Ducks Patch

Christmas this year was quiet affair. First Christmas Breakfast before open presents. They we had a Skype session with Lissa for an Hours, She is enjoying her mission greatly and is have many new experiences. For Christmas Dinner, Davin had arrived with Mike his Friend. So we all sat down to a traditional turkey dinner and enjoyed remembering past Christmas's. Overall a Good day.

Today we went for a drive to the National Rhododendron Gardens in Olinda, part of the Dandenong Ranges national Park. It was a very over cast day so wasn't to hot. The Idea was to check it out if they would be worth visiting during the spring. Yes is the answer, the walks were pleasant and not to steep. We could see a lot of potential there as a YSA trip.

Each morning I go for walk at the back of the estate This morning out in the Sun was this little guy. Getting warm ready for the day. He is an Eastern Blue Tongue Lizard

The ward christmas was on Saturday, there was lots of fun. The entertainment was first the primary children doing different dances. Daylene and Sharvana’s little girls did one on there on and they were very cute. Then the YM did a Haka and the YW did a Pio dance… Both did well. We then stopped for dessert, the kids were all sent outside for Ice blocks as the Adults got to select from the cakes and fruit.  After that had been cleaned up the YSA girls did a Cook Island Dance,  before the YSA Boys came out and did a Cook Island form of a Haka. Both Gemma-ann and Stephen did Very Well. After that the R/S did a Hawaiian Dance, Mum knew all the moves but was very nervous.  Before the priesthood got up ( about 40 of us) lead by the YM did a Haka.. yes I was in it. Definitely out of my comfort zone but I did it…. As for the food, way more then was required, no one went short..

Lissa got to go to Temple Square before she left Provo. She is so happy, you cannot wipe that smile off her.. Lissa has now left Utah and landed in Singapore, She was quickly turned around and is now in Miri in East Malaysia. Her New Companion is Sister Blouer. More Information as Lissa gets back to us.

Well it's that time of year again, This year we got a chance to put some lights up. Coloured Lights in the front tree, Bright red wreath on the door, and Icicles on the Gutters, Mum plans more next year, bit by bit, we will expand... Last night we set about doing the christmas tree as well.. This year was the first year we've been able to bring it all together..

Lissa is in the Provo MTC at the moment and is enjoying herself  learn how to be a missionary. OK,  the language is tough but she is still happy.

Yes, At last Stephan has his Mission Call, And he has the privilege of severing the lord in Baguio Mission in the Philippines. He is due in the MTC on the 12 Feb 2013. I am sure it has not sunk in for him yet. But it will soon.. We wish all the best.

On the 7th of October  2012, the first but not the last Taylor was set apart is a Missionary for the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. President Parton set Lissa apart with Dad, Stephan, Rohan and Bishop Mendoza attending. there were a lot of tears and joy at the event, Jennifer and myself couldn't stop the tears for quite a while.. We are so proud of a our little Lissa, Lissa Flies out to Provo to start her Mission on Monday.

Today was Lissa's Last fast breaker and the most of the YSA from Werribee and Point Cook turned up, Can the house take 30 quests, yes it can. During the Fast Breaker we went off for Lissa to be set apart as a Missionary. What a great send off she got.

Each morning I get a chance to take a walk, I head down to the back of Alamanda to the birds and see the bird and the country side. take about 30 minutes to do the circuit. This morning it was a beautiful morning and with the iPhones new Panoramic shot, I got the mode exactly. Oh a beautifull day to a beautifull day.

Yes, Gemma Ann is now 25 years young. So we gave her a surprise party, likely to me the last time that all the family are together for a while. We arranged for Gemma-Ann to go out to the movie's with Lissa we got ready. A lot of Gemma Ann's friends from the east side of town came, and we enjoyed making pizza's and having fun. It was fun for all with some not leaving until after midnight.

This week was the first day of spring so we went to Blackwood to see St Erth. This is Diggers Club garden. We went to early. Spring in Blackwood is still about 3-4 weeks away.. but we can see the potential for it to be a great garden.

As the song goes, " I want to see the temple, I'm going there someday" Well finally Lissa, got to go to the temple. With her mission call, has meant she could go to the temple. So on Saturday 12 August, after Jennifer had made her Temple dress, Lissa got to go. It was a special day for her and us.

Napoleon finally came to town. Jennifer, Ann, Gemma-ann and Myself went as a special occasion for Jennifer's Birthday.  We were not allowed to take photo's inside. so this one was outside. Jennifer enjoyed herself as she had completed an assignment on his rule and life about 1 month beforehand.

Jennifer had her 35th Birthday again, This time for once all the family were present, and Ann was in town to join us. Stephan jr took the photo.

For those that didn't know, Lissa put her Mission Papers in 4 weeks ago. On Friday the 15th of July 2012, she got her calling to serve as a missionary for the CHurch of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints. Lissa is to serve in the  SINGAPORE 'MALAY' Speaking MISSION. She is the first Taylor to serve. Although she only beats Stephan by a few months  She is to report to the Provo MTC on the 9th of October 2012 MUM and DAD are really Proud of Her.

Gemma-ann completed her 6 year of Institute, and Lissa completed her 4 years Mum and Dad are so proud of them.

What do you need when you have 15m3 of mulch to move. A large number of hands. I put the call out to the church members to all come a help on the Saturday of Easter. I was expecting that they would do most of it and I would be spending the Monday finishing it off. Well the church members started to turn up at 9:00 and by 10:30 it was all finished. I had to rush just to take pictures of the heap that disappeared. It start as a Large heap that filled the drive way. Thank you to all the helped.

Jennifer and Myself recently went to Geelong to find out what was there. Geelong is not far from us in Point Cook. It only 30 minute to the south. We found the local coast line and sent a quiet morning there. We found the landmarks    In the coast park is an old merri-go round. it has been restored back to it full grandeur. It is now encased in a glass building that shows it off.

On Saturday we had the ward picnic. It was great just to relax and do just about nothing. with friends and family The Church kids all enjoyed themselves with a large water fight after lunch to finish it off. With the temperature being in the mid 30's it was a great way for them to cool down.

The blue lotus water gardens are open for show from about mid December until mid March. Last year we missed out due to to much happening around us with the moving into a new house. So this year, the plans were made. they are in Yarra Junction , ands that about 1:40 minutes away (1:55 min if there is an accident on the freeway) The gardens are bordered by two streams that supply plenty of water from the nearby hills. The gardens are for water plants with plenty of ponds. The lotus plants on sale were of reasonable price. And this one was perfect so we now have one. The first of many I hope.

The Werribee Mansion is also not far from home. But it has taken us a year to get to it. The Mansion is as expected a large country estate from the past. We'll be going there again, as it has fine gardens and grounds.