certainly be a story I tell for at least the next 20 years...-kel

Since I don't have an underwater camera...this was the best pic I could get when we were finally home!

The Three Weeds - been down this road before

The food and atmosphere are great and the kids can't cause too much havoc - we love the Three Weeds. The forecast was for rain, it was sunny but we went anyway and had a great time. A good reward for a Saturday of hard work for Kelly and I getting our raised garden beds to the brink of planting.

Rocket Launching is Serious Business

Mad Scientist

Luca and I spent a day at the Powerhouse Museum with a few of his friends. The exhibits were fantastic, best of all Luca got to make slime. -kel

Da da da da da da da da Batman

Things have been feeling pretty safe around here lately with frequent visits from a couple of super heroes.

After a month of hard work Luca filled up his reward chart and the "real" Batman called him to congratulate him and spent the night in our cabana where he left Luca his new Batman suit and few empty beer bottles he took from daddy's beer fridge. Holy Borracho Batman!

More Pacific North West

We dropped in on Kelly’s grandma, Luca and Scout’s great grandma – Grandma Pitt – outside Olympia on the way from Seattle to Portland. Grandma Pitt always puts a good feed on and we get to catch up with Kelly’s cousin’s, uncle’s and aunt’s – I love visiting and always leave very full.

I played navigator for the trip into Portland with Kelly driving and between us we made it to Kelly’s mum’s new place without a hitch. Typical Portland weather though – just like a Sydney winter. We ate well on the entire trip but nowhere better than at Kelly’s mum’s. It’s unusual for me to say something trumps good food and beer but those things were not the highlight in Portland - Phil, Kelly’s step dad was the MVP getting us into the Adidas Co. store with a 50% off coupon. We left with five massive bags of stuff, including 9 pairs of shoes – it was like Christmas or a good dream and I must admit I was a bit dazed and confused walking around the store, slightly overcome with excitement.

We knew Luca and Scout were in great hands, again there would be no missing mum and dad, they weren’t even excited or sad to see us leave – seeya and a wave over the shoulder. We headed off to Steven and Renaun’s wedding in Sisters, Oregon.

I love road trips and although it wasn’t a long drive it was pretty cool going through mountains of central Oregon to get there. We stayed in a house with seven other people for the wedding, it was awesome fun and great catching up with a whole bunch of my Seattle friends. We were there Thursday through Sunday with events every night (one leading to a crazy pitch black walk home across a golf course, which at night seemed like some type of Lewis and Clark adventure but in daylight was all of 200 meters). During the day we did some swimming (horse riding for Kel), lots of sitting around reading, shooting the breeze, watching college football, drinking and eating. The wedding itself was amazing, the backdrop was probably the most spectacular I’ve seen with a lake and twin snow topped peaks (The Sisters) behind it. Lots and lots of dancing and drinking.

The next days was a rush but all for a good reason. Up early and out before the rest of the house was awake, lunch in Portland with Kel’s mum (great take-out burgers), pick up the kids, a quick stop to say “hi” to Gram Pitt on the way through and back to Seattle. That night we went to see Ray Lamontagne in concert – a favourite of Kelly’s, she had been tracking his movements around the world trying to line up a concert and it all worked for us in Seattle. It was superb, totally won me over – it was definitely worth the mad day.

The final adventure, a few nights up in the San Juan’s with Tiff, Jeff and Abe. We stayed on the beach on Decatur Island in a massive beach house. This part was probably the most fun for the kids, they had the run of the place inside and out, we went crabbing which Luca loved (the crab fights between the “keepers” as we threw them down in hole of the boat were his favourite), picked blackberries, went kayaking, rode bikes, saw deer and seal lions and generally chilled out.

A final hurrah a breakfast with a bunch of friends at Pat and Katie Perkin’s beautiful house and then a much more successful and rather uneventful trip home. Sydney is home but Seattle is my second home – I miss it.

New York

We flew into town behind the remnants of a hurricane which left awesome weather for the entire time we were in NY - the only time we complained was on the morning of our arrival when after the red-eye from Seattle we couldn't get into our room for about five hours after our arrival. But all good, we didn't waste a second. We were staying at the "W" on Lex and 50th so while we were waiting for the room we did some exploring around mid town and Kelly even managed a bit of shopping.

The first night we ate at P.J.Clarke's - more of a local place and they do a great burger. A few beers some great pub food - a blast.

Beyond any allowance for time difference we were just happy to sleep in while we were in NY and my mate Matt Malloy caught us on the second morning still in bed at 10am - the funny thing is he called at 11:00 the next day and we were just sitting down for breakfast and he wasn't shy in giving us a hard time.

After our less than early wake up on Sat morning we headed down to Soho and had breakfast at Balthazar. Kelly loves this place, it is a really cool NY bistro in a French style, it is massive. We ate at the bar, which I always enjoy - the food lived up to the hype. The rest of the day we went our separate ways, Kelly to do some intensive shopping while I went to a few galleries and flee markets but I also couldn't resist the shops.

Sunday morning was fun, we headed uptown to Central Park East, great breakfast at this small bistri Viand, a real NY experience. Further north, we were headed to the Whitney and some other shop that Kelly really wanted to go to (I think I have a mental block on the name because it was a bit too much for me). Anyway "the" shop was not open when we got there so we went and listened to the buskers in Central Park for a bit and did some people watching, given the beautiful weather I stayed there while Kelly did some shopping. We then went to the Whitney for a Lee Friedlander photography exhibition - very cool.

My friend Matt had his driver come pick us up and we headed out to his place in New Jersey for the afternoon. Matt and Lacey are awesome, lots of good times with them, so it was a real pleasure to see them. It was Labor Day and we went to a BBQ at some of their friends place. Their friends were really nice and very hospitable, I got a little hammered as did the host and so sometime after the sun had disappeared he took Matt and I on a quad bike ride through the woods that back onto their property. Anyway, at some point we came out of the woods and onto a public road, so you have three drunk guys without helmets and insurance coming face to face with a police car. Long story short - we get a ride back to the party in the police car and lucky the hostess of the party is a local public defender who specialises in representing police - a slap on the wrist and off we went, very lucky. Back to Manhattan that night - but a fun time, although too short, with the Malloys.

Our last day! No wasting time, back downtown on the subway and another beautiful day. We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge with a hoarde of other people. Brought some lunch in a deli in Dumbo and ate by the East River in a cool park. Something a little different and great fun.

By the end of the day we were both looking forward to getting back to see Luca and Scout. We had spoken to them and knew we were hardly missed, Luca getting to sleep in a fort (aka cardboard white goods box) in the lounge room the entire time we were away. Don't know if we can top that one.

Seattle

It was hard to look too far ahead to the great time I knew we all were going to have when we had about twenty hours of flying and layovers ahead of us with Luca and Scout. Luca was great on the long haul from Sydney to San Fran but Scouty was a bigger issue, she didn't sleep for the first 10 hours of the trip and it was with significant creativity and patience that Kelly and I somehow kept her occupied enough not to disrupt anyone else. We had a four hour layover in San Fran which was too much for Luca, we now had two tired, bored and disoriented kids to get across the line. Thank goodness we were flying Virgin America to Seattle, the super gloss white interior with blue neon lighting allowed Luca to convince himself he was on a space ship and Scouty finally just crashed. Seattle! We made it.. all luggage and people in tact.

We invaded Kelly's sister's place and now we were in town things just kept getting better with Tiff and Jeff having a case of cold Pacifico ready followed by dinner from Red Mill. Ohh yeaah!

Thinking back I am confused about the exact shopping order but I know Kelly hit the trifector of U.Village, The Rack and the Marysville outlets all in the first two days. We were already eyeing a new suitcase to carry the stuff home and we had only been in the U.S three days.

On Saturday afternoon I caught up with some good mates Bret Anderson and Chris DiRe, with Bret arranging tickets to the Sounders game. Football (soccer) in Seattle has become a huge deal, I enjoyed the game but better still was the chance to catch up with a bunch of friends. A quick stop into Cowgirls Inc. after the game was amusing. The next day we spent the afternoon with Chris DiRe and his wife Barb - I miss my friends in Seattle even more than the food and beer, some quality, quality people.

The following week saw us hit some of our favourite food options, some more than once (Dick's), go to the aquarium, do even more shopping but mostly hang out with Kelly's family and get to know Luca and Scout's new cousin Abe. Uncle Jeff worked a miracle with Luca who was totally fearful of dogs, getting him to become great friends with their dog Gus. Scouty took great delight in using the sternest voice she could muster to tell Gus to "sit" or "vacuum" (clean the floor) - as much as I can imagine Tiff and Jeff were happy to get their house back when we left I bet Gus was even more relieved to be rid of Scout.

Seattle is full of great memories and some even more special than others. Part of the reason for coming to the US at this time of year was so that we could make it to our friends Steven and Renaun's wedding and we had a fun night out with them at La Carta Oaxaca in Ballard. An awesome restaurant (the food was even better than I remember), but even more important to Kel and I it was venue for our first ever date.

We visited some cool playgrounds and I took Luca to see my old house and to Gasworks Park. It was great to show the kids around and have time to spend with them, the only downside is it gets harder to catch up with people at night.

The end of the week and we headed north to Burlington where Kelly did much of her growing up. I know Kel enjoyed showing the kids around a little bit to add a bit of balance given we live in the middle of where I grew up and see every school I went to on a weekly basis.

While Scouty and Luca bonded with their grandparents Kelly and I relaxed on shuttle back to Seattle on our way to four kid free days in Manhattan.

Kangaroo

It was a sunny Sunday morning, about as warm as a hot summer day in Seattle, so we headed out to the zoo. The kids had a blast petting the kangaroo and sheep, touring the new Tasmanian Devil exhibit and having a picnic with amazing harbor views. Just as Mark and I commented on the amazing weather, the sky darkened, the temp dropped by 3 degrees C and a big thunder/hail storm ensued! A quick dash through the zoo and we got to the car just in time, a bit wet but giggling none the less. -kel

Fashionista Pt.II

As Kelly said in "Fashionista" our girl is developing a style all of her own, and god help you if you try and change the clothes she wants to wear! Winter Parkwear 2010.

Bordeaux

Some times you just have to be happy with a small win - I got to spend a week in Bordeaux for work swapping the middle of winter for the middle of summer. I missed Kel and the kids the whole time, but rather than missing home I was wishing they were with me, they all would have had a blast.

Bordeaux is basically all UNESCO World Heritage listed, it is beautiful (see a few of the snaps). We stayed in the centre of town so it was a week of cafes and pastries, seafood rather than snails and some OK Bordeaux red. A small side trip out to the beach in Arcachon, which was significantly different to the Sydney beach experience.

In all a long way to go for the week but I'd take again next winter without any complaints, I'd just take Kelly along.

Builders

After reading this blog post today, Luca and Scout thought they better get to work practicing their building skills for our upcoming visit to casa de Christianson. You just never know when the "newly accredited LEED professional" will put them to work. -kel

A day on the train

Luca and Scout don't get to ride public transport that often and we know from the few times we have done it that Luca, probably like most little boys, loves riding the bus, train and ferry. We had a couple of errands to run in the city so for something different we caught the train in across the Harbour Bridge. We don't live on the train line so it is a little out of the way but any small inconvenience was well worth it to watch Luca's reaction - he hasn't stopped telling us how "SUPERFAST" the train travelled and he was absolutely enthralled the whole way there.

Stinky Feet

Luca has taught Scout all kinds of things...how to ask for more, how to give hugs, how to smell her feet. Yep that's right super handy and useful, Luca has her smelling her stinky feet on daily basis. I can only imagine the tricks he will be teaching her in the future. -kel

Rainy weekends

It's been nothing but rain, rain, rain here for the last three weeks. When I say rain, I mean pouring down soaked to the bone rain the second you step outside rain. Rain in Sydney, nothing like rain in Seattle!

The rain stopped last Sunday for all of an hour, Mark and Luca took advantage and headed out for some exploring. They came home full of smiles, a bit wet and faces covered in chocolate "whiskers".

Forecast for this weekend....rain! -kel

Fashionista

She is developing a style all her own!

Auckland, New Zealand

May has been a busy month. We've been up to all sorts of craziness, the weather has changed to non-stop constant pouring rain making getting two kids in and out of the car a serious challenge, Mark's started winter swimming and I've been traveling for work.

Last week I was in Auckland, New Zealand for business. Coincidentally one of the girls who works for me was also there the same week conducting our annual stock count at DHL. I extended my trip by one day to experience the stock take first hand. In the past I've had the pleasure of sitting in the office and signing off the final figures, not this time. I was harnessed up to a forklift and sent to count on the highest shelf, about 3.5 stories high in the warehouse. It was pretty amazing, the DHL team thought we were crazy with all of the photos I took, but here are a few. Seriously we were really really high and it was a bit scary. The stocktake was successful, we practiced our New Zealand accents ate pineapple lumps and even had enough time for a quick shopping trip before crossing the Tasman to come home! -kel

Mothers Day

A beautiful day, casual lunch, play at the park and two adorable kids. I was even spoiled with a lovely new necklace. We had a fantastic Mothers Day. -kel

Hanging on the Porch

Saturday while Mark mowed the lawn the kids watched from the porch. They had a snack and were playing so happily together. I tried to capture this moment on film...I have so becoming the annoying Mommy saying "smile...smmmmiiiiilllleee...Luca, Scout look at mommy, over here...smile." I gave up after about 50 shots, thank goodness for digital cameras! -kel

Easter 2010

After a casual Easter morning at home, a walk to the park and a beautiful day in Sydney we headed to a friends house for the mothers group Easter Egg Hunt. The Easter Bunny left foot prints marking the way, Luca and Scout both filled their baskets and had a blast. Happy Easter wishing you and your family all the best! -kel

Pearl Beach

It's been ages since we have had a weekend getaway. Kelly and her friend Katie found a great place at Pearl Beach on the Central Coast of NSW about 90 minutes from where we live. The Central Coast has grown with a lot of people commuting to Sydney however Pearl Beach has somehow remained largely immune to these changes and is an isolated area, very leafy, with no shops other than the local cafe and filled with weekenders.

The weather was superb for this time of year, 29 degrees C (I think that equates to the high 80's F) so we spent a lot of time walking to grab coffee's and checking out the neighborhood, playing in the yard of the place we rented and swimming at the beach.

Our friends Dieter and Katie have two boys who are a couple of years older than Luca but who are great at including him so he had a blast and got to sleep in the room with them. Scouty just had a lot of new exploring to do and was racing everywhere. Great food (thanks Kel) and great company, a relaxing way to spend a weekend while not being so far from home.

Breaking in the new picnic blanket

Over the last couple of years Kelly has made some awesome quilts and it pains me each time she gives one away. We get to keep the newest one and on Sunday we gave it a run with a picnic at our favourite Harbour spot.

Although we are now well into fall, summer really hasn't left and we are still getting days (weeks) in the 90's. Great weather for an early morning visit to the zoo before heading off for our picnic. The kids love the zoo and because we only see a small amount each time they get to see new things quite often. One place we always visit is the farm animals and petting zoo - this week they both got to pat rabbits and blue tounge lizards.

The blanket got a good workout, ants and all, and mummy and daddy got an even better workout keeping Scout out of mischief.