Twenty Ten : )

Happy Zoo New Year for 2010 to our dear friends and family!!

With this in mind can you guess where we spent New Years Eve and celebrated it at the kids friendly time of 9.30pm (much more sensible..I am so sounding old : P).

Yes it was the Perth Zoo, kindly organised by our friends the Ledgers - Dana, Jason, Victoria, Rupert, Lizzie and Penny.

It was an absolute breeze getting there (everyone in Perth must have finished work early as there was no traffic on the freeway), finding parking and then returning home. The kids all went for a walk around the zoo with the dad’s, while the mum’s sat, chatted and talked Ashton into going to sleep : ). After they return we enjoyed a casual feed, and some sword swallowing and Abba singing entertainment. The kids enjoyed dancing along and chasing each other with glow sticks. The countdown began just before 9.30am and was met with a brief fireworks display (can’t imagine what the poor animals thought!!) and more music and dancing.

Lately people had been saying to us, I bet you can’t wait for this year to finish. Upon reflection when we returned home from the zoo, we agreed that this year has definitely not been our worse.

2009 bought us the delightful arrival of Ashton, discovery of new friendships, stronger bonds with our friends who have been with us every step of the way, our gold coast holiday (many many happy memories), arrival of our new niece, Sienna, my sister Olivia relocating permanently to Perth from Kalgoorlie, My mum and dad deciding to remain in Perth (we are now lucky enough to have them around the corner), the success of Jason’s business, awesome report cards from both Kody and Imogen, Kody’s incredible trombone playing : ), a Koloa being named after our Imogen and many more moments and memories that we have been able to experience together as a family.

What an incredible and super year, now we set off sail into 2010, who knows what, will happen. All we do know for sure, is that we’re grateful to have each other.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and super fun 2010

With Hope and Love

Fiona, Jason, Kody, Imogen and Ashton

I keep forgetting to add our Picassa Web Album Link, were there are many more photos of our family - here it is -

http://picasaweb.google.com.au/theholmesgang

Christmas Wishes

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
~Burton Hillis

Christmas Day 2009, was a happy relaxed day. The lead up was crazy and mindblowing, organising two Christmas Dinners at your house for both sides of the family, (lunch and dinner) is not an easy feat. Though with a lot of contribution from the family members the day came together like a fine pecan pie : ). My sister Olivia, the mastermind behind such things as the beautiful Christmas table settings to the organising of the yummy lunch, was so very much appreciated.


With all the lead up towards Christmas, and the added organization involved with the pool, I was not sure how we were going to feel on the day.
I should have also added when calculating our emotions a huge serving of sleep deprivation. Our Gorgeous Girl, Imogen awoke at 3 am on Christmas day… we were shortly woken there after, by a very loud announcement of “ SANTA’S BEEN!!!”. After quickly and quietly telling Imogen that even though Santa had been, it was not time to wake up, everyone returned to land of nod. This to us parents was unfortunately short lived with a bounding they came at 5 am onto our bed…at this point I must stop and ask “ Where do kids get all there energy?, and how become when your older you have none!!”..I don’t think there really is an answer….funny that!!.


Well as you can imagine, and as it most likely occurred in most families, wrapping paper was thrown everywhere revealing the gifts from the lists they had written to Santa (clever man, that he is : ). Then this was followed by breakfast..at about 5.30am, that is far too early to eating (or even waking) I believe. Then more presents, from our gorgeous friends. Then the mum and dad presents. Imogen favourite being the Diego Rescue Centre (Well Done to me) and Kody’s was spending the day with us, though secretly I think it was the Star Wars Book from Santa. Ashton, well he had so many Christmas requests..so demanding that child : )..I think his favourite gift would have been a feed from me. I must also mention that Ashton – the perfect spud child, did not wake till 8.45am on Christmas Day, after retiring on Christmas Eve at 6pm (he is truly one of a kind in this crazy family).


The rest of the day carried on, guests arriving, a huge feast for lunch, swimming, feeding, playing WII games…only briefly did we have moments of melancholy. There seemed to be a peaceful air to the day, and I have no doubt that this Christmas will not be the last we spend with our little girl.

Late that afternoon, surprisingly (not) Imogen fell asleep. I was very grateful she did as I am not sure of the reception Jason’s family would have received if she had not. All the Holmes’ arrived just after 4, for more swimming, food and laughter. We had a lovely evening and Christmas Day drew to an end at about 11pm, with both me and Jason collapsing on our bed into a DEEP DEEP sleep.
Christmas day gave us many perfect and precious memories, though everyday we spend together as a family we continue to capture many more.


I will leave you with something my dear girl said to her littlest brother the other day as he smiled at her..
“Oh Ashton, you made me laugh so much it made my heart smile”

May your heart have plenty to smile about in 2010.

With Love and Hope

Fiona, Jason, Kody, Imogen and Ashton xxxxx