Five years down the track...

House - we're nearly there!

2012-01-20T22:25:00.005+11:00

My favourite thing in the house was supposed to be my ensuite, but the tilers have totally stuffed up the tiles on my feature wall... and there are no more in Australia. So we have a dud ensuite.

So I now have a new favourite - I hadn't thought about what this would look like, and now that it is built, it's pretty fantastic - my pantry!!!

We decided to go for colour in our media room.

Water tank - not sure how it all works, hopefully there will be some instructions as we have grey water and mains water throughout.

Posts in for back retaining wall, the rest of it goes in tomorrow.

First few posts in of northern retaining wall - these plants have survive so far.

Urban Grey is the colour of the weatherboard sections

This is what happens to bad brickwork...

the Department of Fair Trading orders builders to render

The dark grey areas were always going to be rendered, the lighter colour is "paperbark" .

Izzy's first day back at kindy

2012-01-20T21:33:00.003+11:00

Summer school holidays

2012-01-12T20:53:00.004+11:00

car websites on the iPad - en is in Heaven!

Izzy loving her DS (Ben's old one with new pink cover)

House update and photos

2012-01-08T19:48:00.009+11:00

Especially for Angela, a whole lot of updated photos of the progress.

The builders are officially on holidays for the whole of January, however some of the subcontractors have been coming to do some bits and pieces.

We will be moving house twice as our friends we are living with move house on 14 Feb. We will move with them, and then again when our house is finished (hopefully sometime in March)

From kitchen, door through to garage. In the garage we've put in an attic ladder going up to a roof storage cavity.

Hallway

Linen cupboards in hallway

Door handles on all internal doors.

These are hidden cavity doors which we can use to close off the front from the back of the house.

Entrance (inside)

Walk-in-pantry waiting for shelves to be built.

Looking into kitchen from open plan living room.

Back of the island, now has doors and drawer fronts.

These are the "accessories" that go with my sink - I'm desperate to open this package.

Sink mounted under bench.

We have telephone connections ready to go.

Termite protection

Gas

Ben & Izzy's bathroom - shower screen, mirror and towel rails went in last week.

Ben & Izzy's bathroom - the bath has been in the kitchen for months now.

Same basins in ensuite and WC. Peter hates the basins.

2012-01-08T19:43:00.008+11:00

Outside, this is the courtyard on the northern side. This will have a fire pit in it.

Plants on the northern side which we've been trying to keep growing, we are just about to put i a retaining wall along this side. Retaining wall on southern side has been done.

Top section of back yard, digging holes for retaining wall posts. This will be a flat(ish) area straight out from the alfresco. There will then be another level before the bottom of the yard where the vege garden and trampoline are.

Most unattractive garage door we have ever seen... this is the result when choosing from a chip the size of a 50c piece.

Front entrance. Rendered parts will be painted a darkish grey colour.

Cedar entrance.

Christmas Time

2011-12-28T00:47:00.003+11:00

A highlight of Ben's day is seeing Wynston (with Eddie).

Swimming with cousin Aidan

Cousins waiting for presents...

How do you get a 3yr old to sit still??? Let her hold an 8 week old puppy!

This is my cousin's new baby puppy, Zoe.

Do we really have to have a photo?

Tully James Green

2011-12-06T22:17:00.005+11:00

Our new nephew and cousin, born 1.40pm on Sunday 4 December 2011.

Department of Fair Trading

2011-12-06T22:15:00.002+11:00

2.5 hr meeting today on site, agreement reached, everyone had to compromise and we now move on. Once I have the keys, I will have the longest blog post... warning others!

Minnie Mouse & a front door

2011-11-30T21:53:00.004+11:00

Our new front door - extra large size for extra tall husband.

We have far too many bikinis and swimmers, but how could I resist one more?

Our new kitchen

2011-11-18T21:52:00.006+11:00

Builders continue to build, and Department of Fair Trading will be inspecting the brickwork first week of December.

Last week the kitchen cupboards and bathroom vanities went in. Cornices went up.

This week our kitchen benchtop and bathroom basins arrived. Architraves and doors went in yesterday and today.

2011-11-18T21:39:00.001+11:00

Summer Days

2011-11-08T22:08:00.003+11:00

Toyota Kid's Xmas Party

2011-11-06T21:07:00.003+11:00

Slowly moving forward

2011-10-30T20:29:00.003+11:00

Builders started working again this week. At the beginning of the week we had insulation put in (think I could have done a better job), and Friday and Saturday all the gyprock went up.

Weatherboards went up on some of the side areas and cedar to line the entrance.

Eves went up yesterday and our water tank was delivered.

Department of Fair Trading are sending out their own inspector to inspect.

Wall sound insulation

Gyprock up

Cedar entrance

Retain wall we have built

The excitement is gone...

2011-10-23T13:56:00.001+11:00

and the Department of Fair Trading is now deciding on the brickwork issue.

The nightmare of building a house

2011-10-12T08:00:00.003+11:00

We started off so excited about our new house... and now I don't even want to drive past the shell of a house sitting on our block.

Bricks were laid and we questioned the quality before the brickie had even finished, as his work was so sloppy. That was on 8 August. This all fell on deaf ears and after weeks of numerous letters and phone calls, we were left with no option but to obtain a formal building inspection.

That confirmed what we knew - it was crap.

WORST BUILDING COMPANY IN THE WORLD.

THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD.

Walls come tumbling down...

2011-09-28T13:06:00.007+10:00

Bricks went up... and now bricks are coming down.

Two sections of walls have been taken down by a new bricklayer.
For now, I must hold my tongue.

I want my butterfly

2011-09-18T22:27:00.004+10:00

Izzy went to her first party today.

It was also the first time she has let someone face paint her face.

Once she saw her butterfly in the mirror, she was so excited about it, and then the hysterical tears started when it was bath time and dad washed off the butterfly.

HOUSE UPDATE

2011-09-14T19:47:00.003+10:00

Nothing is happening at the moment.

Building site is deserted and some dicks are dumping rubbish over the fence (and stupidly left their name tag in one of the bags).

We have our building inspection (in our favour) saying the brickwork is indeed crap. Builders will now do their own inspection. We are now dealing with the general manager of the company direct. No work will happen until the brickwork issue is resolved.

We've built a fab retaining wall though, organised our floor tiles and tiler ... just can't tell him when he can lay the tiles!

Fairy floss & Crocodiles

2011-09-06T12:45:00.002+10:00

You call that face brick???

2011-09-06T12:13:00.005+10:00

Bricks are finished however the job the brickie did is absolute crap. Waiting for inspection.

Roof is tiled, still a few areas to be grouted and finished off.

Front part of house has been rendered.

Electrician has put in all the power.

Plumber has put in all the plumbing and we have water.

Attic ladder installed.

We're spending our weekends building a large retaining wall down one side of the house.

pumbing and electrical wiring
wall hung hand basins

rendered front bedroom

August 2011

2011-08-21T22:52:00.000+10:00

2011-08-18T20:23:00.003+10:00

Roof tiles arrived and were laid today. Should finish them off tomorrow.

Electrician also comes tomorrow.

2011-08-11T21:35:00.001+10:00

2011-08-04T20:17:00.004+10:00

Brickwork nearly finished!

Our brickie has been laying bricks this past two weeks. One man, with his one helper has done all the work. I feel guilty we are now going to render over some of his hard work. Probably a few more days before he is finished, the hopefully roof tiles come.

2011-07-19T21:51:00.003+10:00

A lot has happened in the last week, but now the rain is back.

The frame and windows went up on Thursday, Friday and Monday. The frame guys even worked in the rain on Friday.

Today we had gutters and facia put up.

Bricks arrived today and brickies set up to start laying bricks, but the rain has now started so I'm guessing no bricks until the rain stops.

Gutters out the back

Hallway !

Bricks arrive.

Its starting to look like a house!

2011-07-14T20:28:00.003+10:00

Drainage was done on Monday and Tuesday

Frame arrived Wednesday

Windows arrived Thursday

Frame started to be put up Thursday.

80 cubic metres of cement = 1 giant slab !!!

2011-07-06T12:09:00.003+10:00

30 cement trucks

80 cubic metres of cement

1 beautiful slab

It will now take 3 weeks to cure, not sure if they will wait the
whole 3 weeks before putting the frame up

We're finally getting a slab!

2011-07-05T23:10:00.003+10:00

We're finally getting the slab. After another week of rain, then a week for the site to dry out, the builders returned last week and finished the piers and put the plumbing pipes in.

The plan was for the slab to pour last Friday, however we got another 4 days of rain.

Builders returned yesterday and put all the styrofoam blocks down, and today the steel reinforcing.

Tomorrow... 30 cement trucks to pour the slab!

Styrofoam blocks and steel reinforcing going in.

Plumbing pipes in!

More piers

Piers and puddles

2011-06-19T21:55:00.005+10:00

Levelling was finished and site was ready for piers.

So we had piers poured not Friday just gone, the one before. Then six days of absolutely pouring rain. The site is so soggy and wet and we are left with piers sitting in puddles. Not sure if the site needs to dry out totally before the formwork and slab happen... hopefully not.

Levelling is happening

2011-06-08T11:25:00.004+10:00

We are now into our third day of levelling - amazing how much dirt can get moved around. To me, it looks like a tractor, bobcat and excavator going around in circles, but apparently its doing something. Not sure when it will be finished
Plumbing and formwork needs to be done next, before concrete can be poured, so I don't image we'll have a slab for another week or so. Presumably once the levelling is finished they will move fast to do the next steps so it doesn't get 'unlevelled'... wishful thinking.

Little progress

2011-06-06T13:30:00.005+10:00

So we have a cleared block, which turned into a mud pit last week with all the rain.

Peg out was done last week and that caused major excitement, just to see a peg in the ground. The excitement went up a level this morning when I drove past and two port-a-loos had been delivered and two truck loads of dirt. That can only mean levelling is very soon... and a SLAB!!!

This is a peg (from the peg out) which caused major excitement

All gone

2011-05-22T13:18:00.002+10:00

All that's left now are our plants, vege garden and garden shed down the very back part of our yard (behind that orange mesh).

Nearly all gone!

2011-05-18T21:03:00.004+10:00

This is all that is left of the man cave. Ben standing on the slab. Pavers and road base have been removed and the ground has been smoothed out on the right hand side.

The house has gone, all the pavers out the back have gone, just the driveway and garage slab remain (and the huge tree stump). Apparently they will be finished by Friday.

2011-05-17T13:21:00.002+10:00

Going, going, gone...

2011-05-17T12:52:00.006+10:00

Someone was desperate to get in there and help demolish!!

An extra truck driver for the morning

Getting back on track

2011-05-10T13:51:00.004+10:00

Well after hours and hours of phone calls with AGL and the gas line owners, today we have finally had our gas line to our house removed and capped off.

The demolition team were sent to work on another house which they estimate they will finish on Thursday, so provided that is correct, they should be back at our house to continue on Friday.

So although a delay, not all bad as Peter go to retrieve heaps of the "old timber" he desperately wanted from the roof frame, and our friend who has been retrieving various bits and pieces for his house has been able to get a lot more... our garage will be his new carport!

These four birds nests were in the roof of the garage.

Demolition began... and has now stopped

2011-05-04T22:10:00.005+10:00

Well we got all excited when demolition started this morning... only to find out it had to come to a grinding halt because the gas metre has to be removed.

So the tiles were taken off the roof and then they stopped. Now the demolition team have left to work on another project and will come back to our house when the gas metre is removed. Of course AGL can't tell me when this will happen, just "10 to 15 days". 0 points for customer service for them.

2011-05-03T13:42:00.004+10:00

Demolition was due to start yesterday, but nothing has happened. Hopefully that isn't a sign of what we are in stall for over the next year or so.
There isn't much house left now, a friend stripped various bits and pieces for his house he is renovating and a neighbour took weatherboard planks from the side to patch up a hole in his house.

This hole is in the bedroom wall - I've always been convinced I could hear termites in the wall when I went to bed a night, so I had a look - no termites.

This is where my kitchen window was!

Bonding...

2011-04-29T13:39:00.004+10:00

So we are now living in close quarters... how close? Take a look.
A big thank you to our very special friends who are letting us stay here.
This is Ben on his loft bed (playing Wii). Izzy's cot is underneath, as is her play kitchen (that is the play area). The bottom right corner of the picture where you see the dark green and red stripe... that's the end of our bed.
Directly on the other side of Ben's loft bed is the lounge, although we now have a curtain separating the sleeping area from the tv/lounge area.

Can't get enough of pink & green...

2011-04-29T13:33:00.003+10:00

Weekend in Canberra

2011-04-27T13:57:00.004+10:00

The weekend before Easter we went to Canberra. Here are the many faces of Ben & Izzy...

We are exausted... and have moved out

2011-04-27T13:34:00.005+10:00

What a weekend Easter was. Five days of non-stop moving - moving into the granny flat, moving the rest of our possessions into our storage shed, moving furniture that doesn't fit in the granny flat into Peter's parents' garage, then pulling everything out of our old house that we want to keep.

The old house basically looks like a shell of a house now. We sold our kitchen appliances, have pulled out the cupboards to keep for the laundry in the new house (we only built the kitchen 4 years ago), relocated our garden shed and moved all our "outdoor stuff" into it.

Some photos of the demolition we did (the REAL demolition starts on Monday) - can't wait to watch!

I've still got a trampoline!

The demolition of the kitchen begins...
The kitchen now sits in the loungeroom waiting to go to storage

where's the sink gone?

half gone

boxes waiting to go to storage

drawing on walls was now permitted!

boxes waiting to be packed

Getting ready for the demolition

2011-04-20T23:51:00.002+10:00

Our house will soon be gone. Our DA was approved by the Council on 5 April, and we move out this weekend. The last month or so has been spent packing and sorting. Most of our belongings are going into a storage garage, and just the necessities coming to the granny flat we will be living in for the year or so it takes to build our new home.

So, Easter weekend will be spent moving, and demolition begins on Monday 2 May (12 more days!).

What a milestone!

2011-03-11T19:40:00.006+11:00

Another milestone in Izzy's life.

Izzy lived in China for 505 days. All but her first 10 days of life were with her foster mother. Tuesday marked 505 days since we collected Izzy back in October 2009. Today is 508 days and we can now say Izzy has live with us, her family, for longer than anywhere else in her short life. Some pictures belowing showing how she has grown over the last 16 months.

Christmas time, 2010

Izzy's 2nd Birthday

Izzy's Christening

January 2010... walking girl!

home with big brother

Meeting Izzy's foster mum in Leping

Izzy meeting mum for the first time

Izzy and her foster sister, Le Ping La, at her foster mum's home

Hanging out

2011-03-07T21:16:00.002+11:00

The beginning of our new home

2011-03-07T18:51:00.005+11:00

So much has been going on here, we are in the final stages of getting ready to move out of our house, knock it down and build our new house. Some pictures here of the progress so far.

We've moved a lot of our plants from the front garden out to the back. Large trees have been chopped down, most of our stuff has gone into storage and we are living with the basic necessities. The council is due to give the go ahead - hopefully :-) - at the end of March. Then we'll move out and demolition will start.

So this is our house before...and then the trees were removed... our front garden before it was moved...and what is outside our front door now...

So what will our new house look like? This is the display house which our house is based on. Same colours on the bricks, render, windows etc, ours will be a mirror image of this (garage on right hand side).

Kindy Girl

2011-02-06T22:44:00.003+11:00

Week three of kindy has passed and all is going extremely well. Izzy loves going and there are many kids in the centre who have old siblings at Ben's school, so she'll have some friends who end up at school with her.

Nappies are now a thing of the past during they day and we are definitely an "undies" girl now and take ourself to the toilet when we need to go.

2011-02-06T22:11:00.002+11:00

I'm a bit obsessed with the telephone at the moment, if it rings, I have to run to get it... This is me learning to smile for the camera!

Queensland Holiday

2011-01-26T20:11:00.009+11:00

Broadbeach, beautiful weather
beautiful beach
beautiful summer days

Driving at Dreamworld

Splashing about...

Meeting some kangaroos at Dreamworld

Izzy feeding her first kangaroo

My first week at kindy

2011-01-21T08:50:00.004+11:00

This is my first week at kindy. I started yesterday in the "Wombats" room which is for 2yr olds. I have 13 kids in my class. I went again this morning. I'm very excited about my big school bag.

Officially...

2011-01-15T14:38:00.001+11:00

... it seems I might be toilet trained (during the day anyway). Hopefully I won't forget what its all about when I start kindy on Thursday!

Doing a spot of gardening

2011-01-15T14:27:00.003+11:00

Family times, summer days...

2011-01-09T20:04:00.003+11:00

Summer holidays for Ben means quality time playing Wii. I love eating ice blocks in summer... and notice I'm wearing undies!!!

This is my very own umbrella that Santa brought. I love umbrellas.

Bicentennial Park

Summer Days...

2011-01-01T20:22:00.007+11:00

Lounging around in the backyard...

Ben has quality counch time in school holidays!
Sunsafe solution for red heads!

Why do they keep putting me in freezing water??

His legs have gone again!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

2011-01-01T08:57:00.003+11:00

Can you see me - I blend in !!!

2010-12-26T20:55:00.006+11:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-26T18:15:00.005+11:00

I can't believe I have to wait for Izzy to get up!!!

Christmas Eve

2010-12-26T18:06:00.003+11:00

Ben dressed as a shepherd for Christmas Eve mass

Busy in the sandpit

2010-12-26T18:00:00.002+11:00

Since I won't sit with Santa for a photo... this is the best we can do for Christmas!

2010-12-17T21:52:00.003+11:00

Clontarf

2010-12-17T21:43:00.004+11:00

Out for a picnic

2010-12-17T21:34:00.002+11:00

This water is freezing...

Where have Ben's legs gone?

Hanging out at the park

2010-12-08T22:07:00.000+11:00

2010-12-08T20:31:00.002+11:00

I've got new wheels... actually, a freebie from the car boot sale!

2010-12-06T22:43:00.004+11:00

Izzy is too small for this bike... but given she thinks she is 9 just like her brother, she will persist!

Toyota Kids Christmas Party

2010-11-21T07:20:00.003+11:00

Izzy & Ben at Aunty Kylie's

2010-11-20T21:52:00.004+11:00

Ben, Wynston and Elli-May. Wynston wears bling around his neck!

Ben, Kylie, Wynston & Cody

Peter, Izzy and Cody Ben and Izzy playing tennis.

Ben, Izzy and Poppy having a swim.

Ben, Izzy and Scott

cake time!

Izzy's new look

2010-10-24T11:13:00.002+11:00

Now I just need to work out how to take photos without the big flash spot on the glasses!

HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

2010-10-19T13:34:00.004+11:00

One year ago today we collected our gorgeous Izzy in Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. Amazing to think a year has flown by already, and how far Izzy has come in that year.

Also very special day today as I've finally made contact with the family of one of Izzy's foster sisters from her foster home in China. She has a foster sister living in Quebec, Canada.

Makes today even more special.

2010-10-03T15:22:00.002+11:00

In the snow at The Remarkables, Queenstown, New Zealand

2010-10-03T13:49:00.002+11:00

Our holiday to New Zealand

2010-10-03T12:41:00.012+11:00

Have just returned from our holiday to New Zealand. Lots of rain - more than we would have liked, but that's the risk you take. Lots of damage in Christchurch from the recent earthquakes, as well as another earthquake one of the mornings we were there.
Did a self drive holiday around the South Island - probably not the best sort of trip with two kids in the car!!
I think Ben saw more of Nintendo DS than the sights of New Zealand from inside the car!

Izzy and Peter at Tasman Glacier at Mt Cook.

The hike up to Tasman Glacier was all too exhausting for Ben when he got to the top. See the icebergs in the lake in the background!

The Chasm, on the way to Milford Sound.

Playing in the snow at The Remarkables at Queenstown. Ben's snowman was called Frosty. Very original.

Ben and Peter after their ride in the Shotover Jet at Queenstown.

Below is the top of the Gondola at Queenstown.

The walk to Franz Josef Glacier was all too much excitement for Izzy. After 1.5hrs, she was asleep in the backpack.

Hot spring spas at Franz Josef!

Pretty blossom trees all though the park in Christchurch. Izzy and Kerrie on a tram in Christchurch. Tram was originally from Melbourne.

Playing in Nanna's garden

2010-09-19T21:29:00.002+10:00

Ben's First Holy Communion

2010-09-19T21:19:00.003+10:00

Last surgery done

2010-09-08T20:01:00.004+10:00

Izzy has now had her second and final surgery. She had the lump removed from the back of her head yesterday and is doing very well.

Only shaved a small amount of hair so bows will continue!!!

9 year old boy!

2010-09-08T19:51:00.003+10:00

Ben recently turned 9. First time Izzy has taken notice of birthday candles. Ben doesn't eat much cake so Grandma made a zucchini slice for cake!

Do you like my giraffe dress???

2010-09-08T19:47:00.002+10:00

Smile!

2010-08-22T20:59:00.002+10:00

Playing with Buddy and Alfie

2010-08-22T20:42:00.002+10:00

Hunting for birdies...

2010-08-19T19:39:00.004+10:00

Nice burst of warm weather today, out came the summer frock and off we went looking for birdies...

Dancing Queen

2010-08-15T19:47:00.002+10:00

Out and about at Centennial Park

2010-08-15T19:18:00.003+10:00

New chair???

2010-08-13T18:58:00.003+10:00

Bought a potty to take when we are out and about. Put it in the bathroom, Izzy decided it was better as a chair for watching TV...

Out and about

2010-07-18T19:01:00.004+10:00

Farm time

2010-07-04T21:28:00.003+10:00

Back down to the farm, Ben's first ride on a horse by himself, and Izzy's first motorbike ride.

Little Lady

2010-07-04T21:19:00.002+10:00

Izzy can't go anywhere without her handbag and glasses.

Thumb surgery done!

2010-06-03T13:38:00.002+10:00

We had our second attempt at surgery for Izzy's thumb today, all went well and we are back home already (although it was an extremely early start).

The challenge is now to keep the bandage on for two weeks without Izzy picking it off, which she started trying straight away.

!!! TWO TODAY !!!

2010-06-01T09:07:00.002+10:00

I'm two !!!

I'm nearly two!

2010-05-30T19:29:00.003+10:00

Izzy turns 2 on Tuesday and is growing up so fast.

She is very excited about her new kitchen (as is Ben!!).

No surgery for Izzy

2010-05-27T15:42:00.002+10:00

Izzy was booked in to have her thumb surgery yesterday, we had been admitted and were waiting to go to theatre when the anaesthetist came and told us he was going to cancel her surgery because she has cold.

So annoyed.

Dr says it is bronchitis or asthma, if we can clear her up by next Thursday, she can have her surgery then.

Fingers crossed!

Time for family photos

2010-05-10T22:14:00.004+10:00

Now that our family is complete, its time for "family photos".

Six months on...

2010-04-20T22:09:00.005+10:00

Yesterday marked six months since we collected our gorgeous girl in Nanchang.

Bow time...

2010-04-20T21:29:00.005+10:00

Mum puts them in... I pull them out... mum puts them back in... I pull them out again, and again, and again. Who will win this battle...

I'm learning to run...

2010-04-12T23:28:00.007+10:00

I wonder how fast I can run around this pot before I fall over...

Dancing Girl

2010-04-12T23:20:00.003+10:00

Izzy's idea of dancing is foot stomping...

Farm Girl Izzy

2010-04-07T19:47:00.005+10:00

Izzy had her first visit to the Todd & Beth's farm this weekend. She loved it, camping out, lots of space, lots of exploring and her new found friend, Roger the dog. She helped with mowing, with building a bonfire, checking out the cows and new baby ducklings ...

Ben had his first drive of a car by himself - he thought that was fantastic. Roger was clearly Izzy's favourite, Ben loves the horses, especially Clyde, an old Clydesdale. Lots of excitement here as the six ducklings are coming on Sunday to spend a week in our back yard!

Izzy's Christening

2010-03-28T22:17:00.003+11:00

I've waited years and years to be able to dress a little girl for her christening. The dress I wanted only existed in my mind. So I found the most talented lady and had her make it. The finished product was 100 times more beautiful than I had imagined. So much lace and frills, matching lace leggings, matching lace hair bows - it was just perfect.

Growing up...

2010-03-17T22:18:00.001+11:00

Favourite time of the day - playing with Ben after school.

2010-02-10T11:31:00.002+11:00