Josh and Shell

Well it was a pretty sweet holiday.

I decided to practice alot more of the ol wakeboarding skills. In the end I got upto clearing the wake (heel side) and doing a switch (toe side). Not to shabby.

I didn’t really practise barefooting or anything this year but Katie and Jess got into it! - They had fun… I only got up once behind the boat and that was it for me.

I must say though Aurora grew a little in that time. She learnt to squeel consistantly and thought it was the best thing ever! I thought this would get anoying quick, but you can’t help but just laugh hehe. She also had a swim in the river on the second last day for like an hour - she loved it.

I found it really good to get out away from the hassles of work (mostly computer work) and the non-stop busyness of todays society and enjoy some family times, particulary in the morning. The weather was pretty good this year too, a hot and cloudy first day but that soon cleared up into some nice breeze’s and a couple of storms later through the week.

Isaac’s Ho Joker was a hit, a $800 competition level kneeboard made landing softer than water. The padding is honestly awesome, if you ever consider buying one do it! Its got great angled cuts right around the board making it easy to cut hard and sharp, and take little effort to “pop” off the wake.  Waz tried a few 360’s landing with out the rope.

All in all was a good holiday. Looking forward to the next one.

written by Josh

Yesterday, Brony Foord and Karen Cera, two lovely long-time friends from church, hosted me a beautiful baby shower for the ladies from church to show their love and support for Josh and I as we anticipate the arrival of our baby…only 3 weeks to go!

We had a wonderful time eating yummy food, drinking Karen’s punch and playing baby shower games as directed by my sister Jess.  We unscrambled nursery rhymes, sniffed mystery nappies (yes, it is almost as gross as it sounds) all the while sharing helpful baby advice.

Thank you to Brony and Karen for being so generous and hosting a baby shower for me and thank you to everyone who came. Your kind words, support and gifts mean more to me than you will ever know.

written by Shell

I’m sooo excited! Easterfest is upon us. It started last night but unfortunately I’m still stuck at home as I have to work this evening. Grr… ‘What is Easterfest?’ you say. Well it’s only the coolest Christian music festival around (i never went to Sonfest but it’s over anyway). It’s held in Toowoomba at Queens Park and you can camp on-site, which is what we’re doing this year and have done for the past two years.

There’s live bands all day and until late at night, show rides, food, activities, an op-shop and heaps more. It’s a great chance to relax and recuperate over the Easter break. Best of all it’s a living Christian community learning more about God together and praising Him for sending His Son to take the punishment for our sins. Easterfest is a great time of fellowship; it gives you a good idea of what Heaven is going to be like. That’s why I love it.

I wish I could have gone up last night and I wish I could go up after work tonight but Mum’s here too and she’s on night duty so we can’t leave until tomorrow morning. Well that’s the life of a nurse. Oh well, I’ll sort it out better for next year. At least I don’t have to come back early Saturday morning to work at the Chemist! (I’ve done that for the last three years or so…thanks Lach. Haha.)

So if you’re interested and would like to come up and visit you can still buy tickets at Koorong or Word bookstores or you can buy them at the door. There are even camping tickets still available! Believe me it’s worth the 1.5hr drive even if you only come up for the day!

written by Shell

Okay… I’m probably starting to get on Josh’s nerves as it’s been ages since I posted on our blog. Although he tricked me into it, I did agree to a couples blog and therefore have the responsibility of posting…

I’ve had a wonderful summer so far. Swimming, skiiing and sliding down hills in the rain. Yes, indeed it has been a very wet summer for Queensland. Apparently about two thirds of the state is in flood! Crazy! First drought and then floods. Praise God for the rain. Hopefully the government will let up on the water restrictions now. I miss the good old days of playing in the sprinkler.

As Josh said, Grafton was awesome despite the rain. It was a good time of relaxation and recuperation for me. As for the barefooting…I didn’t see Josh do it once! Ha ha. Just kidding. He wouldn’t lie. All’s I can say is: if I’d been in the boat there would definitely be photos! There aren’t many photos of Mum skiing either. She learnt a new trick whilst skiing back from the Australian Ski Lane Racing Championships: the splits on a single ski in 1 metre high chop! Needless to say she didn’t do it on purpose and is now receiving physio 3 times a week. Poor Mum.

Since we’ve returned from our holiday it’s been all about the bridesmaids! We are trying to order their dresses this week. It’s funny planning a wedding in 6 months; it feels like you’re doing everything at the last minute! Oh well, it’ll all come together in the end. I have to say a big thank you for my very patient, very flexible bridesmaids: Ainsley, Katie, Jess, Kaylea and Kiarra. Good on ya girls. I knew I could count on you!

As for me, I’ve got one more week working at Chemmart and two more weeks before I start my new job as a registered nurse at Mater Adults Hospital. I hope none of you come and visit me. So I’m looking forward to a real pay check and 76hrs of work a fortnight! Eek! I’m going to be soooooo tired.

Happy Australia Day to everyone for tomorrow!

written by Shell

Well the two weeks away down at Grafton was really good fun, but a relaxing time also. Invading on the two week family holiday it almost didn’t stop raining!

I’m very thankful for the fantastic time they gave me once again for the second year. I tell ya people - it can be hard to put up with me for two weeks… ask Rachelle’s sisters let alone my own family

But yeah Great Time!

I was hoping to be a little more enthusiastic about barefooting… wasn’t till the second week I actually attempted it. Three goes and I got it, I suppose all that training last year paid off; the sucky thing is, not a picture to show for it :’(

First week I was a little sick with really bad stomach cramps as soon as we arrived with my fiance telling me to stop sooking not knowing the absolute pain I was having!. It was worse then the “man cold” I tell ya! No sympathy at all!

So once I healed (4 days later). I started skiing.. bit of kneeboard, bit of wakeboarding… single ski I hate >.< hurts every muscle and joint in your body and other stuff. But good fun.

My efforts to win the heart Rachelle’s soon to be two year old cousin (Mitch) were well underway until the 2 last days where he just lost interest of my funny faces and racing games. But on the last day gave me big kiss and hug goodbye He’s such a cutie.

I changed beds 4 times in total, from the tent -> annex -> tent (again) -> cabin w/ ensuite ! I think I got the better deal in the end

But yeah, once again thank you for a fantastic holiday.

Next holiday; Easter Fest
Then; Honeymoon

written by Josh

Pack your bags, where off to Grafton tomorrow morning!

Last year i think we left around 4.30am. Guestimating a 4.5hr journey.

Things i wish to work on;

• Barefooting
• Big air on wakeboard; grabs
• 180/360 on Kneeboard (whilst jumping)
• Boat licence

So should be a good two weeks away, hopefully not to rainy, but at the same time there is always something to do.

I reckon I’m gonna have some really huge, hard, very painful stacks… but some good skill development as i try to accomplish the above list.

Thats all i really have to say about that.

Wish me luck!!

written by Josh

Happy new year everyone, God bless you all in the new year.

Now for bacon and eggs for breakky!

PS. Thanks to Ainsley for hosting the New Years Eve party! Good time

written by Josh