For nine whole months I have been waiting to put Alara in the dress I wore at the same age and take a picture - the day has come...

Ok. So things haven't got off to a great start...
...we are getting there though, nearly in the right spot.
The original - 1978, myself at just over 9 months...
...and now Alara keeping the tradition going!
I think this should also put to rest the idea that she inherited more than enough of me. Alara has a good splash of her Dad most definitely.

This week I gave Alara her first haircut for real. In the past a few pesky strands have been lopped off when they got in the way, but this time, as Alara was doing her best shaggy dog impression trying to see through her fringe, I realised it was time...

Le Bob.
Mind, cutting the hair of a 9 month old is quite like putting pants on a slippery fish. You'll have to look past the odd bits.
We also take our style inspiration from Lexie re hair dos...
...I am slowly learning the fine art of child hairdressing - I am quite liking the idea of my future hairdressing days - ah, the money to be saved!

Lucho loves to pop over for a wee visit and torment his greatest admirer. There's only so much love a 3 and a half year old can give!

Alara waiting in anticipation to see what kind of balloon magic Lucho comes up with...
...hammering it on her head wasn't quite what she expected though!
Mind, all throughout the bombardment, she was in a fit of giggles - thankfully!

Well, the floodgates are definitely open and now we are on the move fowards, backwards, sideways and up. Of course down features prominently with little reminders on our foreheads most days.

The mystery is close to being solved now that Alara can see inside the toy box.
She has a smile 24/7 now that she can move about...
...and she looks just too cute standing up!
"Go on - just try and wipe off my grin!!!"


Success!

Alara is game for anything and when it comes to food there's no exception. Thankfully she has her Dad's palate - I am far from adventurous - I struggle with fruit in salads (!)

Ah, the sweet fruits of the freezer section...
...give me raspberries anyday!

Here's Ferim showing Alara the traditional art of Turkish Bellydancing. A rare moment to be able to get a near teenager to let down her guard!

On the 08/08/08 we celebrated Ferim's 12th birthday in true Aussie style - hopefully she had a day she won't forget in a hurry!

Let's get this party started guys!!
First to arrive at the table - this little miss is not in the habit of missing out on a meal!
"Finally, everyone is here - time to eat!"
Family birthday fun.
The Golden Girls.
Everyone's main man Sam.
Happy Birthday Ferim!

A big part of Sami's family trip here was to celebrate Ferim's 12th Birthday. So when the sun rose on the 8th of the 8th of 08 we were hard at work sculpting a birthday cake to remember.

Baking the cake was the easiest part - I now had to draw upon all my knowledge as my mother's daughter and create a masterpiece in the form of a Piano.
Precision detail...
...and flagrant mess!
But the result! It wasn't as crooked as it looks and having given free reign to a 12 year old to decorate, my subtle "less is best" approach didn't really take. Overall, a pleasing (and tasty!) first try.

We interrupted a busy day at work for Sami so he could give us a tour of his current station - only 5 minutes from home which is very handy indeed.

Ferim is ready to take on the action when the sirens start...
...Alara is also lining up to join her Dad at his job as well!
Everyone was very impressed and left with a good idea of what Sami's job entails. I left with a nice little reminder about men in uniforms....

No trip to Sydney is complete of course without a tour of our famous city harbour. Sami escorted his family for a long day out and about in the heart of Sydney.

The fun begins at the train station...
...and continues on the train.
Still having fun on the train...(this could be a long one!)
Cutting a long picture tour short (!) sailing around the harbour on the ferry.
Sami's example of what is not an affordable part of Sydney.
Bless, the ugliest House in town!
A familiar bridge...
...and a pretty little Bondi Beach.

Sami took his family up through the Blue Mountains for a chance to marvel at our beautiful backyard.

Serpil and Ferim in front of the Three Sisters.
A family pic with the mountains tinged with blue.

It's pants off Friday down here in La La Central and we are now on the move! Although we are celebrating, the crawl is offered only when the incentive is interesting enough and we are nappy-free - not quite yet ready to declare this mission completed.

Alara and her Dad are like two peas in a pod, carrots and corn, bread and butter. They go together well.

Blue jean girl.
"Kicking back with my main man..."
Swimming with dolphins.

Always such a happy girl is our La La!

No trip to sunny Sydney is complete without a visit to the Taronga Zoo. Alara and I stayed behind as we are one spot short in the car - but I have been lucky enough to have visited many times before. La La is still content with a picture of a lion.

Serpil and Ferim in front of the best view in town.
Komodo Dragon.
The brown bear's bum - and Sami.
Sami is gunning for a spot in National Geographic - not a bad effort.


Cute and cuddly Koala.
The Akaslan's keeping a safe distance from the front end of the brown bear.