Bath time fun

Mummy does a great 'Jaws' impression, don't you think?

Gove Christmas adventures

Christmas day 2010 in Gove was just as much of an adventure as everything else in our lives.

Miriam wasted no time, waking us up at 6am as usual. Allan wanted to sleep in but those Christmas morning's had passed - now we have a child to contend with. There were presents to open, breakfasts to make and Church to go to.

Unlike last Christmas when she was 3 months old, this year Miriam took a great interest in opening her own presents - and some of ours as well! She ripped off the paper and then shredded it all over the floor (Yay) before inspecting each gift. She didn't quite grasp the concept of 'more'. Allan and I kept telling her to put the present down and open more, but all she wanted to do was play with the one in her hands. Thus our Christmas morning present opening took a long time.

Opening her present from Opa and Oma

Toot toot, here I come

After Church we spent Christmas lunch and afternoon with a few close friends and their families at the Giles' house. Lunch was delicious (even if I do say so myself!) and in true Gove style right after lunch it started to pour with rain.

Christmas lunch at the Giles'

Shortly after the rain came the thunder and lightening and then came the blackout! The power stayed out for most of the afternoon and certainly made for a 'sticky' Christmas.

But it was nothing that a bit more trifle, or cheesecake or pavlova couldn't fix. Unfortunately we couldn't make a cup of coffee/tea to go with.....no power!

Whilst we did enjoy our day, I must admit we missed our family down south and won't be making a habit of spending Christmas at the other end of the country.

I am not a performing seal

As parents it's funny how many times we try to make our children perform on cue. Whether it's saying the first word they ever learnt over and over again for visitors, showing the Grandparents how they can clap, or getting them to sit still and smile in a photo with Santa.

Miriam as revolted against the 'performing seal' mentality this Christmas and flatly refused to go anywhere near Santa on a number of occasions. Despite my soothing words of encouragement she squealed and squirmed and turned red in the face.

So this is the best we could do this year.....

Maybe next year?

Our (pictorial) year in Gove

A true Territorian - Miri on a quad bike

Miri loves the beach (East Woody Beach in March)

The De Rooy's love Gove

The 'Top Gear' mud challenge

Miriam the water baby

Miriam hanging out with her yapa (sister) and wawa (brother)

Miriam with her Oma and Opa at Gurrumuru


Miriam and her Daddy love The Dragons!

Holly representing Rio Tinto Alcan at Garma Festival

Miriam starred in Holly's work photo shoot

Spending her birthday in hospital felt like jail for Miriam

Allan's great fishing success - the giant Spanish Mackrel

Mmmmm buffalo!

Adventures of H.A.M - Christmas Edition

Merry Christmas everyone! 2010 has been another year of adventures for H.A.M — would you really expect anything else?

Our move to Nhulunbuy (Gove) at the beginning of the year went well. Allan settled in quickly to his new job, despite a few painful weeks of training, and Holly enjoyed catching up with friends and being a stay at home Mum with Miriam.

Shortly after we arrived Holly turned the big 3-0! Our wonderful friends (thank you Christie!) threw her a great party to celebrate this milestone.

In April Holly decided to go back to work at Rio Tinto Alcan 3-days a week, taking on the same role she had when we were here in 2006. In June, Allan’s company handed over the contract for the air medical service to CareFlight and Allan changed companies too.

Both of our jobs have proved challenging in the latter half of the year, but we are determined to stay here for a while longer, knowing this is where God wants us to be.

We are spending Christmas in Gove this year, celebrating with our friends here in town. So as you celebrate Christmas, however you do, remember the words in Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.