Christmas Day 2011

We had a full house on Christmas Day.

Our parents, Russell & Sharyn also came down.

An hour's worth of present opening (we must have all been really good this year), then on to the main event.

Christmas Lunch - Roast Pork and Beef with Roast veggies and for Russell and Sharyn vegan Shepards pie and salads.

A round of Yahtzee, then dessert... 3 to choose from:
Christmas cake, Jaffa cake and Christmas truffles (they where a really big hit).

 

Everyone was at bursting point!

Christmas Oasis 2011 - Village People

This Christmas Oasis was the last for Nick and Dionne before they head off for chilly cold England.
We have been talking about dressing up as the Village People for about 5 years now, so this was our last chance to do a last dress up.

We all had our traditional dance dinner out at Oasis (this time at Mario's) before dancing - got some very interesting looks :) then applied our mustashes!

The girls/boys: Dionne the Bikie, Sue the Sailor and Maria the Construction Worker

 The boys: Mikey the Indian, Mark the Cowboy and Nick the Policeman

Got some group shots together, then outside to the dance floor, for more photo's.

We managed to dance in our outfits for at least an hour, before the stashes came off, I don't know about the boys, but I think some of us girls freaked the leads out with our furry lips :)

Village People with a new addition - Mark the swinger, not that kind of swinger, a swing dancer!

Doing the dance class

Rob and Jane joined in.

It was a great night out and glad we finally did the Village People.


More photos at our Gallery and slideshow

Brisbane Basket Brigade 11th Dec 2011

I am a committee member of the Brisbane Basket Brigade (BBB) that are a part of the International Magic Moments Charity.

All around the world we all raise money and get donations for our Christmas delivery to the needy. After much fundraising through the year, delivery day was upon us. Dad helped out with pick ups of donations and food bought on the Friday, and Saturday for delivery to the school and set up for Sunday.

 Sunday 8am was a beautiful sunny day and we had over 250 people turn up by 9.30 to help: wrap presents, colour in pictures to stick on the boxes, make up boxes, pack and deliver boxes to the needy.

 Everyone pitched in: Dad helped out with carparking, Mum was a Funster, Mikey looked after the free sausage sizzle and I looked after the registration, raffle sales and raffle draw.

 Everyone was in great spirits and we where all in the Christmas spirit and done by 12.30. Awesome achievement!! We helped put a smile on 768 people faces, that is 249 families! 346 boxes packed with food, gifts and love.


 Photo Link

Straddie Day Trip 17th November 2011

We took the Gold Cat water taxi across to North Stradbroke Island for a nice day trip, as part of my birthday present from Maria. The water taxi and bus service is a great and cheap way of seeing Straddie.

First up we had a nice refreshing swim a cylinders beach before heading to the hotel for lunch, also a present from Maria. With a well satisfied stomach we headed to the gorge for Gelato and a walk around the North Gorge. Unfortunately it seems that Redlands Council were in the midst of major repair work of the walking track around the gorge so we could only walk around 600m.

North Gorge

North Gorge

Turtle at North Gorge

Maria getting too close to the edge

Gallery, Slide Show

Goolang 2011

Great weekend away at Goolang with Nick Dionne, Rob Phil and Maryia.

We all have a few scratches from the rocks tubing, but no broken bones this year.

Unfortunately we got to experience some of the most inconsiderate campers ever and they where age support workers!

 Friday night we did the normal dinner out at the Nambodia Pub (owned by Russell Crowe). Great little pub with awesome food!

 Gallery

Viking Birthday Party

8/Oct/2011

This year we celebrated my (Michael's) birthday a couple of weeks early with a Viking themed party.

The only dress requirement was horns (yes I know Vikings didn't wear horns).

I spent a few hours each day over the preceding weeks making up my cardboard Viking boat (along with sail). I guess Thor wasn't too happy a small thunder storm hit during the party and destroyed the sail, but I can't complain too much as the rain only lasted a short time and didn't affect the night.

In the Viking Navy

Viking invading party

 Maria organised a wonderful "Viking" Cake that tasted as good as it looked.

While the gang invented a few Viking games such as "Viking table tennis" using hammers, swords, shields as a bat, and catching an Aerobe disc with the Viking helmet. I guess we are easily amused.

Viking Table Tennis

Des catch a flying disc with his horn.

I would like to thank everyone that came to the party for the great gifts, and for helping me to celbrate my "Early" birthday.

Cut throat viking

Thirsty Viking

The Gang

 Gallery, Slide show

Dad's 60th Birthday - 1 October 2011

Mum had organised a lovely lunch for 20 at the Blue Anchorage at Bribie Island.
It was lovely spot with great food!

Hard to believe Dad is 60!

Des and Dee's Wedding 24 September 2011

Thursday 
We flew down to Newcastle early in the morning then drove to the Hunter Valley for the afternoon Buck's  Party.

The boys gathered at Tempest Two Vineyard at 2:30pm for a couple of drinks (OK, a lot of drinks).
We spent around 4 hours drinking eating and catching up with friends and enjoying "good" conversation. It was great to catch up with Des, Gary, Baz, Geoff and Rob as it has been awhile. It was the perfect way to celebrate Des's Bucks. After a quick change of clothes the reconvened at Harrigans Irish bar, for dinner and a few more drinks.


Friday 
Hot sunny day - we drove to Gosford to catch up with Aunt Riet (82) and her boyfriend Bernie (92). Took them out to Terrial for a seafood lunch at the Cove. Bernie then showed us around the various beaches around the area. It was great to catch up and have alook at a beautiful part of the area.

Back in time to change and go out for dinner at the Hunter Valley Brewery (Potters) and catch up with everyone.

Saturday
The weather was a little overcast and we spent the morning at the Hunter Valley Gardens for the spring festival. Lovely morning out.

Then back to have a rest and get changed for the big event!
D & D's wedding was held in the garden/ vineyard behind Roberts Restaurant.
Lovely setting.....

Des was looking very daper and couldn't stand still...

Dee looked stunning....

Then for the reception inside.....

Some amazing speeches... especially from Des - So Happy!

An amazing bridal waltz....

and some incredibly daggy dancing from the boys :o)

Gallery - Hunter Valley, Wedding

Brisbane Gangster Ball 2011

This year, Dionne and I went to great effort and made our own costumes for the Gangster Ball.
It took us two months to complete the dresses and alot of Tulle!

We did a little detour on the way to the ball (after a very interesting ride in the car) and stopped at a competition bus stop sign to enter a pinup photo session with a local photographer - we didn't win the major prize, but they did make a runner up prize just for us :o)

We where the Aero-gramme Girls - Miss Labelled and Miss Directed.

 It was well worth the effort and the dresses where well received on the night. Due to my lack of sewing skills, Dionne has been giving me lessons for the last 4 months - so a big thank you to Dionne!

Gallery, Slide show

Bunya Long Weekend 2-5 September

We booked a long weekend 6 months ago, and it was finally here!!! It ended up being the 4 of us - Nick and Dionne. We managed to book a new house this time - which was wonderful - we really lucked out. two lounge area's, fire, pool table, bar and a wonderful view of Bunya.

Our Cabin

A lot of time was spent around the pool table

The bar

The weather was great for the weekend - mostly clear and cool.

We had a nice walk up to Barkers look out - easy walk and highly recommended.

Got to see the local wild life, Kookaburras, wallabies, parrots and even a red belly black.

Unfortunately the amazing restaurant we ate at last time had had a fire and hadn't reopened, so we went to a local B & B for dinner.

Dionne and I did the final touches to our Gangster Ball dresses, then we watched Fame the original (all agreeing that it was terrible!!!)

Mist arrived on final morning

It was a great relaxing weekend with great friends.


Gallery, slideshow