my year travelling

just words and .. one photo

we are on countdown - only 4 more sleeps and we are off to home to Australia for our holiday.

I am so excited to be heading home to spend quality time with my family (mum and dad I have missed you so much!) catch up with some wonderfully gorgeous girlfriends and just relax in the sunshine (note to self, I mustn't get sunburnt before my skin checkup this time!! lol!).

To all my new Portland friends - have a wonderful Xmas and New Year, I look forward to spending more time with you all in 2012. 

Lots of love and peace to everyone.

Kylie xxx

caerwyn at

9 years, 8 months and some days

imperfections

even with the imperfections of the sunflare - these have to be some of my favourite photos of Cerys. 

sun

I snapped this of Cerys the other day when the sun broke through the clouds and life just seemed perfect.

 

qualified for state

Caerwyn (and Coach Bryttni) have been working hard to get Caerwyn a State Qualifying time in the 50yd Backstroke and on the weekend - HE DID IT!

He has been so close on previous meets (like half a second out) and at Madras he smashed it, qualifying 2 seconds quicker!

I love watching them swim - seeing their determination & passion shine through, nothing could be better.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos of the actual race as I was too busy trying not to be sick and then screaming (quiet loudly) from the sidelines!

Here are some other photos from the meet.

Halloween 2011

Halloween for 2011 has come and passed.

This year Cerys stated from about July that she was going as an 'ugly but funky' witch.  So we painted her face green, stuck on a fake chin with a large red wart, dressed her in black (with a hint of purple) and she was in her words 'awesome'! 

Although I have to say 'ugly' she was not - even with the chin and wart!

Caerwyn this year decided that he was doing the whole vampire thing!  I must say he made an incredibly handsome vampire ..  also thank you Cathy for pointing out that I have taken my 'Twilight' obsession a little too far and dressed Caerwyn as Edward!!

Whilst it didn't rain it was bloody freeeezzing, it didn't stop the kids from having a great night and collecting way too much candy!

swimming

With all that is going on in our lives the one thing that is a constant is the swimming.  C & c raced again on the weekend at the Lake Oswego Fall Invitational.  The kids had a great time and competed strongly.

I don't have many photos but these were my favs ..

For all our Aussie family and friends - we are still Aussie even thou the kids decided to swim with their USA caps on!!

ray of sun

PDX has bought the afternoon sun!

Caught Caerwyn outside reading - his quiet time!

Cerys thought she have 'girly' time and what says 'girly' time more than blowing bubbles!

lazy ... but I like to think of it as being busy!

I know it doesn't make sense but in my mind I have been too busy to do anything but home school, parent, be a wife, taxi driver, student (well actually the course only just started but still I'm a student) and then in the quiet time I try and understand Epilepsy and how it affects my beautiful girl ... so I haven't blogged since August!

Well I have lots to make up but rather than back track some 6 weeks, I'll start afresh with the latest in our every busy life ... pumpkin picking!

Yep, October is upon us and the kids are so excited about Halloween we have already been pumpkin pickin and costumes are all ready to go! Crazy organised this year!

I loved the farm we went to this year (Bauman Farms).  The kids ran around like crazed gremlins - bring on Halloween.

We have made some gorgeous friends whilst living in Portland -

I had to include this one of the three girls walking along ... what is it with little girls and holding hands ..

birthday celebrations

On the weekend Cerys turned 8!  It was a blast with a great group of little girls (and 2 handsome boys) - lots of sunshine, laughing, giggling and girly stuff!  Cerys summed it up by saying it was the best birthday ever!!