Anne with a friend 

Anne at Pacific Fair 

Anisia and Anne 

O'Reilly's

Cheyne and Mel on the treetop walk at O'Reilly's in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Feeding the birds is always fun, and probably the main attraction, or I should say the main reason that you would go up that terribly windy road at least.

Mmmm new bag, very nice

This was a special gift from Fay for my birthday.......a bag all the way from her recent trip to China. I really didn't mind the fact that Fay bought it for herself and thought it was a little too out there for her. I've been using it every day!!! Shpanks!

Just for you Neish and Ellie

Oops...... I have been a bit naughty with you both away and I did buy some things.....but you can borrow them if you want. Dad did pick out the necklace and matching earrings, so how could I not say... yes thankyou that's nice!!!!

Ooooooh and there's some nice shoes too from shop at Harboutown.

Cheyne & Mel

Cheyne and Mel enjoyed their trip to Queensland. Cheyne hadn't been back here since leaving for Ayers Rock and Central Australia in 2001, so it was quite a nostalgiac trip. They arrived Christmas Day and spent a day at Movieworld, a day at Australia Zoo (crikey) and yes they did see Steve Irwin, and a day in the Gold Coast hinterland (O'Reilly's). Both decided that they definitely do not like windy roads in a mini-bus, some fear of heights becoming more apparent on the treetop walk, and yes Kevin was swinging those ropes.......

Paper planes?????

On a recent visit to South Australia, at which time we celebrated Kevin's 50th birthday, we had a celebration evening at Marg's (Kevin's MUM). We all drew on our childhood expertise and mis-spent schooldays and engaged in a paper plane making and throwing competition. Some clearly had more expertise than others......our dear friend Graham is poised for a record breaking attempt across the lounge room, over the bodies of numerous rellies, across 2 lounges and into the depths of the lounge room curtains at the other end. Alas....his plane took a nose dive!!!! But there were plenty of advisors, and others who thought their planes could make the distance.

Pelicans

This is a photo that was sent to us by Debbie on a CD. She sent a compilation of photos of some important events of 2005. Debbie is a very keen photographer and likes to take photos of local scenery, and particularly the beautiful River Murray (Australia's largest river which runs through the area that I grew up in), so this is a touch of nostalgia.................

Some Joshua pics

This is Joshua aged 3 . Anisia is Joshua's Godmother, and just adores him. Joshua now loves to talk to us all on the phone, is very sociable, communicates well, and has a great vocabulary. Sorry Jordan W. (new son-in-law to be) BUT Joshua thinks he has enough uncles.....that really leaves you and Anisia out in the cold then!!!!!
I hope you heard the story from Rikki.
Pictured also are the Nuriootpa Lamberts, Ross and Cathy's 3 girls, Shannon, Regan and Jordan, photo taken on a camping trip along the River Murray, South Australia.

Four randoms???

Walking down some unknown Adelaide street on their way to an auspicious occasion methinks....

Marg and the rellies...

You may recognise Stan and Des Moss from Renmark, Nancy Dolling and Debbie (Kevin's sister) from Berri, South Australia

Nomination for Australian of the Year

Marg Lambert (aka mother-in-law)
was nominated for the prestigious Australian of the Year award, and attended a ceremony at Government House in Adelaide late 2005. She was nominated for her extensive community work, particularly with the disabled community of the Riverland, South Australia.

Get together for Cheyne & Mel

Cheyne & Mel visited us for Christmas 2005, and we invited a few people over for a BBQ....Linda & Noby, Krystal & Jackson, Tony & Becky, and Jenny & Kevin....was a great night

Good pic Yes????

Hellooooooooooooooooo
This is we....the Mamaamamaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa and the Diddy Kongooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

23rd December 2005

Lubs you all ...... spishly our very spish people ....you know who you are!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sam and Selina

Selina....the day before she turned 30. We are very thankful for their special friendship....this was a lovely night out at Chiang-Mai-Thai Broadbeach, Qld.

Last glimpse of the Christmas dinner before we gobbled it All up

Mmmmmmm...Prawns on the Barbie

Barbecue Chilli Prawns compliments of Jenny Lotz, and BBQ-er extraordinaire Kevin Lambert........we can definitely recommend these.

What a great Aussie Christmas........36degrees. Praise the Lord for aircon!!!!!

Yeah Dale

Dale wants you all to know his phone number...he is a very handsome, available, 23year old who is just adorable once you get to know him.
Ok here it is.....04040687841 so he'll be expecting your call!!!!

A lean Christmas yes??????

The new V&B Miss Desiree glasses to match the other few V&B glasses that we have....these are for our Amarula....
AND a barometer/thermometer/clock from R&K&J.
Rikki & Kristin are in Melbourne for Christmas this year with Kristin's family.

More fun on Christmas Day

Notice Kevin's new Tahitian shirt, and drinking Tahitian beer......thanks to Leiny

More of Christmas Day

Check out our Turkey Bon Bons from Leonards....very very yummy.
We are still eating at this point, since have had pudding, afternoon tea and now some more nibblies..........
This is Jenny and Kevin Lotz, our very special Queensland friends who we love to share our Christmas Days with......

Cheyne and Mel

This was a special day for us to have Cheyne and Mel share Christmas with us all.

Christmas Day 2005

A very special day with special friends. Cheyne and Mel arrived just before lunch, our special friends Jenny and Kevin and Dale brought beautiful prawns and cocktails to share, Sam and Selina going for a record Christmas Days in a row with out family.....they are part of our family and we love them and they can NEVER move from the Gold Coast.

Hello beautiful Anisia and Ellie.....we love you and are missing you VERY much
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Love Mamamamamamaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

23rd December 2005

This is at Chiang-Mai-Thai at Broadbeach before we went to Conrad Jupiters (Tempo Rouge) to see the new show with Sam and Selina. Wow, it was great!!!!! First time I've seen a 'live' contortionist....oh my gosh, he put himself in this very small glass box and then into a bottle, and his joints moved in ways that is 'WRONG"!
At then end of the table is lovely Leiny from Tahiti (chaperone teacher to a group of Tahitian kids), who is staying with us for three weeks till January 6th. We also had a complementary birthday cake for Selina who was30 the next day........Happy Birthday Selina.....so beautiful you are and you still look 18.
When we went to the casino Selina got in for the very first time without ID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Chinese know something about staying young that we Westerners don't know.

Mary & Joseph and the baby Jesus

In de-santa-ising our house we found a beautiful Mary & Joseph at Villeroy and Boch Harbourtown, which reminds us that Jesus comes into our lives anew each day, and blesses every year.
As we approach 2006, we have much excitement to share. Our year is panning out to be one of the most exciting......
1. January sees me begin a new job - full-time employment in a Catholic school, Assisi College
2. 14th Feb is our 30th wedding anniversary
3. 17th Feb we leave for Thailand (trip now paid for Neish & Ellie) to visit Ben's family, and our sponsor child June in the south of Thailand, then up to Bangkok for some shopping with Anisia and Ellie before we head home together.
4. Homecoming and a celebratory party for Ellie's 21st and engagement.
5. Anisia begins new job possibly (just been offered this position at Royal Brisbane as OT)
6. Baby due end of March....my prediction is a girl for Rikki & Kristin.....Grace is a great name, and Ruby....oh and Asha is a beautiful Indian name Nishan told me about which means?????Nishan help me out here.
7. Trip to S.A. with Ellie, Jordan, Neish to visit new baby and for family celebrations for Ellie birthday and 21st.
8. MAYBE a wedding happening in June???????
9. DEFINITELY a wedding happening in October......Cheyne and Mel to be married in Sydney.
10. Rikki & Kristin to visit for Christmas 2006.
And I'm sure God has some surprises in there somewhere too.
May you all be as blessed as we are.

My favourite haunt

I am currently in the process of re-getting together my proposal for my PhD, so that I can have my Confirmation Seminar asap. So I spend LOTS of time in here with my zillion journal articles, my trusty computer, newly installed air-con for year round comfort, new comfy deluxe chair (ergonomics good for OTs in the family), and life is good. My current plan is to get my proposal to my supervisor by Christmas (2005)for her to read over the break, which means a superhuman effort this week (one week before Christmas) to get my methodology done. One day I shall email it to you for a 'boring' read??? I'm excited about it thought and it's looking more methodologically sound, better conceptualised with good theoretical underpinnings I Hope!!!I just keep praying for God's guidance with this enormous project..........Please keep me in your prayers also.

More from talented Nana

Aren't these just beautiful and what wonderful keepsakes we have. Mum is now well into her seventies and still manages to churn out quilts for birthdays. Christmases and weddings........speaking of wedding quilts!!!!!!!!

How clever is my MUM

My mother puts her love into these quilts and bears (and cushions) and gives them to all of her children and grandchildren. She is such a blessing to us all.

A beautiful keepsake

This belonged to my grandparents who lived in Lowbank, South Australia, a very small farming community located a few kilometres from Waikerie. Their property was on the River Murray, and we would often visit their home during school holidays.
I always remembered reading this at mealtimes, and when Grandpa moved into the aged home in Waikerie after Grandma died, I asked what happened to it. He told me that he thought he knew and would se if he could find it. Then, in only a matter of days, it arrived by post to Queensland, costing some $20+ to send! Grandpa was obviously as keen for me to have it as I was to receive it. We sent him some special photos of us standing by it and said that we hope it is a witness to people who visit our home as it has pride of place on our lounge room wall. It is a very old keepsake; we guessed some fifty years old, and we hope we can pass it onto the next generation who too will keep Christ as the head of their home.

A special farewell to Caleb

Joshua had a basket of flowers and some very special drawings that he put into Caleb's grave.June 2005, Joshua aged 3.


My apologies...have tried to put this photo up a number of times and each time I find myself deleting it, so sorry about my sequencing of my blogs. Ellie is right. It is therapeutic.

Our first tomato plants

After growing so many vegies in South Australia, these are the first that we have grown in Queensland.......just 2 Roma tomato plants which are doing beeautifully in the front garden. We have sampled just one thus far!!!!!
Maybe not the ideal spot, but the soil was good. This was the pond to be at the front of our yard....turned into a water feature out the back.

ESTHER

This is Ellie's Esther who I'm looking after very well while her owner is travelling the world.
Esther is very beautiful and absolutely enjoys having me as her owner....because I pay all of her bills!!!

Our house

This is where we live in Ashmore, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
We have now lived in this house for 10 years, and continue to renovate as time and money permit.
Notice the new roof, gutters!!!!now there's a $ or $$, freshly painted grey which has taken over from the green....slowly getting there......

About to take a ride?????? NOT!!!!!

Yes Nishan I did tell Kevin that he could have a ride, but then one needs keys don't they????
This is Nishan's bike which we are babysitting while he is in India for Christmas 2005.

Elmo

A photo for you Ellie of Elmo....notice the beautiful coat, and how he just loves to be held!!!!!

Merry Christmas

May the baby Jesus bring peace hope and joy to all of your lives this Christmas.
Although our family is widely spread this year, we know that we are bound together in Him. We pray for God's blessings and safe travel in 2006.

special Banana fritters

My favourite Chinese dessert

Mmmmmm YUMMY

My 48th Birthday cake....Tiramasu

A special memory

This is an old photo that I found, but a special memory. This is Cheyne (our second son) lighting the candles at the official opening of the Trinity Centre, at Trinity Lutheran College, Ashmore, Queensland, Australia.

Korean BBQ

Our Korean BBQ experience at a Broadbeach restaurant December 2005, sunny Gold Coast, beautiful Australia the night before JORDAN left for the U.S. to meet up with Ellie....

Ben

This is Ben who has lived with us for the past 3 years, at his graduation from Trinity Lutheran College in November 2005. Ben is from Thailand and we will be staying with his family in February 2006 in Krabi. Check out their hotel www.Krabiheritage.com if you want a top place to stay in the south of Thailand!
We ar every proud of Ben....he now will attend Bond University on the Gold Coast doing a business degree.