The littlest

I was following our littlest, Lucas riding his bike along a lovely single track today with his brothers and it dawned on me that he turns 3 in a few weeks! He is such a strong, capable, lively and cheeky boy with so much character now, its hard to remember him as a baby.

Although you kind of wish he still was when he suddenly runs out of energy half way and needs a carry. Him, his bike and my backpack, trudging back to the carpark. Then Sam pipes up, "I'm tired, can you carry me too?"

Who needs to do weights at a gym?!

The countdown

The school holiday countdown has begun! 40 more days until William, Jacob and yes Sammy Tyler start term 1 of 2013. Activities! Hmmmmmm.....

Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas!

The boys on Christmas morning at about 6am opening their presents. William got a new trick scooter from Santa, Jacob a stereo with ipod docking, Sam an incredible hulk toy and dress up and Lucas a big fire truck. They must have been good boys this year!

The calm after the storm

We had a brief but wild few storms pass through last night. One of which seemed to almost have a mini tornado that ripped through, knocking over fences, trees and signs. It was Christmas Eve and we were beginning to worry about Santa, when the clouds parted and we were greeted with a lovely Sunset. The calm after the storm.

This photo doesnt do justice to the array of colours, just beautiful

The pool

Apart from today, the temperatures around Canberra have been pretty hot, up around the mid 30's. So I decided we would get the pool out to cool down. Not really your olympic size lap pool, but perfect for a splash. 

Photos from the saddle

Stromlo has been my 'go to' spot for a ride for quite some time. Not bad having a world class trail 20 minutes down the road.

The sound of silence/Photos from the saddle

This morning I was lucky enough (thanks Jem) to check out Sparrow Hill for the first time. 30 kms of lovely single track right over the road from Kowen Forest, not bad.

Out on the bike, especially solo deep in a forest, I really appreciate the sound of silence. In a busy busy household, with energized little boys that are always making some sort of noise, it is so nice to hear nothing every now and then.

Santa 2012

We visited Santa after school today, the boys were very excited!

Tura beach pre Christmas, Christmas

We have just been down to Tura beach for two days for a pre Christmas, Christmas with the Lanes and Dad. We arrived to a lovely roast turkey, then had christmas activities and the kids opened some presents. Although it was raining all day we still got out to the beach for a play later in the afternoon, then got the tired little bodies to bed. Laneo and I then went for another magic ride around Tathra at night, another amazingly different spin on epicly good single track, in some rainforest like steamy conditions. Fun fun fun. Spent the following morning at the skate park before heading home. Lovely.

 Merry Pre Christmas kids!

 Spencer Park beach

 Rich flying along the steamy and epic Tathra trails at dusk. Is it possible to keep topping each ride? Cant wait to find out...

 Skate park cousins (thanks for the photo dad)

Grandad

Dad has been staying with us for the last few days and we have loved having him here. Tomorrow we all go down to Tura Beach to visit the Lanes to have a 'pre Christmas, Christmas'.

Grandad and his grandsons

Photos from the saddle

Did a nice long road ride on Sunday. Lovely early morning cruize around Lake Burley Griffin and back. On the way round I cought up with an old friend, the Questacon balloon in the beautiful light of just after sunrise.

Little dirt critters

I, along with Dad, took the boys to Stromlo for the dirt crits tonight. Little dirt critters ready for action.

Photos from the saddle

I have been riding a fair bit lately, predominantly on the trails. One thing thats great about trail rides is the scenery, the constantly changing, colourful and often beautiful scenery. I love to catch the moment with a camera and luckily I always have my phone on me with a decent in built camera, which makes this easy.

Had yet another spin around Stromlo this afternoon and took a few shots along the way on this hot, dry and dusty day.

'Photos from the saddle' has been and will continue to be a much loved part of any ride.

 The top of Mt Stromlo looking north

 Canberra's big sky (Black Mt, Telstra tower in the distance)

 The start of Old Duffy's descent, one of my favourite sections in the park

My big beast

Before and after

Majura pines pre logging - 

and after stage one - 

Jacobs first MTB race

Jacob did his first mountain bike race yesterday. Since having his cast off and resting for a couple of weeks, we got out last week only to find out that the dirt crits werent on at Stromlo. This week they were, so we went out and he had a great time on a nice easy loop of singletrack and fire road. Well done Jacob!

Live

Previously I have posted Beyonce singing 'Halo' live, which was Amazing. To continue with the 'live' theme, this time its Guy Sebastian, singing his new song 'Why cant we all get along'. The passion in which he sings in this version is goose bumpingly good.

People that are aggressively confronting and causing arguments for no reason, fights, being hard to deal with, starting wars, narrow minded and just being annoyingly difficult, I find impossible to understand. Bodes the questions, why cant we all just get along?

Beautifully powerful song with a lovely message in the lyrics by Guy. One of my favourites right now. Enjoy.

Lucas talk

Jem and I were up in the bedroom earlier chatting to each other when Lucas came in and sat with us. I then proceeded to reply to a message on my phone.

Lucas asked what I was doing, I responded "Im just sending my friend a message"

He asked with a beautifully sincere look "Is it the black ones?" Referring to his friends from the laneway that have dark skin!

Jem and I looked at each other almost cracking up. I held back a snort and said "No mate, its one of my friends and anyway they are just your friends, you dont need to call them black friends, they just have different colour skin to you and me"

Lucky that conversation was at home! Awkward!! We have a racist son!

Splash!

Because it was Sammys last swimming lesson for the year today, the instructors opened up the water slide as a treat. Sam even went down by himself a couple of times plopping out the end with a big splash and a smile!

Summer sunset

Mulligans Flat nature reserve right on the border of ACT and NSW at sunset. Stunning.

Sweet

We had a tough day with the kids yesterday as you do every now and again. Everyone seeming to be all agitated and tired for whatever reason. Spent most of the day cross at one of them for one thing or another, makes for a loooong day! But you only have to look at the sweet little blue eyed baby boy of ours to forget about it in a hurry.

Christmas tree!

We all put the Christmas tree up yesterday! The boys are really getting excited and enjoying the spirit of Christmas more and more each year. As per usual the youngest (and lightest!) child got to put the star on top of the tree.