Oh how cute!!

Aren't children always more 'angelic' when they're sleeping? I'm sure all mothers would appreciate the rarity of a 2 and 4 year old sleeping like this with each other. Hence, why I took the photo!

In Loving Memory of Beverly Ann Govan 20.8.1968 - 15.5.2006

Matt and Bev met at college only four years ago. They had been through so much together in such a short time.

Bev was the best Mum. I was often uncomfortable as a mum around her because I felt so slack compared to her. She would have done anything for Josh.

(Above) Bev adored her boys Matt and Josh (at Joshy's 2nd Birthday).

Yesterday would have been Bev's Birthday.

Bake Off

So we haven't roasted marshmallows yet. But we did bake cookies if that counts. Shape cookies. With chocolate 'fairy poo'. 66 of them! Ben was so exhausted by the whole process that he fell asleep on the floor. Joel enjoyed double dinner by himself.

The rest of the weekend

So on Sunday we went to two different churches. Rich 'preached it up' at Hamilton and I took the kids to Bel-Air (via 130 Garden Grove Pde, Adamstown). I was on creche but snuck a peak in the back door long enough to watch the kiddies do their thing. And Joel as well (who's too young and had no idea of what to do, but it meant Ben could hide behind him.

So Exciting!!

Hey. Last night our church agreed to go ahead with the purchase of a new building. 8 years ago we started talking about it. 6 weeks ago we found a suitable property. 11 days ago we asked for pledges to the value of 1.1 Million dollars. 5 days ago everyone form church went to see the building and got very excited. As of last night we had over $1.1 Million and it's still coming in. Praise be to our faithful God and go you Belairians. Thanks to a brave leadership for standing up with a big-God-idea and I know I can't wait to move in 14 months! Yah!

Saturday's Sightseeing

So when we did finally get up and out the door, we had a very yummy, big breakfast with a beautiful view over Stockton sand dunes and the Harbour

(which I hope you can make out).

We piled into the cars and went sightseeing. Of course the footies came everywhere we went! We chose Andrew and Devina. Which meant Grandpa and Grandma had Ben and Joel! We headed into town and...kicked the footy!

When we'd had enough footy, we drove around some more in an attempt to convince our visitors to move to Newy rather than Sydney. We went to a great park called Blackbutt Reserve which is not only free, but you can see koalas there. (And much closer than at Taronga or Dubbo.) See if you can spot the tourists.

We went for lunch down to the Bay (Warners Bay). Had a few $1 Darby's Pies by the water and.....(you guessed it,)

...played some more footy.

We came back and put the two little ones down for a sleep. Before our visitors went back to Sydney. Rich showed them his office and played a few tunes on his guitar. A free show!

Why let Daddy do all the showing off? Our 4 1/2 year old can ride without training wheels now!! Go Ben!

Sorry it's taken so long to post this page.

Friday at our place

Friday morning started with the usual cleaning routine in readiness for up to 15 children for Bible Study. We get out some toys and different activities like colouring and playdough (which I found in the fireplace the other week).

One of the upsides of Bible Study. Cake leftovers! Friday afternoon was a lot quieter however.

Ben had to promise to have a sleep so he could go to the Knights game. On Friday Afternoon Richard's parents and Brumy (from Birmingham, England) cousins came up for the weekend. Andrew and Divina are looking to emigrate over here. Came this time (2nd visit in a year) to check if they def. want to move here. I think they do. The only choice now is Sydney or Newcastle. No competition in our eyes! Rich had a few guitar lessons before we walked to the club for a quick dinner.

Andrew and Joel deciding on drinksH2O for everyone. Some golden water? A little colouring in to pass the time.

Then the boys left us and we had some yummy dessert. We walked home and chattered til they returned. Manly won. But that's o.k. when you're going for both teams just in case.

Daddy bought the boys a footy each. This is Ben with his.

And Joel with his and Grandpa.

Hence it was a late night.

Next chance I get I'll let you know what fun things we did over the rest of the weekend. Except to say that I was first up. We slept in til just after 7:30 (those with small children will understand what I mean) and we were late for our 8 o'clock breakfast booking at the hotel. Surprising that I was first up. The text I sent woke up Rich's Dad who is usually the first in Narraweena to the bakery and newsagency. Whistling as he goes! Was it the comfy bed orthe late night with our boys?

This is me after I had my hair done. I took photos because I am unco-ordinated when it comes to hair dryers and brushes at the same time. I knew it would never look the same way again.

This is me and Rich. We met during High school at youth group and while we haven't always been best friends, we are these days. Toby Joel Ben