CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

CHRISTMAS EVE WITH THE SCHOTTMEIERS - what better way to start the celebrations with a Austrian tradition of giving and sharing a gift on Christmas Eve and enjoying the spoils of Kay, Toni and Annalee. These girls are talented cooks and each year never fail to surprise us with their culinary delights.

Toni, Kay, Grady, Michael (sorry for the eyes), Annalee and Franz

Toni's beautiful Christmas Tree with the Derwent River as a back drop.

Toni's oasis - where everyone met, prior to the gentle winds blowing Berriedale way.

NEXT DAY

CHRISTMAS DAY

Cameron, Kristy and Emily hosted Breakfast Xmas Morning.

Emily was very happy opening her presents while Mum and Dad were left to the breakfast. Jackie and Luke's present was a real hit - more noise for me she thought.

Mummy helped me open my presents

Daddy I want your present too!!!
If I stand on your foot can I reach.....

I have just pinched Nanna ears ! now I will have a cuddle.

I was scared when Nanny had them on

My Mummy looks beautiful with the ears.

Note the Tim Tam box in the background.

Mummy just won one years supply of Tim Tams in a competition.

I think I like Tim Tams Mummy.

Yummy chocolate.

Uncle Luke is eating a candy cane - I am sitting on Auntie Jackie's knee trying to work how you eat these damn things- I think I have been trying to eat the wrong end.

GOOD I FOUND OUT HOW TO EAT THE CANDY CANE.

oooooooooooh its nice!

LUNCH

Jackie and Luke joined me for the tradition lunch before they left to join Jackies family for Dinner. This year some of their relatives have travelled from Holland to celebrate with the family. An exciting time for the De Schippers.

Guess who came for Dinner and just loooooooooooved Nannys Raspberries

Nanny and Poppy Anderson joined Mummy and Daddy at Nans for Dinner

While the big people had wine I had to be happy with water.

Whilst I did not have the company of Richard and Simone this year I still had a very nice Christmas enjoying lots of good food, and the company of the rest of my family.

As always Christmas brings a time to reflect on the many good friends and family and a time for catching up and sharing Cards and news .

One of my boys said Mum you wont have to send cards this year - you have told all your news over the year on the blog. !! cheeky chap.

EMILY KATE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY. oops Nanny is late in posting this.

NANNA'S LITTLE PRINCESS

The family came from Lutana and Melbourne to help celebrate Emily Kate Browns 1st Birthday. Please excuse as I have put the two family shots above anything else -we are so proud of her and the joy she has bought to our lives. Nanna called to give Emily her gifts on her birthday 18th December prior to her birthday party the next day. Emily had had no trouble opening the presents, she had plenty of practise earlier when she opened Mummy and Daddy's gifts.Mummy is reading me the nice card Nanny gave me.

oh Nanny you knew I wanted my own handbag

....
..... and my own set of car keys. I am just learning what sounds the three buttons play.
Daddy has named my doll Nanny gave me "Princess Mary" - wonder if it has something to do with the time they were walking through Battery Point hand in hand and someone mistook Cam and Kristy for Prince Frederick and Princess Mary !!!!

Nanny I love my new sun glasses. I look a real trick.

ITS PARTY TIME

and my Best friend Bella has turned up to help me celebrate

Daddy is outside with all the men cooking the BBQ for all us Hungry kids, helped by Poppy, Uncle Luke and Auntie Jackie.

What do you think William and Harrison are thinking ab out - is it that they are the only boys and they have all those girls inside....

Nanny taught me how to blow last night - and look how successful I was today - just a puff of smoke and the candle was out.

Mummy is so clever she made me a beautiful cake.

I got so many beautiful presents, but this one was put to good use quickly. Auntie Tina, Uncle Jeremy, William and Ellie gave me this purple and pink job - and yes i was riding it in no time.

Talking of Auntie Tina, I hope she wont mind but Nan has included a couple of beautiful shots that she has on her blogspot that captured the moment of one little girls very

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

MY SPECIAL GRANDDAUGHTER ON HER FIRST BIRTHDAY.

Love you Em. xx

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.