3 weeks living with Grandma and Grandad

We had no home to return to, so we moved in with Mum and Dad, not really knowing how long we would be there for! It was a bit of a tight fit and the girls seemed to be sleeping in a different spot each night (on mattresses on the floor), but we liked being there. A big thanks to Aunty Elle who enjoyed a few restless nights of kids coughing and sniffing and basically just taking over her room.

It was bitter-sweet staying with Mum and Dad though, I mean, it was fantastic really - full time babysitters (Mick and I even got to go out to the movies, and I could take off for an 8pm run any night) dinners cooked, morning entertainment for the girls (which meant lots of sleep-ins for me) no bills to worry about and minimal housework to do (thanks Mum). They even gave us a car to use! What a life really! But then comes the bitter - living out of a suitcase, the stress of trying to find a house to rent, a car to buy and a school for Leilani! And the worst part - was us getting anxious about getting our stuff out of storage! (It was a very exciting thought - to see all your stuff again! Leaving it all behind for 12months was fine - but once you're back, you just WANT it and WANT it NOW!)

Anyway, it all turned out well, and we ended up being there for 3 weeks, which was a great length really, and during those weeks we got up to all sorts of things....

Everyone came over for tea and we got even more Christmas presents. (It was great!) Gave out a few too.... like this Alian outfit (from Toy Story) for Zak, which I think was too small and may have to become Charlie's!

And a chef's apron for Locke - which he was way more excited about than I thought - always nice when you get a present right!

During our first 3 weeks home, Emily and Leilani visited Aunty Alison for a much needed haircut...

...Emily visited the hospital with a very sore arm/shoulder caused by Aunty Elle! (But it was an accident!)

Emily dressed up as a nurse at Olivia's house...

What cute girls - if I do say so myself!

They ate heaps of ice-creams! (It's always fun at Grandma's house at Grandma's house hooray!)

I got a new iphone and the girls became addicted to the games for a few weeks! (And taking photos with it! They took these two of each other themselves...)

Mick took a few photos of the moon and became fascinated about how different it looks here and from England.

We went to little Charlie's 1st birthday party, which was the hottest day ever - check out the girls faces here....they aren't sunburnt - just red from the heat!

Lani won the pass-the-parcel and was absolutely over the moon with the prize! (She actually said that she would have been very very upset if she lost - which made me a little concerned! lol)

And we did lots and lots of other stuff - but have no photos, so I can't remember what! A BIG thanks to a Grandma and Grandad who looked after all of us so well, and put up with us for 3 whole weeks! The girls loved being there, and so did we!

Chilling out with the Challis'

We stayed in Launceston for a couple of nights before heading home to Hobart. It was great to be around all the family again and the kids especially loved playing with their cousins. I wasn't really with it for most of our time here because I was so unwell, which kind of sucked but I feel really thankful that I was able to rest and take it easy and not have to worry about food or entertaining the kids! Gail and Philip looked after us all really well - as usual, so being sick wasn't too bad. Here are some photos we took over the couple of days we were up there:

{We celebrated Christmas again while we were here and it was great! (It actually did feel like Christmas too!)}

{Emily checking baby in between present opening}

{Emily showing baby the roll-up she got from her stocking!}

{And within seconds of pulling out a....}

{... fruit-box, Emily gave a quick pose and then...}

{... she was into it!!!}

{Pretty happy about Sultanas - one of Em's favourite foods!}

{Outside jumping off the jetlag! (which actually none of the kids suffered from at all!)}

{Em and Daddy having a kiss - check out Max on the side - Classic!}

{Leilani checking Grandmas Advent Calendar}

{And the cutest scene ever was watching Emily and Leilani reading to Gus!}

They are both little 'mothers' and just love 'helping' with little kids (who are often just as big as them!)

{Mick had to get a photo in the sun to send his work mates back at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton! They have had an average of 0˚C this winter... while we have been living it up back here in Summer!}