Little Lily { 2022 }

Our Lily started the year very much our baby and ended it a self proclaimed little girl. She is universally adored and such a funny, fun, loving little presence in our home. Everyone always wants snuggles and has their own special relationship with Lily. Quill and her being so close in age results in the best of friends or foes depending on moods. Primrose is the big sister she wants to keep up with, and Finley the protector and source of lots of fun. With mummy and daddy she loves one on one, cuddles and attention. 

Master Quill { 2022 }

Quill has really turned from a little boy to a mini kid this year. He is so independent and loves riding his scooter with the big kids in the street and trying to keep up with his big brother and sister. He definitely doesn't like being held back from the fun and see's the street as an extension of our house, no need to tell anyone where he is off too! Much to mum's dismay. He has grown up so much and is changing so quickly, some days I can't believe how fast it has all happened. 

Miss Prim { 2022 }

Primrose our beautiful first rose has had a brilliant and wonderful year. Almost weekly she tells us that something in her life has made her dreams come true. That is how she makes he way through life. A true and steady optimist who sees the best in all her experiences. She isn't our little girl anymore, she's growing into a very capable, confident and talented young miss. We adore the light she brings into our family and the friend and peacemaker she is for all. It's been a nice, steady year for her, learning and growing. 

Mr Finley { 2022 }

This boy of ours has had a big, exciting year all round and we have seen him come more and more into his own. He's definitely moving into that tween stage, wanting some time to himself, knowing his own mind and what he likes, very excited to be with friends and have some autonomy. Finley has had lots of really interesting and unique opportunities that have made this a really exciting year for him. Levi and I are so proud of his work ethic, his enthusiasm and his willingness to give everything a go. 

Another Big One { 2022 }

Every year feels like a big year, which is no surprise with the comings and goings of six people to consider. Sometimes we long for quiet stretches of nothing but mostly the buzz and hum of our home and lives feels full and meaningful. I definitely came out of covid wanting to live life to the fullest and not let any opportunity, experience or event pass me by. This year has really felt like that, nothing has has been missed, big projects have been completed and we've really lived a big, full year achieving that. At it's end I feel glad and grateful for it, content at what's been and ready now to move to a new cadence and shift some focus for 2023.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

We had a lovely and very full Christmas season this year. December kicked off full of all the festivities. Some traditions live on strongly in our house, like slowly putting up the tree and reminiscing over all of the decoration or our annual Christmas package from the Loker's which we dearly love opening. The house was packed to the brim with gingerbread, which I spent much of the month giving away and eating. And we had our now annual dinner with the Niven's full with great food and company. I love our traditions and the energy of the Christmas season. 

Flowers of Floriade

Floriade was as beautiful as ever this year. Spring is very lovely in Canberra with all of the deciduous tree's in full bloom and it's nice to head out on the lake and wander the tulips of Floriade to mark the season. We had Stuart and Michelle visit with Mum and Dad as well as Courtney for a weekend so I had two lovely visits. I took the kids up on the ferris wheel which they all loved. They had a good laugh at me feeling some vertigo up the top, it felt very high! It was lovely to be together in beautiful surrounds. Some of the highlights of living near the capitol. 

Quill is Dino-Four

Our little man Quill's birthday has finally come and he is four! He has awaited his special day through all five of our birthdays but it came with a bang and all the bells and whistles to make a very special day for our boy. He was full of anticipation leading up and was very specific about having a dinosaur themed day with Grandma and Grandpa present. Together we all made it a dino-day to remember. 

T H I R T Y E I G H T

Another year, another wonderful birthday season full of lots of friends, fashion and food. Some of my favourites. I say season because it really did go for weeks. On the actual day we had a lovely celebration at home with kids and cake, a must of course. I received some beautiful pink swarovski earrings and a Sass and Bide dress clearly mean't for me, giant puff sleeves, front on centre of the store, on sale, in my side, on my birthday - need I say more. 

Six Foot Track { Memories }

Many moons ago, Sarah and I got fit together. We would do boot camps and run in the Shoal Bay Park Run on Saturday mornings. It was such a great time of life. Our first little babies were soon to be two years old and we were both thinking of having our second. We saw the time as precious, a last hurrah before life got busier and more complicated with more babies on the way. We motivated each other ( probably Sarah mainly motivating me!) and set some fun goals to work towards like running in the women's 10km night run in Sydney and doing the Six Foot Track hike in the blue mountains. 

Glenburn Heritage Trail

I'll be forever grateful for a sister who is excited about life and has great ideas that just require me to say yes! With the big Milford Track hike just 6 months away Courtney had the suggestion that we try and fit as many hikes in as we can in preparation. She is what I'd call a seasoned hiker, it's been a minute for me but I love doing it and even Finley was keen to join us on the first of many hikes together. 

London Calling { The Big Trip Part 3 }

London, I really, really, really love you. 

New York, New York { The Big Trip Part 2 }

Levi and I made our way to the train station Tuesday morning for the 3 hour trip to New York. It really did feel like arriving in the big city when we came out of the station to the high rises and bustle of the city. I had my own Marilyn Munroe moment first thing walking over the subway air vent and having my dress go flying! 

Washington DC { The Big Trip Part 1 }

This trip has been years in the mind and months in the planning, so to land in DC felt a bit like a dream. Levi had flights booked to head to DC in April of 2020. The pandemic hit in March leaving those plans uncertain at first and then completely cancelled for the foreseeable future. But a bit over two years later and here we are! 

Play Time for Bungendore

After two years the Bungendore Playground is complete! Many moons ago, there was a call out from the council for volunteers to form a committee that would work to bring a new playground to Bungendore. I joined up with other mum's in the area and we set off on the long and sometimes fraught process of bringing this incredible asset to the community. All the time and work has culminated in the ultimate outcome, an incredible new park for our town. 

7 + 2 = Happy Birthday Girls!

These two dear sisters share a bedroom, toys, lots of snuggles and this year a birthday! With only a few weeks between their 7th and 2nd birthday's, and mummy and daddy's trip to the US colliding with Lily's day, Primrose very graciously invited Lily to share her day with her. They made for a gorgeous little birthday pair with pigtails for their morning of pancakes and present opening. Grandma came to celebrate too to share in all the fun.

A Dinner to Die for

It was my turn to bring the fun for the Canberra party goers with a 20's themed murder mystery party. I remember as the modern 20's were fast approaching thinking that the next 10 years would be full of 20's themed fun but with covid and just possibly not being cool enough to get invited, the 20's party invites never seemed to come ... alas make your own she said! With that and dear friends soon to depart came a 'A Dinner to die for'. 

All Aboard

I am very lucky to have a Sarah Southall - never ending energy, spontaneous, ride or die Sarah in my life. When she has an idea all I have to do is say yes and the rest is a very good time. So when she discovered train rides from Newcastle to Sydney were free in the school holidays there was nothing to do but meet up with the kids and have a great day together. 

Turning 10 and Harry Potter

We have been waiting eagerly for Finley to turn the big number 10, not just for him to hit that first decade but because it signalled the start of the Harry Potter journey! I have never read the books and always wanted to wait until one of my kids was old enough to read it with them. We wanted to make reading Harry Potter really special for all of us so we decided together that 10 would be the perfect age for Finley to start and for the family to begin the adventure of all things Potter. 

Smile { The Ryan Week Part 3 }

 

We finished our beautiful few days together with a big family, first of its kind photoshoot and there couldn't have been a more magical day for it. The weather had been very rainy over the weekend but we woke to Monday with the sun shining and a perfect day ahead to capture this special moment for the Ryan Family down at the Audley Weir. All together in one place, everyone well, everyone here. 

Queen Mum's Jubilee { The Ryan Week Part 2 }

Our wonderful mum turned 70 this weekend and we celebrated together as the entire, complete Ryan family. It took lots of planning to get here, many logistics, flights, lists and emails but we all made it to celebrate our beautiful mum. All the she is and all that she has given us. We did our best to make it a weekend to remember and it was exactly that. So much fun, love and laughter. 

Courtney's Turns 30 { The Ryan Week Part 1 }

With my baby sister turning 30 we needed something very special to mark the day and a little get away with all of the women in our family felt like just the thing. Timing for mum's 70th meant that we could spend a few days away just the 7 of us before being met by the rest of the family in Ulladulla. Berry was the perfect fit for a relaxing few days doing some of the things Courtney loves and celebrating what a beautiful and treasured person she is to us. And really, we can't believe she is 30! Still my little sister forever. 

Van Gogh Magic

Living close to Australia's capital brings lots of exciting things to our doorstep with the added bonus that they usually aren't too busy. Canberra has changed a whole lot since I lived here almost 15 years ago and I love it more with each passing year. Lots to see and do, so easy to get around and something new always popping up. The Van Gogh Alive exhibition came so Finley, Primrose and I took Grandma and shared the magic experience together. It really was beautiful. 

Back to School, Back to School

The start of the school year was a big one for the Catton family. We were all very excited for the changes and new beginnings this year. Everyone has very exciting places to be off too, making the most of each day living and learning.