Our big boy is 5 today...

Yep...he's 5 today!!
He's growing up so very fast!
Seeing we aren't having a party this year, we asked him what he'd like to do...and bowling was it!! So our family and my sister, Kellie and her family all met for a few games. So much fun...everyone enjoyed it, but Ella was over it by the end!

Zac had a fabulous afternoon. It's been a while since DH and I played too! About 10 yrs I think??
It got a little competitive at times..hey Jase?

Here's a few pics...

Ella watching her ball..gotta love the bumper lanes!


Zac having a go...


Then we headed for home and Zac picked a Birthday cake at the Cheesecake shop. He's got good taste...he picked a Mud cake! Which everyone loved..it was delicious!



Have a great day!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Flashback Friday

It's friday today, and the start of the school holidays here in Qld. 2 weeks of no lunches, uniforms or routine...I LOVE it!!
We have a few things planned, and our little man turns 5 on Monday, so we'll have some celebrating to do!


Today's flashback is when we still lived in Vic on the farm. This is me on my pony, Sunny. I was horse mad as a youngster, still am...just don't have one anymore living in the big smoke.
I had to sell her when we moved to Qld, which nearly tore my heart out. I even tried to convince Mum and Dad that she could live in the backyard in our new suburban home in Qld. They didn't go for it...Go figure?



How dry was the paddock back then?
Must have been taken in summer, I think?

Hope you are all having a great friday!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Random post!

Evening everyone!

The Stamp Shak's June Cyber crop is on tomorrow night, starting from 7pm!
Our theme this month is "Turning points". Drop by if you have the time...we'd love to see you there!

I've done nothing but sneeze tonight and I have that heavy head feeling, so I think I'm coming down with something. Great...it's going to be a long 2 weeks of school holidays, if I'm not feeling the best! Oh well, life goes on!

Along with that, I've been working on my Masters entry for the big comp in Scrapbooking Memories magazine. Time is ticking away...very fast, so let's hope the cold holds off so I can get creating over the weekend!

Scrapchat had their 1st Birthday Cyber crop last weekend, and with a extention on the deadline, I got the layout challenge completed. Seeing it was a Birthday theme...we had to scrap Birthday photos, and use stitching somewhere.

Here's my layout...


Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Happy snaps

When we got back on Sunday afternoon, my sister, Kellie took some pics of us at a beautiful park not far from her house. Just love it there.
She's not too bad on the camera these days!

Here's a few...











I'm looking forward to scrapping some of these!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Weekend wrap

Wow...what a lovely weekend away we had. We went down the Gold Coast, and stayed in a beautiful unit in Surfers. I must be getting old...but the nightlife down there is WILD!!
We had dinner and headed to the casino for a look around. It's all been newly renovated and didn't look at all like I knew it. It's very nice...a little like Crown in Melbourne...the layout of it!
Saturday we got up and headed out for a nice breaky, then off we went to the Sheraton Mirage for a delicious Seafood Buffet lunch...totally delish!! For those that don't know...I LOVE Seafood...and wine, of course!!
So, a lovely day out.
Was so full from lunch didn't have much for dinner...just a quiet night in with a movie!

Got up early Sunday morning for some breakfast, then we headed to Harbour Town, a big factory outlet place with some great bargains....so a little retail therapy was in order! Then off to my sisters to pick up the kids and we all went down the park for my sister, Kellie to take some pics of us, for our 10th Wedding Anniversary and a few family shots as well!!
A fabulous weekend away...it was nice just Jase and I. Some quality time together!

Here's some snaps...

A wine before heading out to dinner Friday night...


The view from our top floor unit...just beautiful!
This is the view looking towards Q1!


I'll share some pics that my sister, Kellie took tomorrow!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!


Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

On this day, 10 years ago...

I would have been at the Hairdressers getting my hair done, ready for my wedding!
I'm amazed that 10 years has passed by so fast.
I met Jase when I was 19, and we married when I was 23 and he was 25. Looking back now, I think I was very young. But, we have been through some good and bad times and are still as strong as ever.
I love him dearly and wouldn't give him away for quits! He's a keeper!

I thought I'd post some pics from our wedding for flashback friday!



The Bridal party...yes, I had 5 bridesmaids/groomsmen...not my fault...Jase couldn't decide on the boys so we had them all! LOL


And the little girl in this photo is my niece Melanie. There is a pic of her a few posts back. She turned one 2 days before our Wedding Anniversary. Can I say Jase never forgets our Wedding Anniversary, due to Mel's birthday!


The pics are a little on the dodgy side, as I have no scanner, Thanks to Vista!! So, I had to take pics of them. Most annoying, but looks like I'm up for a new one(printer, that is!!)!! LOL

We are off this afternoon on a little romantic getaway...the kids are off to Mum and Dad's for the weekend, so we can relax! I'm really looking forward to it...just the two of us. I can relax at dinner and have a few chardonnays that way!
Will take some pics and show you when I get back!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Design Team layouts to share!

I finished these off last night and they are in the gallery, over at Anna's Craft Cupboard, so I can now share them!
Anna sent me some beautiful papers from Crate paper, Bo bunny and Sassafrass Lass. Loved them all!

Here they are...
Bo Bunny - Teen Chic Collection


Sassafrass Lass - Sunshine Lollipop Collection


Crate paper - Sweet Branch Collection


I've also finished off a CJ in a Swap over at SM. This one is for ScrappyDi...Her album is themed "10 things about me"!


I feel like I'm getting back into it. Have had a break the past week or so. It seemed I needed some sleep and a break as the passion was not there so much. I feel better...too many late nights doesn't do you any good!
I'm happily back into my scrapping again!

Look out Masters, here I come!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Happy Birthday Miss Moo!

It's my niece, Melanie's 11th Birthday today...A very Happy Birthday to you, Miss Moo! I hope you had a lovely day today, and lots of presents from Mum and Dad. Mum's got a present for you, from all of us.
Have a fun time at your Skating Party this weekend!

I can't believe you're turning 11?? You are growing up so fast!!



I bought the kids some gumboots yesterday. They are going to Nana and Pa's this weekend and need some for out the back! They live on acreage, so plenty of room to run about! Ella got drenched in joggers yesterday, so hopefully these will do the trick!
So, we had to try them out today...I think they worked? LOL



Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Ipswich Cup 2008

Well, I survived!
I had a fabulous day out at the Races yesterday. A little on the weary side tonight, but I awoke with no hangover! You've got to Love that!! I'm a little older and wiser these days, and know it's all about how you pace yourself. I know when I've had enough!
Our day started early, with a 6am wake-up call. Got up and started the getting ready and began the Hair ritual!! It took a while! LOL
We had a champagne breakfast date at 9am, and were there shortly after. Kimmy had prepared a very yummy breaky with bubbly to go with it! She lives not far from the Racecourse, so we leave our cars there and usually walk down. Not this year...a friend of Kimmy's has a Limo business, so he sent the stretch to pick us up, so we could arrive in style...Very cool indeed! :)
Then, off to the marquee in the centre of the track. A great day with plenty to eat, drink and be quite merry. I caught up with lots of friends, some I hadn't seen in quite some time. It was very good, but a race fall marred the festivities a little. 4 jockeys went down, 2 jumped straight up, but 2 were not so lucky. One was unconscious, and was sent through to the PA with severe bruising and the other was taken to Ipswich hospital as a precaution. He was cvomplaining of a sore hip and some bruising...or so the paper said this morning. One horse wasn't so lucky, breaking it's leg and not sure how the others faired?
Not nice to see those things happen.
I had a few collects, nothing huge, but enough to keep me interested.
After the Races, we headed to the main area on the other side of the track to watch the band, who were very good. They played lots of oldies but goodies!! Then off to the Racehorse hotel, which is about 100m away for a drink, and on to Brothers Leagues for some dinner and a dance!
Walked in the door around 11pm, cold and weary!
Ipswich is a very cold place, to say the least!

Not bad, if I do say so myself...14 hrs of social activity is quite enough for this little chook!
Needless, to say I have 2 whopping blisters on each foot...I wore some not so sensible shoes, but they looked awesome with my outfit!!
What we women do in the name of FASHION!!

Had a lazy day today hanging out with my BIL and SIL's place. The kids had a great time playing together while we bummed around and watched a few movies!
Arrived home around 5pm tonight!

A very fun weekend...Can't wait til next year!!

Here's some snaps...
The girls - Lee-Ann, me, Kerry Lee, Tracey(my SIL), Donna and Kimmy.
We girls stick together at the Races these days...the boys do their thing and the girls have fun together! Our paths do cross through the day, with our husbands...usually towards the end of the day! LOL


Me and my two beautiful SIL's - Amanda(middle) and Tracey(right).
These two are like sisters...love them both!!


Very late in the day at the Racetrack, watching the band!


Tracey and me


I hope you had a great weekend!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Flashback friday and a weekend away...

I'm off to the Races in Ipswich tomorrow...the annual running of the Ipswich Cup. We go every year, and as Jase and I both spent our youth and went to school up there, we always catch up with old school friends and people we've known for ages, but don't see much of!
We're in a marquee this year, so that'll be a new experience!!

I thought I'd share a pic of my SIL Tracey and me, at the Cup in 2000...8 yrs ago!!
This was well before kids, I was still a newly wed!! LOL



I'm taking my camera...just my little point and shoot to the races, so it'll fit in my clutch!! Jase told me he wasn't lugging the SLR around all day and night!! LOL
I'll update you on Sun night!!

Have a great weekend!!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Birthday Wishes

I just wanted to wish my Sister-in-law, Manda, a very Happy Birthday for today and my Mother-in-law a very Happy Birthday for Tuesday!
I hope you both had a lovely day...which I know you both did!

Manda...looking forward to a drink with you on Saturday! :)

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Scrapchat's first Birthday

It's Scrapchat's very first Birthday next weekend. To celebrate Gyps is having a Cyber crop, and an online class with Rhonna Farrer. It's very exciting, indeed!
I'll miss the CC, as I am heading away for the weekend, but I'll catch up on the class a little later!

Alz over at Scrapchat is organising a beautiful little album to commerate the special event, and asked all the members to create a page about what we love about the site.

Gyps, if you are reading this...LOOK AWAY, NOW!! (LOL)

Here's my layout...



I've also caught up on a Card swap over at The Stamp Shak forum. We had to create some Birthday cards for each of the participants. Hope you like them guys!



Another big event happening tonight...Qld vs NSW in the State of Origin.
Let's hope Qld can square up the series and Scott Prince gets Man of the Match and
make all the critics eat their words!
Good Luck, Qld...I'll be cheering for you!!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

What a day!!

I had a wonderful day today at the Scrapbook Convention. I worked for a few hours this morning, before meeting some gorgeous friends for lunch, the I did a little shopping.
Let's see if I can remember who I saw...
Amanda, Danah, Karen, Carol(Karen's Mum), Helen J, Lisa P, Shann, Kerryn, Cass, Lu, Kayla, Alice and Louise.
I think that's all. If I've forgotten anyone, I'll apologise in advance!
I'm looking forward to getting a pic from Kayla and Alice...and to scrapping it!! ;)

I also finally got to meet the lovely Louise. I've been looking forward to meeting her for weeks now. She's as delightful in person that you can imagine. I was lucky enough to spend a little time with her this afternoon.
Lou, I had a lovely afternoon...Thankyou!

Here's a happy snap...



We also went on the hunt for a mini book that was on display in the Scrapbooking Memories area. And, we found it!!

So, Witchy...this is for you!!



One more day to go with the festivities of the Convention. I'm working tomorrow, so if you come, be sure to drop by and say Hi!

I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

Flashback friday!

Here's a blast from the past!
Christmas in Portland, about '86...I think??
I would have been about 12 yrs old. Can you pick me?
This is me, my sister Kellie, our cousins' and my late Nana and Pa(Mum's parents). My Pa died a few years after this pic('90), and my Nana died 4 yrs ago('04). I miss them both.



I've had a busy day setting up for the big Scrapbook Convention being held here in Brisbane. Should be a fun weekend meeting lots of people and chatting about a passion we all share.
I know there are a few interstaters that I want to catch up with. I'm really looking forward to it! ;)

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

I'm addicted to this song...

I really am!
I've never been a big Vanessa Amorosi fan, but this is a great song! Love it!!

I think I can feel a layout coming on, using the lyrics! ;)

Have a listen and see what you think??
It's called Perfect.

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

New layouts to share...

I've been busy working on layouts for the the Scrapbook Convention this weekend. They are showcasing Five kids and a dog chipboard words, and will be displayed on The Stamp Shak stand.
It's going to be a very busy weekend, and I hope to meet up with some amazing scrappers, from various places! I'd better take my camera, hey??

Here's what I've been up to...









Chat soon,
Chelle Xx

First day of Winter

It has arrived...the first day of Winter.
It's been wet and cold here in Brisbane the last few days. We are set to get more rain, which is good. We really need it!!
I took a pic out Ella's window yesterday...cold, wet and a few lonely leaves.
It depicts winter well, I think!



We had a quiet weekend here...too cold to do much. I didn't even do much scrapping, but had a big clean-up of my Scrap gear. Feeling better that it's a little tidier!
I watched 27 Dresses this afternoon. What a sweet movie, that is! I even cried at the end...gotta love a heartfelt ending!

I thought I'd share a pic of my two kidlets from earlier in the week, when the sun was shining! There were some great pics, so I thought I'd share one with you!



Hope you had a great weekend!

Chat soon,
Chelle Xx