Don't we look cute with our summer haircuts!!!

Summer is almost here in Queensland - we are regularly getting days over 30 degrees. Our pool is almost at the right temperature for swimming, currently around 26 degrees (I am a bit of a sook, and don't usually get in until it is over 30 degrees!!!) It in only fair then for the puppies to have a haircut, and get rid of their long winter coats - don't they look cute!

Renovations almost done.... just need to finish painting

Well we are almost there - and it is rather exciting. The window is in, the wine cellar is in and we are in the process of doing the 2nd coat of paint. Then it is just the splash back to finish and all will be complete! I am sure the neighbours will be pleased to see the shipping container off our front lawn....... Not long now......

New Garden shed!! - come on its exciting!!

Just what every house needs - a BIG garden shed!!

Now for Ali's treat - a spa.....

It is a real treat to come home from work at the end of the day and get into the spa - the tempreture is set at 38%!!! - we have never slept so well in ages.

Just for you Rach - there's more......

And there is still more reno pics!

but wait - theres more reno pics!!

more reno photos.....

Renovations.....

ok...ok....ok.... I know we have no excuse for not updating our Blog - however my only offer of an excuse is that we have been really busy with life, work, and renovations.... have a look at what we have been up to below. I will explain quickly so the photos make some sense. We have pulled down two walls and opened up the dining and living room, replaced the kitchen - retiled, redone everything and today have put in our new Kitchen window - all that is left to do is paint and finish off Ian's wine cellar.... take a look.

Well Hello...its been a while!

Hello all from "Sunny Queensland"

It has been a while since our last "post" and honestly we don't have a good excuse, except to say that work and house hold chores have kept us busy....... it seems to be a never ending process, the weeds are taking over the garden. My mother is arriving from NZ on Friday, so we are madly trying to look like we are in control!!! - tidy house, tidy garden, everything in order.....hmmm.......

We have had amazing weather here of late - the average temperature has been mid 30 degrees (c) our pool is a lovely 33 degrees (c) - I can tell you that there is nothing better than coming in from work, undressing as you walk thru the house, stopping to grab a Gin and Tonic, then out into the pool. The hardest part is trying to decide what we will throw on the BBQ for dinner.

It has been a crazy 5 weeks since all our wedding visitors left, and I am madly trying to catch up on ordering wedding photos, doing thank you cards, as well as keeping the house in order.....Rachel come back!!!!! We had an absolute ball, and it was fantastic to have the "Pine" family all in one place together. I hope that it is not such a long time to wait until we can all be together again.

I don't even have much news - other than, I have been reading Rachel's blog, and laughing at her show and tell with all her purchases in Australia & NZ, I must find the pictures of her trying to put everything in her suitcase - watch this space, needless to say, that we ended up posting 8KG's back in a box to the UK. I have loved catching up on Allie, and Debbie's blogs from the UK, It is great to hear what you guys have been up to, and Allie - your news is fantastic, sending you lots of hugs and kisses from Australia - I look forward to reading the progress reports.

Well my loves, must away - it is after my bedtime, but just wanted to let you all know we are both still alive, and promise to put some more wedding photos up soon..... I am getting a bit of a hard time from this end - so I will do it just to shut you all up!

Linley - if you are reading this, like you had to explain who you were!!!!! - keep your eyes peel so you can see how my sister scrubbed up!...... and yes I remember those maths classes at Rangi Ruru school for fine young ladies - what do you think happened to us????

Must away - loads of Aussie love ......... xxxxxx

Here are some wedding photos....

more to follow in next few days

Wedding morning arrives!

Well I know it is the 4th of January and as I write this my parents have just gone back to NZ, and my sister has about 7 hours left with us before she jets back to England - boo hoo...... We had a great day on our wedding day - here are some of us getting ready! - it was a very eraly start - 4.00am!......

We remember Esmae .... xxxx .....

Esmae (Left) with Rachel & Alison's Mum, Jean (right)

The 22nd November was a sad day for our family. We lost our Great Aunt, she hadn't been well for a while. RIP Esmae - we loved you dealy. Esmae was 88 years old. Below taken from the death notices "The Press" Christchurch McEWAN, Rita (Esmae). NZRN. MBE. Peacefully on 22 November, 2006, at Te Hopai Home and Hospital. Beloved and respected Aunt of Jean & Graham Pine and special Esmae to Rachel (London) and Alison (Gold Coasl). A very special Ladyand friend of many. Donations in lieu of flowers to St Marks Anglican Church.Paremata. would be appreciatedand can be left at the service. The funeral service will be held in the Whenua Tapu Crematorium Chapel, Airlie Ad, Pukerua Bay, Wellington, on Tuesday, 28 November 2006 at 11.00am. Ninness Funeral Home Ltd FDANZ. Tel: 237-4174

Naughty Mr Blog wouldn't let me put my pics below......

so here they are!...

mmmm..... Krispy Kreme Doughnuts....mmmmmm

After a long time of my sister talking about Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in England, I now know what she is talking about!! Ian's brother is a donut freek! - he loves the pink "Donut King" donuts that you get in Australia (He lives in Wellington - NZ) so when ever he comes to visit, the first stop on the way home to our place from the airport - is donut king! We heard that krispy Kreme Doughnuts had made it to Melbourne....sooo.... we thought we would see how they measured up to the good old Aussie Donut King (they even spell donut differently!!!) - for those of you in England - have a look at http://www.donutking.com.au/ - you will see the pink ones with holes.....yummy! When Ian and I were in Melbourne with all the family recently we took a drive into the city so we could check it out - we had heard that the queue to be served was 30mins long, so we got out of bed early on Sunday morning, drove into Collins Street (Central Melbourne) and sure enough - Krispy Kreme Donuts in all is Green and white spotted glory..... and yes we queued!!!! - We had to buy Rob a Mug so that he had a momento to take back to NZ - Now I know you are dying to know how they compared, well I think Rob said during the day that he liked Donut King better, however as we brought 4 dozen mixed and original - yes thats right four dozen!!!! - we wanted to try everything...... we gave Rob, Kerri, Becky and Trene a box to take to the airport and eat on the flight back to NZ that night - we had a text from Rob - he said the original glaze Krispy Kreme Doughnuts were good! - so Rach, when you come to Australia you may have to settle the argument once and for all....... Check out the Krispy Kreme Doughnut expedition photos - hmmmm - for the record my favs were the originals as well.......Girls, what else is good - let me know your favs.....

Hope you girls are having a great time.....

It is Sunday late afternoon here in Australia 4.27pm, I have been having a play with my blog for a few hours as you can see - I have been very busy! I hope that you girls have been having a great time on your Sracppers weekend, can't wait to hear all about it and see some of the results in your blogs. I need to get organised for work tomorrow, I have a sales presentation I have to give in the morning to the board of directors - I am a little nervous about it, but have done heaps of research so I should be fine. I am about to go and open a wine, and get dinner underway - before I go I though you should see whats happening with some of the other members of my family ......... where are your clothes Ian!!!! Have a good week girls, can't wait to hear about the weekend........

Auntie Lorna turns 80!

The 10th October 2006 was a special day in the Lake family, Auntie Lorna turned 80! Ian and his brothers, along with their families all celebrated in Melbourne the week before - it was fantastic to have everyone all together in one place.... we had a fantastic few days of celebrations, and with Ian's niece also having a birthday that weekend, we had more cake than you can poke a stick at! - however if you know the Lake boys and cake, you will know that it wasn't a problem! Here are some of the family shots taken on the evening that we had the family dinner - look closely at the clock!!! - hmmm........

Going home for 24 hours!

At the beginning of October I was lucky enough to head to NZ on a work trip, which included 24 hours in Christchurch, so I stayed the night with my Mum & Dad, although with a work dinner that night, and a breakfast the next day - Dad reckoned I only came to get my washing done!, he said it is just like the old days! I arrived in the afternoon, and rushed around to take some photos of the livestock, and Mums garden, which includes a few friends that Ian has given her over the years...... can you spot them?