Weekend Happenings

Salted caramel macaroons

White chocolate and rosewater version

After a resounding basketball victory over St Patricks early in the day, Elliot spent the day with Nanna and Grandpa whilst Malcolm looked at men stuff AKA BBQs. That was followed up by a double bass acquisition reconnaissance expedition. They are not cheap instruments! Fortunately the school was helpful and offered to help us either with rental of a school instrument or with buying one of our own. I personally thought answering emails from parents on a Saturday was dedication. Glad those school fees are coming to good use.

The shock required Malcolm to have some relaxation treatment...

Special things that supposedly helps with ear wax and relaxation...

Personally I wouldn't want that thing burning whilst in my ear...

The afternoon business of trying to get the house is some of order warranted a treat. Nanna and Grandpa brought these along when dropping Elliot off.

Macaroons by Elliot! The box was only for transport

Elliot had piped all of them carefully. I thought they were from the shop! He had spent the afternoon baking with Nanna. The macaroons were amazing. The family polished off the salted caramel and white chocolate rosewater macaroons in no time.

Night time story with Nanna

Home Baked Cinnamon Donuts

Thermomix baked cinnamon donuts

With the success of the recent crumble, I was inspired to bake more. I have noticed donuts baking trays at Big W recently and lo behold I happened to find Thermomix recipe which utilised them! I am happy to report that the children loved them and the donuts didn't last the day.

Jonah watching the donuts "explode"

 And of course after such hard work, we deserved a dinner treat. Oma and Opa came to the rescue with duck on the menu. Mmmm....

Duck anyone?!?!

Family dinner

Duck 2 ways. Noodle soup...

...and Peking duck

Ohana

Our home has officially been named. After many months of thought and brain-storming, the name that we've picked felt right immediately. So our Disney castle has been named "Ohana", simply because as explained by Lilo, " 'Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. "

Our stainless steel letters arrived, and with some help from the builder (they bought the glue, brought the spirit level, and drew the line for Malcolm to stick the letters on to), Malcolm successfully installed the letters next to the front door.

Malcolm's handiwork

Nervously peeling back the tape...

Ta-da! Thanks Peter for your help!

On a completely unrelated note, I felt like baking today. After years of oven neglect, I finally remembered how much I enjoy it! Waiting to be used were over-ripe pears and left over macadamia nuts. The pears were bulked up with frozen blueberries and Donna Hay's rolled oats crumble topping received an additional boost of chopped macadamias. It was quick, easy and it must have tasted alright as there were none left behind!

Pear and blueberry with macadamia nut crumble topping

Guess it was popular

Happy Birthday Jonah!

Our baby turned 5 today! All he wanted for his birthday was a pinata...Nanna obliged and surprised him with a home made King pig pinata. And thus began the Angry birds themed party. It was simple but the children had a ball. "Best day ever", they proclaimed, before adding "in Australia".

Dinner was a treat at Uncle Brian's next door, who cooked a beautiful pork roast complete with yummy cracking and baked apples. Jonah's fart gun provided musical entertainment until it was time to retire. Rest is required for the day ahead...a BBQ gaming party at the Yeohs!

Everyone in red

...the reason!

The prized King Pig pinata had arrived

Weapons of destruction

Ready for destruction

Letting the little ones have a go first...

....before the bigger ones

Jonah focused on the task at hand

Finally! Treasure to be picked up

Malcolm's drinking game...

...for kids. Get the water level down to the letter "E". Great way to get the kids to drink water after the lollies!

Sam drank the whole lot.

Mummy to the rescue to win Sam a prize

Add caption

Time for cake!

Angry birds toys

Roast pork with the best cracking ever

Oven baked apples

The much loved "fart" gun. Thanks Uncle Jason and Aunty Ethel...

International Fleet Review 2013

It was a good day to relocate my camera! Sydney put on a beautiful day for our outing to enjoy the Australian Navy's International fleet review. And thus began our long weekend activities. The short train trip was followed by a circuitous walk around the city to get to Mrs Macquarie's chair where the Yeohs were waiting with our picnic spot.

Our core muscles received a full workout as we balanced to remain on our spot on the steep hill. The advantage of being on the hill was that everyone was afforded a good view of the happenings on the foreshore. Fortunately Uncle Kwan came to the rescue with calories on a stick, and sugar in a cup AKA deep fried potatoes lathered with salt and frozen coca cola.

We enjoyed our afternoon and began the long journey home to watch the night time spectacular on tv...

Excited about the train trip into the city

Gorgeous harbour. Lucky cruise ship...Rhapsody of the Seas

Packed Mrs Macquarie's Chair

One of the three "chairs"

Naval ships going by

Aerial displays

Uncle Kwan to the rescue with chips on a stick and frozen coca cola!

One of many beautiful tall ships