Hello Hello from Rachel !

Hello! Hello!
Hope this finds you and your families all well. Have not been intouch for a while so thought I would send off a bit of an update.

The girls are both well. Maddie is really enjoying her day care at Little Cribb Street (Mondays and Tuesdays). She attended her firstballet class the other day. It was one of the most gorgeous things I have seen in a long time. It brought a tear to my eye watching allthese little three year old girls dancing around. You could alreadytell which ones will be the good ones and which ones will be movedonto Jazz or karate or something. Let's just say I shan't be spending too much money on ballet kit!

Imogen's continues to challenge and delight at the same time. Herlanguage is coming along very well (although I don't think anyone elsewould get what she is trying to say). Mum still absolutely adores her and constantly spoils her with warm milk and cuddles etc (much toStephen's annoyance!). They have a really love bond which I am sure started when Mum was over after her birth. She runs everywhere and is into absolutely everything - drawers, powerpoints, rubbish bins etc.I don't think I ever realised how easy I had it with Maddie!
Stevie seems to be really settled. He is contracting to the biggest bank in Qld (not very big!) and is based in the City. So he is really enjoying being in the heart of it all rather than being a bit in theburbs. They are really delighted with him and there has been mention of jobs with both Microsoft and the bank. His contract is until endof October so I guess we just wait and see.

The Mercedes you will be amused to know is still in the garage being fixed and the cost of the repairs is currently about two times what weactually paid for the car. Stephen and his luck with cars continuesbut it keeps him happy and me somewhat amused and exasperated at thesame time.

I am well. Life here is pretty good apart from the expense of things. I now have a pretty good circle of friends and our social lives arepretty busy. I don't think I have watched so much sport in my life but it always seems like a good excuse to go to the pub! We had our four year anniversary last week and went to a nice restaurant and then stayed the night at a hotel in the City. We obviously drank too much,got back too late and then returned to our children more exhausted than ever. One day we will learn our lesson!

We had a big Christmas in July party recently so that Stephen could have his cold Christmas celebration. It was a fabulous night and reminded me of the old TW nights. You were all sorely missed!

Other than that, no real news. We continue to think of you all oftenand wonder what you are all up to. We are all so terribly excited about our return trip that seems to be getting very close now..

See you soon

Rachel