I just need a hand, he said

Ah the infamous words…I just need a hand. We all know how that goes. So I packed lunch and smoko, and the kids and headed off to the prickle farm to help The Husband put up a fence around a tank.  Well, not so much put up, but pull down the old one so a new improved model could be installed.

This may sound a simple task, but much machinery and equipment was required. Firstly we had to wait for Dad to arrive with the bulldozer.  Dad (I should have known better) vastly over estimated the speed of his machine and so we had a bit of a wait. This allowed me to catch up on some reading, and the kids to catch up on some sword stick fighting and generally do their best to maim each other before smoko.

(is this a case of I HAVE ALL OF THESE BOYS TOYS SO I’M GOING TO USE ALL OF THEM TODAY?!)

First job of the day, after feeding the troops, was to roll up the barbed wire fence that was sort of still standing.

Clearly my gloves have seen better days and this little chore did not do them any favours. Whilst I was rolling the bulldozer did its thing VERY closely behind me, removing trees that could drop limbs on the new solar panels that are to be installed beside this tank. Speaking of Boys Toys, there were two boys in that bulldozer with big dusty smiles on their faces as they inhaled dieseline fumes and did lots of brooooming as they made an unholy dusty mess.

I also discovered – well I had a fair inkling – that I lack the skills to create anything more artistic than this out of barbed wire.

Then came the super fun part (please read that in sarcasm font). Digging holes with the post hole digger on the tractor. There’s about 3 feet of super fine sand and then a big old flat hard rock after that. A three foot deep hole isn’t ideal however is not so bad if one has to bale out the super fine sand by hand after the post hole digger has finished.

(I wasn’t just taking photos! sheesh. That’s my shovel sticking out of a hole there in front of me).

Once holes were close enough is good enough, in went the frame for the solar panels and cement to hold it in place.

At this point in time, after putting the frame in place and putting in two strainer posts for the fence that was to go around this structure, it was discovered that we were out of both vital materials and day. So all toys were parked up or packed up and homewards we went. The kids were delighted that I managed to get sand bogged in the ute (however nothing that the application of hubs in and 4WD didn’t fix…which reminds me, I always forget the HUBS OUT part. Wonder how many kilometres before The Husband realises and takes the hubs out again….)

Anyhow. I digress. We got home just on dark – and in time for some golden light that enabled me to take this photo.

Great end to a good days work.

Grubby faced,  bare footed children and sharp toothed pups make the best photos do they not?

Afternoon Light

During my flying 8 hour round trip (well, I confess, we did go down late the night before, and came home 3pm the next day)  to the city the other day, I picked up a new lens for my camera, the details of which I will post over at my quite neglected photography blog >.  This afternoon I found the time to get it out of its little box and try it out.  And as good fortune might have it, I had about five minutes of gorgeous orangy sunset light, AND co-operative kids, all at the one time.

The light was just so warm, and actually it wasn't freezing temperature wise either.  It was just nice.

Look at how clear his eyes are! Thank you new lens!

Those freckles!  (this ratbag kid!)

And this one:

It takes my breath away.  When did this girl become so grown up looking, so serene?

All in all, not a bad first go with my new lens!

faking it

I posted this over at my other blog (photography one) but wanted to share it here to.

Husband totally faking that happy smile in this. Grumpy so-and-so. But I still love the photo. Faking it or not..,

I realise now that perhaps I should have done some photoshopping on his legs. Yes, that is blood.  We'd just finished in the yards, branding and de-horning (it is just what the word suggests) some calves. Gets a little bloody at the time, but looks worse than it is (and the earlier its done, the better for all concerned). But its just that he is in the firing line for the messy part.

Actually, I don't know about that.  I work down the back end, and lets just say what happens down there is green, and smelly and...eww. Ever heard of projectile pooping?!! :-)

Does anyone else have a 7 year old that persists and insists in striking this totally wierd and unnatural poses whenever the camera comes out? Where DOES she get it from?! Too much Hannah Montana?!

Just Quickly

I wanted to share this couple of photos from when Mel took our family photos just before Christmas last year.

I think I might frame up the last one...he wasn't smiling appropriately for Mel so she asked me to feel up his leg to get a reaction...so I did, but gave him a little pinch to wake him up.  I think it worked!  I converted the shots to black and white as Trevor was quite sunburnt from working all day welding (from the sun reflection off the steel, not from lack of hat) and I think it worked okay.

Best be off, have to run to town and collect the girls from their swimming lessons.  I have one other set of photos to share with you next time...and then I won't hassle you with these any more - til next time round!

And another thing

This is the third and last of the mini posts I have for today - a little gap between posting as I had visitors arrive for "smoko" which, really was lunch!  Good times, we are off to celebrate New Year with the same people tomorrow, at their property. Slip n slide down the hill for the kids, watching in the shade with a cool drink for the adults!

Anyhow, just had to share these photos of my boy and his muscles (which are apparently located in his elbow!) 

I love the look of concentration on his little face, as he puffed up his muscles...

And yes, it was me who pulled his pants up that high...why do mothers do that?! 

At least one of these photos will make into my "best of '09" album that I am planning - more on that later.  After tomorrow I will be able to finish gathering my favourites and start on the design, which will be a photo book, probably from snapfish.  More details later!

Favourite Christmas Photo

This is my favourite photo from Christmas Day.  Not sure why, but I like it! ;-) The table set for a yummy breakfast, lights twinkling, kids playing with their new toys, rain falling on the roof, family around.

Hey, Amy - see that bokeh?!  ;-)

As I have decided that I am "on holidays" like the rest of the nation, I've been doing some scrapping, while the kids have been busy playing and watching new dvd's (Hannah Montana wasn't as good as I thought it would be?!  music is good though). Anyhow, I've some layouts to show you, that I will share later on today.

Hope you've had a relaxing and wonderful Christmas Break.

Ladybugs and favourite photos

This is a favourite photo from the past few days - Angus modelling a birthday gift of Georgie's. This is the handle of the cutest little umbrella!

Isn't it just adorable? He's quite taken with it, and just quietly, so am I! Come storm season, there's going to be some fun!