And pictures to fill the last few months

The picture collages that follow contain some of my favourite photographs from the past few months. They don't show everything we have been doing, but should give you a tiny snapshot into the current state of play.

We recently had family portraits taken (early March). As you can see, Hugo is a very happy wee chap!!

L-R: MacK picked up his first set of footy boots today. He will be playing an oval ball code, although sadly not rugby at this point. He starts Auskick with a few of his mates shortly. Looking forward to seeing how he goes. This pic of Hugo was taken at the Virgin Lounge on our way back to Darwin. Just chillin'... Top right is Mack and Ethan together after New Years, and the bottom right is the boys on the flight to Perth.

Clockwise from top: Hugo's christening. One of the first photographs of the full family together, taken on a lovely Canberra summer afternoon. Dave Kennedy and MacK. A brace of Godfathers with their young charges! Paula (the Godmother) with Hugo in the Church. She didn't drop him, so passed the first test.

L-R: Rocket, on the day he came home with us. Rocket- a little tired after a walk. Have to say I have probably used those boots as a pillow too. For Hugo's christening we spit roasted pork legs and shoulders, and chopped it to serve in rolls with cabbage and apple slaw and aioli...

ANZAC Day 2017. Me getting ready to march in Darwin. At this stage only minus the slouch hat and sword. The second is Grandad's medal rack - very happy to be able to commemorate his service.

Can’t believe its April already – and even then it’s nearly May!

I realised recently that we had been remiss with blog posts, but wasn’t aware of just how far back we need to go for a catch up! By way of excuse/explanation I can only offer the following:

• -       We have a new baby
• -       We have a new dog (more on the trials and tribulations of Rocket later)
• -       I have an incredibly busy job that has me on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week (fortunately only until the end of this year)
• -       Jane is studying
• -       I am studying (or something approximating that) a Masters, commencing this semester.

In addition, we are trying (and mostly failing) to get out and see a bit of the Northern Territory before we post out.

So, for the purposes of keeping a time capsule diary, and bringing you back into the loop, please see below a list of key events and highlights that have kept us busy over the past few months. We will add photos as we can!

• -       After Christmas we travelled across to Perth for a belated family celebration (I had to stay in Darwin for my work), staying with Jacinda and Jason. It was a great few days, and lovely to see MacK and Ethan play so well together. Thanks Jacinda and Jason for putting us up!
• -       We then travelled back across to the East coast to spend some time in Canberra and introduce Hugo to his adoring Southern fans. This included a Christening – and we don’t think we could get better godparents for Hugo than Leigh and Paula. All we can say is, watch out for the future, Son!
• -       We went up to the farm for a week or so, and had the pleasure of David’s company (he was in town for Summer Nats). He built our shower recesses and installed the cavity sliders. I had thought I might do that – but seeing the work that went into it am glad he was on hand!
• -       We collected all our plumbing fittings and took them to the farm. We emptied a large portion of the ‘shovetorium’ at Peter and Phyl’s, leaving them bereft at what they might do with the extra space. They soon sorted that out, finding a whole lot more useful stuff to take its place!
• -       I had thought work this year might have a manageable tempo (second year in the job, knowing what you are doing, etc…), but no such luck. If anything we are busier than ever before.
• -       We picked up Rocket – a short legged blue heeler pup, who is a bundle of energy and just gorgeous to look at. Except when he is digging holes in the back yard. Then he is a pain in the proverbial. He had an accident a couple of weeks ago, and has been on compulsory crate rest ever since. He seems to be coming good, so look forward to seeing him bounce around the yard again. Before the accident I was walking him twice per day, and have lost 11 kg this year.
• -       MacK went back to school, and has really thrived in Year 1. He has an incredible vocabulary and turn of phrase. We think he will turn out ok… He turned six this year, and we had a lovely party for him at the water park with his friends. (We also had a party for him in Canberra where we invited our friends for an afternoon of fun, food and frivolity!).
• -       Jane went back to Canberra to fulfil her duties as Godmother to Ella – she spent a lovely four days without MacK – so far the longest she has been apart from him.
• -       We had some rough news in early March, and unfortunately had the whole family gather to send off a dearly loved cousin of mine in some style. We took a family of Irish Catholic extraction to a winery for a wake on St Patrick’s Day – a perfect and most fitting celebration for a life cut short well before due.
• -       Having travelled South, we took the opportunity to head back to Canberra and the farm for a week or so (to escape the heat if nothing else). We attended a lovely wedding in Canberra, and spent some time at Ikea sorting out kitchen cabinetry. Up on the farm we picked the three Japanese Imperial Mandarins that I had (naughtily) elected not to prune off in Summer. The taste of that first fruit grown on our farm was incredible – and just reinforces our resolve to get the farm planted and finished!
• -       Hugo has teeth - two of them appearing on the same morning. So far we haven’t been able to photograph the teeth themselves, but we did get a shot of the damage he did to a broccoli floret (another brassica lover in the family).
• -       Over the Easter break we made our way out to Litchfield National Park with the rest of Darwin, but managed to get a park at Buley rockholes for a swim.
• -       I marched in Darwin for ANZAC Day, and was very proud to commemorate Grandad’s WWII service during the Dawn service. It was very hot though, and my suit is made of wool. Needless to say I smelt much like a wet dog by the end of the day.

And there you have it. The concise version that almost brings you up to date. We will be more diligent from here on – I promise!

We hope to post back to Canberra at the end of this year, so if you want to visit the Top End holiday home, you should really start to make plans!