Happy New Year

Happy New Year to our readers. After our family-a-thon Christmas in Newcastle we headed south to Kangaroo Valley to bring in the New Year with friends. It was bloody hot, but the night sky was clear of clouds and full of stars - it was perfect for drinking wine and dancing around with sparklers. The kids, as always, had a ball. The adults had a pretty good time too.

After Kangaroo Valley we travelled north to Sydney to help our good friend Mark celebrate his 40th birthday. We had a great time at his party catching up with old work colleagues, then a drunken post-party game of Spicks & Specks to finish the night. We were up early the next morning to take the kids to the Olympic Aquatic centre, where they have opened a fantastic water playground. Lots of fun and great for the hangover.

On the way back to Newcastle we stopped in to visit Johnny and Meg in their new house. A couple of wines later we were persuaded to stay the night, again more wine. There was lots of dancing and the usual tasteless, gutter humour we enjoy with Johnny and Meg.

Then it was home, and so ended our two weeks of gluttony.

Climbing trees at Kangaroo Valley.

Paddling off the hangover on New Years Day.

Dancing by the herb garden with Allegra.

Playing in the Kangaroo Valley cubby house.

All ready to water the chestnut trees.

Milly stomping around.

Happy Birthday Mark!

"Dadda's hangover was this big." At Johnny and Megs.

Henry having a smooch with Rose.

At home it was back to playing tea parties...

... and games of nude peek-a-boo.