2010 – What a year

What a year, it seems like only yesterday that it was January 2010 and now here we are with only a couple of days left of the year.

We have had some real highlights, obviously Sarah’s engagement to Ashton is top of the pops, closely followed by Lisa passing her “tradie” exams, Charlotte doing so well in Year 2,Gerard learning how to take all the “long cuts” in his taxi, a couple of holidays, the Leeuwin concert, one of the best Christmas’s we have had in  years  and  not to forget a mighty year from the DOCKERS.

Like most people we have also had our fair share of challenges and moments that have tested us. I’d like to think that we have faced those moments & challenges with confidence, humour and a true a belief in our selves & our values.

In signing of for 2010 Leanne & I would like to wish a very happy, safe and prosperous 2011 to all our friends, family and colleagues.

Thank you all for a great 2010 we are looking forward to a great 2011.

G & L

Christmas - 2010

And so this is Christmas and what a Christmas we have had, it seems like the whole of December was one big Christmas party.

Catching with old and not so old friends, John & Josie, Steve & Deb, Bill and Lorraine, Jeff, various work do’s, trips to Melbourne, school events. OMG how did we fit it all in!!!

Christmas eve with the kids and then and awesome lunch with David & Julie capped of the Xmas festivities. Although it was 40c it was a great day and a great lunch.

 

Merry Christmas to all

G & L

December and the lead up to Christmas

Like most people this time of the year is frantic with school concerts, work do’s and generally catching up with friends and family, and its no different for us.

We have had a school concert with all the year two’s dressed as Santa various other school events. It seemed as if Charlottes end of year school stuff lasted nearly all of term 4! perhaps the most important thing amongst all these activities is the “school report” which we are very happy to say was fantastic. Charlotte has really put her head down and work hard to achieve some excellent results.

Lunch organised by John  & Josie in the park was sensational & I think everyone loved Santa’s performance!!! Thanks guys it was a brilliant day.

Anyway with work events here there and every where it does get busy, so Leanne & i would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.

Charlotte heard a Fairy tale of New York by The Pogues and thought it was hilarious. Have a listen.

The Engagement

Leanne & I are very pleased to announce that Sarah is engaged to be married to Ashton Searle.

We are not sure who is more excited by the news, Sarah or Charlotte,

Stand by for regular updates on all things weddings.

Congratulations to both Sarah & Ashton

A day @ the beach

While Sarah is freezing in Melbourne (remember to put a coat on) Charlotte and I headed to Whitfords Nodes for our first swim of summer or last swim of spring, depending upon how you look at it.

Thirty five degrees, blisteringly white sand and  stunning turquoise water made for a spectacular start to a Sunday.

http://www.glmaguire.com/Other/A-day-at-the-beach/14836935_3NWjA

School Disco, Christmas Dance Concert & Lisa’s Exams and a special mention

Can the weekends get any busier? Friday night was the 80’s themed school disco for the kids and what a great night. Parents, kids & teachers all dressed up in 1980’s fashion, although I certainly can’t remember any singing trees making to number one through the 80’s. Check out some the photo’s and video, keep a very sharp eye out for Leanne, who really should have won the best costume award.

http://www.glmaguire.com/School/School-Disco/14833453_znyUq

Then onto the dance extravaganza of the decade. Charlotte's dance school – Centre Stage celebrate its 10th anniversary with a 4 hour marathon. Unbelievable costumes, outstanding routines and naturally the star of the show in our eyes was……….Charlotte.

http://www.glmaguire.com/Events/Centre-Stage-Dance-Christmas/14837076_4MKMm

Lisa is now almost a ‘tradie” having passed her final exams this week. I can’t believe how fast it has gone, it seems like only last year Lisa started her apprenticeship and now she is almost complete. Well done darling, we are all extremely proud of you and just so impressed with how well you have done.

One last special mention on this post goes to LEANNE. Happy anniversary darling. You are the greatest!!!

A Busy November

We didn’t think November could be busier than October, but it’s turning out to be the exact opposite.

Friday night cricket, rehearsals for the Christmas dance concert, school concerts & disco’s, exams for Lisa & Sarah (awesome effort girls)and wedding anniversaries and Christmas shopping. We need a holiday!

Friday Night cricket

Who doesn’t love Friday night sports? An almost balmy spring evening and 20 kids running around all wanting to bat and bowl at the same time!

Charlotte batted superbly for an unbeaten 50 – we think as they don’t really score in kanga cricket.

 

Check out the pics and video.

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More October

Yes there’s more! Three birthdays Jasmine, Lisa & Gerard – Michael, I will upload some pics in the next few days but happy birthday guys, three great nights.

That’s it for October roll on November and December.

October continued…..

School sports carnival, what a day for all concerned parents and kids. BTW Charlotte had a sensational carnival as you have no doubt read below.

Grand parents day was a huge day at school, do the kids ever do any study or do they just have "days"?

October what a month

Wow! What a month and its not even over. Three birthdays, two sporting debuts, countless school events and some challenging moments. Roll on November.

The sporting debuts, not Leanne or I but Charlotte, with Cricket and Tennis. She made her cricket debut this weekend and batted superbly, carried her bat and then managed to pick up a wicket bowling. The next superstar all rounder. She plays in her first tennis tournament next week and does she have a booming cross court forehand. More to come…

Perth Royal Show 2010

As we have said it was a very different Royal Show for Charlotte this year (I think we were more worried than we needed to be) and it was probably one of the best she has had.

We have told her not to worry about things and that while people change she is still very special and that she will always be.

She even went on the Python Loop with Leanne – not too bad for a seven year old eh!

Yes they are in there somewhere.

School sports day

Look out Sally Pearson, I think we may have some one to take you on. What a day not only for the kids but it seems that some of the parents get more excited about school sports day then the kids.

A second and a fourth were just rewards for all the training and early mornings Charlotte put in.

Geraldton here we come

Look out Gero, cyclone Charlotte is about to hit and hit big time. We have heard more about the trip to Geraldton than the Royal Show.

Welcome to Spring

Wow! How fantastic is the weather? 27 degrees today and the ten day forecast is, sunny, sunny and some more sunny days.

Can’t wait for summer and the beach, unless it’s Cottesloe with their bizarre new regulations!

The evenings are so nice we can play outside with Charlie until quite late.

Lisa & Sarah MM

What can i say? Girls you are both awesome. Finishing an apprenticeship 6 months early! I’d like to see that. Distinction's and more distinctions! I’d like to see that too. Well I have seen both.

I couldn’t be prouder. Well done girls. Love you both

A very proud DAD

We’re from Tigerland

well the footy season is not quite over yet. GO TIGERS! GO TIGERS!

The Fremantle Year

What can you say about the year? Thanks to  Harv’s and our Purple Warriors, you have given us hope and taken us oh so close to the promised land.

We have wandered the AFL desert (very similar to some guy from the middle east a couple of thousand years ago) for most of 15 years and finally it looks like we may spend some lengthy time in the AFL promised land called finals.

I think we all feared for our team of Purple Warriors when the draw was released last year, Adelaide, Essendon Geelong, St Kilda & those bastard sons of the competition WCE in the early rounds. It looked like we might be having mad Monday in early May. How wrong we were.

Our Purple Warriors took to the field and won and kept winning and along way converted many sceptics and brought hope and happiness to the Purple Haze.

I salute you and thank you for a great year, but also remind you that we want to be the team raises the holy grail next year. No more deserts for us!

May the Purple Haze sustain you through summer.

WE ARE FREO WE ARE DYNAMITE

What can you say after a stunning performance like Saturdays. Wow!

Fremantle & Finals

Don’t we just love those all too rare words. Yes its that time of the year again and we are still playing.

I can’t wait to see the purple haze and hear the roar of the purple army as we do our bit to get the team over the line. Hawks, we will not be denied.

Bali - The Best Bits!

First would have to be the weather - warm tropical days with balmy evenings. Perfect compared to a cold and wintery perth.

Second would have to be the restaurants, how good are they. Kayu Manis in Sanur is a must visit restaurant. Awesome, eclectic food which delights the senses.

Watching Charlotte swim and play with a couple of German girls her own age and to have nearly the entire hotel cheering her on as they taught her to speak German was fantastic.

Bali–Sanur

What difference it is in Sanur compared to Legian or Kuta. Calm quiet and perfect for relaxation. Its a bit like Rotto with tourists riding bikes and generally enjoying the peaceful village.

Long weekend in Bali coming up

Yes only a few days before we skip this cold winter for the warm climate of Bali.

 

Bring it on!

Sunday Morning at Lake Monger

Took Charlotte down to Lake Monger so she could play with her new scooter. I spent most of the morning chasing her down and asking her not her not go too fast.

We discovered a newly installed mini gym and it was hilarious watching her try the rowing machine. The question  I have is. Why would you put walking machine next to one of the most popular walking tracks in Perth?

The Reading Superstar

We had never heard Charlotte so proud of her self, as she proudly told us that she was now level 18 for reading "and Mum & Dad I've gone from level 11 to level 14 and now level 14 in only a few weeks". Well done darling. All of Leanne's hard work is now starting to pay off.

Potential Wimbledon Champion

Well we have a PWC in our midst – yes Charlotte is having tennis lessons and has proudly stated to all that she’s a champion. You have to love the confidence. Wonder where she gets that from!

What's going on!

A tough week at BMAA on the Gold Coast, the only saving grace was the warm weather, oh and having an al fresco breakfast every morning. A long flight home to freezing Perth certainly causes some thoughts of relocation to QLD and a day to recover before getting back into it. Gee I’m starting to loath these trips

Now that's why we need a holiday and Leanne & I are off to Bali sans Charlotte for a long weekend at the end of month. We have to reward ourselves every now and then.

We also got the news today that Charlotte is getting another merit certificate next week. Boy has she worked so hard for this. She has studied so hard and has improved so much it is hard to believe that we thought she might struggle this year. Awesome effort Woost!!!

Melbourne

A business trip to Melbourne generally allows for some great restaurants, which it did in spades. The highlights included, great meals at Markov, Felini, Lygon St food store and breakfast at Brunetti’s. All were great with Markov delivering an eclectic mix of Spanish inspired cuisine. Friday Night Football and shopping down Bridge road.

No doubt the highlights were the shopping – designer bargains for Charlotte and Leanne, yes a Wayne Cooper design for Charlotte and Friday night footy at the MCG.

Sunday afternoon in the Swan Valley

A visit to the Margaret River Chocolate Factory followed by lunch at Elmars. What a mix, but we certainly know which one Charlotte liked the most!!

The food was good and went well with a nice German style dark beer.

A perfect way to finish a busy weekend.

A Royal Visit from Geraldton

A much anticipated visit from Nana & Poppa has really put a huge smile Charlotte's face.

Thanks to Geoff we now have dinning chairs that don't rock or fall apart. Awesome.

Dinner @ Must Wine Bar & Bistro

Well we had a bit of luck tonight. We forgot that Charlotte had a pyjama party at dance school, so we were able to slip out for quick meal. What can we say about Must that hasn’t already been said.

Great French inspired bistro food, with perhaps one of the most awesome wines lists in the country. Wines from Australia, France & Spain, with a fantastic meal of duck confit for Leanne and steak for me. A perfect meal.

MMCCPS School Assembly

Yes the big night has come and gone. A great show from all the kids, in particular the Year Two's with their Michael Jackson performance.

WAFL Footy @ Tigerland

What a great afternoon at the Claremont oval. I think we all tend to forget how good WAFL footy is and what a pleasant way to spend and afternoon.

Lot's of families, kids kicking the footy on the oval and best of all it has made Charlotte a real footy fan. She wants to go again and has even asked to watch the football on TV!

By the way the tigers won by a record margin of 198 points.

Sunday Morning

Sunday breakfast at Giardini's in Leederville followed by feeding the ducks at Lake Monger. Sounds like a near perfect start to the day. Not if you had breakfast at Giardini's.

Over priced crappy food and cold coffee. Maybe we expected a bit too much - hot coffee and a well made breakfast, with a hollandaise sauce not from a jar.

Are we asking too much from a Perth cafe. Probably

But Lake Monger was fantastic and Charlotte loved feeding the ducks

Hillarys Marina

Welcome

Well we've joined the blog world at last! Give us some time and we'll populate this blog with our stories and photo's.

We hope we wont bore you and maybe give you a look into our lives and what's happening in them.

View more of our photo's at www.glmaguire.com