Tatum's 21st Birthday

I remember Kevin receiving a phone call on the mobile phone whilst we were on our way back from Canberra..."you have a new niece!!!" It is amazing to think that 21 years have gone by. Tatum  has spent those years well becoming an intelligent, hard working and confident young woman.


Her parents, Fiona and Craig hosted the party in the Penthouse at The Bellagio Hotel in Collaroy. Good thing for us, Tatum's friends and collegues are chefs! (and her mother is a pretty incredible cook herself!)

Chef's in the kitchen...that's what I like to see...

Miss Tatum

Aunt Nina...

Janette Beilby

Jennifer

Abby...

Cooper

Patrick

Michele

Jo and Tatum

Girlfriends

Love my Cuz!

Cousin James

Cousin Anna

What Now??? Brush-Turkeys.....

In the 30 years I've lived in Sydney, I have never seen a Brush-Turkey...until now. Not only that, they are wandering through my yard. I guess I will have my own personal menagerie pretty soon.

Green Fingers.....More Like Green Bugs!!!

In Oregon I had to compete with slugs and little sunshine but here in Sydney, my tomato plants have battled storms, wild winds, blazing sunshine, possum attacks and now scary green bugs! Not much I can do about the weather. I have Naphthalene out to keep the possums away. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep these pesky green creatures away from my fruit????

Rainbow Lorikeets In My Yard!

One things I LOVE about being back in Sydney, is the wildlife. It is abundant, beautiful, creepy, scary and I am constantly in awe!


This morning I found a family of Rainbow Lorikeet's devouring the spidery flowers on the Grevillea tree that overlooks our deck. I spent a few days hanging around so that they would become accustomed to my presence and then a bit more getting them used to my camera. I love having them visit. They make the cutest sounds (unlike the vulgar Cockatoo's).

Halloween Sydney Style

Caitlin's favourite holiday of the year but sadly a tradition that has not really adopted by Sydneysiders. We still prepared and decorated but there were few knocks on our door and fewer places to visit. Maybe next year we will rally our neighbours into participating and making McLean Ave the place to be at Halloween.

Amazing Moon - Just In Time For Halloween

Just in time for Halloween, the Sydney sky put on a spectacular display showing the moon in all it's glory.

Things To Do In Sydney - Luna Park Fun

A terrific location, my kids really enjoy this day out. A few rides and sideshow attractions entertain them whilst I get to take photo's of Sydney Harbour! Today we are here with the Lane Cove Swim Club with whom the kids swim.

Brandon is on the farthest left

Caitie and Pat are 2nd and 3rd left

Caitie and Pat having way too much fun!

Whilst the kids had fun, I had a little fun of my own. You can view the images on my photo blog...

Caitlin's New Hair Style...

Long and a little out of control!

I just loved Caitie's hair before the cut. Long and wavy and cute little highlights that framed her face. 


Under the care of our good friend and stylist extraordinaire, Rinda Johnson, it always looked lovely and well looked after. 


Since moving to Oz, Caitlin's hair took a turn for the worse. Dried out with giant matts that made even the most patient hairdresser cringe, a change was in order. Something a little easier to keep.


For this photo session, we went to a street that overlooks Chatswood Golf course for its wild grass.


What we were not expecting were crazy Magpies swooping down and nipping us on the head. Apparently this is a nesting area for the creatures and they vehemently protect their eggs and young.

Father's Day on Picturesque Sydney Harbour

After a lovely breakfast, kind of cooked by the kids, we played around taking snapshots of Kevin with the kids.


Unfortunately, Cooper wasn't able to make it as his wisdom tooth was impacted (and is still) and he was in a great deal of pain.

We couldn't resist the glorious weather and the call of Sydney Harbour. This time we drove to North Head where we did a short, windy walk around the head with views toward the South Head and City.


We were hoping to bump into a Bandicoot but the only wildlife we came across this time was a Blue Tongue Lizzard and a Whip Bird.  Click here to listen to the sound it makes, it's very cool!