More Rain

Well it rained pretty solid all last night and we woke up to Roe Creek flowing for the second time in a week. This time Kylie and I both had a swim on the tyre tubes - great fun! The dogs also are loving all the water that is around. Unfortunately the rain has destroyed a walking track on the park which means more work for me... We are also 'cutt off' from town which isn't necessarily a bad thing! All the other major creeks and rivers are in flow around the region - the Todd, Hugh, Jay Ck etc... If only there was water all the time, I'd definitely buy a kayak.

Above: Roe Ck over the road into Simpsons Gap

Below: Flooded River Red Gums

Above: Kylie going for a float

Below: At the Gap

A drop of rain

The dam near our house

The remains of the Roe Creek flood waters coming out of Simpsons Gap

Well you might have heard(?!) that the mighty Todd River was in full flood today, but more importantly so was Roe Creek just out the back of our place. Unfortunately it was bank to bank during the night and by the time we got photos in the morning it had gone down quite a bit. Nonetheless Phil got some pretty good pics and we all (me, Phil, Abbey, Harry and Lucy) went down for a beer, biscuits and cheese at the dam which was pretty cool. Oh yeah, and some more Abbey photos for good measure :)

An Abbey Update

Hi all, just wanted to share a cute photo that one of the mum's from my mum's group took of Abbey with her son Fraser at the pool. They both have rosy cheeks because it is pretty hot.

We're going pretty well, Abbey has just come out of some pretty horror bursts of crying including one night where Phil and I got about 2-3hrs of sleep. Hopefully that's over for a while at least!

She rolled over last weekend which was pretty cool... she did it twice in one day and then hasn't done it since :) We are REALLY looking forward to going down south in about 6 weeks time for a drive along the Great Ocean Road and some time with family in Bendigo and Albury. I think everyone will love seeing Abbey a bit more interactive (and heavy!)... some excited uncle's, aunties and great grandparents will be seeing her for the first time, yay!

Abbey hosts her first morning tea

G'day everyone :) Here are a couple more photos to keep you updated. Abbey hosted her first party today... mum's group at our house. All the babies are getting so much more alert/hair/smiley/heavy and cute!

Abbey holding hands with Jacob.... awwww!


We have a Euro that comes into our backyard regularly for a drink. This photo was taken standing in our back doorway.

And one more for goodluck! P.S. Abbey had her first laugh on Sunday and turned 3 months old on Tuesday, what a milestone!

Abbey is 3 months old!

To appease the extreme and over the top demands from our family, here are more photos of Abbey!! Also a frog for something different (last seen at Simpsons Gap waterhole).

Kylie, Chelsea, Stacey, Abbey and Elliot at Abbey's Dedication Day
The happy family :)
Tuckered out after a big day

Abbey is so smart she is already reading books.... hee hee
Chelsea enjoying a swim in the backyard
Chelsea hasn't quite got eating etiquette down pat yet!!! Enjoying a nice bit of corn for dinner!

Abbey and her cousin Elliot
The old stunned mullet look which Abbey has mastered
Elliot at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre with a Bearded Dragon

Here are a few more photos of what we have been up to recently. My sister Stacey and her kids are visiting us and we've been having a pretty fun (at times very chaotic!) time. We visited the reptile centre where Elli got to pat a snake, get up close to a crocodile and hold some lizards. Yesterday was also Abbey's dedication day at church which went really well (based on the fact she didn't cry in front of everyone!) It's been really funny watching Stacey's kids Elliot and Chelsea who both have the funniest little personalities and have been providing us with hours of entertainment. It's been really hot so we've been inside a fair bit but getting out every now and then for the kids to have a swim. Abbey has enjoyed lots of cuddles from her cousin Elliot (who is learning the meaning of the words 'personal space!') and a few 'love taps' from her cousin Chelsea... who is no longer allowed within 1 metre! Anyway, more later.....

Cyclonic conditions in Alice!

Yesterday a 15 minute storm hit Alice Springs and had the same intensity winds as a category 1 cyclone (well so a friend of a friend told me....!) Fortunately we were on the edge of it here at Simpsons so we didn't get quite so battered, but in town trees were down everywhere and power was out to most of the town for most of the afternoon and night. I got some pretty good photos outside our house on Phil's camera of the dust storm that came through after the rain.

This is the back of our new house at Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell National Park. Now we are only about 15 minutes out of Alice Springs which has worked out great.

I guess we can't go by without putting at least one photo of our little cutie on here!! She has the most beautiful eyes!

and now for something completely different...

Above: A smile!!
Above: Abbey is modelling an outfit bought at the new

Alice Springs Target - Kylie's very excited about that....

I thought that the hearing protection photo was a timely one, not that Abbey is actually all that big a crier, it's just when she does cry, I tend not to cope the best! Abbey is starting to smile alot more now, and we finally caught the moment in a photo, which is easier said than done sometimes. We are going really well and have enjoyed having John and Christine stay for the last 2 weeks. They have been a big help which we appreciate. I'm off to Darwin for a week next week for a work conference, and Kylie's sister Stacey is arriving on Saturday - should be fun (and hectic!). My AFL Grandfinal prediction - Geelong 15.12.102 def Hawthawn 13.8.86 ??????

An Abbey Update - 8 weeks old on Monday

Well although at times it is hard to see, Abbey is certainly making progress! She is putting on a good amount of weight and although we have had to give her a top up of formula the last two nights the breastfeeding has improved heaps (thank God!!) I'm taking her to have her first lot of needles tomorrow afternoon, and not being a needle fan myself I'm dreading it so much!

She is smiling a lot more now... especially with my Dad (who is visiting with his partner Christine) making lots of funny faces at her. Can you believe it has been two months?.... We can!! Hardest two months of our lives for sure - this time last year we were on a European holiday... oh how times have changed!

More photos

Above: Mum, Dad, Abbey, Kylie and myself
Above: Abbey and 'Pop' just hangin' out

Below: She's beautiful when she's alseep!

Mum and Dad leave tomorrow. It has been great having them here to help us settle in to Simpsons Gap. I start work on Monday and our next visitors are Kylie's Dad and Christine in a weeks time. Kylie is leading our work footy tipping comp by 1 going into the last round - wish her well for a good round of tipping to secure the coveted top spot!!!

New house, Gran and Pop visit

Well alot has happened since our last post. We have made the move (only or so 30km) from Owen Springs to Simpsons Gap, part of the West Macdonnell National Park. The house is great with a nice yard and heaps of room. Mum and Dad arrived on Saturday and are enjoying spending time with their new grand-daughter. We are pretty tired from the move but we have had some amazing help from friends - special thanks to Ben and Janele and Rach and Lyndon - we couldn't have done it without you guys! Also mum and dad have been a big help. Hopefully Kylie and I will one day have a long sleep that is not interupted by anything (not that we are complaining, we are just a little tired!!). Speak soon.

The extremes of Abbey

Above: looking observant

Below: perfecting her 'not happy Jan' look

Abbey is a complex little character who's mood can change quicker than you can say FEED ME I'M STARVING!!!! We are riding the whirlwind at the moment but she is 1 month old today already - kids grow up so fast these days. She had a really good sleep last night so we feel a lot better than a few days ago. More to follow.....

3 weeks old

Just thought we'd add a couple more pics for the family. My mum left yesterday - she was an AWESOME help during her 10 day stay at Owen Springs. Now its the big 2 week countdown until Phil's mum and dad arrive... we are hanging out to see them and introduce them to their grandaughter!

In the next few weeks we will be moving house to Simpsons Gap. Mum and I had a tour of the house and it looks like a fantastic place to live and we are really looking forward to it.

Nana to the rescue!

Abbey looking pretty dazed and confused!

Wearing her gorgeous beanie made with love by Gran (Phil's Mum)

Well it's almost 2 weeks on and I think we are finally starting to get in the swing of things. My mum arrived on Thursday and has been a great help - giving Abbey lots of cuddles, giving me some sleep and giving Phil some peace and quiet!

We went on a little outing to Standley Chasm today just to get some fresh air. It was a great thing to do as we were all going a little stir crazy. Not to mention that Phil bought some camembert, salami and sundried tomatoes... all the good things I haven't been able to eat for a long time. Yummo.

Also... In case anyone is wondering, Abbey's middle name (Lynne) is named after my lovely Nana (Lynette) and it is also my Mum's middle name.