Keropie's Cuties: Nice time in Newcastle!

As the school holidays started, the kiddies and I made our way to Newcastle. Michelle and Jay welcomed us into their home and were truly wonderful hosts. Thanks guys! We greeted each day with happy smiles from all the babies and big kids who all got along beautifully. Ethan especially was a wonderful help with the littlies, I was very proud of him.

Here is our few days away in pictures (of course not in order but I used two camera's)

We went on a tour of Fort Scratchley (named after the architect who did a lot of Australia's forts) which is a series of tunnels around the hill top that it was built into. After lots of waiting, a play at the park and a cappacino, our tour began. It was a fabulous tour and the kids really enjoyed it. The little girls were a little bit tired so some self portraits did the trick to keep them happy. I love their big blue eyes!

Here is Kiara

and Merindah.

A disappearing gun is what this is called. They fill it up, lift it up, fire it and it recoils back into position

A model of the fort and what we walked through.

The kids in the tunnel, the temperature in the tunnel is an even 19/20 degrees all year round. Otherwise the gun powder goes kaboom.

Up the top, walking around the grounds. Michelle and I think that our next mansion would be nice here.

After the tour, Michelle took her kiddies home for a nap, we went for a walk around Nobby's Beach. We thought the lighthouse might have been opened to the public but it was not. So we walked up the path, around the big rock with the light house on top and down the beach. The weather was lovely, we are more rugged up due to the wind not the cold.

After our walk we went to visit Rebecca and her family in Newcastle. When we got there Harrison was in his cot waking up from a nap so we went in to greet him. The look on his face was too adorable, I'm sure he thought he was dreaming! Aurora and Roger have a Mini swap going on but we have decided that Harrison is big enough to get them now. He loved his new mini Aurora got for him.

Outside. on the balcony is all the cargo boats coming in and the train station which makes for a good afternoons entertainment.

Baby Lincoln, full of giggles.

Wendy (Bec's Mum) has binoculars to check out the going's on of the harbour which Ethan liked using.

Feeling a bit peckish we went for a walk along the boardwalk to get some pies and mash from Harry's Cafe De Wheels. Man it was so good! My next mission is to make pies just as nice.

Ethan playing with Merindah, very sweet.

Not sure where this came from but Aurora and Lachlan found peace in meditation...LOL!

This is Norah Head Lighthouse. Unfortunately it was closed, which was a shame as there were so many people around.

Down the cliff from the lighthouse was some amazing rockpools. The kids had a blast exploring all the cracks and cervices.

The waves crashing against the rocks were spectacular because the flow on effect meant we had to jump out of some rock pools to not get wet.

Ethan discovered a Port Jackson shark egg. I love these eggs. Their spiral shape is incredible.

Michelle and the gang.

After the lighthouse we went to Caves Beach to dine in a work of progress resort bar. We splashed out on a seafood lunch that even though the kids had their lunch earlier thought they might eat it too! This was after the night before being a bit of a dud when Michelle and I tried to go out for dinner. We left too late to make sure the kids were settle. 8pm is just too late! However we still had a lovely time, drinking bubbly and great conversation.

Anyway, after our lunch, the club had a magician act. He was very funny and the kids found him quite entertaining.