mt hotham 2009

Aye, aye, aye. Look at that rain!

The scarred land. This was the area that was ravaged by bush fires last summer. These are burned trees with the stark contrast of the new lush green grass. The authorities are warning of the potential for even worse fires this summer. All the green now, will be thick tinder by the summer.

These trees were starting to regenerate. Life after such destruction.

At the mountain and ready to go!

First day out. Got to find those ski legs again.

Hold me Daddy!

Okay, now I can do it myself.

Glorious, perfect weather.

What a magical blue.

Mountain Man! Wild hair hey?

Into Mighty Mites Ski School, onto the Dragon Wagon. He tried so hard for his teacher. What a cutie! She was so sweet to Tiggy.

We were so lucky with the weather. God's work at its finest.

Back at the bus stop. I seemed to spend quite a lot of time here, trudging up and down the mountain with the baby strapped to my back. That's why she's so poorly represented in the holiday snaps. Oh well, next year she'll be on skis!

I heart the snow!!

Take a closer look.

Okay now he's got his ski-legs!

And he's off!

On the third day he earned his wings. Harry the Dragon wings - he didn't get them last year - a little too naughty! But we won't talk about that. The thing is he got them finally this year!

Here's Harry the Dragon. Go the Big D!

Last evening spectacular. Fire twirling and flame throwing, ski jumps and my favorite - fireworks. No photos I was too busy gasping with joy. I just adore them!

Heading for home ...

... another storm to travel with.

Coming down the mountain.

Loving the blues & greys

Spectacular

If I were a quilter I know this shed would spawn a beauty ...

... perhaps I should give it a go.

Harrietville

Such a sweet old town. It's been around since the gold rush. I couldn't help but think of the isolation the settlers here must have felt. It's so far from anywhere.

Plum tuckered.

It was definitely time to leave but wow, what a lovely time we had.

Can't wait to get back there next year.

the journey home

Cuddles with Momo.

All clean.

4am departure day Tigs with Henry, our driver.

Flight home - Smiley kept popping her little head up out of the crib.

Our chil'n snuggling together. Tiggy set Twinkle up with the headphones! Very cute.

Of course she's never seen tv before!

Time to jump on Daddy!

T2 wondering what's going on.

Home at last.

We are all settled and happy, albeit a little jet-lagged still. Both children have exceeded all expectations. The Big Guy is so sweet with his little sister. He said she's Cinderella today. I catch him singing to her and playing little games with her. Melts my heart completely. The Little One is just an angel. She is such an easy baby (I really earned my stripes the first time around!). She's very easy to satisfy, wakes happily with a little call out, smiles, eats, smiles, drinks, smiles, babbles, smiles, sleeps. Repeat!

Long may it continue!!

Thanks everyone for all your lovely comments and emails. We feel blessed in every way.

E x

getting ready

Lots of pink packed. And I think that suitcase can't take anymore!

Tigs playing at being a baby. He looks so pretty.

I think Twinkle will be a little bigger than we first thought

so it was essential that I get some slightly bigger outfits.

So sweet .