Winter Wonderland Dance

We had our ward conference activity this evening and it was a pretty awesome dance for the entire ward. Pippa and I had been roped into decorating and went with an old school "Back to the Future" style and we loved it. The youth had made a cute Winter Wonderland sign and we put it up along one wall. They had also made giant clouds, but they were a bit of a disaster, as try as we did, they really just wouldn't hang very well on the walls.

The lanterns had us laughing so hard, there was a wire running along the wall, each side of the hall. I used that wire to run lines and lines of fishing line across the hall from one side to the other, with the wire holding them in place as an anchor. Of course, as I finished the last tie off, the wire pulled out from one wall and they all fell. I could have screamed. Instead, we picked them all up, threw out all the lines away, and hung the lanterns around the edge of the room instead. Still good. 

With a balloon garland as you enter...

and a completely umbrella covered stage front (a courtesy loan from Madeline's jazz troupe) we were almost done...

Until our bishop turned up to help us set up and found all the pieces which had torn off the foil curtains and been thrown in a pile... next minute he's out them all out nicely around the candles. Perfect touch!

It was a great night, full of very loud music, good food and a lot of laughs.

I love our ward family. ❤

The best part?! A photo booth with instant pics. We had THE best time with it! So many laughs.

anzac day 2018

anzac day means so much to me (and many other australians and new zealanders). it's the day that we remember those who fought (and still fight) to keep this wonderful country free.

we had an awesome ward activity at livvi's place in the morning (an amazing park in brabham right by dougs parents house. it's gated, made around natural landscapes... and it has a flying fox, which even has a seat with a harness for smaller or less able children) 

our bishopric organised cooked breakfast, with bread, sausages, bacon, eggs... fruit and of course, anzac biscuits (because as i reminded them over and over, what is anzac day without the biscuits?!)

our little monkey enjoying his breakfast.

it was a great morning, spent with our ward family, remembering those who helped this country be what it is today ♥

ward talent night

a ward talent night? i haven't seen one of those since i was a kid and certainly can't remember actually participating in one. haha. so when it was announced and i thought i had better set a good example and sign up to do something... i can sing, but that didn't seem to be exciting me as for once i wanted to do something challenging. so flute it was! 

i learned to play the flute when i was 10 at primary school and played it up until my final years at high school, but haven't really played it too much since, other than busting it out on the odd occasion to see if it still worked.

so maddy (pictured above) and i did an arrangement of "did you think to pray?" and it was fun! i am so glad i did it and feel inspired to practice more in the future. :)

vintage ball...

last night was the dianella ward vintage ball
it all began after the purchase of this fabulous dress for $10 from winifred and bance in inglewood a few months ago...

when murray and valerie - our ward activities chairpeople were looking for activities - this popped into my head. vintage ball. i could already see the dress in all it's glory.
add a $2 pair of shoes from st vinnies in osborne park and a pair of fishnet stockings from my local woolies?? priceless!

my parents joined us - as the photographer (you can't see from the pic - but he has a card tucked in the hat with "press" written on it - ready to capture the latest stories!) and his able assistant - who provided us with our vintage items for the corner - and of course... did my hair. what a gem.

doug wasn't well - so taui filled in as my "date", har har har, which basically consisted of keeping me entertained as the night went on and on and onnnnnn
twas a fun night for all...
and the dress? awesome.