Final FIG activities

This month we held our final last two Faith in God activities for the year. On the same day as the Westbury Show, we went fishing with Ben and Sam Ziesel at the Deloraine River. It had been raining SO much the day before with storms and minor flooding, that we were worried the morning would need to be cancelled.

But the sun peeked out and we started off along the beautiful track along the river.

Ben and Sam showed the kids how to put the bait on the rod and then how to cast off.

Hallie had a turn at casting off but none of the kids wanted a turn at putting the worms on the hook. :)

Hallie ended up snaring a nice trout which she gave to her friend Natasha who had slept over at our house for the Westbury Show.

Adam Rouse showed us how to gut the fish but I didn't get any photos as I was too busy going "yuk, yuk".

Yesterday for our final FIG activity of the year, Simon took the kids on a hike at the Porter's property. We walked for about 45 minutes up some very steep rocks and a hill but the climb was worth for the view at the top.

Simon showed the kids how to read a compass and they worked out where Devonport, Launceston and Hobart were. They made up a saying to remember the order of NSEW. Becky's was a classic, "never eat sheep wool".

On the way back, Simon told the kids to lead the way and see if they could remember the track up the hill.

We saw an awesome cliff face on the way down.

We finished off the hike with a luncheon at the chapel and cold rock for dessert to celebrate a great year of activities. And just in time too as the rain started pouring down again.

Jonty's 5th birthday

Jonty celebrates his birthday with Remembrance Day which I absolutely LOVE as I love history and in particular war history really resonates with me. Normally I do not let my emotions show much but on Anzac Day I can quite unabashedly let the tears flow as I stand on the sidelines as the "heroes" march past me on the street. 

It's quite something to think that men and women many years even before my own mother was born, fought with courage and determination to keep us free to raise our own families in peace, while they sacrificed any future family they might have had if they had lived.

So Jonty was born on the 11th of the 11th at 11.35am.

He was SO excited for his 5th birthday and couldn't wait to open his presents.

He is getting so big now, standing on tippy toes to butter his own toast, telling me he is big enough now not to stand on a chair. Here he is sporting his cool new birthday shorts from Nan.

Oma sent a present in the mail and Jonty had great fun opening it and loves book, asking me to read it on the spot.

Flynn was happy that he got a book too but was then confused for the rest of the day thinking it was his birthday instead. 

Jonty had asked me to make a swimming pool cake seeing as we were taking him to the aquatic centre after the other kids finished school.

We met up with the Wheelers and the Kings and Jonty was very excited saying, "Kobe is my best friend", all the way into the pool.

Jonty was excited opening his Cars truck from Kobe and some paints from the Wheelers.

While we were there, Lisa got a call from Jayme's girlfriend, Jenadene that she had got her mission call to the Temple Square mission in Salt Lake City, Utah. She will get home just three months before Jayme finishes his mission in Japan.

Jonty loved the novelty of having a party at the pool and having a cake right next to the pool. I don't think he will forget how much fun he had at his 5th birthday pool party.

Triffitt get-together

At the beginning of November, Simon's younger brother Jason and his wife Kaisa came down from Sydney and King Island for a wedding so Simon's Mum took the opportunity to organise a get together to catch up over the long weekend.

It was a beautiful day and reminded me of Christmastime coming up, with good company and good food.

Jason works on King Island and brought down some really yummy cheese.

It was also Oma's birthday so Kay had brought along a yummy cake to celebrate.

It's great having a bit of space for the kids to have a play.

Sarah loved patting Sarra's guinea pig, Peppa. Sadly Peppa died while Sarra was in Melbourne a few weeks ago.

All the cousins love getting together and just hanging out.

And it was extra nice to catch up with Jason and Kaisa who we don't get to see very often.