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G’day folks and a Happy New Year to you all.
Welcome to another bumper blog update, the Chissells have been up to mischief across the festive period as usual. In fact we have some good news to share. Last Tuesday 26th January 2010 you may know was the National Day of Australia. Unlike in Blighty (St Georges Day) it is a national bank holiday in Oz and is a highly celebrated event across Australia. On this special date the Chissell family were invited to attend a ‘Citizenship Ceremony’ at 8:30 a.m. (OMG) to become bono fide aussies. Places for a ‘ceremony’ on this date each year are highly sought after and so to be asked to attend on this date made the ceremony extra special for us. Below are some pics of our exciting day which we shared with some treasured friends. Who surprised us with some funky aussie goodies, wine and a bottle of Champagne :-)
A timely snap taken in front of the Australian and Queensland flags :-)
Registering our attendance at the venue and feeling relieved to be in air conditioned foyer. Outside it was a sweltering 30+ heat!
Following on from a traditional Aboriginal greeting from 'Aunty Margaret' a well respected Elder and a Poem 'You know you are in Australia' by a guest speaker Pam Tranter, the Chissells were called to the stage to receive our Australian Certificates from the Mayor Melva Hobson.
We were also entertained by the Capella group Quatramania who performed some traditional aussie tunes and then led us into the National Anthem after we had made our 'Pledge to Australia'.
Finally we registered on the Electoral Roll and received an indigenous plant each, which Phil later planted into the garden :-)
We headed over to the Redlands Bay Hotel (after a quick change of clothes) for a celebratory meal and the fun surprises kept coming. The Town Crier arrived during the afternoon and read out the most moving speech near our table. He talked about all the ’Nations children’ who arrived over the years and have chosen to make Australia their new home. The crowd began to tear up a bit, but laughter was soon restored when he finished his piece by reminding everyone about the ‘Thong Throwing Competition’ which was due to start (which we will leave to your imagination) lol.
Phil with Simon, Alison and Jessica :-)
The Chisslets wore themselves out in the play area and the heat was blistering still, so we headed home mid afternoon and put Ryan down for a nap. We barely got home before the Willis clan descended on us to continue the celebrations into early evening. We were all happy but absolutely shattered by the end and the Chisslets had to get up early for their first day back at school.
The lovely Kim and her daughter Abbey :-)
The Chisslets played a 'Spot the Ball game - a fab present from Santa!
The lovely Paige.
Traditional Aussie Day backyard activities ensued with vigour, followed by a jolly good nosh up!
We have been sweltering in the thirties over here and we are loving it. Not a hint of snow anywhere lol. Santa has been very kind to the Chisslets over Christmas and they have been truly thrilled with the lovely gifts and cards that you have sent to them also – thank you so much!
We had an Elmo themed Christmas lol ;-)
Meeting Santa at the Suncorp Family Christmas Party at Wet and Wild Theme Park on the Gold Coast. We are amazed that Santa did not faint in the heat!
Christmas Eve at Chez Chissell means Rock and Roll (a la Slade), Chrimbo Carols Karaoke time and chilled Egg Nog with Champers on the side!
Followed by a Bucks Fizz brunch on the big day itself ;-)
Olivia with our home made supa dupa Advent Calendar :-)
The Chisslets engaged in a number of festive related activities including parties and field trips with the Scouts. Olivia was also officially invested as a Joey Scout too.
Conor and his bestie Joshua.
Olivia being invested officially as a Joey Scout(above) and all kitted out for her first field trip (left).I even sang at the MOPS Christmas dinner which was quite daunting as I have not sung in public for ages. But my efforts were well received and so the old dog can still hold an old tune or three lol.
Some of the MOPS gang and my dear friend Lucia who introduced me to the MOPS group :-)
The lovely Morgan clan joined us for New Years Eve and we took the Chisslets out and about over the Christmas (Summer holidays). We even met some old friends, perhaps you may recognise them?
And lots of play dates with friends :-)
We think about you all and your lovely families at this time of year and remember too, those whom each of us have lost over recent years. Congratulations to our nephew Joseph who turned '2' mid December, also to Sue who celebrated a very special birthday (wink wink) a few days before Christmas, and to Paul who seems to stay forever young on his Facebook profile. We hope gorgeous George Whale and our dear niece Princess Rene enjoyed their first ever Christmas too.
Sadly our dear friend Sylvia endured a serious health blip over Christmas, which made this festive period a little subdued for all who know and love her. Please say a prayer for her and her wonderful family as the time we have left with our dear friend is very precious.
Our gorgeous friend Sylvia Christmas 2007.
Our dear friend now, fighting her awful illness every step of the way xxx
February will be busy one for the ‘Chissell clan’ across the globe as usual, with four birthdays (two of which are on St Valentine’s Day and of course our 12th wedding Anniversary) lol. So be happy and well folks, keep your loved ones close, value your friendships and have a cracker of a year! Keep in touch will all your news too and we will blog you senseless again soon lol.
With much affection Mr & Mrs C xxx
P.s.
We couldn't end this update without including photos of recent visitors to the Chez Chissell garden. One of which was not particularly welcome, can you guess which one lol?
Above is a harmless giant Grasshopper, below is a gorgeous Possum sitting in our Palm tree above the patio and the very last two photographs do not require an introduction lol.
