Family

Captain random

Our second baby Jacob turns 7 next week! What a beautiful loving boy he has become. He has always been a little bit cheeky and has his very own way about him, very sure of himself and comfortable in his own skin (Yep he is gonna do fine!). Very eager to try anything and is so kind without being prompted. Is always the first to come running if you need a hand and has one of the best wrap around cuddles ever! He is also extremely random with some of his comments and we often say that he is living in his own little happy world (except for that famous temper!), sometimes oblivious to whats going on around him.

Last night I was chatting to him in bed after reading him a story and I was asking him about his day at school, trying to get an insight into what he did. I generally always ask him on the way home from school, but 99% of the time I get the same answers "I dont know, I have forgotten or I cant remember". Thinking he was pretty engaged with me I asked him whilst lying down in bed at about 7pm last night.

I said -"Now Jacob, tell me what you got up to today at school today, did you do anything exciting? Meet a new friend? What work did you do in class?"

With a typical 'Captain random' response he said - "Look dad, I can make a shadow dog with my hands!"

Love you Jacob!

1,2,3......Jump!

We went for a walk in Mulligans flat this morning in between the seemingly constant drizzle. On the way back to the car we stopped for a play at the park. Who needs swings and slides when you have a concrete block to jump off and perform amazing jumping acts!

Bike photos - favourites

I always have my camera phone on call on any ride and sometimes I'll take a quick snap shot of a particular part of that rides experience. I love taking photos anyway, but when you are somewhere you wouldnt usually go if not on the saddle, it makes for a lovely spontaneous photo opportunity.

Here are my favourites so far -

 Parliament House between bridges

 Mulligans flat reserve

 Goorooyarroo reserve at sunset

 A jetty by Lake Burley Griffin at sunrise

Early morning Canberra sunrise

 The Art Museum in the foreground with 2 hot air balloons and Telstra Tower behind

 Old Parliament House sunrise

 A hot air balloon on the point of Telstra Tower

 A view back to Canberra from Mt Stromlo at sunrise with blanketing clouds

Lake Burley Griffin loop with kids in tow

 Bike pose with a view

 Kowen Forest single track sweep at sunrise

 Night new Parliament House

 Night old Parliament house

Spring Stromlo single track

 Sunset over Mulligans

 Another balloon sunrise on Lake Burley Griffin

 Lake sunset

 Sparrow hill single track sweep

 Sir Robert Menzies with my bike

Beautiful sunset road ride around the lake

Furious finish

Tracey McGrady tears the heart out of the Spurs back in 2009 in a truly unbelievable finish. Down by 8 with 40 seconds to play he literally takes over the game in one of the all time greatest endings to any sporting contest.

Photos from the saddle/Good and bad

Saturday evening

 Good - Reaching the top of Black Mt in personal best time = Cloud 9

 Bad - Getting a flat on the way home

Sunday morning

 Good - Riding the trails of Kowen Forest with Joe here getting some air off a jump on one of my favourite sections, 'Auntie Flo'.

Bad - My rear shock gave up again two thirds of the way through, spewing oil, leaving me with limited rear suspension, a horrible noise and an irritated feeling. Back to the shop AGAIN on Monday morning.

Jumpin Jacob

My little homie

I was wondering how Lucas would go being at home by himself with me for the days when the other 3 are at school. It turns out he is absolutely fine and although he misses Sammy a bit, as they are always around each other and is often my shadow at home, he is quite happy enough. He is now also looking forward to starting school next year. Lets just say its quite a quiet household early in the week with just the little fella! I had forgotten what quiet was like!

 My little homie hangin at the park

Lucas giggling at a drag racing crash DVD William got for his birthday, priceless.

Photos from the saddle

Mulligans flat evening bike pose

Photos from the saddle

The start of the descent at the top of Black Mountain/Telstra Tower. What goes up, must come down, Fast!

9 years old today!

William turned 9 today. Yep, our first little baby is half way to being 18! amazing.

He woke up to presents and then had a party at our house where he invited 2 of his best friends from school and the kids from the Laneway. They played games and had cake and were busy busy busy.

He had a great time and is now out with Jem and Jacob spending his birthday money and swapping a couple of double ups with toys.

Happy birthday my boy, your a wonderful little man, we all love you very much!

We bought him a couple of jumps for the bikes and scooters for out on the laneway. I incorporated one into the dirt jump already there. Now he can get some serious air!!

 Cutting his yummy chocolate cake.

 Everyone digging in!

32 and 2

Jem had her 32nd birthday yesterday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

She woke up to her little boys cuddles and presents, unfortunately had to work but then came home to dinner with Ben, Kate and James at their house as on this day it just happens to be James's birthday as well. The little boy was 2 yesterday so it was a very special day indeed. 

Congrats on 32 wonderful years my love and thanks for making the last 14 or so absolutely wonderful! Love you.

Lucas talk

Well another amusing moment out and about with Lucas, hence another 'Lucas talk' post.

This time we were at school having just taken Sam down to his Pre School room to settle him in for his second day. We moved our way up to the black top assembly area where all the anxious first day kids and parents were gathered listening to the principal give her 1st day back introduction to all the teachers and welcoming everyone back. We were trying to find where William and Jacob were in their new classes. I wouldn't say it was quiet but it was definitely a hushed crowd listening intently, when out of the blue Lucas pipes up with "SEE YOU LATER BUTT CRACKS!!"

I'm not sure if anyone else really heard what he actually said but I sure did find it so funny but couldn't show it and had to briskly sweep him to the back before something else was blurted out! He seems to pick up random words from the big boys then combines them to make his own variations. Such a character, lets hope this stage passes before proper swear words start creeping in to his vocabulary or people might think he has tourettes!

Sams first day at Pre School

It was Sams first day at Pre School today. He is so used to going there with the older boys, I knew he wouldnt have any issues. He was very excited this morning getting dressed in his uniform and backpack on fairly early. We spent some time in his classroom before leaving and I think there were more parents crying than kids! It was quite strange to leave him there as he hasnt had a day away for either me or Jem probably since daycare in Mt Gambier a few years ago. I cant wait to go and pick him up at 3! Little Sammy Tyler is a big shool boy now!!

Grandad

Grandad/Dad has stayed with us for a couple of nights before heading back to perth tonight. It was great to see him again and it feels like we are seeing him more often than not these days! Hopefully that will continue!!

This photo was taken at an old shearers shed in Mulligans Flat today. Dad and I walked (briskly) trying to keep up with the boys on their bikes.

Boys at Stromlo

The boys all had dirt crits again at Stromlo this week. William and Jacobs group had about 15 or 20 kids in it this time, the biggest they have been in. They did a nice little loop starting with a pinch climb up the fire trail,    weaving between the trees and then coming down a section of 'Old duffy's'. William came in 3rd and Jacob 5th, it was great to see them powering up the hill off the saddle for a bit (being amongst kids of similar age all trying to get up there first definitely helps spur them on with that), then coming back down smiling from ear to ear.