Ice cream cone CAKE, yum!

Gorgeous little Mia (Luke’s niece) celebrated her 3rd birthday. We got an invite to the party!

Luke’s brother Kirk has an amazing and beautiful new house. I loved touring it and the kids loved swimming in the fantastic pool. Oh yeah, and we loved eating Chelsea’s delicious ice cream cone cake. Yum-yum!

Smiling floating birthday girl.

Just squash it  Masie. Mia’s older brother Fyn jumping with Miles.

Daddy is here!! We are so glad Luke finally met up with us in his home country. Just in the neck of time because I was thinking about going crazy without his help.

You can see just a bit of the view from Kirk’s house.

Mia and her scrumptious cake.

Pop’s got a tight grip on Lars, and Lyla is fearless around bugs and didn’t want to leave the beetle alone.

Lars was all talked out.

No suit required

We made it to a church Christmas party one Saturday morning. Silly me didn’t realize that Australian Christmas parties usually involve getting into the water. I hadn’t brought swimsuits.

The girls didn’t mind. They loved splashing around in their bloomers.

1/2 a Year Ago Today

Our little TimTam entered this world.

It is quite amazing how quickly my world has expanded by not just one or two but four beautiful children. Everyday is a celebration of motherhood, but I’m reminded with every milestone how blessed I am.

At 6 months old Lars is strong, healthy, feisty, happy, and adored by his entire family.

We celebrated his half birthday with a morning at beautiful Hinterland Regional Park.

Masie gets a quick fix from Lars and dodges his quick hands that like to yank at her hair.

Nana is always a good sport never tiring of pushing her grandkids on the swing even when it’s sticky hot.

Nana’s hat fits him just fine.

Lyla was upset that she had to give another little girl a turn on the swing. Masie, Don’t poke!

A rice crispy treat makes it easy to forget about the swing.

Happy Half Birthday Lars!!

Driving

It was a long time coming, but I finally got behind the wheel and drove on the wrong side of the road. It’s hard to believe that as often as we’ve been to Australia, I’ve never driven. I’ve been chauffeured everywhere.

The first car I was given access to was my mother-in-laws Beemer. Ha! She and my father-in-law seemed so cool about giving me the keys until I heard Monica making a last minute call to her insurance company to add me to her policy. Smart girl. The reason I had the use of the luxury vehicle is everything else my in-laws own is a stick. I know how to drive a stick (thanks Mom), but for my first drive on the wrong side of the road I didn’t need the distraction of also having to shift with the wrong hand. With 4 kids, my family can’t fit in one car, so Monica drove the truck and and I drove her BMW  320 to the beach.

This was Lars’s first time on the sandy beach.

He really enjoyed himself.

Why isn’t anyone looking at me??

Pictures of me wearing a swimsuit are included only because my husband wants to see them. My apologies to anyone else that stalks my blog.

Who is the fairest of them all?

Oh my goodness, you’re a handsome devil.

Gee, I’m blushing.

Come back!

I need to have a better look at you.

On the porch

My in-laws have a fantastic front porch that wraps around the side of the house where you can either step down to the pool or head around back to the clothesline. Yes, I said clothesline. I’ll have to get a photo for you. When it’s not raining, they always use the clothesline.

These Australians are so earth-friendly!

Just chillin’ on the swing, not smiling.

There’s a smile for me!

And another!

Lyla is a little stinker these days. She gave me a wave instead of turning and smiling then she found my water and decided she needed a shower.

Humidity

Does wonders for my children’s hair.

I love their curls.

At home, Lyla’s hair is wavy and easy to manage. In Australia it’s luscious, glossy curls.

I usually can’t get Lars to hold still. The first time I laid him on Nana’s rug he wouldn’t move.

Snug as a bug in a rug.

Masie’s personality is like her hair.

Wound tight, slightly spastic, full of body, not afraid to try anything, gorgeous and carefree.

And unforgettable.