Long weekend in the Western District

We decided to take a mid term long weekend and make the trip back to the Western District for some fresh country air. We all felt really at home at both Janna and Kate's farms and it was just nice to be back home, seeing the Grampians and enjoying time with old friends.

Doing circle work in Kate's paddocks. The kids were fascinated by the sheep "getting a hair cut".

Em and Angus having a bonding moment.

The 3 kids at "Cloven Hills".

Gotta love climbing trees in the country!

It got pretty cold once the rain came down and we had to walk back through the cold paddocks. Lucky Dad was there to save the day.

The normal state of walking with our family - Abi in the front and the others wandering behind.

Abi's photo of us heading towards the creek at Janna's.

Abi's photo of the kids - "We love jumping in muddle puddles" and there were lots of them at Janna's farm!

Birthday bowling

The Pike family August b'days were celebrated with some good old fashioned family fun at the bowling alley and then cake and coffee back at our house. The kids did better than most of the adults and I don't think it had anything to do with the bumpers and ramp that they got to use!

Boy cuddles

Even big boys like to have cuddles with their mum and occasionally fall asleep in mum's arms.

Happy 4th B'day Emily!

Emily has now turned 4 (which means that her chronological age has now caught up with what I thought she has been all year). She had a small dress up party with a few kinder friends, where they made crowns, played pin the tail on the donkey, pass the parcel and danced to "The Fairies" for hours. The phrase of the day was "wow, it's what I always wanted", this was said about many presents as well as her b'day fairy house cake. On her actual b'day Nanny and Poppy came over for a b'day dinner and she again had a lovely time playing and being the center of attention. Happy Birthday Emily !

Emily: "wow, it's what I always wanted!"


Emily in her new dress up fairy dress.

Happy b'day and cake once the big kids came home from school.

Afternoon tea with friends.

B'day cake with Nanny and Poppy turned into cuddles at the dinner table.

Emily's birthday ended with a story from poppy and cuddles on the couch. What a lucky 4yr old!

Some of Emily's new bedroom decorations - now she feels like a princess!

June School holidays

The June school holidays saw the Melbourne Walkers head north to spend a week with the Brisbane Walkers and try out some winter sun. There wasn't much winter sun but there was lots of fun for the whole family with a trip to Dreamworld and to Seaworld. The kids are already planning where we should go next time we go to visit Grandma and Pa!