Boxing Day

A great day with Joy, Bob, their family and rellies. We had lovely food and a few beverages, well some of us did. After all this festivity it will be back to jam and bread tomorrow and a strict diet. Thanks Joy and Bob for a lovely day.

Oh what a face

My darling husband thought I didn't look 'too bad' and talked me into taking this picture. Do husbands ever listen. I asked him to wait until I had eaten the toffee in my mouth, as you can see he DIDN'T LISTEN so here is another photo 'I hate'. Guess I will just have to keep trying until I get one that makes me look a bit decent.

Christmas 2009

So is my present under this tree or what!!!

Christmas Morning 2009

Two with eyes wide open but I think Samantha is still asleep. Christmas at Gary and Julies.

Its 'CRACKER PULLING' time

All that work for a party hat!!!

Christmas Champagne Breakfast

Proof that Brian can cook!!!!

2009 Tuesday Tarts Christmas Dinner

Many people touch your life and the Tuesday Tarts are an amazing group of people. Today we celebrated Christmas with a really yummy dinner, we danced till we dropped and sang till we could sing no more. I feel very blessed to have friends as special as the Tuesday Tarts.

My Grandad and I

Big hug for Grandad on his 71st birthday from Samantha. 'That's my Boy'.

Happy 71st Birthday Brian

Unbelievable 71 'You are amazing'. Too many bush fires this time of the year so we had to cut down on candles, fire fighters are too busy!!!!

Ann & Jim's visit October 2009

It seemed like only yesterday we were together but its been 25 years. We had fun and it was nice for Ann and Jim to once again meet up with Gary, Robert, Samantha and to also meet Julie for the first time. Lovely having you stay.

Our 50th comes to a close

How beautiful if this I think William is asking Grandy 'Well Grandy has your anniversary been special' All I can say is 'you bet'. The cruise was exciting, our time with Valerie Sandy Alison and Jim was all we could ask for. Thank you for the anniversary dinner, cake, flowers and champagne - love ya. Thanks Jan and Martyn for the really special dinner it was lovely to celebrate with you both. Thanks for having us stay Kara and Dan we love all the moments we share togther. Most of all for the love and joy William gives to Nanaga and Grandy you are and always will be our special little man Will. We got so many beautiful cards and gifts and money from family and friends how lonely life would be without you all. Brian and I love each and everyone of you so much xx How could we ever forget our 50th Anniversary it will long live in our hearts, roll on our 60th I hope its as good.

Brisbane with family 2009

Almost at the end of our 50th anniversary celebrations and where better to end it than with our family in Brisbane, especially with William. I think this could be the anniversary waltze special but we just couldn't quite 'Guess That Tune'. He's a real cutie who we love so much.

Farewell dinner 2009

Thank you Sandy for the lovely evening Brian and I appreciated it very much. Val you have amazing kids we loved this time together with you all and thank you for the anniversary dinner Sandy. Thank you Alison and Jim (sorry jim you are mising from this picture) you did so much for us running us back and forth we owe you one!!! We miss you all so much xxx

LA with Valeria 2009

Thank you Val for the yummy cake, beautiful flowers and champagne for our 50th anniversary. You made our day special and we love you for that xx.

30 Sep. Grouse Mountain Vancouver 2009

We found it - snow - we froze but we loved it, up in the clouds on top of this amazing mountain. I have no socks on so not being able to feel my feet was not a nice experience.

Butchard Gardens, Vancouver Island Sept 2009

Butchard Gardens was breath taking, created by the Butchard family. A beautiful day.

50 years our special day 26 Sept 2009

An amazing day our 50th wedding anniversary a day never to be forgotten in many ways. We woke to loud sirens then the voice of the captain telling us smoke had been detected in an incinerator. Brian and I have never got dressed so quickly in all our lives ready for evacuation in the life boats and thinking at least if we drown we are together on our 50th anniversary. To our relief it was just a small problem quickly solved. Our special day was celebrated with a complimentary lunch at a lovely restaurant on board the Statendan. Lovely meal, we exchanged our rings and thanked God for the amazing life we have shared for 50 years, for the love we have for each other and for our beautiful family. How blessed we are.

Ketchican 2009

We visited an amazing Christmas store, how beautiful if this if only we could have brought Santa home with us.

Marjory Glacier - Glacier Bay Alaska

This is it the biggest and most spectacular glacier in Glacier Bay, its called Marjory Glacier.

50th Anniversary Katchikan Alaska - Cruising

Cruising to see the glaciers. It was so cold and windy but we lived to tell the tale of how amazing it was to see glaciers so high, so thick and so blue.

Alaska 2009

This is Skagway, Alaska. We have never felt this cold in our whole lives. I think we have on 3 layers of everything to keep warm and dry. This train is used to clear the snow so one can only imagine how deep it must be when it falls. We were a little relieved it only rained as we didn't see snow in Skagway.

50th Anniversary on Board the Statendan to Alaska

We had an amazing time on board the Statendan Cruise Ship. A little rocky today so thank goodness for the stairway rail.

50th Anniversary 2009

See I told you Brian was the biggest kid look at that smile, or is it a grimace of fear. I'm so proud of you honey you are so brave.

50th Wedding Anniversary 2009

Thank you Sandy for the free day at Disneyland. Our third trip and we still had loads of fun being kids again. Brian was the biggest kid enjoying the more thrilling rides while Val and I looked on and waved. Great day, loved it.

50th Wedding Anniversary Cruise Sept 2009

Our first stop was LA to spend time with my very special friend Val. Val was my bridesmaid so what can be more special than being with her for our 50th Anniversary celebrations. Brian and I loved this time with you Val, thank you for the wonderful memories of our time together.

50th Anniversary gifts

These beautiful orchids and gift were given to Brian and I from Mae & Ted for our 50th wedding anniversary. Mae and Ted you are very special in our lives - thank you xx

Here comes another birthday Gary

Brian and I love days like this - our family around us. Some of our beautiful family couldn't make it Brissy is a bit far away but we raised our glass to you. So my day in the kitchen was a success - a special evening. Happy Birthday Gary with many more to come, you're the best and we love you 'long time'. xx

A day in the kitche

Wow, cooking for 2 is easy cooking for 12 took me all day, but it was worth it we had the best evening celebrating Gary's 48th birthday. Just one thing missing our family in Brisbane, wish you were here. Thank you Joy for the amazing fruit platter, Dale for the yummy salad, and our precious daughter-in-law for the delicious birthday cake, and for everyone for making this a fun night.

A place where the sun always shines

Brian and I had a great day playing at Gosnells Golf Club, a place where the sun always shines, despite the days Brian comes home soaked and swears it didn't rain much. I was unaware that Brian had the camera on me, it looks good and it felt good, I can't remember this shot but it could have even been GOOD!! My new golf clubs are great (sometimes) I do hit quite a lot longer (sometimes)!!

Flying Doctor Teddies 2009

I belong to a golf group called the 'Tuesday Tarts' for quite some time now the ladies have been making teddies which go to the Flying Doctor and each sick child will receive a teddy. This is my small contribution but I feel very proud to be a part of it. Cute don't you think!!

Bridgetown in Winter 2009

Who said golf was an all year round sport. We had so many clothes on we could hardly swing the club, then the heavens opened, the wind blew and it was like ice. It was a challenge but we had fun. It was Bev's first 9 holes ever and I think she gained lots of experience as Brian gave her lots of coaching, and she never answered back, not like me!!!! Thanks Bev and Chris for a great couple of days.

Samantha's school ball June 2009

As parents we see so many special moments in our lives and this is one of them. Gary you must be very proud to see Samantha looking so beautiful. This is the result of all you have given to bring Samantha to this point.

Nan's b/day 2009

How gorgeous is this, two wrinklies, two smoothies, but sooo special we love you guys xx

Not exactly a rose between two thorns but so happy to have my special family either side of me on my birthday.

Tonight was special having dinner for my birthday with our two amazing grand kids, how handsome, how pretty and how proud we are of you both. Don't change how beautiful you are both on the inside and out, Grandy and I love you both to bits. Thank you for spending this birthday with me and making it special Rob and Sam xx

Surprise visit 2009

Is this before or after happy hour drinkies, its hard to tell.

Suprse Visit from special friends

Thanks Avril and John for coming and spending the day with us it was very special and we loved having you both, next time come for longer. Happy travelling.

3 May 2009
From right to left: Charlotte, Brenda, Jackie and little ole me I wish I could say I was the baby of the group but I would be telling porky pies, still I think we scrub up well for the over 60's club.

Friends from way back

Special friends from way back joined us today for a BBQ lunch, we laughed mainly about old times, we drank (just a little) and lunch was yum. The day was so much fun with perfect weather warm, blue skies, no wind. What more can one ask. Thanks for coming guys it was lovely to have you over.

Here's the groom with his sister Jan and niece Kara. Brian and I feel very blessed to have such an amazing family and we are proud of the heights they have reached in their lives.

Keep it in the family, all putting in their two bobs worth as to where the decorations should go, but it looked pretty snazzy when it was finished.

A beautiful day full of happy moments.

Gary and Julie's wedding/Family Christmas

What an awesome day, Gary, Julie, Samantha and Robert.

Uncle Gary and William

Uncle Gary and I had lots of fun together, Gary thought William was the bees and ease and William loved all the fuss Uncle Gary made of him and especialy kicking the footy ball together. We all miss you sooo much William

Look who's here

Each morning William came into Nanag and Grandy's room, his first stop was the picture of his Nana, Pa, Mark and Mummy and he always called out for them when he saw it, then he went to the window looking for the dog over the road, treasured memories, Grandy and I miss him coming into us for his morning hug so much. Love you darling boy xx

This is Auntie Julie

Auntie Julie thought William was the best. She couldn't believe how William was happy for her to hold him as they had only just met, then came the big thrill when he went over to her and took her hand to sit by him on the settee, Julie still talks about this today, she was so thrilled and I'm sure William thought she was pretty special too.

What a bonny lot they are, good food lots of wine so 'say no more'. Some of our table buddies on the cruise, we had a lot of laughs with them. Couple of Aussies, couple of Americans, one scottish lass and a couple of Poms on the back row. So many memories.

Is he really, NO he can't be, but he is 70 years young 20/11/08. I am so proud of my husband and so lucky to have such an amazing spunk in my life. We celebrated Brian's birthday by taking a cruise to New Zealand aboard the Mellenium cruise ship. We had an amazing time, met some wonderful people and saw some fabulous places. We also hired a car for 10 days and toured the North Island, bit of a let down after being on board the ship but none the less a holiday that will long stay in our hearts. Love you honey you make me so proud. xx

Brian, Joy, Bob, a great day at Matilda Bay on Gary and Julie's boat.

Our gorgeous Son Gary and his gorgeous wife Julie enjoying their new boat.