January

Some how January just disappeared so quickly. We didn't do anything special to welcome in the new year - I had to work NYE and we just stayed awake long enough to see the clock tick over watching the Sydney fireworks on TV.

The weekend in between Christmas and New Year Nicole and Daniel and all their mates went out camping near Collie. Nicole did some great photography of their fun on the water...   

Janelle, Sarah and I took a drive down to one of our favorite cafes Samudra and treated ourselves to a mini feast of beautiful healthy food...

Peter, Janelle and I went to Perth to have an inspection of Janelle's new accommodation for the year ( a unit her friend Emma's parents purchased which they will both be renting). We were all happy with the location and set out inside. We then went down to Fremantle to have a late lunch  at the new Raw Kitchen restaurant. It has moved to a new location and is huge!...

The weather has been very hot so we went for a late  afternoon/evening paddle around the canals... 

I purchased myself a new toy I have been wanting for a long time - a NutriBullet. Its great for whipping up 1 smoothie or drink with only the cup and the blade to wash and so powerful. I love it!...

Janelle put on all her gear and went for a few bike rides now that her eye is a bit more tolerable to wind. She also had to be rescued with a flat tyre a long way from home...

George had a makeover with a new canopy, side steps, roof racks and clear view mirrors...

We have been having fun exchanging photos with some friends in Canada. They have been having one of their coldest winters on record while we swelter through such hot temperatures here. This is the view from their front door - love the imprints of the door on the snow... 

 This is the front of their house...

 We send them photos like this. We have spent a bit of time down the beach so far and loving the warm calm water. The dogs have had so much fun...

On the Australia Day long weekend we went for a drive to Busselton and visited J &G and their Kombi set up as they were camping with their friends...

It was a very hot evening and absolutely beautiful down the beach...

 Mum J also dug out this old family photo of us she found...

Nicole and all her mob celebrated Australia Day in their usual way - party, party, party! Janelle was feeling brave and she went for a while... 

Nicole and Danika

Pool overflow

Janelle flew over to Sydney towards the end of January for her chosen elective as part of her medicine course. She spent a few days staying in the center of Sydney and went of exploring and doing a few mini tours... 

Inside the Opera House

 She spent a day with her Great Aunty Norma and they caught the ferry everywhere looking around from Manly to Bondi. It was an interesting day for Janelle and one she will never forget :-)

.

 While she was out shopping in a bookstore Janelle got to meet and chat to Joe Cross. He signed a copy of his new book for her and they had a good chat. He is famous for his documentary called "Fat, Sick and nearly Dead" which we have watched...

Sarah packed, unpacked and repacked so many times trying to get her backpack just right! Finally the time came for us to drop her off at Nathan's house all loaded up and ready for their backpacking trip to Europe. All we know is they are flying to Rome and will be in Budapest for her birthday in early February.

 Bon voyage!...

Sarah loaded up and ready to go