Group Shot.

We spent a long time trying to perfect that classic family group photograph but eventually settled for the more relaxed style.

Here's another one from the masses of photographs that we are still sorting through.




No need to bribe the kids, they loved all the excitement. Actually the only one that needed a bribe was Johan, bribed with this toy mobile phone.

Group Photograph.

While having a few days away up at Hawks Nest when Elin, Jim and Johan were here, seemed a great opportunity to get a family group photograph. Its been a long time since we were together and will probably be a long time before it happens again.

This links in with part of Johans Diary for 29th May.

Becky wanted to have us with the surf and beach behind us as the backdrop.



Its hard to get everyone in place and paying attention to the photographer.



'Come on Becky, hurry up'.





We tried time and time again but watching Becky running down the beach to race the camera shutter was such a laugh.



Here's one where Johan is actually looking towards the camera. Hurry up Becky!



She made it!! Johan is still looking at the camera and I think this is the best photo of many taken that day.



Then we found this bench and it all started over again.



The umbrella is just for a little colour.



Johan was more interested in the people around him than looking at the camera, until we all turned around on the bench.



Johan saying "Titta" there's a tripod and camera.

A great fun time which leaves us with a big selection to sort through. I'm sure with a little cropping we can sort and agree on at least one to hang alongside the other family pics.

Coals to Newcastle.

Our recent visitors from Sweden had only been here for a week and I couldn't believe it when they had to have an IKEA fix.

This suited Becky as having moved into their new house she was short of office storage, so IKEA came to the rescue.

Lots of storage boxes were bought, which was the easy part as then they had to be assembled.

Everyone had to lend a hand.

Not Johans Diary.

Thursday 9th June.

Not Johans diary but just some photos from the last few days of his visit with us. The day before Elin, Jim and Johan where flying out, we had a sort of last supper but actually it was lunch.



Ben and Alex hanging over the dinning room rails waiting for the fun to begin.



Nanna, aka Farmor, surrounded by her little boys. Ben seems to be having problems with reading a Swedish story book.




We all managed to squeeze around the dinning table and even included Jen and her boyfriend, Brad, who were on a flying visit to see the family before they flew out. Note the Swedish napkins!



Good food and good company.



Next day. A tense day with lots of packing, last minute decisions and the realization that they really are leaving.



Johan seemed worried by it all, other than that he must have been watching TV adverts. He doesn't watch programmes, just the adverts!!





Now that I'm walking, can I have some shoes Momma?

Johans Diary.

Monday 6th June.

This blog is back in Farfars hands as my little helper is flying some where over Europe as I write. Elin, Jim and Johan are on their way home but we have lots of lovely memories of their trip Down Under yet to be recorded.



This was one of Johans favourite toys. A plastic box that became anything his imagination would let it be.



A few days before Elin, Jim and Johan left we had the idea to record the visit with paint images of the boys feet and hands. You can imagine the problems involved, little boys and paint!!



These are Johans. In the photo above you can see that his feet are already as big as Bens. (the green wiggle) Must be his Australian genes showing through.



Our first crop of oranges are ready so we had some assistance for the picking. Johan has been getting through two a day, in juice form.

This one must be a very special one!








When Johan was born, very good friends Jane and Jeff, who live on the island of Guernsey, sent us a boxed bottle of champagne to celebrate. A truly lovely thought. We decided that we would save it until we could celebrate together and obviously this was the time.



The three generations! Johan can't wait to get the foil off!!

Johans Diary.

Monday 30th May.

Momma and Poppa decided that they wanted to get up early and take some photo's of the sunrise over the ocean. They were down on the beach just after 6.00am but it didn't matter how long they waited they didn't get any photos of sunrise as it was too cloudy!!




This is the closest that Poppa got to sunrise, the red sign is in the Bakery where he picked up bread on the way back from the beach.



On the way back to Sydney we made a detour to visit the lovely historic town of Morpeth. This is the bridge into town.






The only problem with Morpeth was that it wasn't open!!! Most of the shops had signs saying that they were only open from Thursday to Sunday, and we were there on a Monday.



We did find one cafe open for fika.



Farfar sat at another table with my cousin Ben.

Johans Diary.

Sunday the 29th May.

It was rather a lazy start to the morning with the old people getting up slowly.



The Fars got up early and soon my cousins Alex, Ben and me were looking after Farmor. We are going down to the beach again as soon as we have had breakfast.






This is Uncle Graham and Alex trying to decide which way to walk along the beach.



Alex and Ben.




Momma and Poppa watching us three cousins searching for sea shells.




Momma and Poppa seem to be enjoying themselves.



Aunty Becky decided it would be a good idea to have a family photograph of us all together because it might be a very long time before we are all together again.



Farfar took this photo while Aunty Becky was getting her camera set up.



Aunty Becky trying to run back to us before her camera clicked.



This is just one of many that she took, showing us all having a great time together.



This is my big cousin Alex showing me how to surf a rock!! He told me it was the Australian thing to do but I think he was pulling my leg!



My Poppa's strange foot print, he's wearing those funny shoes that he bought when we went to Darling Harbour in the city.



Don't I look great!


I tried to keep Poppa out of this photo.




But I love him really.




My cousin Ben has some nice sea shells in his bucket.



Wow! These tire tracks in the sand are really deep but are fun to play in.



I've got used to this 'sand' stuff. Its great fun and I love to play in it.



We all went to the next town called Tea Gardens for lunch.




Cousin Ben waiting for his lunch.



A little walk after lunch.



Everyone having their bottle before bed!