March 23 Easter Sunday, 4.30pm

That was the last time I saw Uncle Milton alive. We went to Brisbane for the weekend to see him. He had had some bad news about how his cancer couldn't be treated anymore. I rang him on Wednesday and said we would come for the weekend to see him. When we arrived, Michael said that he was in hospital. By the time we picked up Mum from the airport on Sunday and drove to the Gold Coast, he was no longer coherent. He knew when we arrived. I could see it on his face. He couldn't talk at all.

We were due to fly back to Canberra at 2050 and Michael took us back to his house to get the kids ready for the flight. By the time we got back to the hospital at 7pm he had died. I will feel forever sorry that Michael wasn't there when he died.

Whilst not every meeting with Milton saw us eye to eye on everything, there has been no single greater male role model in my life. In spite of some of his annoying right wing views - which he loved to espouse and argue about for hours with me - Uncle Milton was above all else such a caring and amazing person. My favourite Christmases were spent either at his house in Macksville or at the Gold Coast. He flew to Canberra to help Alex and I build our deck. He loved showing Oskar the fork lifts and giant Caterpillars at the factory.

What really amazes me is that two of my most loved family have died in the last 9 months. That is a huge shock. Also a huge shift in our family dynamics. And leaves Mum the only one of her family alive.

Uncle Milton was 64.

Mum came back from New York, March 23

Carlo and the blue orb

Oskar and the red orb

Easter Sunday at Aunty Jan's and the kids first ever egg hunt.

We were going to have a party

But we ended up having no money - ahh yes, renovations?

Instead, Knoxie and the boys got together a special treat for my birthday. A Pav! Fresh organic raspberries, strawberries and blueberries, 39 candles, a perfect autumn afternoon in the garden. Until, we tried those new self lighting candles which ignited with such ferocity that it sent Oskar fleeing from the table and hiding and screaming behind the shed, refusing to come back until I had blown the candles out. NO small feat. Did I mention, there were 39...

Farewell Avi, Maalu, Yeshe and Viele

A sad day in Downer as Oskar farewells his buddy Avi - bound for Suva! This was not their actual farewell (cause we were away - explainations later) but their last photo together.

Tiger

He wanted so much to be a Tiger, but the face paint gave him an allergy. Boo!

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!

The day OK got his boots and socks. Straight on, into the back yard, kicking the ball and refusing to take them off.

Jump to May 3. (photo later) Oskar starts playing for Majura Under 4's - 2 goals first game, 5 goals second game. Sponsors, anyone?

Oskar behind the Canon

and inspirational

Nothing comes between Carlo and his mango seed.

Inspired

CK manages to hook up a couple of carriages. Clearly inspired by the trip on the diesel.

Diesel

We took a ride on a special train out to Bungendore with Nonna and Grandpa. Obviously, trains bring out the best in Oskar!

The white Ambassador (is that a whitey driver in the front seat?) from Chennai, came along for the ride.

Sink or float

Oskar loves to play this game. He gathers all kinds of things from around the house and checks whether they will sink or float. He does tend to like those that sink the most.

(See t-shirt, we did go to India)

Fuji gala

What a bumpa crop of apples from our little tree. 22 altogether. Mmm delicious..

A helluva long time

I can't remember when I bought this mock denim (high poly) cowboy short overalls. It was a helluva long time ago tho'. At least one of my kids manages to get to wear it. And how awesome does he look...

More

Photo's:
Remember those black windows - gone. New dining room and new sliders. No bi-folds, too many flies!!!!
Porcelights in the dining room - very scando!
Oskar and Carlo clean the paint off the floor in their new bedroom.
The old kitchen becomes the new playroom. The crane from Aunty Jan is one of the first fixtures.

Photo's of finished spaces to come when finished. Renovations are never ending.

Reno or bust...

The start of Feb meant the start of renovations. Rob the builder was a daily fixture, and thankfully managed to knockdown, concrete, nail and hammer around Carlo's sleep times.

Photo':

Old laundry and playroom - new plasterboard to make a new kitchen
Old playroom, black windows - new plasterboard to make a new dining room
Carlo and Oskar popping up in the new cabinetry
Old kitchen - mid knockdown

Lost

Yes, again apols for not keeping this thing updated. A desperate appeal from Laurice has got me back behind the wheel. Nina and Cami can't believe that the kids are getting this old already. So, no December, January, February - not that we didn't do anything those months. We did! We went to India (for Christmas), Sri Lanka and Singapore. Jan and Dave got married at Talalla, Sri Lanka. We caught up with Javed and Chandina, Prasantha, Kumari and Sriyani and Patrick. At some stage I will put up some pics.