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Tuesday 14 July 2009

Retreat news

I can't believe it's over, but we had the most fabulous time with the girls up at the Tablelands. Mel, thanks for looking after us and showing us the local sights in Malanda. I'll certainly have fond memories of my 31st birthday!

I took a heap of photos (as usual), so thought I'd share a few of the highlights from our little trip.

First things first, we went shopping!! Wahooo!!! AND I bought a Cuttlebug (or rather Al bought me a Cuttlebug for my birthday!). I loved having a play at Mel's place, and so did Leone (seen below performing her one-handed cuttlebug maneuvre).


We all scrapped up a storm...




Our wall of scrap...


We also managed to fit in a bit of sight-seeing while we were up there, and the countryside is just gorgeous... first stop, Gallo Dairyland... where they make the most scrumptious chocolates known to man (or woMAN!!!)



Rum and raisin, blackforest, coconut, mango, berry, caramel just to name a few. OMG they were yummy!!!


We also had a chance to check out Kuranda on the way home from picking the girls up from the airport on Thursday... Simonne tested out this gorgeous chair for us... loved that it was made from recycled railway tracks. How cool is that?

and Leone striking a pose too!

Kristy, Simonne and I


The mad old man coming down the hill on his homemade go-kart!


and then we headed up the road to taste some yummy Mango wines from the Golden Drop Winery.


On Saturday, Mel whipped up a delicious strawberries and cream sponge cake for my birthday! YUMMO!!! Thanks Mel, you're such a sweetie!!!


Our last night - having little drinkies


Simonne bought us all beanie kids that matched our personality as a special little surprise... can you tell who is who???


Just posing for the camera ;)


And a funny pic of Leone, Mel and I that I took on the way down the range when we stopped to check out the view...


The food was fabulous (thanks to Rosemary), the location was gorgeous (thanks Mel), and the shopping was great therapy (thanks Justine). You girls did a super job!

And a special thanks to Mel for organising and hosting the whole retreat, and the boys for putting up with Leone and I for the week! Can't wait to catch up again in September!


After a relatively painless trip home...


...I arrived home to a clean and tidy house and a gorgeous birthday cake that Al and the kids made for me, and YES, he decorated all by himself AND took this photo!!!! LOL! I think he's finally getting the hang of being married to a scrapper!!


What a birthday to remember!!! I'm so lucky to have such sweet friends and family. Thanks guys!

4 comments:

Melissa said...

You are very welcome, thank you for coming.Loved having you all, and come again soon.Hopefully will be feeling back to normal and not like I am now.Will bring you down some of those choccies in Sept as a treat.You will have to tell me your fav.

Al, thanks for being a trooper , taking care of home and the kids while Leah came to stay with me.A big hug mate.You did good...I mean look at that CAKE!!!!!!! Patterns and all..hehe

Unknown said...

Wow, what a fantastic cake! Very artistic.

Love the pics, and the description of our almost week is pretty spot on. Wow, we crammed a lot in, didn't we? No wonder I'm exhausted.

Helen Jolly said...

Wow Leah that cake looks great!!!!

It was so lovely to spend some great times with you girls!!!!

Unknown said...

Gosh you girls had a great time together. Thanks so much for posting pics, Leah, I loved being able to see what you crazy nutters got up to.
Love the birthday cake :)