Wishing everyone a spectacular and safe Christmas and New Year! Thanks for tuning in to our little world over the past year. Looking forward to starting up again in 2012 with the new adventures of our little clan

- love and best wishes

Narelle, Sami, Alara and Leyla xxo

The end of year is always a load of fun - catching up with everyone for Christmas cheer and a birthday or two thrown in for good measure.

 The Foreman family made a special trip over to meet Ms Leyla and have an early Christmas celebration.

 Christina is in training for chief babysitting duties. I've already got her train fare set aside...

 La received a much-needed swim suit for her birthday from the kids - thanks so much - they're perfect!

 Dave and Larissa trying hard to resist the faint sound of clucking in the distance.

 Off to the playground for bouncing fun and icecream.

The visual definition of yum.

  Cute shots of my girls getting ready for Erin's birthday party.

Erin - on the left - and her guests playing pass the parcel. Erin's birthday falls on Boxing Day bless her, so this year we celebrated a little early so she could have all her friends around for a party.

 The glorious, big back yard perfect for kiddies to run about in.

 Leyla and Lacey. My friend and I were due on the exact same date and Ms Lacey arrived exactly on that date, while Leyla was 11 days early. This was the first day they've been together when Lacey was 6 days old.

 Getting ready for our Christmas party at Lucho's house.

 Time to open all the presents!!!

 La was super excited to see her gifts from Jill and her family. Thanks for the great story book Gail, we've already read most of the chapters!

 Tunzini ( I know I've spelled that wrong - sorry little man) having fun opening his gifts and checking out everyone else's.

La is already madly in love with her Pillow Pet. It's a pillow, that's a pet!

 Off to a Christmas concert at the RSL - the Wizard of Oz, festive style.

 Trying to get all the kids together for a shot is such a mission.

 The kids had such a great time - singing and dancing to all the carols and having a laugh with Dorothy and Scarecrow.

Only one shot of our Mother's Group little Christmas party at the local play centre. All the kids together which has become increasingly hard to do with everyone's busy lives. We had such a fun day and look forward to seeing you all soon in the New Year.

It's always such a special time, the first few weeks of a newborns life. They change daily, need changing hourly and all the while you marvel at their entry into your life as you commiserate with your body as it repairs itself! Fun, fun......xo

Seen through the perspex only hours old. At least Sami used the flash this time!

The next day after everyone got some sleep.

Toby and La - at a safe starting distance...

Toby having his first hold.

And with La.

Louie - with La.

Now at home.

Leyla spends a lot of time sleeping at the moment if you can't tell. I'm sure that will change soon.

I think this was her second bath. The first must have been messy - we didn't get the camera out! Mind, we did wait quite a few days - you just don't want to wash off that super new smell!

Yay! I'm here!

Toby being very, very gentle.

Too cool for school man.

Julz' Aunty Ruth pops over for a visit.

Yay! Ma Ma is here! This is her very first hold...

This isn't my first hold.

Nawwww!

All the new babies in the world could not surpass the excitement of La turning 4. Oh how we have waited for this day to come! For the cake that was decided on 8 months ago (!), for all the presents, for cousin Toby's visit, for nearly starting little school - this has been a much discussed event! We had planned a morning tea and BBQ dinner for the day but that ended up being spread out over the next week instead.

Aunty Lou and Toby came up for the event and also with the hope that good planning would override any new baby's desire to stay in utero indefinitely. Lucky it all worked out.

 Opening up presents in the morning - thanks Ma Ma and Pa for the underwear and bubble maker thingy.

 Aunty Lou gave La some lovely clothes.

 Beads and clothes from Aunty Julz wrapped in custom made paper from Lexie.

 Thanks Aunty Kara for La's own Babooshka dolls - saves mine from destruction!

 Yay! A barbie car from mum and Baba...

La is very happy now that her dolls have wheels.

 With mum and Baba otherwise occupied - it was left to Aunty Lou to fill in the birthday day - first bubbles...

 ...then painting. Had I been contactable, I would have pointed her in the direction of the art smocks.

 And, after playing at the local park, home for little birthday cupcakes. Again, had I been home, I would have pointed out where the candles were!

 La's main event cake was left till Sunday night. Jill, Morgs and Lucho came over for a birthday BBQ and to marvel at Aunty Laura's magnificent creation.

 Louie even sorted out the pink and white hearts from the coloured pack to add detail to the dress.

 Thanks Louie - you did a fantastic job!

 La closing her eyes, waiting to be surprised with her cake.

 Ta da!

Of course, "fireworks" for after.

 Last of all - the little morning tea with La's friends for her birthday we moved that a week later and went to lunch instead. Here's Tayah and La digging in to some lunch.

 Blowing out her cupcake candles.

La, Sienna, Tayah, random little girl with red hair who joined in the fun and Cooper. Thanks for helping La celebrate such a special birthday!