This Year's Photo Shoot

Well I just thought I'd better share this year's Christmas Photo shoot. This photo went out to family and friends.

I'm lucky the kids still want to do it.................LOL!!!!! There is so much going on in the background I noticed - buy hey - at least you can say its natural..............LOL!!!!

Luv Sandie

Adding repeat photos so you can click on them

Just adding some photos here again. As soon as you edit anything it Blogger it seems you can't click on image to make it bigger. Argggggh Blogger is frustrating sometimes. I'd better be nice though. LOL!!!!

2nd Birthday Celebrations

Just reporting back in with all the fun of the day for Stephen's 2nd Birthday.

We headed off from home on our little adventure over to Wonthaggi to help celebrate Stephen's Birthday.


On the way we stopped off at Kilkunda beach. It has the most magnificent of views - one of which is this one.

This is on the side of the ride as you are driving along you can see the ocean through this gorgeous old trestle bridge. It used to have a good old steam train that ran across it. Imagine that - that would have been magical. I have this love for old things and old bridges are right up there!!!

The scenery was spectacular - I would have stopped off to take heaps more photos but we were on a mission to catch up with our friends.

Medina was so pleased to see us all. Stephen was a little daunted I think - all of these people just focusing on him. He loves the camera but he always smiles after the camera has taken the shot.

Here he is - he wasn't too sure about the candles and the singing but we all kept on singing Happy Birthday. As a rule the Sudanese people don't celebrate birthdays but I said to Medina when he was born "Stephen is a little Aussie". She had to laugh. I think Medina enjoyed the fact that we help celebrated his birthday.

This shot shows the little present we bought Stephen. Its one of those Grip Ball sets. You know the one with the Velcro that makes the ball stick. He loved it. At first he didn't know what to do but he soon got the hang of it. I think it is going to drive Medina mad in the end with the scratchy noise it makes. LOL!!!!! (These 2 photos are courtesy of Tammy - she bought a new camera with her birthday money - thanks Tam)


The next photo is of Stephen's little brother Steward. He is now 6 months old and has the most adorable little chubby chops. They were both getting lots of cuddles and kisses. We had to soak them up while we were there.






A great little visit had by all.

Luv Sandie

Do you see what I see?

Today I took our girls for a drive into the beautiful rolling hills of Emerald.

We dropped in our friend Kathryn. As soon as I got out of the car I had my camera in hand and couldn’t stop snapping – the scenery out there was breathtaking. It was just what I needed. The smell of the country air was unreal too and the company of course.

Here are just some of the photos I took before the camera batteries decided to give up – pooh!!!! I will definately be back for another photo shoot. Oooh we also got to see some beautiful new baby lambs – that was after the camera batteries so next time.

In one of the shots you will see a nice little shack – this is Kathryn’s newly acquired workers hut that she has converted to a craft room or as she calls it “The Cupboard”……LOL!!!

There is only one problem that I can see from today’s visit – now I WANT A HUT of my own……….LOL.

Thanks for a fantastic day Kathryn and Annette – it was great to catch up.

Luv Sandie

I have always loved this song.................

and I have always and will always love my love - Sean.

When I first saw the movie Pretty Woman I instantly loved this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3GSPelcy_4&feature=related

It has a special meaning to it for us too - I asked the DJ at our Wedding to play it for my new husband Sean.

This one's for you babes.

I will love you forever.

Luv S.

Red Hat Society

Has anyone heard of the "Red Hat Society"................you need to google it and have a read. They wear red hats and they like to dress in lavender/purple. The aim of the group is simply to have fun and socialize.

Well I was approached by one of the Pakenham members a couple of months ago to see if I would be interested in teaching card classes to the girlies. I was quite chuffed with this idea. They requested the 4th July. So today I taught 7 fantastic ladies how to make 3 cards.
I stuck with their colour theme of red/lavender and I threw in some white/silver. At first this was a challenge for me as I hadn't used this combo before - but it grew on me and I must say it was quite classy.

We had the best afternoon. They all told me they had a great day and they are keen to have another day making cards.

I will pop back later with a photo of the girlies and the cards they created. (I used similar ideas to some other cards I have created before)

Luv Sandie

My Neices 18th Birthday

Forgot to show you the card I made for my neice's 18th and I also just HAD to show you a shot of the cake.........yummo!!!! A friends mum made it for her as the present - great idea.

Luv Sandie

As promised.................

here is one of the photos from our 60's/70's night. I tried to play with the red-eye reduction but it didn't work. Oh well.
How's Sean's look - he just used some ash to give him "the" look. He looks like someone out of Underbelly. LOL!!!

Luv Sandie

It's a 60's and 70's Theme Night

In a couple of hours Sean and I are off to a Bunnings do - the theme is 60's and 70's so Sean and I are dressing up as hippies. I will be sure to share photos with you.
ALL day yesterday I walked my poor old feet off in search of the perfect outfits for both of us - nothing like leaving things til the last minute!!!!! I'm a big shocker.

Sean's mum and dad are looking after the kids for us which is nice. It's not very often that we get a chance to do our own thing so it will be an extra treat.

I've gone for the good old mission brown look and loads and loads of jewellery - oh and heaps of makeup. I also have a long black wig.

Hopefully it will be a great night.

Luv Sandie

Would you like to help??????????????

This is a photo of a gorgeous Koala who survived the terror of the Victorian fires. A fire fighter stopped to give her - SAM - some water - she ended up drinking 3 bottles of water. How sweet!!!!

MY FRIEND LYN EXPLAINED HOW TO ADD THIS POST SO IT APPEARS AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE ALL THE TIME - THANKS LYN!!!! PLEASE DONT FORGET TO KEEP SCROLLING DOWN THE PAGE AS I WILL BE ADDING NEW POSTS - ITS JUST THAT THIS ONE WILL ALWAYS BE AT THE TOP. TA!!!!

I have just had a phone call from my sister and I've gotta say I'm a bit excited!!!!.

A local craft group in her town is running a Card Drive for the Fire Victims.
I am going to run one too. Would you like to join in?????

All you need to do is make some cards or if you have any in your stash made up already. Then you can either pop $5.00 in the card yourself or maybe friends and family would like to give you the $5.00. (The idea would be for the victims to buy something just for themselves)

PLEASE MAKE CARDS BRIGHT AND CHEERY. I THINK SENTIMENTS SHOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE "THINKING OF YOU" THAT TYPE OF THING.
ON THE INSIDE OF THE CARD JUST WRITE WORDS OF SUPPORT AND COMFORT - NOTHING TOO DEEP or RELIGIOUS AS CARDS WILL BE GOING TO ALL WALKS OF LIFE. ALSO KEEP IN MIND TO MAKE SOME CARDS FOR THE KIDDIES - THEY WOULD LOVE TO SEE A BRIGHT CARD TOO.
(PLACE CARDS/MONEY IN ENVELOPES BUT PLEASE DO NOT SEAL THEM IN CASE THE AUTHORITIES WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THEM!!!!!!!)
I will then organize for these cards to be sent to the fire victims. I will not be sending them through the post - I will arrange for them to be delivered to them so they get to the right people.
If you would like to join in please send all cards to me. You can contact me via email for my postal address. (Just click on my Profile at the side bar to find the email link -ta)
When you are ready to post please just drop me a line to let me know so I can keep an eye on the postie. Ta

Thanks for your support.

Luv Sandie

(P.S. I am getting some fantastic feedback and have cards being made all over the state and interstate. Thank you for your support!!!!!!!! I will accept cards up til say next Thursday the 26th February and will hopefully deliver them on Friday 27th)

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to all.

With everything that has been happening around her lately - Valentine's seems to have been put aside.

However, me being the romantic that I am still love to love!!!!!

Sean and I are going on a date tonight - well we are going to watch a movie in the comfort of our loungeroom which doesn't happen very often so we are looking forward to it. It will be nice.

Here is a cuppa that Sean made me a while ago. He loves making coffee and always tries out his latte art on me.

Hope you are having a lovey dove day.

Luv Sandie

Ready or not?????

Well I reckon the girlies were ready for their first day of Secondary School - not mum though!!!! Boo Hoo!!!! Gosh the last few days have been hard for me. I just kept looking at the girls and thinking where have all those years gone? I cannot believe both of them are off to high school.

I dropped them off this morning - they seemed excited and a little anxious. They soon caught up with the friends they made on Orientation Day (back in December) which was great!!!!!

I picked them up tonight and they were all smiles. They had a pretty much low key type day but an exciting one. I knew they would of course but the looks on their faces said it all.

So that's it - onwards and upwards.

Luv Sandie

(P.S. I've gotta say that there hasn't been any creating going on over the past few days - I think between the shocking heat and getting the girls ready for school I just haven't had the inclination - tomorrow's another day I say!!!!!)

Finally...............

here is the photo of Josh on his unicycle. This was his first time and he could only just take off. Now he is going about 20 mintues which is a real hoot to watch. We are so proud of him for persevering.

Good on ya mate.

Luv Mum

Happy Australia Day

Happy Australia Day everyone. Hope you have had a great day!!!!

We headed into Melbourne to enjoy all the fun. The day started with a train trip into Flinders Street followed by a fantastic street parade - very multi-cultural. It was so great to see so many different countries represented and all flying the Australian Flag. At 11.30 the RAAF jets flew over - the roar was amazing - I was covered in goosebumps.

Then we walked to the Kings Domain and Alexandra Gardens where there were lots and lots of different hands-on stuff for the kids to do. Most of the activities were FREE which was fantastic. The kids loved it.

I will have some photos to share tomorrow hopefully.

But for now I will just leave you with a couple of photos. And being the true Aussie that I am I had some good old Vegimite today. I would be lost without this stuff - I reckon its running through my veins. LOL!!!!

Luv Sandie

Photo Memory Game

Good old Marie (gosh she's not gunna like me for calling her old - but hey we're all getting old - I know I'm 40 in a couple of months..............arghhhhhhh!!!!), has sent me a challenge to join in a "Photo Memory Game". Here are the rules:-
Go to where you store you pictures on your computor.
Go to the SIXTH folder and pick the SIXTH picture.
Post that picture on your blog along with a SHORT story about it.
Tag SIX people and leave a comment on their blog or email them letting them know you chose them.
This is an interesting challenge - I like it. Thanks for including me in the fun Marie.
Now for 6 people to tag - I hope THEY like me.
1. Deanne
2. Rachel - Pepper
3. Nicole - Craft Queen
4. Lyn
5. Anita
6. Carol (new blogger - you need to watch this blog)

I will be popping into these girlies blogs to see if they complete the challenge.
My photo: This is a photo I took on our way back from our visit to East Gippsland after Christmas 2008. We have often driven past the sign saying that there was a trestle bridge and often wanted to drop in for a look. We had to drive about 3km through winding bush to get to this beauty but it was well worth it. I've gotta add too though that the mozies were humungous and were on the attack - especially for me for some reason!!!!!
I just love all things old and this would have to be up there as one of my top 10 lucky finds.

Thanks for popping in.

Luv Sandie

Just some little bits and pieces to share

I have bought some little bits and pieces of late and just wanted to share them with you.

I love them all!!!!

Thanks for looking.

Luv Sandie

(Just adding the link to the fantastic Etsy shop)http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?

I was lucky enough

to see the film "Australia" 2 nights ago. A few mums from school and I took off to see Australia. We all absolutely loved it. It has received mixed reviews but all I can say is that I would see it again. I was just left feeling so many things. Definately a movie for the big screen with so much gorgeous scenery and great shots and of course anything with Hugh Jackman in it is alright by me.

I remember the first time I saw him acting was on the ABC in a mini series Corelli. He was amazing and he was also acting along side his now wife. Sean dubbed him "sexy eyes" quite sometime ago too. I used to say he was gorgeous and had beautiful eyes - so anytime Sean sees him he says "hey - there's your sexy eyed mate!!!!"...................LOL.

Luv Sandie

Speaking of goofing around..........

Emily was being silly - just for something different.................LOL. She drew on her knee and popped Rudy's nose and antlers on...........LOL. Of course we had to take a shot of that!!!!

Luv Sandie

Photo shoot Christmas 2008

These are some of the shots I took of the kids to send off photos with Christmas cards this year.

Mostly goofing around.....LOL!!!!

Luv Sandie

These are a few of my favourite things....

These glass ornaments were my Nan's - I put them out every year and remember her!!!!

I have just taken some pics of some of the fave things that are spread out around our home.

The two little angels are nearly as old as I am. I used to play with these and talk to them when I was a little girl. My mum gave them to me a few years ago as she thought I'd like them for sentimental reasons - it's so nice to have them in my home now!!!! Lucky me!!!!

The other bits and pieces have either been presents or just things that I have picked up here and there.

Luv Sandie