Home from our Camping trip

What a fantastic weekend it was,camping out at O'Briens Creek, about 3 1/2 hours from Cairns.We were up very early Friday morning, and it was quite chilly too.Left by 7am, and arrived in Mt.Surprise around 10am.It was a beautiful scenic drive, as they have had a lot of rain out there since January( around 35 inches actually) till end of April.We got to the camping ground , which is another 35km north of Mt.Surprise at just before 11am.What a transformation all the rain has done. The camping ground, was all grassy and wildflowers everywhere.Trees flowering everywhere we looked, which means lots of Birdlife.There were Rosellas, Budgerigars,Lorikeets,loads of Black cockatoos with the red tail.They were very elusive to catch on the camera.Camera shy they were.Here is the best shot I could get with my terrible camera.

We were concerned that the camping grounds would be packed , but it couldn't have been further from the truth.Only about 12-15 campers all up.So there was plenty of room between us all, and no waiting at the showers/toilets.We could get up in the morning, with just a T-Shirt , no jumpers.Funny, you could tell the people who lived on the coast, as they were walking around with their jackets and beanies on in the morning.

Here is a photo of our camping spot, courtesy of my little apprentice photographer- William.

This is our camp off to the right hand side, with the white car and trailer.

Elizabeth Creek, which we were camped beside, was still running beautifully and quite clean.Perfect for little people to play and jump around in safely with out worry.We spent at least a couple of hours every afternoon, swimming and wading downstream, sitting in deeper pools.There was one particular pool of water where two waterfalls poured into,which Alan nicknamed" THE WASHING MACHINE".It looks deep, but both boys could stand up in it as it had a sandy bottom.I would just sit under the falls and get massaged all over.Could have sat there all day long.Free massage....who wouldn't!!!!!

We were coming back from digging on our first day,Friday afternoon late, and the colours on the hillside were just gorgeous.I just had to take some photos of it.

Steven and I were prospecting in a creek bed, while Alan and William went hillclimbing.We looked downstream and saw a mummy Kangaroo and two babies coming down to have a drink.We both stood there , staring in awe at how quiet they were.When they went, we walked down to where they had been and saw two perfect footprints in the sand.Saw lots of Lizards,and the boys saw one snake( which is our first ever snake out there, and we have been there 5 times now).Heard Dingoes howling at night in the distance, and on Monday morning before we left, we went on an interesting 4WD down a 4 km track( and I was holding on for life in a couple of moments ....I can tell you it got hairy in one spot going down hill over rocks, and then having to come back up it...enter chewing on my nails).The reason we went down there, was to visit a waterhole that had about 20 or so fresh water crocs.We couldn't get close enough though to take any pics...they were camera shy too.

Here is a shot that Alan took from the top of a rock on a hill, while Steven and I were topaz hunting

I have to go and put a little man to bed, so will be back later to do another post.Hope you all aren't too bored by now.

What a week!!!

Been a busy one since the boys went back to school.Work was great, and have some nerve-racking but I guess exciting news.I have been asked to be a companion to a grade 7 girl with special needs on their school camp in May.Grade 7 is not my favourite class to be in, but I thought it would be a great opportunity.Not to mention the fringe benefits.

Boys got their first haircut at a hairdresser on Friday, and they were very chuffed with the end result.I must admit, that the change was amazing.Their little faces really stood out once all that excess hair was gone.Don't they both look so cuuute.

Have been doing quite a bit of scrapping lately, which has been amazing.All of a sudden I have all this stuff in my head, and since I got all the holiday photos printed, I have all this inspiration.I have uploaded a few into the gallery in Scrap-pile,but here is one that I finished today of Williams most prized Birthday gift.

I also made this card today and did some beading.I made a bracelet, which I haven't done in over a year.

Have been busy packing today, for our camping trip out west to Mt.Suprise on Friday.We will be leaving as early as we can, so that we can get out there and set up camp early.So have a fairly hectic week ahead.Tomorrow have school photos...yuck...not looking forward to that.Still don't know whether I will turn up yet.Then , it is to come home and do more lists and check them. LOL. Wednesday is work and then shopping.I will also be seeing Jus for her Birthday which is Tuesday the 22nd.Thursday is a whole day at school and then home to do some cooking and last minute packing.The boys are so excited, especially Stevo.I reckon he is going to be quite the outdoors man when he grows up.Hopefully when we come back , we will have some photos of some great looking Blue topaz.A girl can dream.Signing off

My Big Boys Birthday.....9 today

HAPPY, HAPPY , HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FIRST BABY

Happy 9th Birthday Grub.I cannot believe you are in your last year of single digits.I was up till all hours making him a card.But I won't be showing it as I don't think it was good enough to show everyone.Most importantly though, my little man loved it and what I wrote inside....so that is the main thing.

He was up early and we all sat down while he opened his gifts....he got the Spiderwick series of books, some new clothes, Monopoly,Some Hot Wheels cars,Transformers PS2 game,2 large scale cars that he loves, a Holden Clock and best of all...his favourite....BUMBLEBEE TRANSFORMER.

I have a couple of Pics, but will have to post the Bumblebee one another time

Will post more pics soon of his cake and his prized gift.Catch you later

Home from Port Douglas

Wow ...we are home already...boy does time fly when you are having fun.Early Monday morning we left for gorgeous Port Douglas about 2 hours drive north of us.Because we got down before we could get into our unit...we went and visited the beach.A bit breezy, but we all enjoyed wetting our toes in the water and feeling the sand under our feet as well.Had a picnic lunch, of Ham sandwiches and choccy cake.I completely forgot a knife, so we had to use Alan's Hunting Knife( and NO he doesn't use it for hunting though).They tasted good though.Here are just a couple of pics of our first day...and Joshuas first trip to the beach.I think he was excited as he was running around...doing lots of jumping and chattering.

As you can see, they have had a super time.The DINOSAURS even went for a dip and had a play in the sand too.LOL.
Tuesday Jus took the boys in for Breakfast with the Birds, at the RAINFOREST HABITAT.I tell you, if you ever come to North Qld, that is something to see.So many birds in one spot...the Jabirus were my absolute favourite.So BIG and majesticAnd here is a pic of the boys feeding some roos, wallabies and ducks etc..

Then , after the Habitat, we went to see the Mossman Gorge, which was about another 15 minutes drive north of Port.Absolutely Beautiful right now after all the rain we have had the past few months.The water was a bit chilly though, for me to go swimming, although, there were quite a few overseas travellers taking a dip...brrrr.

Then on Wednesday, we took the boys to the Movies in Cairns to see the Spiderwick Chronicles....and it was a great movie.I loved it.We mosied around the shops for a little while and then headed home.Was so tired after everything we had done.I even fell asleep putting Stevo to bed last night, and he complained about me snoring...but I do have an excuse....I was tired and I have a blocked nose from the sniffles.....LOL....I don't normally snore...really -I don't.

YIPPEE --School Holidays are here at last

I cannot believe it is April already.Just over a quarter of the way through the year.I haven't posted in here for two weeks either.Have been rather slack I am afraid.
Not much has happened over the past two weeks...just the usual, eat -sleep-work routine..as well as frequenting the Scrap-pile forum and doing a little scrapping.I finished off a LO I started on the last weekend in March.It is an Easter photo of Steve taken last year.I am really happy with how it turned out.

School Holidays are here and we have a little bit planned.We are off to Port Douglas tomorrow for a few days of Sun ,Sand and Surf...well don't know about the surf part.The pool will be well used though at the place where we are staying.The boys are very excited about heading to the beach, as we haven't been in over 2 years now.Will have to make more of an effort to go more often.i love walking along the beach and finding shells etc.The sound of the waves on the sand is very soothing to the soul too.

Yesterday I was taking a few photos and the boys wanted me to take a pic of each of them hiding in the bush....they asked me to post it in here, and to ask any of you if you can see them LOL.....

I will leave you with this quote:

People who ask our advice almost never take it. Yet we should never refuse to give it, upon request, for it often helps us to see our own way more clearly.
Brendan Francis

Have a great Holiday/Weekend/Week.I know I am going to.