Ahh Friday

I look forward to Fridays every week. I am really enjoying my weekends now that it's not broken up with working on Saturdays.

Last night Dan finished around 3 so we took advantage of the gorgeous weather and met him for a picnic by the river. It was fun to sit there in the park and watch the ferry do its drop offs of busy people in suits and ties on their way home. The crew teams were out paddling until the sun went down. Dyllan and I met a nice old man with two little dogs who happily sits in the same spot every Friday night working on his painting.

After hanging out by the river we headed back for margaritas and nachos at the local Mexican restaurant. Dyllan insisted on dressing up for her night on the town.. She was quite the spectacle. And loved every minute of flaunting her high heels.

An Original By Marianne

The other day we received a giant care package from Yunny. She packed us all kinds of goodies- from cookies to stickers to a ball of yarn. But my favorite thing was this adorable birthday outfit she made for Ellie.

Not only is it super special because she made it, but it brings back memories of my childhood.

Gowing up, my mom would make everything.. Not only did she have a successful business making spandex and matching bike helmet covers, she also made a good chunk of Sean and I's wardrobes. From matching Hawaiian shirts for Sean and Dad to wear to Disneyland to my relay teams matching swim suits for A Champs swim meet. She made all of our Halloween costumes (Sean remember when you were gonna be a pumpkin - cause she had a pattern sitting around- but didn't have orange fabric- so you were a tomato instead??). She made my Christmas dresses (I still remember hating the poofy short sleeve taffeta dress that made noise every time i moved but had to wear it anyway). She even made my cabbage patch doll and I matching sweat suits- that was so cool. For Christmas one year she made all of us cousins rabbit stuffed animals- the fancy kind with beautiful fabric and long soft ears. She slowed down on the sewing as her career in real estate took off.. But she could and would always make something if there was a need. And fixing and repairing things were her specialty. In fact she and I (I did nothing..) even made roman blinds for Dan and I's first house. We were super thrifty and made them out of sheets.

Gone are the days (I think?) where moms actually make their kids clothes. It's a shame really.. I am still kicking myself for not learning to sew from my ultra talented seamstress of a mother. And yes, it's on my bucket list to learn.. Once I learn to have some patience..

So Yunny, this gift was a very special one. One that won't be leaving our closets.. One that my kids will most certainly have to pass on to their kids.

How fun is it to have something handmade.. With love.

America Trip 2013: Poppy's Birthday

Another "better late than never post.."

Three days into our trip was Dad's birthday.  Lucky for us, we had a reason to go down to the Casita, BBQ more ribs than we could possible snarf down, and swim till way past bedtime.  Its nights like these that make summer in Seattle so special.  The weather is amazing, the lake is warm and inviting and hanging out with the family is the best.  We have the Casita BBQ's down to an art now.. everyone has a job.  Sean is always on the BBQ (the good old fashion charcoal kind- that smells amazing while it takes it sweet time heating up), Dan is in charge of the music, Girls make the guacamole and sides, and Dad strolls around his garden scoping out Sean's lack of gardening while casually socializing with each of us. We usually finish off the night with a boat cruise until the sun goes down.  

Poppy and his granddaughters.
Ellie was pretty excited for her first boat ride!

It looks like the pictures are out of order, and our internet is too crappy to try to change them. It already takes me too long to post.  So oh well.

The morning of dad's birthday we woke up and headed to the park to play.  The kids (and the big kid- Dad) all had a nap.  I should mention that Dad deserved a nap- after doing a massive birthday swim set with the masters at 5:30am.  After naps we walked down the the Shore Club for a swim in the pool before heading down to the Casita for Ribs.

Poppy and Dyllan off to get popcicles.

Cheeky Girl is pretty excited about her yard stick Popsicle.

The Casa got a make-over!  It looked amazing.  And the new owners were so friendly.

Two new Sussex's!

Just a couple of ribs..

Tasting the guac

Ready for the boat ride Ellie?

The perfect birthday present for Rib night.. Bacon flavored floss.  And yes, it tasted like bacon.  It actually tasted like you were flossing with bacon fat.  Gross.

Action shot

Heading out for a sunset cruise and presents.

A Weekend With The Bush Rangers

This weekend Bushy, " Ranger"Stacey and Fynn (aka The Bush Rangers) came up here to visit us.  We had such a fun time showing them our new place.  

Friday night we had dinner on our patio, caught up on stories and hung out by the light of the mosquito candles and torches while the kids slept.  

Saturday morning we woke up early and caught the ferry from Bulimba to South Bank.  We walked around South Bank, had breakfast and took the kids for a swim- all before 10am.  haha.  In the afternoon the boys took the kids swimming while Stacey and I browsed around the shops in Bulimba.  We finished the day with a feast at our local Mexican restaurant.  Ellie was the center of attention as she ate more than all of us.  It was amazing to see her snarf down that much food, that quickly.  Either she is growing or we didn't feed her  during the day!

Sunday we walked to the park  in the next suburb where they had a little carnival/farmers market.  The kids went on pony rides and bounced on trampolines and even won some sweet prizes.  Then we stopped off at The Garage, our favorite sandwich spot, for lunch on our way home.  We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out in our pool and BBQing before the gang had to head back home.  

Fynn and Dyllan waiting so patiently for the ferry.

Breakfast in South Bank

Fynn, Stacey and Ellie

Bushy, the human raft

Waiting for the boys to arrive.. with margaritas

Ellie inhaling her dinner..

Pony Rides at the Hawthorne carnival

Fynn wasnt so sure..

Carnival games

Hanging out at The Garage

Cooling off in the pool

Two friends sharing treats

Happy Birthday Dan!

Oops I thought this posted the other day.  

Happy Birthday Dan!  Cheers to an amazing father who comes home every night in time for family dinners and bedtime routines, to a loving and passionate husband who inspires me to be a better person, and to a guy people admire and love to be around.  Your energy and enthusiasm is contagious.  Cheers to many more birthdays.  The fun has just begun.

For Dan's birthday we had a family BBQ at our place.  Yunny and Lozzo were supposed to make a surprise appearance and spend the weekend with us, but unfortunately they missed their flight (by 10 min!) from Sydney.  Merin and James (Dan's aunt and uncle) came up from Surfers Paradise- it was great to see them and fun to show them our new life.

Birthday BBQ with Merin and James

Dan requested a banana cake - (mom's banana cake recipe)

ta-da!  decorated by Dyllan

We got a babysitter and took the ferry across the river for cocktails and dinner