A Jem in Sydney

Well, what fine weather we are seeing here in Sydney. Mid-twenties and brilliant sunshine. And in case anyone might be wondering (wink wink, nudge nudge - Woz) the weather in Melbourne has been much the same. Winter is slowly starting to weaken & I predict that soon it will rest completely and abandon it's efforts of torment. For those who don't live in Pakenham and therefore have not noticed my absence, Tracey and I have come to visit Jemma in her new home. This photo is of Jemma and her flatmate Joya by the lake at Hillsong.

And this...

...is their home

Feelin' Hot Hot Hot!

A token photo of our day at the snow. There would have been more shots if I had any feeling in my hands but unfortunately the sub zero temeratures (and fog) put a stop to any real photography(or use of my hands). The only time I considered taking my gloves off was to suck on my hands in an attempt to warm them up (all five fingers at once!). Even our hair was frozen. Anyhow, in this picture, the black figure is Maddie trying to make her way back up the slope to recover her skis. After watching her almost reach them, slip, and then slide about 10m back down a couple of times, Stephen ended up going to the rescue.

And Jemma goes to..... Syd-a-ney!!!

A big hello from Jemma in Sydney!

This Sunday it will be one month since Jemmy left to go and kick some serious butt in Sydney - 'Hillsong Style'.

Completing a one year performing arts course at Hillsong Sydney- living in a block of flats rented out mostly by Hillsong international college students- working part time as a dental nurse and waitress- Jemmy seems to have settled in up there with enough distractions to have her barely thinking about home (she may argue that).
We are all very proud to see Jemmy continue on with more and more big and brave leaps of faith. She's even learning to cook.

When I asked her to send me pictures for 'Oh Paky Day' she included this one of the new shoes she had just bought. I guess she was just proud of them and wanted to share that with us all... and that's what 'Oh Paky Day' is all about.

Paky Birthday Your Majesty!!

This weekend in Pakenham we had
a long weekend thankyou to Her Majesty.
Rumour has it that her birthday is actually
at a different time of year but I was
greatful to live in a country that will take
any excuse for a holiday and not bother
too much about the details. Top job Australia!

We chose to celebrate this glorious occasion with an adventurous walk along the Bass Coast.

Taking a trail that stretches along the coast from San Remo to Kilcunda - Jon, Jemma, Benny, Danielle and I set off - our mission being 'not to sit around doing nothing all day'. Aim low.

Along the way...

The weather was ideal for adventure. Sunny,

with patches of torrential rain.



We were conditioned to liking the rain as

we treated ourselves to rations of Doritos with

each stop.



oops

A turning point.

A secluded beach, not accessible by road.

This was the furthest point we got to before turning around to make it back before dark.

My favourite Thai expression...
"Same same, But different!"

A Queen's Birthday Unwasted

A nice mosey home.






It was quite refreshing to see such lush green grass

- something that has not been around for such a long

time and something, in fact, that I never had any

appreciation for until now.






Walking home into the sunset.






And then driving home... into the sunset.

Sunday Sunday...

The 'New Peoples BBQ' at Sarah and Dan's is something you'll come across regularly on a Sunday afternoon in Pakenham. Not everyone that goes is new (that would obviously defeat it's purpose completely) but you should be able to spot some new faces in amongst the very familiar ones.



Hannah & Faith



There's always the "cool" group! Check out that attitude on 'not so little anymore' Ellie Porter.



This is probably the most fun I've ever had washing dishes! The jokes were top quality and flying freely (as they so often are with Sharon). And, to top it all off, I think we washed and dried at least 59 plates, 36 cups and 87 peices of cutlery before we noticed the dishwasher at our feet.

Argghh!

Every second Friday in Pakenham we run a youth group by the name of V8. Basically - it rocks! And this weeks theme - PIRATES!!

We use the Salvation Army building so as there is plenty of room for us to play about. As you can see, it's 'all hands on deck' (arggh me matey) with around 30 Yr 8 - 10's. Led by Rick, Kassie, Sarah V, Danielle, Jemma, Mel C and I, we usually have theme nights with games and at the moment we're including these with a series sessions on 'relationships'. They're going really well so far - with titles like 'To pash or Dash' and 'The Urge To Merge', how could they not??









(Pretty much the cutest Pirate I've ever seen)

PUPPY LOVE!!

Finally, I'm in bliss! A puppy for me to cuddle whenever I wish!!



Titus (or Tidy as I like to call him) is the newest member of the Dobson family. I'm okay that that title has been taken from me so quickly - He's cute enough.

PAKY BIRTHDAY TEGIE-PIE!!!!

Today we celebrated Tegan's 19th birthday with a super spa and bbq party! With Tegan's (bottom left) regular appearance at CCC over the last year, her birthday attracted a bunch of the usual Paky crew!

Ryan imparting his life skills learnt so far.

Australian Open

The Australian Open Federer Fashion Federation. "What's love got to do, got to do with it??"



Glued to the wall...



Sharon did not let Pakenham down with her brilliant idea to host a gathering of die-hard tennis fans (albeit first time die-hard tennis fans) to watch the match.



Tennis ball cupcakes on a tennis court table - A smashing way to celebrate the Australian Open men's final.

GO BANANAS!!!!

Breaking news in the Pakenham district as banana prices plummet. The $13 price drop has sent Pakenham citizens into a smiling frenzy!!!

An American Tale Part 3 - More Aussie stuff!

How could we not show our friends the best place in world (named after people of similar title) - Parker Point.



Regocnise this?



The ultimate road-trip shot!



'Boy2Boys' - New album out soon!




Looking down at the ferns.




Stephen excelled as a tour guide and took the boys on a road trip down the Great Ocean Road. Before the reached the ocean, they took a tree-top walk in the Otways.



This photo was taken out the front of Don & Daile's beach house - just about to cut up some sick waves.