Busy, busy, busy

We are well and truly back into our busy lives since returning from our holiday. The first big event was Australia day. We spent the morning at the beach.

I had the underwater camera with me so managed to get a few photos. I added a few textures to this photo which I am having printed on a canvas.



After Fletcher has surfed and played in the water, he always wants to dig in the sand. He asked to have a photo of his morning efforts.

We spent the rest of the day with friends, but due to the heat our outdoor bbq turned into an indoor event - it was a fun day anyway.



We have also had a little visitor. Zac found him (although he has such a high pitch croak I am thinking it is girl) when hosing down our back area.

Fletcher named him Fred and he stayed for a few days. We can't find Fred anymore but hear him when it rains.


Fletcher has returned to school, starting Year 2. He is very happy with his teacher (who happens to be a male) and loves playing with his friends.



I have been very crafty as well. I have scrapbooked a few pages (but too lazy to take photos of them), received my "Project Life" kit and also the first bag to make from the Bagalicious club.

I have not only received the first project but completed it! Considering I haven't sewn for years, I was pretty chuffed with myself at the result.


A noticeable thing in our house since our return is a mean face on a little boy. After having to fight Darth Maul at Disneyland, Fletcher has been pretty obsessed with him and constantly walks around trying to pull the same face.

The only positive thing is that Darth Maul doesn't talk so either does Fletcher when he has the face lol.

I hope everyone has had a great week and hopefully I will have a little more time next week to provide a few more details.
Carol :-)

Downtown Disney

On our last day in LA our plane didn't leave until 8pm so we had all day to shop!

The first stop was the BIG Disney store in Downtown Disney. I thought I was very controlled as I only left with one very large bag of stuff.

The lego shop was popular with the boys and we managed to leave with only one very large bag again.


Build-a-bear was next. All three of us have bears from over the years so Fletcher opted for a dog this time. Here is the dog - a black lab - he selected.


Stuffing his dog.


Air brushing his dog.



Now time to shop for the dog. If only these two were this happy to shop and buy when I need new outfits lol. The dog a kennel, skis, a jumper, a bowl and there is a jedi outfit there but that is apparently for one of the bears at home.


Registering the dog and naming him - Labby.


It had begun to rain again and as everything was packed we could not afford to get too wet again, so shopping abruptly ended and off to lunch.


We love going to the Rainforest Cafe (I think just to collect more sparkly glasses).


Sitting in the shop at the Rainforest Cafe after lunch waiting for the rain to ease a bit so we could get back to our motel.


While waiting for our bus to go the airport, Goofy arrived and kept Fletcher entertained.



The bus arrived so it was time to give Goofy cuddles and head to the airport.

We are now safely home and trying very hard to tolerate the heat again.

Carol :-)

A day in Disneyland

As we were having a quick stop in LA we decided to stay at the Disneyland Hotel for 2 nights and spend a day at Disneyland.


Just as we were about to head down, I needed to run back to the room, so Fletcher and Zac took some photos (and for those who know this statue, yes I photoshop out the incriminating evidence).


We decided to get the most out of our tickets and opted for the special early entry and managed to do a few rides before the park opened.


High on our list was to see the Jedi show, and Fletcher was very excited to be choosen to be a padawan - but as you can see in the photo, took the task very seriously.


After training he then had to use his skills to fight Darth Maul.


The Jedi training was definitely a highlight of our day.



Two of our favourite rides were the bobsleds and Finding Nemo submarines (although we didn't get why there was Aztec ruins in the Great Barrier Reef).


AND THEN THE RAIN CAME! Rain that wet us through and stopped a lot of the rides. The rain was heavy and we were wet so back to our room for something dry to wear. Having only one day at Disneyland we certainly weren't going to wait, so on went snow boots and snow jackets and back out we went with the underwater camera.


OK it is not a great look, but we were dry and warm. And then the sun came out and there was blue skies so everyone looked kind of silly in all there rain gear, although it was still very cold so at least we were dry.

We had some more photos with the Star Wars characters.


This fellow was real scary
.

A quick hello to Goofy.


Toontown is the best place to take photos.





One of our most favourite parts of Disneyland is the parade.

Carol :-)

Goofy's kitchen and Bagalicious

Our first night at Disneyland we had dinner at Goofy's kitchen. We have been before and loved it so went again.

Pluto greeted us as we walked in.


Minnie gave Fletcher a kiss and made him blush.



Fletcher saying hello to Pinocchio.


He is just not sure what to think of these Princesses.

More Disney to come but as we have just arrived home, I need to get to bed.

In other news, while searching the internet at night I stumbled across the

A kit is sent out every 6 weeks to make some gorgeous bags. With no quilting experience (although a little sewing) I decided to join in and make it my challenge for the year. To find out more about the Bagalicious club head over here. I am looking forward to the first kit.

See you after I have had a good sleep :-)

Carol :-)

Ice hockey and Inukshuks

While in Canada we love watching the ice hockey and try to make it to a game. This year we went and watched the Kootenay Ice play Spokane. Great game and I really like how they don't allow fighting (which currently has Fletcher enthralled when watching the games on TV).

Players from Kootenay Ice, the winning team. They have now won 11 games in a row which is a record.


The skating ability of these guys amazes me, and then to watch the puck, carry a long stick and get slammed into the walls.


We have always noticed these rock statues by the side of the road while in Canada and never really known what they are. Since they are an emblem for the winter Olympics they are on everything so I did a bit of research.


Fletcher standing near an Inukshuk. They were originally built by Inuits to do the "act of a human" e.g. mark an area or give a direction.



I have just watched our plane taxi to the gate. We made it through customs etc with the only allowed onboard luggage - laptops - and luckily I was also allowed my Jill-E bag as it was a specific camera bag holding only cameras and lens (I knew the bag was worth the money lol). Will arrive in Disneyland in a couple of hours!

Carol :-)

return to Kimberley

It is snow, snow, snowing and I really needed a break from the cold, so stayed in today. I now have all this time to update my blog.

We are back at Kimberley (just staying in a different place on the hill). We love the accommodation and the mountain, things couldn't be better!


After a day on the slopes we soak in our hot tub which overlooks the base of the mountain and the start of the quad chair and tow rope.


Fletcher is calling this place a castle and made a little movie of it (with the flip). Here he is filming me taking a photo of him in the loft, which overlooks the main run. He looks so cute in his thermals.


The reality of running your own business is we need to work at nights (which is lucky as it is day in Australia) even on holidays. First thing we always set up is the computers and internet.


On a rest day from the slopes we put my old snowboard and boots on Fletcher to have his very first lesson of snowboarding.


He seemed pretty comfortable moving along....


But loved to over-dramatise the falls lol.

We only have a couple of more days in the snow before heading to Disneyland :-))

Carol :-)

A recap from Fairmont Hot Springs

Back to our little resort that we enjoy so much. It was snowing and the powder was amazing. I only could have the camera out for a very short while as it was really snowing.

Fletch coming down the mountain.


If Fletcher isn't careful, his tongue is going to freeze.


Trying to get a close-up as he skied past.


He stopped for 5 seconds to let me get a shot. That is my reflection in his googles.


On Wednesday the snow finally stopped to a clear day but it was cold - minus 20 degrees C. Just a bit too cold for me.

After lunch I managed to take my glove off for 5 minutes without freezing my hand to take a shot of the gorgeous scenery.


Zac and Fletch heading down the mountain.


Thumbs up - he is telling me it is not quite as cold as the morning.


Over the years of visiting we have made friends with some of the local staff. Erick is a "lifty" and always looks out for Fletcher. This year he asked Fletcher did he want to go for a ski together after he finished work. Fletcher was pretty chuffed. So at 3pm they met at the lodge for their ski - somehow the "ski patrol guy" joined in as well. Fletcher is now saying Erick is his best friend lol.



Zac and Fletcher outside our Villa. I was playing a bit with textures.


Fletcher decided his husky dog would really enjoy sitting outside in the snow, since he is originally from Canada. I swear if we ever got him a real dog (which he desperately wants) he would kill it with love.


And lastly, I have finally learnt to ski! I have snowboarded for many years but never tried skis. Somehow I let Zac and Fletcher convince me to try skiing. Just quietly, I think I surprised both of them with my ability.

We are back to Kimberley in a few days for our last week in Canada.
Carol :-)