New Pictures......

happy 10th birthday Connner

CONNER, JAMIESON,

JOHN,DYLAN & CAMERON

THE OLD VAN - THE LOVE BUS

THE NEW VAN - NO NAME YET

Memorial Day at Charles's

from June 10th

Saturday We woke up & were out of the house by 9.30. We drove over to the office to pick up the van. Then we made our way to the airport to pick up Elise & Rhys from Las Vegas. But not before we had to stop on the side of the freeway for Jamieson to have a chuck!! The kids arrived at 11.00. YEAH!!!! We all jumped into the van & trotted back home to Elk Grove. We sat down & relaxed for a while, then I took the kids out for a drive to show them around. We stopped at Old Navy for a quick look around. 2 hours later we arrived home with Lunch OOPPSS!! We had lunch around 3.00, yummy fresh warm chicken sandwiches, then we headed down to the pool so the kids could sit in the sun. Millie, Misty & Nikki were there chatting, so we sat around the table for a while, while the kids & Jamieson swam etc. We got back to the apartment around 5.30 to get ready to go out. We decided to take them to Folsom Outlet Mall for a look around. We got there and the boys went off in one direction & the girls in another. It was weird shopping with someone else. I'm used to doing it by myself. Elise bought a couple of things & we got back in the van around 8.45 to find In & Out burgers for some dinner. The food there is absolutely the best. The menu is very limited but YUM!!!! We finished and got into the van (after pics) and headed to the office to get the old van for Bruce to drive for the week. Then we made our way home. It was around 10.30 when we got home so the kids went to bed & we stayed up till about 11.30 talking with the kids, catching up. It was around midnight when we got to bed but it was a good day. Sunday We woke up around 7.00 & Elise & I went out walking for an hour then off to the gym for a work out. We got ready & jumped in the van to go to "The Old Sacramento", city centre etc. We arrived at Old Sac around 11.00 parked the car & started to make our way around. It was a beautiful day and we walked around looking at all the shops. We had Salt water taffy, saw wolves in a cage, steam boats, and lots of shops. After a couple of hours we'd all had enough. So we headed into the Plaza so Elise could go to Forever 21 shop to do some shopping. She had a good time and bought a couple of tops so she was happy. We met the boys at Johnny Rockets then made our way to the van to go to our last stop the Govenors House. (Mini White House) Pics to folllow. We got back around mid afternoon & went down to the pool for an hour or so. We got back, the kids called home & we had dinner. The NBA Finals Game 1 started was on. The kids were in bed around 8.00 & we sat down & settled in for some TV. Rhys wasn't feeling very well, I went off to bed around 10.30 (early for me) and the others stayed up for a while longer. Monday I got up around 7.00, Bruce had already left for his meeting. I dragged Jamieson out of bed around 7.30. I woke Elise & Rhys up at 7.30 as the Socceroos were playing on the TV. They won 3-1. So Yeah!!! We got to school, Rhys was still not well, Jetlag so he stayed & slept & Elise & I went out for a walk & workout. We got back around 10.00. Bruce got home not long after, his meeting was cancelled so he went to Starbucks to work instead. I did the usual tidying, washing etc & we went & got Jamieson from School. We had some lunch & the kids & I went to do groceries. We got back & went to the pool, it wasn't really the warm day today. Hopefully it will improve for the kids over the next few days. We have a couple of things planned but more so for the end of the week. We got back from the pool around 4.00 sat around the apartment & I started organising dinner. The boys all went out around 5.30 to kick the footy & I cooked dinner. We had dinner & the kids & I went out to a couple of places to do a little shopping. We got a few things, came home & were all in bed by 11.00. Tuesday We woke up & did the usual, Elise & I worked out. The weather was not the great. Really overcast so not a great day to do anything. The kids went off to school, Bruce went off to work again for more meetings. Rhys slept on the couch for most of the day. Elise & I just bummed around at the business centre & the apartment etc. Jamieson got home from school & we didn't really do anyhting exciting at all. Elise was dissapointed about the weather. The rest of the day was pretty much the same, Bruce got home from work & Conner from school, we had some dinner & watched a bit of TV & went off too bed. A pretty boring day even by our standards. Wednesday --- BIG DAY!! (Jelly Belly Factory Tour) We all woke up & did the usual morning things. Got the kids off to school, but Bruce forgot to give Conner the note for leaving early so I had to go back and get the note & take it back. Then I ran into another mother from the complex Shelby. By the time I finshed talking to her, I wasn't really in the mood for a workout so I just headed back to the apartment, where I had let the kids sleep. They woke up around 10.00, so that was good for them. Rhys was still not well & Elise needed the sleep. Went to the business centre etc & by the time all that was done it was time to pick up Jamieson. We organised for him to go to a friends place (Grant) for a play tomorrow so he was pretty excited. The kids were sitting by the pool soaking up the rays. Jamieson joined them, I sat down for a few minutes then it was time to go back & get Conner from school. We came home had some lunch & spent a little time by the pool before we had to go. We headed off for the Jelly Belly factory at 1.45. We got onto the freeway (1st time by myself) I got all the right turnoffs (Yeay for me!!) we drove past the Vacaville Outlet mall. Then about 10 minutes after that there it was the JELLY BELLY FACTORY!! We were just in time for the next tour, 3.oo. We put on our jelly belly hats, not so cute. Then we headed off into the factory, about 5 minutes in of course Jamieson needs to go to the bathroom. (GOD PLEASE HELP ME) then the tour got more interesting and he didn't need go anymore, fancy that. The tour was a good one, there was not much going on in the way of production but they had video screen & the guide was really nice. We got some free samples & headed down to the shop. We had to get Cameron Tudor some. We picked a couple of things out, got a bag of them & straws & pencils for the kids. Then about 4.30 we headed off back down the freeway. On the way we saw COSTCO, so we parked and went into show the kids what we are talking about all the time. Campbells on steroids is probably hard to imagine when they had not idea what Campbells was. So in we went. Jamieson was in the trolley so we could have a less stressful visit. We walked around, Elise got some Chewy (12 pkts) we got Nicola her hershey's chocolate sauce & a few other things. We were going to have some pizza for dinner, but then the boys started doing their thing, & after 5 minutes of going around in circles I'd had enough and they got nothing. We got back into the car & went to Vacaville Outlet mall, so Rhys could have a look around for some stuff. He found Ralph Lauren tops so that was good. By the time we got home it was around 6.30 so we had some dinner & the kids went to bed. The kids & I headed off down to have a spa, which was really nice. We got back & headed off to bed. So it was a good day, we did something new & I think the kids had a good time. Thursday Elise & I got up took the kids to school, Bruce went off to work & we worked out. Came back, tidyed up & I went out to do some errands & the kids went to sit by the pool. The day was going to be a warm one, so I told Elise to stay by the pool and bake. I took off & did some stuff & got back around lunch, sat with the kids by the pool, then headed off to get Jameison from Grants place. He was at the Community pool, wich was really nice. It is a community centre for the people who live in lakeshore community. We got back and Jamieson joined the kids at the pool. Conner got home and came down to the pool. I had to go and change & go to school to scoop ice cream for the Ice cream Social tomorrow night. Bruce was at the office then he picked Ross up from the airport and they got back home around 3.00. I got back from school around 4.30 & Elise was still at the pool. The boys had gone back to the apartment. We all headed back & I started on dinner. This is being posted Sunday night and we still have to add a few days. We just got back from San Francisco - awesome day. More news soon! Hope you are all well Love from US!

from June 2nd

FRIDAY

Today started out like any other day. The boys went off to school & Bruce went off to the office for some meetings. I did the usual, although feeling a bit blah today so decided that this was my day off from a workout. I went to the business centre to do some work for Bruce (starting the Australian contacts database) not fun, have to say. But it's for a good cause US!! Picked Jamieson up from school then headed back to the apartment. We had something to eat & by that time it was nearly 12.30, time to pick up Conner. The school was having a half day for a Track change. We picked up Conner & headed back to change & go to the pool. Millie had organised for Lexie's friend Charlie to come over & they were having some pizza & cake cause Lexie was sick for his birthday. All the kids had a swim then the pizza arrived, so they dug in. It ended up being quite a very warm afternoon. Kaylee arrived to join the fun. Not long after that Misty came down with her Step Children who had just arrived for the summer from Alabama. As the afternoon continued the kids all played together & all the girls just sat out chatting, in & out of the pool. Jamieson & Kaylee always have a great time together, she just thinks he's fabulous & he plays off it. It's very fun to watch. Bruce called around 4.30 today he was on his way, so around 5.00 everyone started to get ready to go back home. It was a great afternoon, a really good way to finish the week. All the girls got to hang out & all the kids pay together really well. We came in & the kids went out to play for a while, we had a late dinner & the kids stayed up to watch some TV for a while, then they were in bed by 10.00. We did some work on the laptop & went to bed - Exhausted!!! But I have to say it was a great day for us. Bruce is making great progress with his job, & the boys & I had a great afternoon. A GOOD DAY FOR US!!!!! SATURDAY We all woke up a little later as you could imagine. (Accept for Conner, woke up at 6.30) GRRR!! I got up around 7.30 & headed off for a walk - considering I did nothing the day before, & didn't like that. I'm really starting to get into this work out thing, it's fun, sometimes. Everyone was up and around by 8.30. Bruce & Conner went off to do some training around 9.30 then off to watch Elliott in his basketball final at 10.00. They got back at 12.00, just in time for lunch. Shortly after I went out to grab some stuff for when the kids get here. Millie called not long after, so I went back & picked her up, then off we headed out again. By the time we got back it was after 3.00. Much to our amazement. But I got everything that I wanted to get so the outing was successful. We got back & I changed & was heading down to the pool to meet the boys when they came home. Jamieson wanted to go back so he & I headed back down. Bruce & Conner stayed behind & chilled out. We didn't stay long, I think spending so much time the day before was enough for a couple of days. We got back & while I was gone it was organised that Conner was going to have a sleep over at Jeff's with his son Cameron. Then I spoke to Liz on skype which was cool, cause I haven't spoken to her in a couple of weeks, we talked for around 1/2 an hour then she had to go and get ready cause she was working at the shop. Made me homesick talking to her. Not sure cause it's been a while or just cause it's Liz. So we had some dinner & Bruce & Conner went out to meet them at the golf course nearby where Cameron had been playing golf that afternoon. I got on the laptop & did some work & Jamieson watched some TV. Another late night for Jamieson, hopefully he will sleep in in the morning. Bruce spoke to Pete on skype, then around 11 we headed off to bed. Another day gone, but it was a good one. We all had fun and thats what it's all about. SUNDAY

Today was a pretty cool day. Bruce went out around 10 to go looking for vans with Jeff. Conner was staying at Jeff's, he & Cameron went to a Water park for the day. Jamieson & I spent the morning chilling & then around 12.00 we headed down to the pool. Angela (complex manager) & her daughter Nicole were there. It was only us so we had a good chance to catch up on all the gossip. She was promoted this week so most of the staff in the office was being moved around. her new position sounds like a lot of fun. Around an hour or so later people started arriving to the pool. Jamieson & I left around 3.00 & went home. The boys arrived home around 5.30 after a long day. Conner had a great time with Cameron & Bruce found a couple of vans, but as usual finance was the problem. that is starting to get me very frustrated, you can imagine how Bruce is feeling. We had some dinner & spoke to mum & dad on skype. Bruce did some work & I went to the gym for a walk. We were in bed at the usual time. So it was a chilling day for some of us & a busy one for the others. Another week had some & gone. MONDAY, TUESDAY Well the start to our week was like the rest. Bruce was off early for his breakfast meeting with Jeff. The boys went off to school & I did the usual. I went into the business centre to do some work etc. Pretty usual stuff, which you've all heard too much for me. The rest of the days was about the same. I think the novelty is wearing off & our routine is starting to get like a real routine. Pick up Jamieson, have lunch, Conner from school, go to the pool. Do homework, have dinner, etc etc. Bruce heads off to the gym etc etc. Blah blah blah!!!!!!! Monday I went to Costco to get some fruit, 1.8 kg strawberries for $5.50 & 2 pounds of bananas for 97c. And bulk meat etc. I'm stocking up for when the kids get here. Saturday, they leave on Thursday, so they will be in the country then. WOO HOO!!!(Liz was telling me that the price of bananas has gone through the roof at home), so it's worth the trip. I also started getting Conner's birthday stuff. He wants the adventures of Limeny Snickets & they have them there. So he is getting all 12 books (only n# 13 they didn't have) The only out of the ordinary thing would be on Tuesday the parcel from The Hultgrens arrived. YEAY!!!! A very big thank you to all!!! The kids were 100's & 1000's yeah, Conner was VEGEMITE WOW!!, Milo, COOL, and they were both very excited to get a game from Grandma Hultgren that they played all the time when they visited. So that was a bit of excitement. WEDNESDAY

We woke up to another beautiful Wednesday, the breeze was a bit cool but I went for my walk after dropping the kids off to school. Bruce was working at the dining room table. I did the usual in the morning, tidying,washing etc etc. Bruce went off to buy a van! (crossed fingers). Jamieson & I had lunch pottered around until Conner got home from school. he didn't want to go to the pool so off we trotted & Conner stayed home to do homework & watch Jimmy Neutron. A relaxing afternoon for all. Bruce arrived home around 3.30 - 4.00 in our NEW/OLD car. Yes, we are driving around in a minvan. (it made the most sense, driving the kids & their friends & visitors when they come over.) & it fits into Bruces plan, we have to do/get something we wouldn't at home. I have to say, I don't hate it at all. It's a nice novelty. Conner was like Yeah, you can be like Ros (Livingston) that's cool. So that was an exciting part of the day. The afternoon continued on, then around 5.30 we jumped into the new van & took off to Ikea to buy a couple of things more for when the kids get here & have a Hot Dog & Cinnamon roll for dinner. (Cheap meal, great shopping) The boys love going to the play room & Bruce & I get to walk around and look at all the Summer Sale specials, we got a couple too. We finished up around 8.30 & headed home. The boys went straight to bed, I headed off around 10.30. Bruce stayed up until 2am finishing some work he has a presentation for at the end of the week. It was all in his head & he had to get it out. I'm used to it now, when it's flowing you have to go with it, whatever time it is. THURSDAY

I woke up to a semi cloudy kind of day with a fresh breeze. I checked the flight Schedule & they were due to arrive at around 7.30am. I checked my email before getting the kids ready for school. We left for school & walking & I told Bruce to go back to sleep. I don't think that happened, early night for him tonight. I got back around 9.00 & we had a cuppa, & I went through his work from the night before. (Put my old skills to work) It's a really great presentation, hopefully they will feel the same, he covered all the bases. Jamieson & I had some lunch & went out in the new car, post office, etc. We got home & went down to the pool. Didn't stay long Jamieson wasn't allowed to swim cause he was not that well behaved while we were out. The brake from the sun did us both good. Bruce finished his work & came down to lay out for a while. I cooked dinner (vegies - mmm) & we sat down & all watched game 1 NBA Finals. The boys went off to bed around 7.30, & Bruce did some work while I watched some TV, we were in bed around 11.00. Bruce checked his messages & found a text from Elise with their numbers on them, so we will call them tomorrow. FRIDAY

We woke up & Bruce had already left for his breakfast meeting. The boys & I went off to school, then I came home & cleaned the apartment & also moved a few things around as well. It took shorter than I thought, even with the moving around. I moved the desk into our room & extended the table out. It's bigger than I remembered. I only extended it out one of the pieces, there is still another piece. So it has the potential to be huge. I also blew up the extra beds for when the kids get here tomorrow, we can't wait. They are in Las Vegas at the moment, I hope they are having a great time. It's such a fun place. Jamieson & I headed down to the pool around 12 as Misty & her kids were there & wanted to play. I made some lunch & took it down to the pool. Bruce & Conner got home & Bruce came down to sit with us for a bit of a bake. Apparently Ross called while he was in a meeting so he couldn't find out how they were going, but they were here & ok so that good news. He had a good day at work. We got back form the pool around 4.30 & headed out to get a birthday present for a party Conner has tomorrow. I found Chocolate Licorice while at Target, quite yummy. There was also some Australian Licorice, I will buy some another time & see. I got back & the kids were out playing & Bruce was getting ready to go out & play basketball with Alfie. He left around 6.45 & the boys came in for dinner, showers etc.