Our Family Holiday

1. How do you get the sand off? 2. Beach babe

3. Helping daddy read the paper.

4. The girls 5. Daddy, bubby & doggy

We packed up and headed off on our 1st family holiday- Nova and all. We found some pet friendly houses via stayz.com.au We went to Callala Beach at Jervis Bay for 4 nights. The weather was a bit drizzly and overcast but there were clear patches so we could take walks along the beach.

Elise loved waving at the waves and playing with the sand (would love to eat it if she could). Nova behaved as if she owned the beach barking at anyone who walked along her beach. Sean went into work withdrawl and held onto his blackberry with all his might....

Then it was mummy's crazy idea to head off somewhere else for 4 nights (she can't quite bring ourselves to stay in the one spot for an entire week yet). We went up north to Pacific Palms. We stayed at Blueys Beach - very pretty area with lots of lakes. We had a spot across the road from the shops and cafes.

6.Elise's 1st ride on a slide 7. Playing in the park

8. Getting the giggles 9. More playing in the park

10. Elise loves her toes/feet

Elise turned 11 months old while we were away. She is getting more and more expressive with screwing her nose up when she is grinning and nodding or shaking her head in answer to our questions. She also started cruising around the furniture and enjoyed the different environments to explore. Not long now until her 1st birthday. YEAH!!!

School Holidays

Elise has had lots of fun hanging out with other babies/kids over the past few weeks. Here is a picture of her with the Clarke & Lucas kids on a picnic at the Botanical Gardens.

Elise had a great time entertaining Alethia, Kiara & Enya O'Neil at the jazz afternoon at Cammeray.

Elise and baby Adam Fehir met up again recently. Isn't he a cutie!

Elise freaked her mum out the other morning. Mum left Elise on the kitchen floor while she went up the stairs to wipe the dining table. Next thing mum turns around to find Elise sitting on the floor next to the dining table. Elise had travelled up the stairs all by herself.....without having shown much interest in the stairs before that. No stopping her now!

We are off on our 1st family holiday on the 24th Oct down to Jervis Bay on the South Coast for a few days then up to Blueys Beach near Forster. Nova is coming too as we are able to rent some dog friendly holiday houses. We'll be sure to post some pictures on our return.
Big count down now until Elise's 1st birthday..........only 6 weeks to go!!!
Congratulations to cousin Adrian on his engagement to June. Very exciting news!

10 months old

We enjoyed catching up with some more out of towners visiting Sydney this week - Aunty Meggy from Ballina and the Clarkes from Sawtell. Aunty Meggy was training for her new job with the Commonwealth Bank so Kate had a fun time hanging out with her sister having dinner and going shopping (Big girl stuff!) The Clarkes are here on school holidays so it was great to see all the kids.

At 10 months old, Elise is clapping her hands and waving goodbye and hello at every opportunity. She is getting stronger with standing and is pulling herself up onto everything. The tongue is out when she is concentrating hard - a trait from both sides of the family.

Catching up with Aunties and Uncles

Aunty Byna & Uncle Bernard Thompson were visiting from Dubbo over the weekend. It was a good excuse for the Jaques side of the family to catch up over lunch. Sean, Kate and Elise met Aunty Thelly-Belle, Aunty Gwen, Cousin Adrian, June, Aunty Byna and Uncle Bernard in Ashfield.

Kate and Elise with Aunty Thelly-Belle.

Elise having a cuddle with Uncle Bernard and Aunty Byna.

Elise was quite taken with June & enjoyed cuddling Adie

More cuddles with Aunty Gwen & Aunty Byna.

Nana and Grandad Edmiston have taken off today for a month long holiday overseas - the lucky ducks!! Off to Italy, France and Spain - (ohhhh big sigh from Kate) How lovely it would be to be there this time of year!!

We are excited because Aunty Meggy is coming to Sydney soon for a week or so. Meg is finally free from Subway and has launched a new career in banking. She is more than ready to embrace the 9-5 lifestyle! We are very happy for her - can't wait also to see the new house!

Sean's 1st Fathers Day

We recently met little Tahlia Ellis born early August - daughter of David and Aruna. Congratulations to them on the arrival of their beautiful little daughter.

Sean was very excited about his first fathers day. Luckily the weather was gorgeous so we could take our fish and chips to Clarkes Point at Woolwich to watch the start of the sailing season (dad's request!)

Nova and Elise had a great time watching a game of touch footy in the park. I think they were both keen to join in!

We are excited because a new cafe has opened a short block away from our house called Rare Treats. We have missed the cafe life of Drummoyne since moving to Melrose Park, so now we are only a short stroll away from regular Chai Lattes and the best thing is there is a dog friendly area outside. Puppycinos, and babycinos (not just yet but soon..) all around! If you come to visit us we can pop in to the cafe!

9 months old

Elise is now 9 months old (out for as long as she was inside) and mastering new skills very quickly now. She can drink from a cup, pull herself up, wave goodbye, has a total of 5 teeth and shake her head from side to side. Everyday is full of amazing discoveries - like how much fun it can be to empty books out of bookcases and rip up toilet paper. Elise and Nova are already partners in crime!

Priya with baby boy Rahee were recently visiting from Brisbane. It was lovely to meet gorgeous little Rahee. Elise's favourite new toy is the kissing dolly which was a present from Priya, Jeetu & Rahee. Elise says "ahhhh!" everytime she sees the dolly then sucks on its nose.

Elise had lots of cuddles recently from her relatives over from W.A. Here is a picture of Elise with great grandma Edmiston.

Sean is very excited about fathers day coming up!!!!

Grandad's 60th birthday

Better Homes and Gardens were doing a backyard makeover for a house in our street last week. Kate, Elise and Nova got to see all the TV stars in the street on our daily walk. The house is blue and is cement rendered if you happen to see the backyard makeover in coming weeks. 5 days and hundreds of people (not to mention the catering trucks) to show us how easy it can be to do at home.......

Elise is a very confident sitter and crawler now. She is determined to chase after Nova and is trying to get into everything....The two top teeth have arrived as well.

We celebrated grandad David's 60th on the weekend. A very yummy lunch on a gorgeous sunny Sunday at Bicentennial Park. Happy Birthday David/ Dad/ Grandad.

P.S Our friend Chris is now well recovered - thank goodness!!