My Baby turns 35.

The family joined LUKE in celebrating his birthday at Shippies in Battery Point. Oh how the years fly seems only yesterday he was a babe in my arms.

MY GODFATHERS 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Jennifer Slater and Amanda Whitmore

request your company to help celebrate the 80th Birthday of

LEWIS WILLIAM SLATER (Bill)

at Boscobel

27 South Road, Ulverstone

on Saturday 17th October, 2009

12.30p.m.

With much excitement I set off for Devonport on the Friday to celebrate Bill's 80th the last surviving member of my Mothers family.

Uncle Bill's life was sure to be celebrated as back in 1970 he had a horrific farm accident and was expected to spend his life in a wheelchair - but his determination and "guts" bought him through and although he has struggled with his health over the years he has been one never to let anything stand in his way - he has served the Devonport Show Society for many years and also rose through the ranks to become Lions Internation District Governor - an honour bestowed upon him in New Orleans in 1986. He has been Devonport Citizen of year as well as being a loving husband, father and grandfather - the list goes on. As you can see I was not going to miss this occasion.

Amanda and Jennifer had arranged for a Helicopter to pick up Fran and Bill from their home in East Devonport - (did he get a surprise after walking out the door to see a helicopter parked in the front yard). Accompanied by Amanda he and Fran were taken out though Moriarty and Thirlstone - inspecting the property "Springfield" where he was born 80 years previously and then to Thirlstone where our late Aunt Thea and her husband lived. They then proceeded to Ulversone to land of all places (only placed allowed) the local tip - where Amanda's husband David, Sandra, Wayne and I were there to greet them and share the enthusiasm and excitement of the flight.

Just before they embarked

Waving to the pilot as he returns to his base




As you can tell - very excited They were wisked away to join the rest of the celebrations and Lunch at Boscobel.


This perhaps is my favourite photo - of Bill deep in thought and just a little tear in the eye as Jennifer made the speech.





Trying to blow those candles out !

The girls had arranged three quizes during the afternoon with the winning table getting their tea and cake first. I am glad to say my table the ALLSORTS were the winners. We won fair and squeare and didnt have to rely on a electronic devices like one table did.
The quizz was firstly some significient photos of properties - landmarks in life of Bill.
The other what happened in 1929 - or who was born in that year true or false.
The last one significant dates in his life .
I think we all appreciated the thought that had gone in to the quiz and the bonding with other members of our tables that it afforded.






Photo of all those that attended minus the photographer (David)
His turn soon.





Bill and Fran's family Jennifer, Amanda and their children and their partners- plus Auntie May.




Now its David's turn. (Amanda's husband)

The cousins -Michelle, Yours truly, Sandra, Amanda and Jennifer

Bill and Marj (Late Uncle Johns wife)

Me, Bill and Sandra

Me with Joyce Arnott (Second Cousin)

It was indeed sad to bid Boscobel farewell and head home. A wonderful day with the Addison and Slater families. It has been a difficult task to edit the photos for this blog- but I feel these go so far in summing up a wonderful 80th Birthday for a special man in so many peoples lives.

Well done Amanda and Jennifer for inviting us to be part of the celebrations which will be remembered by us all for a very long time.

THE BRAMICH'S COME TO THE CITY

THE BRAMICH'S MIGHT HAVE COME TO THE CITY - BUT THE BROWNS GOT THE BLOG BACK THE FRONT. PLEASE EXCUSE. Here is Tim, Elkie and Marli saying their farewells after an enjoyable few days in Hobart. They left from Wentworth Park Soccer Ground on the Eastern Shore.
We celebrated Fathers Day with Tim . Elkie helped me make some Strawberry Pancakes - and Marli helped with the Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Bacon etc.

Marli had made Tim this laminated card as well as the one below. Marli very kindly read it to me so here goes:

Love from Marlie

He watches my TV. He is cool

I love my Dad so much

He is the world for me

Cuddles me, fight me, does chores for me.

He is so awsome as He Kisses me.

How sweet is that - I am so proud to say she is my niece.

Her craft skills came to the for too with this Mens Hankie made to look like a shirt. Mum would have loved that.

Marlie was very excited when on Saturday evening we baby sat Emily while Cam and Kristy went out. Here she is with Uncle Tim. She loved the experience of having Marli and El and was not keen to go to sleep!

Here Marli is reading to Emily

The girls playing a Game

Marli helping Em have a drink.

Yes I can do it my self - I can even drink through a straw.

Each September Beau Tim's youngest son travels to Hobart to

represent Devonport in the Under 12 Soccer Team. Beau is front row second on the right. The Soccer weekend is always a time to catch up with his Mum and Grandmother Val. This year I missed seeing Jake as he was on a School Trip to Mount Hotham.

Beau looking a little disappointed when they lost the last game. Never mind Beau always next year. He did a wonderful job in his other games and played so well.

Beau and his Auntie Net.

Beau was 12 on the 3rd September - the big one next year a Teenager ! How time flies

Mount Wellington from Wentworth Park capped in snow. Grateful that it was a sunny day so it made for a pleasant couple of days.

Beau on the ground

Friday night Cam, Kristy, Em, Luke and Jackie came around to catch up with Tim, Marli and Elkie and share a meal with us.

Yes I like Marli - she is cool.

I will like playing with her.

OMG

Simone and Rich are on a 4 day holiday at Crown Towers Suite courtesy of IGA. Employees have been subjected to pure indulgence - Massageds, Helicopter Rides, Bus Trips to the Yarra Valley Vine Yards, Golf (ofcourse) Dinner at Ezards (the sweets looked beautiful) and last night a magnificient dinner in their room by Rockpool. Rich was snapped by Simone and sent to me by Mobile Phone in the room having just managed to put away the first course.

IGA certainly know how to look after staff !

A little birdy told me on Sunday when their Crown Towers Trip is over Simone is being joined by Lois (her Mum) for a few days in Queensland at the Golden Door Retreat. My two Melbournians certainly have a wondeful life.

Last year IGA sent them for a week to Thialand - all expences paid - along with approx 60 others. Well the saying is we have to eat !! must be a profit in food.

Simone and Rich work hard so they deserve to have some perks ! good luck to them - just a tiny jealous though.

THE BIG BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Well the day dawned - 63 and for a few minutes I pondered the thought - how many more years have I got to enjoy this wonderful world we live in (most of the time). As the house slept I sat in bed with the usual paper and coffee and surrounded by the cards that had arrived by mail and enjoyed the moment. Luke and Jackie had arranged for us to go to the Botanical Gardens for lunch.

In the photo above Emily was helping me open the presents - she had given me a book for Nan to fill in about her life (oh oh will the book be big enough) and her Mum and Dad and Rich and Simone had bought me Ticklebelly Tales and other stories from the people of the Hydro. Luke and Jackie replaced my very old Recipe Box -with a brand spanking new one so I am busy trying to transfer all those treasured recipes for my grandchildren. Auntie Sally gave me the lovely scarf and necklace I am wearing.

Em getting me to read the story.

Luke trying to protect me from falling !

Oh I like a good belly laugh - my family are sooo funny, specially when Uncle Luke and Daddy get together.





Luke and Jackie make a lovely couple as they pose for the camera.

This was my Venison Pie, very nice too.

Em and Auntie Sally - like the earrings.








Kristy waiting patiently for the food.




And Cam as well pondered the moment

Our family - even Auntie Sally if you look to the background you can see her taking a photo of us all.

Mummy and Daddy taking Emily home after going to my Nans birthday. How lucky we are in Hobart to have such beautiful gardens and I am sure my Mum and Dad will bring me back to run and play on the grass again soon.




Sally and I in the Foyer - as you can see it was a wet cold day.

Sally and I spent a little time walking around the garden and came across this wonderful display in the Conservatory. The Orchids were beautiful.

Still in the Botanical Gardens.

Sally came from Melbourne on the Saturday morning to share the birthday celebrations. On the Monday we headed down Cremorne way - with the usual most places closed on a Monday - but we did find the Forshore Tavern open - so it was lunch there and then a trot around Lauderdale, Roches Beach before travelling back to Shoreline. Monday evening we had Luke and Jackie join us for Dinner. Tuesday Sally and I went to Salamanca Square and had a delightful lunch at Smolt.
No time at all and it was time for Sally to return to Melbourne Wednesday morning ready for her to start work again at the Casino on Wednesday night.

Thank you to Sally for travelling over and every one both family and friends for their good wishes, love, cards, gifts. Oh Oh next year the pension comes with the birthday -I am going to hide!!!!!

THE OLD GIRL TURNS 63

Watch this space as we capture the weekend celebrations.

MY BEAUTIFUL GRANDCHILD-EMILY KATE

Emily has learnt to wave, clap and now crawl backwards. I snapped this video when I was there babysitting last evening - 7th August. She will be 8 months old on the 18th August. How time flies. I have over the last few weeks been teaching her to clap - she would look at her hands - first the left then the right move them closer - and have that bewildered look - how do I do that - and on Monday when I called in to see her there she was sitting on the floor and first thing I got was this big smile and then the clap - like she was saying - look Nan I can do it.

She is such a joy.