Jack Henry Arrives!

Jack was born on the 7th of December 2010. He was 3 days early and I'd been having a few contractions the weekend before. The labour was the worst yet, but the delivery the best. I felt really good afterwards except for a sore back ( from labour) and just so tired from not sleeping through the night. We both looked at him and said oh he is SOOO cute! And he really was (is) cute. the first 8 weeks were really unsettled with Jack - reminding me very much of his big sister. He cried a lot and wouldn't sleep at all really even with me. He seemed to have reflux and colic and also some really bad colds. The other two kids got a bad tummy bug and I think he may have caught it. BUT he has settled down now and although he still only sleeps in small spurts (occasionally he'll go 5 hours overnight) he is much happier. Kelsea and eamon LOVE jack and shower him with love and kisses constantly. Eamon often goes right up to his face and goes in a sweet voice "hiiiii Jaaack" super cute. Kelsea is a little mum and has even changed a nappy already - or rather put on a clean one and his clothes! We took forever to come up with his name but we are really happy with it now! (I had a hundred names that Jared didn't like!!!)

O Christmas Tree

we went Christmas tree hunting at the end of November. As usual it took a long time but twas fun and filled the air with the scent of the festive season.

Logging Contractors Hall of Fame

In October I travelled to the Grand Chancellor in Launceston and met up with Stan, James, Amy, Nan, Aunty Delsa, Uncle Robert, Uncle Rick & Aunty Pam and Uncle Lane & Aunty Christine. We were attending the Australian Logging Contractors Hall of Fame dinner. Over 200 Australians were honoured with an award in 2010. Dad was one of them. There was over 200 loggers, saw millers and industry workers and their families there. It was great to hear the stories of men who' worked so hard. I was particularly impressed by an man who honoured all the wives who had put so much work and time and endured so much stress and worry.

Dad was one of a handful of Logging Contractors who were honoured with a posthumous award.

The guy hosting the event just read out every other recipients name but when he came to dad he had a huge spiel to give. It was fantastic to hear the stories from dads work mates. He said that if ever there was a massive tree that needed cutting down (sorry all you conservationists out there this isn't a tree friendly post!) that the only person in the state that could manage it was dad. Another story told of him racing down the roads to work with the chainsaw on the back seat of his charger. I Hvae forgotten most of what was said except the same guy came out with some pretty dicey jokes towards the end of the evening. And there was a general feeling of disgust surrounding antything to do with Gunns. ( sorry any gunns workers!!)

All in all I am glad I went. Dad got a big certificate and all those years of hard hard work have been remembered.

Kelsea's 4th birthday

Kelsea had a blast on her fourth birthday. Some cousins came up and spent the saturday before having fun making crowns and hanging out together, while dad and Uncle James put together the masterchef kitchen that they all brought for Kelsea, she was very excited about it and has used it so much since (so has Eamon)!

The three girls - all very strong willed and they need to be with all the boys surronding them!!

The birthday cake was of course barbie. Kelsea loves barbies and anything girly/princessy. The cake was so easy really and all that didn't work was the icing - must learn how to make it correctly.

The happy birthday girl.

Hanging out with some of her ''watson" cousins. They all get along pretty well and Jarod and Liam are so good with the little ones. Kelsea has a special bond with Liam - she just loves him and thinks he is the cheekiest person in the world and often comments on his cheekiness (boy with head down is Liam).

Kelsea loved having this mini party and was so happy they came - she always is asking for people to come or to go to her friends or cousins house. Hope they are all great friends as they grow up even though they live so far away.

2010- {c} the NEW place

So we moved from dark damp and depressing suburbia to bright warm and happy beach town! You can seriously just breath the serenity and living so close to the shore means that you feel like your on permanant holidays - though i avoid the beach due to one very active fast 2 year old who lOVES to run into the water and hide from his mum and dad. (can't run too fast with a tubby 4 month old!!). Dishwashers are great, i just LOVE this one, and I also LOVE heat pumps - so nice to be warm after the last two years being SO cold getting chilblains and all the viruses. We are really grateful everyday to be living here. Sometimes when its raining really hard and I am a little bit over having lots of kids in bed - I think rebecca jsut be grateful you arén't out in that rain and wind - imagine trying to sheild your kids in that. It made me think of the saints as they went west of the mothers trying to keep their babies warm in those terrible snow storms with no protection. We don't know how easy we have it hey!

2010 - {b} Last pics in old place

Some random pics from the old place.... kids on swings and being cheeky at dinner.... don't miss the cold dampness there........kelsea sick again with chest infections and asthma....not missing the mold that may have caused that {and Jareds pneumonia - how random is that in January of all months?!} helping make cakes...and finding out that a "climber" not only refers to a plant!!

2010 - {a} Wood cutting

Wood cutting as a family ( well mum was jsut pretty much taking photos and freaking out about Eamon touching the chainsaw - what can you do though - its in his blood!) Jared LOVES cutting would - especially if he gets to fall a tree - he gets as excited as a kid in a candy store. I don't mind chopping would either - though haven't done it for a while. Jared is really missing it - but excitedly told me he is going to be helping his brother get wood soon...something about big boys and big toys ..........