I'm not happy

about the way the photos are reproducing on the blog. Might have to look into that, they aren't very clear at all.

Now - where were we . . .

Christmas is done. Boxing day we cleaned up a bit, relaxed a bit, then went around to a friends for a BBQ.

The boys spent most of the time in the pool - having an awesome time with water guns and balls.

It was just nice to sit back and catch up with life, friends, watch the boys interact with the littler people.




On Tuesday Dallas and I had street receivers to clear. Thankfully we didn't have set times as we normally do, so were able to get out and get it done all in one cycle, instead of the usual three.

So what are you reading?

I've just finished Angels and Demons by Dan Brown - precursor to The Da Vinci Code, which I read last year. What great books! Didn't want to put them down. Of course, Karl didn't - he read both of them in one sitting - starting early afternoon and finishing early next morning.

While reading the The Da Vinci Code, I also spent alot of time Googling alot of the things in the book so I could see what he was talking about. AMAZING!!! If you haven't read them - well, get thee down to the Library today!

Merry Christmas

Christmas was a quiet time at our home, with just us and Dal's family sharing it.

Our little rental had absolutely NO room for a christmas tree, so I decided to decorate the mantlepiece so we felt just a little bit Christmassy.


































Dallas just sitting back and relaxing after a CRAZY couple of months leading up to Christmas.
















Karl and Ricki enjoying a glass of wine (or not LOL) . . . maybe a little TOO much for Ricki - as he's holding TWO glasses.






















Liam parading in his new threads!













You might notice no photos of Josh - am I a bad mum, or what?!? Honestly, that boy moves so fast - he doesn't stay still long enough to take a photo! I promise one to come soon :)

And even further back ~

20 December 1988 Ricki Lee Smith was welcomed into our family. He weighed in at 6lb 13oz, and was 3 1/2 weeks early.

I had been hoping to go full term with this baby - Karl had been early 22 months before and I had thought it would be nice to get it 'right' this time. And I nearly did!

Went into labour in the afternoon and knew that Dallas was due home around 5ish, so I didn't bother letting him know. I waited, and waited. Mum and Dad, along with my sister Lynette, came to pick Karl up and take him for the night. Had called Dals dad, and warned him he might have to come and take me to the hospital in the truck if Dallas didn't get home real soon. Well, he finally got home, we rushed up to the hospital and I ended up have a C-Section. He was breech, wouldn't turn, and was getting into difficulty. And he's been causing problems ever since LOL


Happy 17th birthday, Ricki. Love you heaps :)

Let's go back in time ~

19 December, 1990 Liam Samuel Smith was born, wide eyed and bushy tailed into the world 6 weeks early. I really, really, really didn't want him to come that day - it was Ricki's 2nd birthday the very next day - that wouldn't be fair to either of them!

I had spent the morning trying to ignore labour pains while watching over lots of little children while their mums went swimming, telling all my friends that were there that this couldn't happen, it wouldn't happen, it wasn't going to happen!

But, as history tells us, it did. He was breech - had been the whole pregnancy - and because the last baby was a C-Section, they gave me one for Liam, too.

Happy birthday Liam :) We love you :)

We apologise for this break in transmission ~

Normal programming will resume as soon as possible.


*&%^$!* computers . . . . .

Finally a day off ~

And boy do I feel that I really, really need it! Not that I'm planning on laying around today - lots to do.

First on the list . . . decorate the mantlepiece for Christmas. We don't have room for a Christmas tree this year :-( so I'm decorating the mantlepiece instead LOL.
Got all the Chrissy decs out yesterday, just need to see what can be used today. Will send Karl and Ricki down the road to find some mini pinecones that I can spray paint to use as well.

Made use of Farmers 'open till midnight sale' last night. Bought a couple more things. Had a quick look through Briscoes as well, and then Warehouse. Will take Liam back into Briscoes today - they have a half price sale on Duvet covers and he wants a new duvet for his birthday so will let him chose that. Please let there be one that he likes!

The dust, dirt and laundry calls . . . will try and post a pic of my decorating efforts later.

House & Christmas are getting closer.

Only about ten days away from having to pay a deposit for the building of the house. Building is not even going to start until February! Valuation is getting done for the land and the structure at the moment. Have the building contract to check over and sign . . . and then it's all on - except for waiting for the Council to grant the permits. Apparently they are taking a couple of months at the moment, and then of course there is Christmas in the mix!

Ah, Christmas. Time of happiness, joy, too much food . . . and debt. All I can say is thank goodness for putting money away each pay day for Christmas. Don't know how we managed before doing that. Probably put everything on the credit card and spent the rest of the year paying for it LOL.

As for what we are getting the little darlings this year - still haven't quite worked that out. Bought a few bit of clothing last visit to Christchurch, got a couple of books for two of them . . . other than that who knows! Dallas said tonight that we'd go up town on Sunday and try and get it sorted. Not to mention that it's Liam and Rickis birthdays the week before Christmas, too.

Updating ~

We've had three weeks we'd rather forget . . . so just updating a few good things that have been happening . . .

Last week Josh was on school camp. Year 7 & 8's went over to Nelson and stayed at Bridge Valley Camp. They had a wonderful time - Josh came home very, very tired and all we heard for the next two days was . . . "the food was SSSOOOOOO good" - doesn't say much about my cooking then, does it LOL.

Liam has been plodding along at school and playing indoor cricket. Trying to get him to get a holiday job, but he doesn't seem to be very interested.

Ricki had his last exam yesterday and has now officially finished school for the year. He doesn't seem interested in getting another job either :( I think they think they can stay home all hols and play computers. Ain't gonna happen!!!

Karl has had four days work with a friend this week - and he starts back at New World on the 5th December. Not his ideal job, but seems to be all that is available for him at the moment. We've told him to stick to it, but keep a look out for something he'd rather be doing. He is definately having a gap year and doesn't want to spend it in the supermarket.

We have full contracts for the house building. Just have to read them through, get the bank to agree, get them signed and pay the deposit. It's the paying the deposit that's going to hurt the most. Work won't start until probably February.

Work is picking up for all the Couriers. Must be nearly Christmas!! Hoping that Karl and Ricki will help Dallas out next week, and when Liam finishes in a couple of weeks, then he can help during the week, too.

Christmas shopping continues. Slowly. I'm not nearly as organised this year as I was last year. Not spending much $$$ this year either.

I think that's us for now. Hopefully will get more time on the computer again from now, with life not getting in the way quite so much.

***Karl's home***

He arrived home on Sunday - albeit 2 hours late. Would you believe that the "able seamen" in Wellington couldn't untie the ferry from the wharf?!?!?! How silly is that!!

Hasn't taken long for things to get back to normal. He's busy at the moment . . . lying on the couch LOL.

Sent him out yesterday with his CV to go around and try and find a job. He went to TWO places! He's definately having a gap year in 2006, but it looks like he'll end up spending the year at the Warehouse or MacDonalds or the Supermarket.

Ricki finished school yesterday. Exams start on Monday. He is supposed to be spending some time each day studying. I'm home tomorrow, so I'll be able to see what's actually happening.