life and learnings on the left coast

The beginnings of summer and a birthday for Devery

2011-11-19T05:43:00.001+08:00

Aunt Faye and Uncle Steve having fun on the green gator

Opening presents from Aussie friends and family

A new scooter and helmet!

Baked oatmeal birthday cake

Birthday party morning

It's going to be a Dora kind of day!

Geordie's special moment with Miss Amy

Chilling out with her friend Ava after the party, playing doctors

Colorado in May

2011-11-19T05:24:00.001+08:00

Cuddles with Aunt Mary

Playing with cousin Corinne

Waiting for Bobbi and Courtney's wedding to start

A family picture after the wedding

I love the following pictures of our three gorgeous kids. None of them 'picture' perfect, but perfect to me all the same!

Geordie has had quite enough, thanks!

Cousin Cailey

Uncle John

Playing with cousins Jordan and Landen

Sightseeing around Colorado Springs

Garden of the Gods

The cousins all together with Great Grandpa and Aunt Anita in the background.

Elijah misses you Landen!

Happy days of May

2011-11-19T05:00:00.001+08:00

Wigs

2011-07-23T18:45:00.001+08:00

Dressing up

2011-04-26T08:29:00.000+08:00

New friends

2011-04-22T04:48:00.003+08:00

We've been blessed with some great friends here in Metamora. Here are Elijah and Devery enjoying some playtime with Caleb and Ava.

Rex being attacked from behind by two old ladies/Indians/Buzz lightyears.

Amy getting one of Geordie's special nose kisses

Little Jordan

2011-04-22T04:44:00.000+08:00

Playgroup outing to pizza hut

2011-04-22T04:41:00.001+08:00

The kids making their own pizzas

. . . and Elijah devouring his!

Maple sugar festival

2011-04-22T04:34:00.003+08:00

We went here while visiting family in northern Indianna and enjoyed all you can eat pancakes, maple syrup and sausages. It was so interesting to see how they collected and processed the maple syrup.

Mummy very much enjoying the maple syrup cotton candy (fairy floss)

A horse and cart ride through the maple forest.

Mummy's birthday

2011-04-22T04:30:00.002+08:00

The kids being terrific helpers!

One of my special birthday presents

Olivia and I blowing out candles at our birthday lunch.

Sweet kids

2011-04-22T04:25:00.000+08:00

Indi Zoo

2011-04-10T09:22:00.002+08:00

We saw the most amazing dolphin show.

Devery and Danni waiting for the dolphin show to start

Elijah's favourite

Cousin Joseph

Great Aunt Sheila getting some special cuddles

Indianapolis fun times

2011-04-10T08:55:00.005+08:00

We LOVED the Indianapolis childrens museum and can't wait to go back there again with some pretty amazing great grandparents. They really treated us to a good time when we went to visit them. These pictures show but a snippet of the fun we had.

. . . and there's Geordie in his favourite little nook, making tapioca with Great Grandpa

Our snowman

2011-02-26T20:43:00.001+08:00

Snow tunnel and more

2011-02-10T06:38:00.006+08:00

I hope you enjoy these photos of us all enjoying the snow on Saturday, a few days after the big blizzard. The weather has turned very cold again since then so no more snow fun for now!

Coming through the completed snow tunnel

This was a first for both of us!

Grandpa getting deeper inside the tunnel

Sledding on a snow drift

Starting to dig the snow tunnel

Little brother

2011-02-10T06:31:00.000+08:00

After the blizzard

2011-02-03T06:02:00.002+08:00

Elijah and Tyler braved the elements for a few minutes today to experience the new snow. It is still very wind and bitterly cold! We can't wait for the weather to fine up so we can build snowmen and have snowball fights.

Great Grandpa

2011-02-03T05:58:00.001+08:00

One of the joys of living here is being ony 1/4 of a mile from Great Grandpa's house. I think we'll be heading down there for many visits this year!

Some family goodbyes

2011-02-01T11:47:00.003+08:00

A lovely hot day for a pool and pizza party at Uncle Brian and Aunty Sylvia's. (As I type this we are on blizzard alert and FREEZING!)

Last cuddles with Pop for a while, in Albany.

Cuddles with Uncle Glen

. . . and Uncle Brian

First swim in the pool

Smiles for two special Aunties

Elijah and Ella enjoying bottomless slushies thanks to Uncle Brian

Devery getting some special playtime with Uncle Ian

Love my sisters!

About to leave Albany after two very lovely weeks there.

Last breakfast at the Vancouver Store Cafe. Very yummy but quite sad too :-(

By the way, Happy Birthday Aunty Prue! Geordie and all of us miss you lots.

Fun in the snow

2011-01-30T00:30:00.002+08:00

Hello to people who check our blog (and are often disappointed to find no new photos)! We have arrived in Metamora, Illinois for some extended time with Tyler's parents (up to a year) and look forward to sharing with you via this blog some of our American experiences. I will endeavour to post pictures more regularly!

We start with some pictures of Elijah and Devery all rugged up and thoroughly enjoying the snow.

Snowball fights with Uncle Levi.

Grandma and Grandpa's house in the background. (Our home for now)

Photos by Charly

2010-09-26T21:29:00.008+08:00

We're ready for you, little one

2010-09-12T20:07:00.001+08:00

Ballerina girl

2010-09-12T20:00:00.002+08:00

Practicing her ballerina dancing

Posing

Devery and Lyn-Lyn setting up the dolls house after Rob fixed it

Fun in the playroom

2010-09-12T19:55:00.000+08:00

Various

2010-09-12T19:38:00.002+08:00

Opening Fathers Day presents

Celebrating Sammy and Tyler's birthdays down in Perth with the Malcolms

A lovely lunch with Uncle Ian and Aunty Sharon

So much fun at Hamish and Amy's farm!

2010-09-12T19:35:00.000+08:00

Our friendly echidna

2010-08-27T09:10:00.005+08:00

We were so excited to spot this echidna on a river walk with Pop and Hesse this week.

Snapshots

2010-08-27T08:42:00.003+08:00

Amy, Woody and Buzz (Hamish)

Kayla and Elijah at our big painting extraveganza at playgroup

We thought Devery was really interested in that page until we realised she was asleep!

We all have swords now! (except mummy :-(

A visit to playgroup from Policeman Paul

Devery's sword giving ceremony

2010-08-27T08:07:00.003+08:00

Elijah and Daddy made swords a while ago so that Elijah could enjoy some 'controlled' sword play and hopefully not pretend every other stick or long thing is a sword for wacking with. It's a very treasured thing kept high in the cupboard for special 'duels' with daddy. Devery was starting to get a bit upset at missing out on these occasions so Elijah and Daddy decided to make her a princess sword, complete with jewels. She is thrilled!

Baby Beluga by Devery

2010-08-05T19:32:00.001+08:00

We especially like the 'wooooop' sound effect that Devery puts between the verses

Cot concert

2010-08-01T19:57:00.004+08:00

In case you can't understand the lyrics for this last song:

Oh, the B-I-B-L-E,

that's the book for me,

I'll stand alone on the Word of God,

the B-I-B-L-E, Bible!

Happy Birthday Daddy

2010-08-01T19:51:00.002+08:00

More Denham photos

2010-07-31T11:03:00.005+08:00

The kids were always throughly exhausted by the end of the day

Yummy ham and cheese croissant for breakfast

Lucy opening a birthday present

A visit from the Hunt family

2010-07-31T09:57:00.002+08:00

Baby Kipling getting a kiss

Gardening with Jeff

Liana supervises a cuddle with Kipling

I think the kids a ready for a little baby around the house. They loved getting out the baby toys and giving Kipling lots of gentle attention.

Our gorgeous kids

2010-07-31T09:38:00.003+08:00

The kids love playing dress ups

I told Devery she looked cute, so she said 'Take a picture!'

Devery sporting her new haircut

The kids have different ideas about whether it's summer or winter

Photos from our Denham holiday

2010-07-12T21:04:00.007+08:00

We had a very memorable holiday with the Malcolm's in Denham during the school holdiays. Hopefully you get some idea of the fun we had from these photos.

Katie, Sammy, Lucy and Aunty Kinny rode the camels at Monkey Mia but our kids chose not to!

A beautiful dolphin at Monkey Mia

We actually got to feed a dolphin but I don't have a picture of ot sorry!

Playing with Uncle Matt at our holiday house

Pull your pants up Dev!

Tyler relaxing on the balcony

The view from our balcony

Morning tea at Ocean Park

Feeding the sharks

One of many early morning wake ups where the kids find themselves snuggled in front of the TV

Having a meal together at our holiday house

Carnarvon weekend

2010-07-12T20:27:00.002+08:00

It was such a joy to get to know Bishop Abura and Mama Margaret from Uganda during our weekend in Carnarvon to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Anglican North West Diocese

A special moment with Bishop David

We though this tow truck looked just like Mater from the movie 'Cars'

Devery's hiding place in our hotel room

Young and younger friends

2010-07-12T20:13:00.002+08:00

We sadly had to say goodbye to Philip and Margaret Bassett, who served us here at our church in Dongara for 6 months. They are much loved by us and the kids and will be missed!

Elijah and his other superhero friends, Ryan and Hamish.

Birthday present joy

2010-06-15T21:02:00.004+08:00

Devery got so much beautiful princess stuff from Grandma and Grandpa! We found a princess dress to go with all the new accessories. So much fun!

Love this photo

Elijah could not contain his joy at being allowed to share Devery's new presents. I have a video of him dancing but may not be allowed to post it!

Showing off the undies

Elijah is Devery's dutiful attendant

Check out the shoes!

New princess undies! And just in time for a girl who has given up nappies and is doing so well with toilet training.

A beautiful new dress from Auntie Allison

Long weekend in Perth

2010-06-15T20:42:00.004+08:00

Lunch with the beautiful Williams family

I've got to get Devery a hat like this!

Playing with Bob

Storytime with Aunty Kinny

Dancing with Lucy

Samuel, Devery and Elijah at the Thorburns

Enjoying a yummy Thorburn lunch with Ngaire

Rosemary, Margaret, Lucy and Samuel

Fun with trains

Devery going in for a kiss with baby Lucy

Fun with the gorgeous Croke girls

2010-06-15T20:32:00.002+08:00

Sleepover!

Groovin' to Shane's awesome music

We really enjoyed the private concert at our house!

A beautiful walk in Dongara

2010-06-15T20:28:00.000+08:00

Birthday morning

2010-06-15T20:16:00.003+08:00

Devery loves her new dolls house (lovingly painted and restored by Mummy, Daddy and Hesse)

and she loves her new pram from Elijah

Elijah helping Devery to open her present

We had baked oatmeal for breakfast and stuck a candle in it.

Playing with her new Australian Girl doll from Pop and Hesse.

Friends

2010-06-15T20:02:00.003+08:00

Jayne bought the kids these special treats when we went out for milkshakes.

Ryan and Elijah checking them out

Down at the foreshore with our friends

Elijah, Devery, Nate, Finn, Caitlin (Ryan missing). This was taken right before Devery and Finn fell flat on their faces - older brothers didn't have a very good grip on them unfortunately!

Devery's koala cake

2010-05-29T21:40:00.000+08:00

Aussie Aussie Aussie!

2010-05-29T21:14:00.008+08:00

Tyler's big day! He's now an Aussie and an American and we decided it was a big deal so threw a surprise party for him. Here's some pictures:

Nearly 2

2010-05-29T20:33:00.001+08:00

Souffle for Mothers Day

2010-05-29T20:29:00.001+08:00

Tyler made me this most delicious turkish delight souffle for mothers day. It was amazing!

Us two again

2010-05-29T18:59:00.005+08:00

Easter holidays

2010-05-22T08:46:00.005+08:00

Brother and sister

2010-05-22T07:37:00.005+08:00

Here's a selection of pictures which give a glimpse of Elijah and Devery's life together as brother and sister.

Devery passed out with lunch still in hand.

They sometimes like to cuddle up together, but it doesn't last long!

A special moment at the town park.

Trying out the new trampoline

This was a while ago. I think I even put the money in the machine that day! Sometimes they deserve it after doing the shopping with me.

At South Beach

Down at the river in Walpole

Great times together down on the rocks

Helping each other out in the Easter egg hunt

Sitting on the wall waiting for the rubbish truck

At a friend's birthday BBQ at the foreshore, sausage in hand!

Musical Statues

2010-05-01T20:37:00.002+08:00

I found a song on my mobile phone and played musical statues with Kayla, Elijah and Stevie down at the foreshore. So much fun!

Happy kids

2010-03-23T09:25:00.002+08:00

Devery loves to pretend she's a little baby and be rocked in the doll's cradle.

We love Cam and Ellen

2010-03-23T09:22:00.000+08:00

Expressions

2010-03-23T08:29:00.006+08:00

The kids have been practicing different facial expressions and I captured some of them on camera. Enjoy!

Naughty face

Excited face

Cheeky face

Happy face

Frightened face

Happy face

Tired face

Surprised face

Scared face (but happy too!)

Funny face

Sad, or perhaps grumpy face?

Scared face

Surprised face

Cheeky face

Funny face

Dancing

2010-02-11T00:31:00.002+11:00

Playing at home

2010-02-11T00:14:00.003+11:00

Reading books on our new trampoline

Dressing up and dancing is a favourite at the moment!

What a gorgeous face!

Mummy's always nervous when Devery's on the trampoline

Funny chicken

2010-02-02T14:37:00.001+11:00

Various Christmas pictures

2010-02-01T22:59:00.006+11:00

Christmas Holidays begin!

2010-01-30T12:00:00.004+11:00

So special playing piano and singing with Aunty Lindsey

With Lucy at the last Toddler Time for the year

We got to take Grandma and Grandpa to toddler time with us!

Best friends

So happy to have Grandma and Grandpa with us!

And some more . . .

2010-01-30T10:37:00.003+11:00

You'll find her in her room reading her Bible all the time.

She loves it!

A rare windless evening down at the Port Denison foreshore

Elijah's first nativity play. Great anticipation but lots and lots of tears during the actual play.

She can do great things with her hair and a bit of yoghurt!

We had to say goodbye (again) to our friends Cheyenne and Cody. We hope they come back soon!

The first of many new posts

2010-01-30T00:13:00.002+11:00

Hello friends and family who follow our blog! My sincere apologies for the lack of posts for the last few months. This is the first of what I hope will be more regular posts over the coming weeks. Our kids are growing so fast and doing lots of fun things - we hope we can share some of that with you here.

Devery thrilled with her building efforts

Devery even more thrilled to have a real life baby (Josiah) in her cot!

This was a lot of fun for Elijah!

Devery and Elijah helping to take down Bob and Lyn's Christmas tree

Auntie Allison, Elijah and Jessica jumping on the trampoline in the most gorgeous Turner garden in Albany

Cuddles for Uncle Ian

2009-11-02T12:21:00.001+11:00

Devery had great cuddles with Uncle Ian and always does a great 'cheese' for the camera

Aunty Sharon and Nana enjoying Devery's funny faces

Always the first to spot an airplane is our Devery!

Family time down south

2009-11-02T11:01:00.005+11:00

Everyone together again!

At Emu Point in Albany

At the Valley of the Giants

Riding Melody (Elijah was a bit too scared to do this!)

Thomas and Ella were naturals on the horse

Riding the 4 wheeler with Pop was Devery's favourite thing to do

Washing off all the dirt at the end of the day

Farmer Kev and his calves

2009-11-01T10:29:00.002+11:00

We had a great time at Kev and Margo's farm feeding their beautiful calves.

Jelly and snakes

2009-11-01T10:11:00.002+11:00

Elijah enjoying jelly for the first time with Stevie and Kayla

The snake we found in our front garden

Mingenew Expo

2009-11-01T09:37:00.004+11:00

Farm animals and farm machines were the highlight of our fun day at the Mingenew Expo.

At the wildlife park

2009-09-20T14:31:00.003+08:00

One for you

. . . and one for me

Devery was soooooo happy feeding the kangaroos

Luckily the crocodile was sleeping

Tentative steps with some help

2009-09-10T07:00:00.002+08:00

Roo feeding machine!

2009-09-10T06:09:00.003+08:00

Devery took great delight in feeding the kangaroos at the wildlife park. She took her job very seriously!

Wildflowers

2009-08-15T19:39:00.003+08:00

What a fun excursion we had to the Coalseam while Hesse and Aunty Prue we visiting. Elijah loved frollicking in the flowers. Unfortunately we didn't get many pictures of Devery as she was either too cranky or fast sleep when we were taking photos.

Lucky baby (and dog)

2009-08-11T12:25:00.003+08:00

"I'd like some of that!" says Badger

Mmmmm . .

"It's all yours Badger, I've had enough!"

Elijah is pretty proud of his 'hiding fort'

Our big kids having lunch together

and riding together at the foreshore

Just July...

2009-08-01T01:02:00.009+08:00

July has been a wonderful and busy month -

here's a bit of what we've been up to...

sharing and...

swinging with Lucy

playing together in the backyard

the family in Perth during holidays

driving down to Walpole

went to Forest Hill winery near Denmark to celebrate six years of marriage

riding the motorbike and doing wood on the farm

Devery's "motorbike"

mother and daughter exercise session

celebrating Tyler's 28th birthdayElijah's first bike ride - along the foreshore near home

big brother and little sister at the playground

A hug and some broccoli

2009-06-27T20:28:00.002+08:00

Elijah and Devery having a cuddle in the bath. They love each other so much!

There's nothing better than broccoli straight from the garden!

Mmmm, yummy!

Devery adventures

2009-06-27T20:22:00.002+08:00

Special cuddles with Lucy and Mrs Zimmerman

Devery's favourite place to hide now that she can crawl

Lucky Devery getting special story time with not so lucky Cam who hurt his ankle at volleyball

What a poser!

2009-06-27T20:14:00.000+08:00

At the barnyard

2009-06-27T20:01:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday to Devery

2009-06-19T22:11:00.002+08:00

We love seeing Elijah cherish and celebrate his little sister like this!

Rock-a-bye your bear

2009-06-19T21:56:00.003+08:00

Everybody clap

Everybody sing

Bow to your partner

Then you turn around

Hands in the air

Rock-a-bye your bear

Bear's now asleep

Shhh, shhh, shhh

Bear's now asleep

Shhh, shhh, shh

Random

2009-06-19T21:29:00.003+08:00

Blues brother

Jason's first birthday party

Devery asleep on Elijah's bed

Elijah pretending to be alseep but not so convincing!

Tyler and Elijah definately asleep
(This is becoming a common occurance, much to mummy's concern)

Elijah having a little tractor train ride at the Fine Food Festival

Opening a present on Devery's birthday

Our time in Perth

2009-06-19T09:07:00.005+08:00

Aunty Prue and Nana and Devery's birthday dinner

Uncle Glen, Uncle Ian, Pop and Uncle Brian (and Devery)

Having a cuddle with Uncle Ian

Hesse, Elijah, Aunty Prue and Nan

Opening some fun presents with help from big brother

Devery enjoying the ribbons from the presents

Our friend Pip with her new baby Isabelle

Devery and Hettie (Henriette)

Devery and Emma at The Beach House (a huge indoor play centre)

Elijah and Devery hooning around

Devery on a ladybird

We had fun catching up with friends who used to lived in Dongara. Emma (with Devery), Sophia and Emma were the only ones who made it into this picture.

Sleepy hungry girl

2009-06-18T20:15:00.004+08:00

Poor girl was so tired, but hungry too, so thought she might combine eating and sleeping!

An early birthday celebration

2009-05-27T17:40:00.003+08:00

This was taken when Elijah was sick. They both watched a lot of ABC kids that day!

We had an early birthday lunch for Devery with the Malcolms since they were going on holidays.

Yummy chocolate banana cake

Devery getting a present and Elijah enjoying cake and icecream.

Playing pass the parcel

A cow, a monkey and a bee - prizes from pass the parcel.

All the kids

On Pop's shoulders

2009-05-16T20:03:00.002+08:00

This was taken on our Easter Egg hunt through the forest.

Sorry, again, you have to look sideways.

Our highland boy

2009-05-16T16:28:00.002+08:00

Elijah had so much fun dressing up in this Scottish kilt that we were given. Daddy would have nothing to do with it but Mummy loved it!

What a handsome boy!

Friends and cars

2009-05-16T15:52:00.002+08:00

It was so fun having Paul over to play.

Devery getting a special Sammy squeeze.

The boys and their baby sisters.

Elijah organising his cars on our lovely quilt table runner. (Do you like how it's being put to use Lyn?)

Elijah reciting his ABC's while drunk with laughter

2009-05-16T07:43:00.003+08:00

Aunty Prue had Elijah in hysterics one day at Nana's house, and he was trying to say his ABC's, with not much success as you can see!

Sorry you have to look sideways to see this!

Back home

2009-05-02T15:36:00.003+08:00

As good as holidays were, we are happy to be back home and having fun as a family!

a bit more of the Devery show...

2009-04-21T07:20:00.002+08:00

currently her favourite sound to make is 'the lion': here in all its glory

on Hush Hush beach with Jane (like her swimsuit?)

holidays continued...

2009-04-20T09:39:00.005+08:00

Elijah helped find eggs (beside the chocolate variety)...
and helped pick apples in the orchard

...working towards his driver's license

Penny and Devery made the long trek down to Hush Hush on Easter Saturday

Devery was a brave adventurer...

...and Penny loved the fishing (the view wasn't bad, either)

Easter holidays

2009-04-17T16:39:00.006+08:00

Elijah and Devery loved having Auntie Prue around

Auntie Sharon and Uncle Ian stopped by for a visit

hot on the trail of Easter eggs...

...talk about biting off more than you can chew...

...some people got to do the hunt in business class...

Elijah went for an Easter ride on Melody...

...after the kids had fun hunting for special Easter presents...

Devery and Pop with her Easter ducks

brother, sister

2009-04-07T06:42:00.002+08:00

Enjoying the new swing together...
...and getting ready to go for a bike ride with new helmets!

our little champion

2009-04-04T15:19:00.002+08:00

so Elijah went to this birthday party where they played this game: eat the donut tied to the

string with your hands tied behind your back. apparently, he won. that's our boy - what a champion...

fun at the foreshore

2009-04-04T15:08:00.002+08:00

we took the kids to the foreshore. sun, swimsuits, eating lots of sand - they loved it...

At the barnyard and the pool

2009-03-04T14:30:00.004+08:00

'Look at me, mum!' he kept saying

Having a picnic lunch at the barnyard with Kayla

Checking out the emus

Having fun in the kiddie pool

Devery doing her stunned look

Kayla and Elijah eating plums

Hesse

2009-03-04T14:21:00.002+08:00

We had such a lovely visit from Hesse for a few days, right when Elijah was starting to wear undies. Boy, was she proud of him!

Bob the Builder

2009-03-04T14:08:00.002+08:00

Here's Elijah and Katie having fun with all the tools that Elijah got for Christmas from Great Grandma and Grandpa Swartzentruber.

Cool Devery!

2009-01-31T21:05:00.000+08:00

Elijah showing Devery how to be cool

What do you think of my new shades mum?

Yummy fruit

2009-01-31T20:55:00.001+08:00

Elijah enjoying his first mango seed

and now a nectarine

delicious!

Friends in transit

2009-01-31T20:51:00.001+08:00

Elijah was very friendly with the other little kids at the playroom in Narita airport. They seemed to be able to communicate despite speaking different languages!