December 2008
Well! Christmas has been and gone so I hope you all received nice presents from Santa Claus!
These trees flower this time of year and are known as Christmas trees
First was The Hills Orchestra Children’s Christmas Concert, in the afternoon, in which Jo played a ‘White Christmas’ solo on her trumpet, and very good it was too! When the orchestra played ‘The Tumblers’, Alex did some superb acrobatics to the delight of the audience, who were spell bound! Naturally, Santa came with sweets for all the children and “’Twas the Night before Christmas” was read to them all - see video on Maisie's Blog
The same evening we went to Lizzie’s School Book Launch. This was a proper published edition of stories which children at her school had written and included one of Lizzie’s. The picture on the book cover was taken from the theme of her story. Lizzie and the other children duly signed copies for parents and friends who bought the books.
Lizzie
Next was the Willetton High School selection of plays. Alex’s year did a comedy about Nursery Rhyme characters getting into the wrong stories, and having to be found and put back where they belonged. Alex was one of the Three Bears.
Linda and Dave
Two days later Maisie and 2 of her bowling friends, Vyvette and Betty, played in the Ladies Club Championship Triples, and to their great surprise and pleasure, they won!!!!
It was the 1st ‘Major’ game any of them had ever won. (You may remember that in November this 3 and Wendy J had won the ‘Plate’ in the Fours, but this was a Major!!) you get your name on a plaque for this chuckle!
Silvia gave us and Dieter and Liesel (the other grandparents) a super dinner of scallops for starters, then stuffed salmon with prawns 
and a scrumptious sweet that probably did not help our sugar levels much, chuckle!
Presents were given out this night as is the German custom, with us chuckling at the antics of Benjamin as he unwrapped one present, tossed it away over his shoulder and grabbed the next. I thought it particularly funny when his dad was helping assemble a big red plastic sit on car, Benjamin at first getting more fun out of climbing up on the box. Then, as John got it out and started to fix on the steering wheel, he grabbed it,
lifted it up for John then slammed it down thereby locating it on the shaft! John quickly put the bolt in place and Benjamin was off on it before John could get his fingers out of the way.
We used the Ford Transit to sleep in that night and had breakfast with them. (They were all up early as Santa had been in the night) Now there had appeared an amplifier for the ukulele. Blues music this morning and Maya, who also loves to sing entertained us by her singing 'blues' with Emil!! doing much of the singing into the mike!!! Looking out the window, to my surprise I saw a large white rabbit appear in the garden, making me think of Alice in Wonderland but it never took out a pocket watch so I think it must have escaped from next door!
Simon had the turkey cooking in the BBQ on the patio with some of the vegetables and made a wonderful job of it too.
Maisie had made a big Christmas cake - which Alex and Lizzie decorated with penguins and an igloo - and the Christmas pudding.
All the ladies has contributed and of 
course there was enough food for an army!! What a feast!!!!
The weather was super at about 28º so the children could swim and play in the garden after the meal. Presents were given all round and one great hit was two small remote control helicopters that Simon and Matt received from their dad. Some children never grow up and these two big kids had a great time frightening the grandchildren with these look alike large mosquitoes. As the time went on there was more food then the grandchildren entertained us oldies with Alex and Lizzie doing a 'show' which included Kylie Minogue singing, ukulele playing and dancing by Emil and Maya, assisted by Benjamin and Dad John. Pity we never had a floodlight as the small cameras couldn't cope with the poor lighting. Rather than drive with a skin full of wine we used the Transit again to sleep over in!
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Things were to quieten down for the next few days but preparations were underway to spend Old Years Night at Tricia and Johns country house, 'the farm' as we call it, in Jarradale. John has a few sheep to keep the grass cut. Then plans changed as big John said he would like to take our son John and the children out on his boat on the 29th, so suddenly we are off again.
John and Silvia had brought Dieter, (Silvia's father) along to enjoy the trip too. Benjamin's wine glass was empty by the way.
The children had a great time, driving, and watching other craft and all managed to stay on board and not fall into the river!
Tea and biscuits were eaten in a nice shady green park after we tied up the boat to a jetty. Here the children got rid of excess energy on the playground's climbing frames and slides.
Returning to the boat we cast off for another cruise up the river this time to the Garret Road Bridge. 
We were
too tall get under this, we found out for sure as we almost removed the structure that supports it chuckle! The tide had suddenly turned and started to flood in and we may have got a little too close chuckle, but with big Johns driving skill and a little help from my boot no damage was done to boat or the ancient structure!
So back to the boatyard we went and tied up again. Here we said goodbye to my son John, Silvia, Dieter and the children. The boat made snug in its mooring, Tricia invited us to a cup of tea or coffee. Maisie and I spent a very pleasant half hour or so sitting with John and Tricia on the boat watching the changing light, as sun sank lower till we had to say goodbye and drive home. We slept well that night tired out from all the fresh air.
Prawns and oysters for starters then Emil wanted to show off his ukulele skill and with John and Maya they soon got started then Alex joined in and sang. Lizzy also did her bit too. 
Meanwhile more food chicken and sausages were cooked on the BBQ. A big pot of ratatouille and potatoes and several plates of salad were eaten washed down with copious glasses of red wine.
Big John also had us bursting with laughter as he told a joke while attempting to be the
three different ethnic people, one of course being an Ocker Aussie. They were supposed to be judging a curry making competition! Lizzy took part by swapping the hats for John. Luckily by now the younger children had gone to bed as the tone of the party maybe lowered a little as we now got around
to "Have you heard this one?"!!!
I do believe someone put alcohol in my wine because by the time it came to sing the Auld Lang Syne at 12 o'clock, I was a little off voice. But I did notice I was not the only one! John played the tune on his new saxophone and while it was good, I think a few bum notes crept in!!! But whether it was the alcohol or lack of practice time, I am not quite sure! A similar problem came when it was time for me to try to remember the words of our dear uncle Wal's favourite song at this time of year. This we always try to sing in the first hour of the new year too!!! I think it goes 'I saw England's valleys and dales'? I did get some of the words right even if the tune suffered a little, OK a Lot!!! Maisie phoned us all just after midnight as she had been woken by the local firework display. She said she felt a bit better and told me to make sure I slept off the alcohol before driving home next day. We partied on for a little while more with me leaving the van doors wide open and knocking off the ceiling light with my head as I retired to sleep at 2o'clock!!! I was awake by about 5.30am and drinking water and a flask of coffee!!!! Later Tricia and the ladies cooked a huge egg and ham Breakfast for everyone and I left for home about 11 o'clock still feeling a little tired.
John and Silvia left for their home in Denmark W.A on the 2nd
Well dear friends and family its time to end my New Year message.
Thereby I am informing you that after serious & cautious consideration of your 2009 Contract…
Your contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2009!
It was a very hard decision to make so try not to screw it up!!!
My Wish for You in 2009,
May peace break into your home and thieves come to steal your debts
May the pockets of your favourite jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May all the clothes in your closet fit and flatter!
May happiness wrap its arms around you and your tears be always those of joy.
May the problems you had forget your home address!
In simple words . . .
the Auld Lang Syne at 12 o'clock, I was a little off voice
These trees flower this time of year and are known as Christmas trees
Pre Christmas events
Here’s a quick run down on the pre-Christmas events.First was The Hills Orchestra Children’s Christmas Concert, in the afternoon, in which Jo played a ‘White Christmas’ solo on her trumpet, and very good it was too! When the orchestra played ‘The Tumblers’, Alex did some superb acrobatics to the delight of the audience, who were spell bound! Naturally, Santa came with sweets for all the children and “’Twas the Night before Christmas” was read to them all - see video on Maisie's Blog
The same evening we went to Lizzie’s School Book Launch. This was a proper published edition of stories which children at her school had written and included one of Lizzie’s. The picture on the book cover was taken from the theme of her story. Lizzie and the other children duly signed copies for parents and friends who bought the books.
Lizzie
Next was the Willetton High School selection of plays. Alex’s year did a comedy about Nursery Rhyme characters getting into the wrong stories, and having to be found and put back where they belonged. Alex was one of the Three Bears.
On 15th December
We went to Fremantle and met up with Dave and Linda, (friends of Mike’s brother Pete and his wife Tina) who were out here for Christmas with their son and daughter-in-law. We had a lovely lunch and chatted about good times in Spain when they were on holiday there. Afterwards we all went back to our house for more chat and laughs.
Linda and Dave
Two days later Maisie and 2 of her bowling friends, Vyvette and Betty, played in the Ladies Club Championship Triples, and to their great surprise and pleasure, they won!!!!
It was the 1st ‘Major’ game any of them had ever won. (You may remember that in November this 3 and Wendy J had won the ‘Plate’ in the Fours, but this was a Major!!) you get your name on a plaque for this chuckle!
Now the Christmas holiday news:
It is a very hectic time of the year for our household with many super big dinners and parties going on. My son John and Silvia did a house swap so were again living locally over the holiday period, which was great for all us grandparents of course. Their three children, Emil, Maya and Benjamin kept us on our toes and smiles on our faces as they played and generally set out too amuse us. Emil has become very proficient on his ukulele. He, having stunned all of us and everyone that passed, had busked with it in Denmark and Busselton till he had enough money to buy a new one!!! Having found what he wanted in the Perth music shop reduced by some hundred dollars, he pestered the guy for more saying he did not want to use all his money and he had only $…. He then set out to show the guy he could play and he charmed him and got $10 left over as he left the shop clutching his new pride and joy. Then he badgered his dad to let him busk in Perth and in 20 minutes made another $25 back!! So not only is he a musician now, he also seems to be a great businessman too! They came to us for tea the day after they arrived, after their hectic day of shopping!
On Christmas Eve
Silvia gave us and Dieter and Liesel (the other grandparents) a super dinner of scallops for starters, then stuffed salmon with prawns 
and a scrumptious sweet that probably did not help our sugar levels much, chuckle!
Presents were given out this night as is the German custom, with us chuckling at the antics of Benjamin as he unwrapped one present, tossed it away over his shoulder and grabbed the next. I thought it particularly funny when his dad was helping assemble a big red plastic sit on car, Benjamin at first getting more fun out of climbing up on the box. Then, as John got it out and started to fix on the steering wheel, he grabbed it,
lifted it up for John then slammed it down thereby locating it on the shaft! John quickly put the bolt in place and Benjamin was off on it before John could get his fingers out of the way.
We used the Ford Transit to sleep in that night and had breakfast with them. (They were all up early as Santa had been in the night) Now there had appeared an amplifier for the ukulele. Blues music this morning and Maya, who also loves to sing entertained us by her singing 'blues' with Emil!! doing much of the singing into the mike!!! Looking out the window, to my surprise I saw a large white rabbit appear in the garden, making me think of Alice in Wonderland but it never took out a pocket watch so I think it must have escaped from next door!
Christmas Day
We left for home to freshen up ready to start again at Josie's with Simon, Alex and Lizzy. Here we were to meet Matt (Simons brother) and Aveni his wife, and their son Thomas, Big John (Simons dad), Tricia and our son John, Silvia and the children.Simon had the turkey cooking in the BBQ on the patio with some of the vegetables and made a wonderful job of it too.
Maisie had made a big Christmas cake - which Alex and Lizzie decorated with penguins and an igloo - and the Christmas pudding.
All the ladies has contributed and of 
course there was enough food for an army!! What a feast!!!!
The weather was super at about 28º so the children could swim and play in the garden after the meal. Presents were given all round and one great hit was two small remote control helicopters that Simon and Matt received from their dad. Some children never grow up and these two big kids had a great time frightening the grandchildren with these look alike large mosquitoes. As the time went on there was more food then the grandchildren entertained us oldies with Alex and Lizzie doing a 'show' which included Kylie Minogue singing, ukulele playing and dancing by Emil and Maya, assisted by Benjamin and Dad John. Pity we never had a floodlight as the small cameras couldn't cope with the poor lighting. Rather than drive with a skin full of wine we used the Transit again to sleep over in!Boxing Day
was taken very quietly at home.
was taken very quietly at home.
The 27th is Alex's birthday
So all of us returned to Josie's for the birthday party and more presents for Alex! Of course more food was heaped on the table and we all ate and drank more than our fill again!!!!!
.jpg)
The 28th
The next day Maisie played in the Bowl over Cancer game and won both her games but no prizes, but was given a bottle of wine and a set of coasters, 'for being a good skip' by one of her team, who had won them in the raffles.Things were to quieten down for the next few days but preparations were underway to spend Old Years Night at Tricia and Johns country house, 'the farm' as we call it, in Jarradale. John has a few sheep to keep the grass cut. Then plans changed as big John said he would like to take our son John and the children out on his boat on the 29th, so suddenly we are off again.
The 29th
This time just for the afternoon on the river, stopping ashore somewhere for tea and biscuits. The morning was very very hot and we wondered if it was a wise move but by 4pm it started to cool and the sea breeze arrived once we were out on the water.
John and Silvia had brought Dieter, (Silvia's father) along to enjoy the trip too. Benjamin's wine glass was empty by the way.The children had a great time, driving, and watching other craft and all managed to stay on board and not fall into the river!
Tea and biscuits were eaten in a nice shady green park after we tied up the boat to a jetty. Here the children got rid of excess energy on the playground's climbing frames and slides.
Returning to the boat we cast off for another cruise up the river this time to the Garret Road Bridge. 
We weretoo tall get under this, we found out for sure as we almost removed the structure that supports it chuckle! The tide had suddenly turned and started to flood in and we may have got a little too close chuckle, but with big Johns driving skill and a little help from my boot no damage was done to boat or the ancient structure!
So back to the boatyard we went and tied up again. Here we said goodbye to my son John, Silvia, Dieter and the children. The boat made snug in its mooring, Tricia invited us to a cup of tea or coffee. Maisie and I spent a very pleasant half hour or so sitting with John and Tricia on the boat watching the changing light, as sun sank lower till we had to say goodbye and drive home. We slept well that night tired out from all the fresh air.
Now the 31st
was here and we prepared to join big John and Tricia and all the family at Jarradale. Maisie cooked some lovely prawns to take then was suddenly struck with a tummy bug and insisted I go without her. She took some pills and seemed on the mend as I left, and said she would go to bed. We both realised we had never been apart on old years night since we had first met! (I'm not sure I should say how long ago that was chuckle.) Well all were surprised to se me with no Maisie but unfortunately she was not the only one not here tonight as Matt and Aveni, who has about a month or so to wait for the arrival of their next child, had also decided to take things a little easy. Arthur and his wife Judy, friends of Tricia and John, joined us making up the number though and although it was a terribly hot day, a breeze helped cool us as we all got into the party spirit.
Prawns and oysters for starters then Emil wanted to show off his ukulele skill and with John and Maya they soon got started then Alex joined in and sang. Lizzy also did her bit too. 
Meanwhile more food chicken and sausages were cooked on the BBQ. A big pot of ratatouille and potatoes and several plates of salad were eaten washed down with copious glasses of red wine.Big John also had us bursting with laughter as he told a joke while attempting to be the
three different ethnic people, one of course being an Ocker Aussie. They were supposed to be judging a curry making competition! Lizzy took part by swapping the hats for John. Luckily by now the younger children had gone to bed as the tone of the party maybe lowered a little as we now got around
to "Have you heard this one?"!!!
I do believe someone put alcohol in my wine because by the time it came to sing the Auld Lang Syne at 12 o'clock, I was a little off voice. But I did notice I was not the only one! John played the tune on his new saxophone and while it was good, I think a few bum notes crept in!!! But whether it was the alcohol or lack of practice time, I am not quite sure! A similar problem came when it was time for me to try to remember the words of our dear uncle Wal's favourite song at this time of year. This we always try to sing in the first hour of the new year too!!! I think it goes 'I saw England's valleys and dales'? I did get some of the words right even if the tune suffered a little, OK a Lot!!! Maisie phoned us all just after midnight as she had been woken by the local firework display. She said she felt a bit better and told me to make sure I slept off the alcohol before driving home next day. We partied on for a little while more with me leaving the van doors wide open and knocking off the ceiling light with my head as I retired to sleep at 2o'clock!!! I was awake by about 5.30am and drinking water and a flask of coffee!!!! Later Tricia and the ladies cooked a huge egg and ham Breakfast for everyone and I left for home about 11 o'clock still feeling a little tired.
John and Silvia left for their home in Denmark W.A on the 2nd
Well dear friends and family its time to end my New Year message.
Thereby I am informing you that after serious & cautious consideration of your 2009 Contract…
Your contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2009!
It was a very hard decision to make so try not to screw it up!!!
My Wish for You in 2009,
May peace break into your home and thieves come to steal your debts
May the pockets of your favourite jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May all the clothes in your closet fit and flatter!
May happiness wrap its arms around you and your tears be always those of joy.
May the problems you had forget your home address!
In simple words . . .
May 2009 be the best year of your life!!!
the Auld Lang Syne at 12 o'clock, I was a little off voice
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