Christmas 2010

Despite the rain, we had a great Christmas in Rockhampton with Jon's family. Much of the extended family came up from down south to converge on Uncle D and Aunty M's place. Fortunately, they are well set up for wet weather so we all kept high and dry and found plenty to do for a few days. A highlight, apart from Christmas morning spent around the tree with a gazillion presents (well there was 40 of us there!), was ice skating on the temporary rink that came to town for Christmas. Who'd have thought...ice skating in Central Qld in summer?!?! Anyway, our plans to head south for New Years are looking a little dodgy with the highway cut in one place today. But by the end of the week, we hope it will be smooth sailing and we'll be able to make it to our second Christmas for the year.

Opening Jacob's Christmas Eve present.

Yummo! It was pjs!

Christmas morning...Jacob made sure we were up early.

Reading the new books on Christmas morning.

Family and the tree and presents.

Jacob got lots of fun things from family.

The Van Itallie family @ Christmas 2010

The boys

The snow bunny

Ice skating was a blast!

Real ice...real nice

Happy families @ Christmas

November Lake Visit

Jon booked a boys' day at the Ashes with some mates way back in July and finally, November arrived!

So Jacob and Kirsty hitched a ride and visited friends and family at the lake while J went to cheer on Hussey and Haddin. He did a good job obviously!

Yep! I am a happy traveller. But getting a little bit too cozy in my capsule.

Cuddles with the cousins

And a beach adventure with Gran

Feet in the water...toes in the sand

Bottom in the truck....kind of

Cousin Rohanna is 4 1/2 months older than me...I'm catchin' up quick

Mummy and Daddy think I'm pretty special. But the real question is...'What do you think of my 6 pack?'

Morning fun with Dad

Grandpa's special chair suits me just fine!

La La La La....Life Goes On

As we head into the silly season, we have been enjoying many fun days already. Jacob is a delight!

I'm growing! But Hudson and Bluey aren't:)

Yay! I got my library card on Saturday...and promptly borrowed 8 books.

First lift ride....not that I remember it.

Me and my friend T...she's 7 months old and I am almost 3 months.

Welcome back Uncle Mark and Aunty-to-be Rachel.
I have the Full House of Van I photos now!

My first Christmas Carols...the Trinity College choir in action at the shopping centre.

I loved it! So did Mum.

2 things to say: "Turn OFF the light! And FEED me!"

Happy boys!

Life in Jacob Land

I eat well...as my chubby cheeks show. And I have a Mum who takes silly photos!

I like dressing up. Here's me looking like Prince Charming. Do you like?

The view from where my new house will be. 

It wasn't enough for Mum and Dad to get a new baby.....a block of land and a new house are coming too.

Me getting in on 'the new land/house' thing.

I hope the kangas don't move too far away when we move in.

See...I am growing! 6.71kg at 7.8 weeks. That means I have put on 2.3kg since I was born.

Yay for me! And my 'yummy Mummy'....although I call her that for a different reason than Daddy:))

Proof that I was there for the big moment when Dad and Mum signed the land contract. Ok...so I was there in spirit...and in horizontal stripes!

More Family

Destressing

I LOVE visiting with family...really....wha!!!!!!!!!

See...just need Dad's touch

I LOVE Daddy...he's sooooooo relaxing

Van Itallies.....Jacob is from great stock!

Thanks for my new teddy 'Darwin' Grandma

Good to see you again Grandad....you've changed:)

Two weekends ago we had Jon's family visiting. Great to see Mum and Dad relaxed and rested after their outback adventures. Four generations of Van I men in the house...now that's special!

Dad is Sixty

Kirsty's Dad turned 60 last week. So the whole family got together at the lake house for a special lunch.

It was a fabulous celebration and topped off with stunning October weather. Dad seemed pretty happy and so were we, considering how well Jacob travelled. Thanks to Mum for organising us all and to brs and sisters, nieces and nephews, uncles, aunts, Nan and friends who made the trip and made the day so special. Love youse all!

All that driving took it out of the boys

Daddy n Jacob

The cousins at play in the lake....brrrrr!

Yep...brrrrr! Alright

Not much wind...had to rely on paddle power

Jacob at 5.7 weeks with Great Nan at 89.7 years

Four generations

Rev heads!

Birthday boy!

And again

The artists

I love my cousins...and they love me

More recovery needed