Just saying Hi.... again!

Ok so I don't know what happen to my last post but I started writing the the title and then it decided that it wanted to post it just like that. Anyways I was cleaning my house today (as you do) and I came across the folder with all the past family ties in them. Of course now we get them sent out through email but it was really good to read some of the past newsletters! It made me ponder on the blessings I have received since being married. The joys and the sometimes sadness that we have all gone through the past years and how far we have all come. It really made me think about the most important things in life... FAMILY!! I love being part of a great and growing family who have taught me many things and helped me develop as a mum,wife and friend. As I did my VT yesterday there was a quote that really made an impression on me that I think can definitely be applied to us all... President Spencer W. Kimball explained, “We know that women who have deep appreciation for the past will be concerned about shaping a righteous future.” And so I love seeing how we all shape our futures as individuals and as a family!.... AND in saying that my news today is... We have been posted to HMAS Kuttabul in SYDNEY. Lucas is yet to send official documents to me so that I can organise moving but I think that we will be moving in the early March. Love to you all xox

p.s pictures are from Tilba when we went camping in Dalmeny.

Just saying Hi...

New Years Eve 2010

Hi Family,

Here are just some of the photos from our new years eve beach day. We had a great day with Tim and Jill and the kiddies at Rainbow Bay (our new default beach!). Its was perfect, with sunshine, waves and acrobatic wild dolphins. I really did feel blessed to surround by such beauty and great family! After a long day at the beach we all went back to Tim and Jill's for light dinner and then walks on the beach to watch the fireworks. We had thought about doing a bon fire on the beach but with 7 hyped up little children we thought that it wasn't a good mix! Anyways I just wanted to post something little and share this great talk from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland called "The Best is Yet to be" (http://lds.org/ensign/2010/01/the-best-is-yet-to-be?lang=eng). May we all look ahead and remember that Faith is always pointed toward the Future...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
xox

Merry Christmas

Just thought we'd send out a little Christmas cheer...besides, Ali couldn't stop laughing at Reef in this video!!!

Collingwood Week!

In response to the request set out to everyone by Joe, we thought that we would put pics of our own collingwood party! Lucas made the gingerbread men the day before the great win... can you guess who is who from the team?

Good Old Collingwood Forever

Speaking of neglect, as the last post did. I find it hard to believe that what should have been one of the biggest days for the Wolff family in the last 20 years has gone unrecorded on Wolff'n'Stuff! I guess what was a big day for some may not have been quite as big for others. The following video may help illustrate this...

HI EVERYONE

Kawehi and Ollie 2004 (just because)



Our blog has been very neglected in 2010. If it wasn't for Reef and his crazy antics, we would have nothing at all. The interesting thing is, when I look at the sitemeter I am always amazed to see that we still have visitors each and every day. I am also surprised when I click on location and see people who have visited from all over the world; Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Hungary, and India and the list goes on and on. Although I find all of the different visitors interesting, this blog was never meant for strangers from around the globe. It was meant to provide a way for us to record the more significant things that happen within our family, to help us all feel more connected to each other despite the distance apart. I am hoping we can get this back on track.

Reef the Skater Boy!

Reef would like to thank Train for the music and Caleb for the great camera work!

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Spidereef!

Got some footage of Reef crawling on the grass at Dalmeny and just had to do something with it!

The latest instalment of Reef

Almost 11 months old and lovin' his California Rolls!

ROBBIE'S NAVY GRADUATION

Earlier this month Robbie graduated from the Navy. Many family members were able to attend (including Mum, Dad, Grandpa, Josh, Debora, Caroline, Lizzie, Steven, Auntie Pat, Uncle Rob, Auntie Rae and Robbie's friend Bethany.) The ceremony was spectacular and patriotic feelings were in abundance.

WELL DONE ROBBIE!!

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about life, family, and happiness. I used to sit on the beach in Hawaii and watch the families having fun in the waves and on the beach. I remember thinking that I too would love to raise my kids in the salty sea air and water. So different from how I was raised in land-locked, bitter-cold Idaho. We have enjoyed our time on the Gold Coast and here in Cairns but we know it is time to move on. Although I will always prefer tropical weather; I have come to realize that being close to family is more important than the beach. Perhaps that is the definition of heaven- living in a beautiful (warm) place with family and good friends. Tim and I have decided that we are moving early next year; we are not quite sure where yet. Wherever it is we do know this-that it will be cold but close to family. We can't wait!

Pictures found here - http://adamapalmer.com/

Daffodils at Gordon

I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud
by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud,

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way. . . . .

This is our daffodil patch at Gordon. We have 150 planted – one day there will be a crowd just as Wordsworth saw.

Love, Dad.

Enlistment Ceremony

Forgot to add the photos of Robbies enlistment ceremony and the bus ride to the airport!

Recruit Robert Wolff

This is a video that I made for Robbie who has left for HMAS Cerberus yesterday to eventually become a Clearance Diver! We have had very upset little children in our house who really miss their best friend, 'Uncle Robbie'. So this is a video to show some of things that Clearance Divers do and the things that Robbie will be doing.

To all of the mums:

I Love Footy

Just wanted to say that I love being an AFL fan, in particular a Collingwood Fan! Such a great game!

The Machine, by Michael Roberts, tells the inside story of the great Collingwood side of 1927-30.
A freak piece of play

Some critics pointed to the St Kilda match at the Junction Oval as the game in which Collingwood might be tested. The conditions were bleak and the ground was caked with mud. Almost 30,000 people turned out to watch a “gloriously sustained struggle on a horrible day”.

St Kilda led by five points at half-time, the Magpies by one point at the last change. Late in the match it appeared as if the home side would become the first to knock the Magpies off their perch in 1929. Then, just when all looked lost for the Pies, a freak piece of play made it seem as if fate was playing its part in the Collingwood streak.

Gordon Coventry, well held for most of the day, gathered a loose ball just before the final bell. Almost simultaneously he copped a bump from St Kilda’s full-back Ernie Loveless, and tried to kick the ball in the direction of goal. The bump “shook Coventry to his foundations”, while the ball miraculously made contact with the side of his left boot and trickled through for a goal, to give the Magpies the game by four points. Ever the gentleman, the self-effacing Coventry all but apologised to his opponent, saying, “It was one of the flukes of the game.”

In keeping with [club president Harry] Curtis’s pre-season pledge to aim for records, Gordon Coventry booted an individual record of 16 goals in a game against a hapless Hawthorn before a deliriously happy Victoria Park crowd. He bagged four goals in the first five minutes and an astounding eight in the first quarter, to set him up to break the decade-old record of 14 kicked by South Melbourne’s Harold Robertson. ‘Nuts’ broke the old mark in the last quarter and was then congratulated off the ground by friends and foes alike. Even the umpire shook Coventry’s hand. Another to shake his hand in the rooms was John Wren, the club’s occasional benefactor, who slipped a 50-pound note into Coventry’s enormous palm. That was a huge sum of money in those dark times.

The only fear for those within the club was that the team could “go stale” late in the season, as they had in the previous year.

There were, however, no signs of staleness when the club ended the regular season with an emphatic 56-point win over Melbourne in front of 41,316 fans. It was the first and only time a team has gone through a home-and-away season undefeated, and seemingly the perfect entrée into the finals.


Sorry Saints! Better Luck next time!

Mr. Romance

Tim and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on August 1st. It was a very memorable night. We got dressed up and went out sans kids which is always a treat. Tim had been shopping earlier in the day and carried a parcel on our way out. He wanted to wait to give it to me when the timing was just right. I am skilled in the art of sussing out what contents a package holds and ascertained that it was most definitely a book. But what book? I imagined a book of famous love poems or a book filled with the world's most romantic locations (I love travel books with beautiful pictures).

We pulled up to our favourite restaurant and Tim turned to me and said, "I think its time." He handed me my gift, I was giddy with excitement. I carefully opened the parcel and looked down to discover that yes it was a book...but not exactly the book I was expecting:

I was surprised to say the least. At this point many wives may have: a]exploded in a volcanic rage or b] fallen into a sullen stupor speaking only in grunts and sighs for the rest of the evening.

I did neither. Yes I was surprised, maybe even a little disappointed, but I know Tim well enough after 12 years to know that his heart was well-intentioned. That he truly thought this book would be something I would love.

I did have to laugh (and tried not to take it personal) when I read the subtitle: "Anyone Can Learn to Cook in 24 Hours" and also when I flipped through the book to find it peppered with real-life stories of no-hopers in the kitchen who had used this book and turned their lives around.

It turns out the book is fantastic! Filled with delicious and easy recipes. We have already tried 6 recipes from its pages this past week. . .actually 5 (one was so good we made it twice). Tim and I have both been cooking up a storm and it has been so much fun.

Throughout the week we have purchased new kitchen utensils and filled our pantry with new ingredients. We have even been inspired to start a herb garden (it gets expensive buying fresh herbs all the time). We have enjoyed spending time together curled up on the couch flipping through the pages deciding what we will try next.

If anyone is looking for romantic gift ideas talk to Tim he will definitely steer you in the right direction.

yearbookyourself.com

found this absolutely funny website called yearbookyourself.com where you kinda photoshop yourself in these pre-made photo outlines. We all had a turn but Lucas just seemed to have the right face shape for this. So we just wanted to share the photos... especially the one that looks like TIM! we will let you be the judge of which one.. haha!

Brady

After Spencer was born, Tim and I decided that our family was complete. A family with three children made sense. No need to upgrade our car or our house. We were devastated when I discovered that I was expecting baby #4. I know this may sound crazy but we felt sorry for our fertile selves. Brady Malia arrived on July 25th 2007. Its as if she knew she would have to win our hearts and she set about doing so with loving determination. It worked! We all adore her and can't imagine our family without this little cherub.

A MESSAGE FROM DAD

Last Sunday was Allegra's blessing. Mum, Maggie and I, Steven, Laura, Chloe and Emily, Heidi, Paul and Lola all drove up on Saturday and stayed overnight with Josh, Debora and family. Everyone fit so well into the house that it didn’t seem crowded at all. Sunday morning Joe, Ali, Reef and Lizzie drove over from Albury to Finley Chapel for the blessing. The day was sunny, calm and cool; it hardly seemed like winter at all. Josh blessed Allegra with the help of Joe, me, Richard Butler and some of the local priesthood while Debora was asked to bear her testimony which she did very sincerely and well. Allegra was very calm and didn't say anything at all. As you can see from the photos she is short, round and squishy. *

After church everyone including just about the whole Finley Branch came back to the “Wolff’s Den” for a spit roast barbecue. There was plenty of food and it was a just a great Finley feed and get together. Finley branch has always been noted for it’s hospitality and friendliness. The last person left as the sunset. Finley branch has 70+ active members and they include lawyers, wheat and sheep farmers, dairy farmers, clerks, retired people, people who fled the big city, one lady is a shire councilor. There is even an itinerant writer, who has a beard, a masters in lit. ,few possessions, rides around on a push bike with handle bars and lives alone; a bit like Henry Thoreau on Walden Pond.

Most of the family left on Sunday afternoon. Steven was feeling sick and left early; next morning the doctor told him he has swine flu.

Mum, Maggie and I stayed on Sunday night because now that I am retired I don’t have such a strict schedule. Yes! I finally applied to the superannuation fund for my life savings and we are going to move to Gordon to live in a caravan and shed (not yet built) while our dream country farmhouse is built.

Note: my life savings will last 12 months if we are careful. For the past 3 months since I stopped work I have been busy painting and fixing the house in Seaford to make it pleasant and comfortable to live in. You might appreciate that next week the roof will be insulated.

I have planted a veggie garden and built a chook house that now is home to six brown hens. I spent a lot of time standing at the chook pen studying chook family psychology – perhaps I will write a book about them in my retirement. All this is a preparation for our move to Gordon. We are looking at planting a berry orchard because the climate and soil seems to be suitable.

I must add a few words in support of the prophets’ exhortations over the years, for us to put away 12 months supply of food and other daily consumables. In the last two years Mum has been actively buying wheat, rice, spelt, all sorts of other dried foods, cans of tomatoes and fruit, beans, dates, nuts, toothpaste, toilet rolls, toothpaste, soaps, cleaning chemicals and I have been grinding flour and making bread etc. Since I was made redundant we have been drawing heavily on these supplies and yet there seems hardly any reduction in our stores. We have consequently been able to live very cheaply and we have no concerns about shortage of food – we could last for many months more on the basic foods in our store.

To prepare for retirement I have been able to get a casual teaching position, for one day a week, with the Box Hill Institute. I am going to night school to study a Cert IV subject “Training and Assessment” which is the minimum qualification required. Next Wednesday is my first teaching day and I have to tell you I am scared – but I have to try it.

Love,
Dad

*More pictures are on their way-check back later

MY FIRST SNOW TRIP

Mummy, Daddy and Aunty Lizzie took me up to the snow for the first time ever in my whole entire life. It was a whole lot of fun. We got to ride in a snow cat (that's a kind of a big van on tracks instead of wheels) up to our Lodge. We stayed at the Nelse Lodge and it was really nice. Everyone was so friendly and you can ski right from the front door, down to the chair lift that takes you up to the top of the mountain. That's where all the big people went everyday. I had to stay in the lodge most of the time because I still had a little bit of a cold from the week before but everyday I went for a walk with either Mummy or Daddy down to Falls Express to get lunch. My Daddy was snowboarding and he's getting really good. He can almost make it down to the bottom without falling over and Mummy and Aunty Lizzie must be good at skiing by now because the man who runs the park gave them free private lessons...and free beanies but they felt bad and went back and paid for those.

Mummy hurt her knee skiing so I got to spend the next whole day with her. She's ok now but it meant she couldn't ski the rest of the trip. She felt a bit sad but says that we live so close we'll just go back another day. The Lodge also had a heated pool and a hot spa and Mummy and Aunty Lizzie made the most of that on our last night. The food at the lodge was excellent...of course I wouldn't really know because I still only drink milk but that's what the big people kept saying.

So that was my first trip to the snow. I had a great time and can't wait 'til I get a bit bigger and can be one of those Milo kids skiin' around up on the mountain. I wish everyone could've been there. It was really great fun. Hopefully one day we can all go up there together and have even more fun!

Schnappi Reef

First Friday Interview: Josh

What is your favourite colour?

Although unoriginal, blue is and has always been my favourite colour.

What is your favourite city?

Being the least travelled member of the family, (MTC in Hamilton, NZ doesn't count) my world view is very limited. However, without hesitation, my favourite city in Australia is Fremantle, WA. There is something about the contrast of the bright blue Indian Ocean with the earthy sandstone buildings, shady parks, and ocean breeze every afternoon that soothe and relax me. Because of the glitz and lights of the Gold Coast (and of course the great beaches and perfect climate) I remain proudly fond of my former home city despite its undeserved reputation.

What is your favourite thing to cook?

I don't cook nor do I enjoy cooking; why should I, Debora is a great cook and she loves to cook. I admit to being a fan of Masterchef and while my cooking skills have not increased, I am great at critiquing the contestants' dishes.

What beauty product can you not live without?

Minoxidil (hair loss treatment) I choose to believe it works.

What is your favourite restaurant?

The breakfast buffet at Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast.

What is one thing you can't help but splurge on?

I don't have any discretionary money to splurge. I do, however, splurge on Debora's desserts and puddings.

What is your favourite word?

At the moment, Allegra.

What is your favourite thing to do on the weekend?

Kick the footy with Isaak and Sariah in the backyard, chop wood for the fireplace, watch Collingwood on T.V. and then maybe a DVD with Debora at night curled up in front of the fire. That pretty much describes my typical weekend.

What TV show makes you the happiest?

Seinfeld still makes me laugh.

What is your favourite sport to participate in?

Beach Cricket.

What is one trend that totally victimized you?

The whole decade of 2000, with the move to tight fitted jeans and shirts does not agree with my body shape. I still dress the same as I did in the 90's, thankfully I wear suits 6 out of 7 days of the week.

If you could trade lives with anyone for a day, who would you choose?

Robbie. He lives such a carefree and stress-free life; go to the gym, go to the beach, spur of the moment decision to go to Japan, and not responsible for or answerable to anyone.

What is your favourite comfort food?

Pudding.

What celebrity do you most resemble?

It has been a natural digression over the last decade or so. Before the mission, some people would tell me that I looked a bit like Brad Pitt. Later I was told I looked a bit like Shane Warne. The latest: Ethan Suplee. You know him as the overweight dimwitted brother on My Name is Earl. Thanks to Tim and Jill for that one!

What three things are your most treasured (material) possessions?

Lord of the Rings DVDs 1, 2, & 3 extended versions with additional bonus material.

What three things are your most treasured (non-material) possessions?

Of course, Isaak, Sariah, and Allegra.

What do you usually have for breakfast?

Grapefruit juice and toast. Often on saturday Debora whips up a cooked breakfast.

What is your favourite childhood memory?

Freedom at Dalmeny, the challenge of walking to Potato Point, scrounging $2 to buy chips with chicken salt from the chicken shop across the road at Dalmeny.

Thanks Josh!!

Post-script: We do not believe that Josh bears any resemblance to "Randy Hickey" this comment was taken completely out of context. On the scale of Brad Pitt being 10 and Earl's brother being 1 he is definitely a 9.