Cousins meet at the Zoo

Otis, Phoebe and Coco met at Melbourne Zoo for the first time ever. It was so wonderful to see them and amazing to witness that DNA bond. There definitely was an initial connection. The girls fussed over baby Otis all day and walked alongside the pram. They are so divine. Our highlight for the day was being within 1 metre from a huge silver back gorilla. Otis dropped his jaw in disbelief as one of his favourite toys at home is a monkey but not so big and animated.

Queenie and Mike Gramps packed a lovely picnic. Great to spend time together and of course to see my beautiful brother Luke.

Carrot was a gift from the girls... he loves it.
















All together............such a great photo and time together.



Uncle Lucas with princess Phoebe...her legs were a little tired and the view was better.

Mike Gramps suits a pram!!!! this Japanese Garden at the Zoo was one that we used to visit as kids with gorgeous Mutti..

It was lovely being together. we love our Byron angels.

a pearler!!!

today I went for the most beautiful walk with my son.

The warm afternoon sun brought with it soft winter light and big blue sky. we strolled down by the river. The river is full and running, cows along the banks, reflections of willowy branches in the water...so clear, crisp. I sucked in the air, caught views of dappled light within treed gullies and rolling slopes. We touched trees, leaves and flowers. I felt very calm and content. and love my boys very much.

Our little garden gnome

'Friar' Smith

laughter so sweet!!

we love our boy Otis so so oooooooooooo much.
He is extremely funny, has a goofey laugh and is always up for entertaining. Otis loves his food and creates a real mess. I want him to enjoy eating and not to worry about keeping clean.

Since the snow fell, the days have continued to be very cool / crisp mornings and clear cold nights. It is very beautiful our big sky. This morning we heard kookaburra's and the blossoms have bloomed. Daffodil festival is upon us in a few weeks, as the name suggests daffies are everywhere and I love them so.
They are such bright happy flowers and remind me of my child hood growing up on the daffodil farm at Cotswold, with the dogs sorting daffies in the shed at night for market. I love the fresh, earthy smell that they have.
We have had visitors and been entertaining in our humble way.
Grixti and Ali stayed a night and brought some divine wine and much merriment, Steph and Sandra delivered with love a wombat statue so loved by Josh's Nan Ina. We have him placed in a delightful posi in the garden. New local buddies lunched with us and their 1 year old daughter.
Trips to Melbourne visiting Mr Peter Journeaux in hospital, the osteopath, Mum, Mike's sister Annie from France and the Vic Market, At the neighbours for dinner, Josh's aunt and uncle from Mildura popped by, friends with bubbies, lunch at the local Pizzaria, markets, coffee in Trentham, visiting the block, amazing drives through our rugged and diverse countryside, lambs in the fields, green, green, green and 3 rainbows in one week.
And I had a baking failure !!!!!! Honey cakes that flopped and bubbled in the oven. I was devastated and baked scones instead with Mum's quince jam and cream.

AND OTIS IS CRAWLING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SCARY STUFF

He looks so tiny to be crawling but is on the go and into the kitchen, the cat food, the books, the cords, the everything...but so adorable..................


Love to all.

















my beautiful boys!





















a sunny afternoon outside on the grass





















pots of gold await us both!!!!
in the back yard


BIG LOVE

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.

Snow falling in our street.














Snow on the paddocks near Carlsrhue.














First Woodend exit, where did Mt Macedon go.














Car coming from Woodend near Kyneton.













Sleepy Snowman.













Its snowing! Today we woke to the text messages from locals spreading the word that snow was on the way. Sure enough by mid morning the rain started to move in slow motion and swirl around a little bit. We were looking forward to a day in town working and catching up with family, but by the time we got to the first Woodend turn off we were getting a little nervous about travelling home later this evening. With more snow forecast we headed for Kyneton to stare wistfully out the window and sip our cups of tea.

Home Made Bread & Winter Hats

Growing Up

Our little man is growing up. He's sitting up, eating everything that can be mashed or pureed, and bordering on crawling (he's going to be such a handful in this house). We're all well, managed to pretty much shake our bugs, and we seem to be putting up with our first winter in this chilly part of Victoria, we might even be enjoying it. There is apparently snow in Daylesford this morning, which means there's probably snow in Trentham, very exciting. We've had regular rain, but not heaps of it and water storage's don't seem to be moving to quickly out here, so it looks like stage four for another summer.

Champs is such a wonderful mother, Otis loves filling his days in her space, the two of them giggle their way through the days. She's been baking Cakes ( for Dad's Birthday ), Savory tarts, pies & loads of soup every other day. Her days are still pretty long, as as well as Otis is going with his settling, he's not sleeping for long periods. Hope all are well and look forward to seeing you in our neck of the woods or yours soon.

The Firmans Visit

Today we had the pleasure of a visit from Maddy, Marley and Tash. Although a bit chilly, Kyneton managed to turn on a suitable outdoor day for a quick hide and seek session in the garden (which is very wintry, but very green, lots of rain). The girls were very sweet with little Otis, and he was beat when they left, all that female attention is a bit much for a man.

Do you like my hat ?

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Hi all, few pics of our little man in his new jumper, trackies and hat from Nan, very Kyneton (in the middle of winter). Pic from our visit to Geelong to see Nan & Pop a month or so ago.

Well winter is certainly hear and so far try as it might, it hasn't managed to ruin our time here in Kyneton. With all the events of the last few weeks, it has been a blessing to be able to enjoy the space and the beauty of our part of the world, and as Christie has eluded to the daylight only gets longer from here.

A few markets to get to this weekend including Trentham - as long as its not coming in sideways, but if it is we can always find a spot next to the scotch oven at "red beards' in Trentham. Its been a bit woolly, but its a great excuse for soup, stew and pies & redwine (not all at once).

Enjoy your weekend everyone, keep your loved ones near. J

Strange Times

Couple of pics, Otis in his beautiful knitted hat and jumper (which he needs - 7 degrees the other day ) which was made with love by Judy. Otis and his new trick, sitting up un aided.

Its been a very strange couple of weeks since we all touched base. I was sick, then Champs was sick, then Otis got sick, then I got better, then Champs got better, then Otis got worse, then I got sick, then Champs got sick, and finally Otis is getting better.

Lots of events on today the 20th of June.

We wish Ruthie (Nan) the very best of 80th birthdays, and all our thoughts will be with you up in sunny Canberra.

We wish little Coco Reno up in Byron the happiest of 3rd birthdays, we hope its full of magic.

Finally, on a sad note, today we say goodbye to our beautiful Ina (Nan) who passed away on Friday in peace. Her simple joy will be dearly missed. godspeed xx j

Smiths in FNQ

We were very privileged when away to have some photo's taken by Nick's brother in law Paul. We're so grateful for him to give up a little bit of his holiday time to give us such great mementos of our first little Smith family holiday. A few of our favorites below.