Happy 70th Birthday Mary Jones!

Today was a day of celebration and surprises.  It began as usual with David going for a ride with MDBC and Cathy going for a long run, but then the family began to arrive for a celebration birthday lunch.

The look on mum's face when Katrina and the kids popped out from behind the bench yelling "Surprise!" was priceless.
It was great to see them all once again.  It's not often that they can all get down from Newcastle.

Jenny, Rod and the Dawson part of our family turned up in time to eat together around the extended table - the same teak table we'd grown up having dinner around as kids in Harrison St.

Cathy made her favorite dessert - a Berry Meringue tree - and everyone enjoyed a piece. Mitchell got 2 pieces when Joel didnt like it!

We all sang "Happy Birthday" and watched the sparklers light up the cake.
Cathy took a video of mum telling us some of her life history based on what she was doing at the same age as each of the family members around the table - and a few more in Mexico!  Will try to burn it to a DVD as a keepsake for the family.  It was a lovely afternoon.


We all gave mum a new case for her piano accordian.  
She played the accordian and showed Emma how it works.
Naturally we had to do a family group shot - nobody followed Joel's lead in doing funny faces though.

Mother and daughter enjoyed a hug at the end of the day.

Segway gliding

Cathy convinced everyone that it would be lots of fun to go gliding on the segways around Lake Burley Griffin.  We woke up to fog though.
Although it cleared up as we scooted around the Parliamentary precinct, 3 out of the 4 of us were frozen by the end.  Never try this on a cold day!!  It was heaps of fun though.

Saturday 10th August - It's been how many years???

Mum and dad celebrated 50 years of marriage earlier this year but we are pretty happy with our 17 years.  We headed to Canberra to celebrate with friends. Friday night, we thoroughly enjoyed a concert in Albert Hall.  It was baroque music performed by Salud, amazingly talented musicians lead by Tim and Sally.
Saturday morning was way too chilly for a run, so Cathy deferred it to the afternoon when she ventured around Lake Burley Griffin in the sunshine.  Jackie and Tim picked us up from Hotel Canberra and we all went to the War Memorial. Jackie found her great uncle listed in the Wall of Honour and managed to put a poppy in the wall.

Dinner was very special.  We went to Aubergine Restaurant where we were thoroughly pampered and ate exquisitely presented and flavoursome meals.

I had to take photos - it was amazing!! We ended the night by the fireside at Hotel Canberra again.

Friday 9th August - Travelling Abroad

Tom has been working hard and saving up for a trip overseas.

He packed the last of his clothes in his back pack and prepared for a long flight to Frankfurt via Vietnam.

Hoping that we'll hear some updates from time to time of his adventures.