HART attack!!

I came across this the other day and it might be an old clip, but the unbelievable skills of a young 19 year old Danny Hart here in wet, muddy and slick conditions are awesome dont get me wrong, but its the commentators ridiculous enthusiasm in willing Danny to a world championship and almost wetting themselves with excitement in the process, that makes this 3 mins downhill run extra specially good! 

Pure unbridled excitement. Turn the volume up!!

Saturday footy

Will and his AFL team did great today and Will even picked up the 'best mark award'

Future rockstar

Proof in Sams classroom that he's going to be a rockstar when he is older!

Just chillin in front of the box

The boys in their usual positions right before school. I love how Lucas has his head on William! They all may not always get along, but they sure are naturally comfortable with each other.

10 reasons/Photos from the saddle

Ten reasons you know its gonna be a chilly ride -

1) Its -2 degrees when you wake up (most people wouldnt get past this step!)
2) You look outside and you cant see the road for the fog
3) You start to shiver inside trying to get your riding gear on
4) Your hands go numb putting the bike on the roof of the car
5) In the 10 minute drive down the road to the trail head, ice has formed on the car and bike
6) After hopping on the bike, you realise your hydraulic fluid has frozen in your brake cables and you cant compress the lever! Not ideal
7) There are icy puddles everywhere
8) Your lungs initially feel like the're on fire
9) Your feet have gone numb only 10 minutes along the first section
10) It passes 8am and the temp drops to -4!

All that said, I had an awesome ride at Bruce Ridge this morning, but I cant say I wasnt happy to get back in the car and crank the heater to stifling heat mode ASAP on return.

Always nice to find a section of trail you have never ridden 

Momentous occasion

What a momentous day in world news! Prince William and Kate just had a baby boy and our very own Lucas did his third poo in a row on the toilet today!! Wooooooohooooooooooooooo!!! Been an understandably long road after the problems you had as a baby, but I think we are finally getting there.

So proud of you little man! Heres to many more plops!!

Patrick McFadden Thornton

Welcome to the world little Patrick. Your big cousins were very excited to meet you today!

A very proud Auntie Jem

 One cool, layed back dad

A happy family with their new addition

Ten Pin Bowling

Canberra Zoo and Aquarium

Jems days off activity number 2, The Zoo.

Jem and her boys plus a lion in the background. Sam just plain mad, William showing his fangs, Jacob surprisingly normal and Lucas with the clever no look point to where the lion is!

The boys and I also at the Lion enclosure.

Selwyn snow day trip

Jem has taken the rest of the week off work during the school holidays, so we decided to take a trip up to the snow. We packed the car up last night and headed to Mt Selwyn snow fields just over 2 hours from Canberra for the day.

A foggy, drizzly morning that luckily ended up being dryish on the slopes that was almost out of snow recording its last decent fall over a week ago. There happened to be just enough for the toboggan area to be open which along with the weather and the ski runs closed, meant we pretty much had run of the slopes - all that was left anyway. A great day out for all and a definite escape from the normal every day.

Colour face

I came downstairs from my shower this morning and was greeted with this. Apparently when you turn 5 you should colour in your own face?!, hmmmmm.

Gears!

Sam got a new bike for his birthday, a Giant XTC. It has 6 gears, suspension and most importantly its his favourite colour, red! He rode it for the first time on the laneway yesterday and did great. When the weather is nice, Stromlo here we come!!

Happy 5th birthday Sammy!

It was Sams 5th birthday today and we had his party at our house. Sam picked 4 friends from school to come around and we played party games like pin the tail on the donkey, egg and spoon race, musical statues and pass the parcel. Happy Birthday little man you're wonderful!

 Early morning present opening 

 Egg and spoon race

Cake time! (from Sams left- James, Isla, Cooper, Taj, Lucas, Jacob and Declan)

William's AFL team

William has just recently started playing AFL for the Gungahlin Jets under 9's. The other night they had a gala day where all the teams from the comp played.

Tura Beach

We took a trip to Tura Beach to catch up with Em, Rich and the kids in the first week of the school holidays.  As usual we had a great time and packed alot of activities into 3 days. We also got to see their new block of land which they just purchased in a lovely spot which backs onto a huge reserve and a short walk to the beach. Then just around the corner is Dads new house in the same area! Lovely.

 The walk from their new block through the reserve to the beach

Bournda Island beach

 Lucas, if your going to fish at least face the right way!

 Rich not happy as Dolphin cove was jam packed full of beach goers again

 Here they 'all' are!

The best sandpit and dune jumping area

Mandeni track maintenance crew stopping to re-fuel 

New Car!

Our new family car, a 2010 Ford Territory AWD 7 Seater Ghia.