Having Happy Holidays

Hi Everyone,
For those who are following this blog, I'm really sorry it's been so long since I last posted! Life got crazy busy in the last few weeks at St Andrews Hall Melbourne. Now it seems like long ago not the 2.5 weeks that it is. I vaguely remember a Grease themed farewell night when we sang Hopelessly devoted to you (amongst other songs) a Grad ceremony and many tears as we farewelled each other. We became very close after 5 months of sharing in each others lives.

Our Grease loving crew says farewell to staff!

We then took a few days out heading up to Qld. and stopped at Seal Rocks NSW. Shane and I both got sick with the flu, and spent a few days in bed! We were at a caravan park in the middle of nowhere with a surf break literally on the doorstep as we headed outside. The weather was quite chilly and windy so needless to say Shane was a bit devastated with all that, while his surf board mostly sat on the roof of the car!

The view from our cabin door

The day we left Oli told us in the morning he felt sick in the tummy. By mid morning he was vomiting, had diarrohea, and was miserable. We had a 2 day drive in front of us up to Chinchilla and Shane's parents farm. Our gorgeous boy never complained and lay miserable in the back. Once we got to the farm it continued and so a day later we were in hospital! It was salmonella poisoning, and it took 4 days for him to keep food in his body where it's meant to be! So let this be a warning to you - watch the chicken you eat carefully in case any is raw, and never keep it for long in the fridge!

Vegimite on toast, Soooo good after only strained soup and jelly for 3 days!!!

Lately we have been having afternoon teas with family and friends in Toowoomba, Brissy, and Caloundra sharing our future plans and raising support. We have been really gratiified at people's interest and generosity to us.
Now as I write this I am sitting in a massive mansion at Mooloolaba, Alexandra Head. It has 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 kitchens and a pool! We are here with Shanes parents, 2 sisters and their families. I have no idea who would build a house like this to live in - but if you're in the mood with a few spare dollars around you can buy it for 1.4 million! Our room with ensuite, and 3 kids sleeping in the walk-in robe (and there is still room to spare in it) is bigger than our whole apartment was in Melbourne! We are loving staying here in the luxury and relaxing with each other - because we don't have to clean it when we leave!!! Otherwise I couldn't enjoy our time cos I'd be thinking it would take me a week to clean it, its so big!

This bathroom is sooooo big!!

We've been surfing each morning (and this time we are well and Shane's a happy camper!) watching movies (saw Slum Dog millionaire last night, and found it quite traumatic!!!) eating food, playing games, op-shopping (naomi found quite a few bargains!) and swimming in the pool! Holidays are so good!!

Fun on the beach with cousins!

Well that's things up to speed for now! In 2 days we fly to Sydney for a CMS camp, back for Chrismas at the farm then start heading home to Adelaide. If we can begin driving without a kid vomiting and having diarrohea, it will be an improvement!
Until next time, and HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL IF I DON'T GET BACK
Rubies
xxxx