Just family news..

It's been a few weeks since I wrote... clearly.. :) Here's a catch-up on some of the recent happenings:

(I've changed the blog page background - some friends and family were having trouble reading the old one - I think because they have Mac computers. We'll see if this helps.)

We had a family work day at Neil's office a couple of Saturdays ago that was enjoyed by all (I think :) It was a lot of work but was fun too and went well. All the family was there (except Mick and Bec), plus a few wonderful friends who came along to help. We managed to have everything done by the end of the day, which was amazing considering how much work there was to do. Altogether we planted over 300 plants, built paths and gardens, and moved about 18 cubic metres of mulch, compost and decomposed granite. We began about 7am and finished up in the dark at about 7.30pm. Some of the people passing the corner wondered if we were filming a 'Backyard Blitz' episode, and were looking for the cameras :)

The photos also show the wheelchair ramp that Jonny and the twins built and painted for us in the last week of their holidays. They did a great job. James is at the office today (and yesterday), finishing up some of the painting on the veranda.

The Friday night following was the regional Priests and Laurels Ball for which I had been busy organising, sewing and catering etc. Tammy surprised me by taking Thursday and Friday off work to help out - so generous of her, as always. I really enjoyed the time working with her, along with James and Abby (on school and Uni. holidays), who also came by all of Thursday and Friday, to see what they could do to help. All three were amazing and I could hardly have done it without them! Then Jonny and James and Abby and Tammy and Bethany all helped for the evening up at the chapel too, along with a few wonderful friends who came to help on the night. Neil left work in time to pick up Ben and Oliver and their dates for the ball, then he also came along. (Oliver and his date Jolea were very pleased to win the 'Enchanted Dance Couple' award at the ball :) (Jessima was at home with Jenna.)

The ball was very successful - about 600 people turned up (they had expected 350 at most), but we managed to feed everyone there, with hors d'oeuvres, petite fours and fruit platters etc. (Fortunately I always do plenty of food :) The 24 YSA I had asked to help serve on the night were delightful and hard-working, and looked very professional in the uniforms we made. Several people at the ball asked if the waiter staff were members or were hired for the night :) Tammy did a fabulous job helping to supervise the 'plating-up' area and the wait staff while I was busy with the food; Jonny helped with the food; James was fantastic and very busy all night cleaning trays to be re-stocked; Abby helped plate out; Bethy served as one of the wait staff. Done!

We minded Jenna the next day, Saturday, while the twins went to help Jonny (and Jessima) with an Elders' Quorum activity that Jonny was organising, then Neil and I went to James and Abby's on Saturday night for dinner. Bethany's boyfriend Robbie was also here for the day, and Abby and James came by too. We introduced Robbie to the game of 'Take Two' :)

Last week Oliver and Ben were home with suspected swine flu. They were really ill on the Monday night, but after a blessing from Neil before they went to bed they were so much improved the next day that they wanted to go to school. (I kept them home :) How wonderful it is to have access to the blessings of the Priesthood!