XMAS

Christmas Picnic

Today the girls got to go to another picnic - much the same as last year although it was really hot and they didn't get to enjoy all the rides that they normally do. They didn't seem to notice and were happy to see Santa and receive a present each.

The Great Escape

It's great being Courtney. She got to go to Adventure World on Friday for big Brooke's birthday party and then she got to go to the Great Escape on Saturday - for more water slides and fun.

Brooke is still hesitant in trying out the waterslides. We are thinking next year she will be all for them. Brooke did manage to climb all the way to the top of the "spiders web", which was really good because it was the best vantage point to watch the fireworks.

The Talent Show

The girls made the final of the talent show at their school. We're all very proud of them - two sisters working together to put on an act which they basically designed from the ground up. Aside from Mum doing all the run around for costumes, the girls did all the hard work themselves.

They were a little nervous but we think Mum and Dad were worse.



At the end of the day, they didn't win the contest but they are very happy with their efforts.

Photo of the Year

Classic! Poor Marcus - obviously getting a lot of sympathy.



Big news of the week is that the girls have made the final of the talent quest at school - it's on Thursday.

Beach House

Another Busy Week

The girls have had another very busy week. Most importantly, Cameron and Uncle Scott came to visit as they were collecting their new car. The girls love "the bus" as it has a movie screen in the back and big couches to sit on - Honestly, you have to see it in real life to believe it.



Brooke and Cam spent hours searching for every rolly bug in Pa's garden - we think they might have caught most of them - and they were last seen in a jar, heading to Karratha.

The kids also helped Grandma put up the Christmas tree.

The Brisbane

Dad took the girls to the The Brisbane Hotel whilst he caught up with some friends from overseas. Brooke was asked if it was her first time at the pub, to which she replied "No, we go all the time"

Honestly, it's not that often...

Hillarys

The Talent Quest

The primary school that the girls go to has a talent quest a couple of times a year. The girls have decided to enter together - they are dancing to the song Six White Boomers. The first round of auditions went well and now they are on the hunt for a singer to join them.

Mackenzie's Visit

Lily has left and now Mackenzie is in town for a few days - keeping everyone on their toes. She is just like her neice and pretending that she does not want to talk to anyone expcept her Mum.

We hope the girls will get around after school to say hello.

Lily's Visit

Historical Moment

Barack Obama is elected President of the United States of America.

A school Fair

Somehow, the girls became aware of another Primary School holding a fair down the road, so we just had to go. Courtney had a ride on the rodeo bull and Brooke could not pass on a ride on a real horse. The favourite of the day was the horizontal bungee jump.

Nana and Grandad have returned from their trip overseas and the girls are very happy to have them home again.

CJ's letter to Santa (pre edit)

DEAR SANTA,

thack you for last years presnts.yesterday i founed out that my casens are not caming this year im so sad. i have been good this year. i hop you came to my nanas house.by-by from courtney crane.

Can i plese have....

four willer roller skats,an arts and crafs set,a JUST TRIKING book by andy gifesand a litter from you....PLESE.

Clubs

The Royal Show 2008

The Zoo

Pa and Grandma took the girls to the zoo. Sound like everyone had a great time.

This Weekend

The school term has come to an end and not a moment too soon for the girls, they are worn out and getting a little ratty.

Yesterday Courtney got out an old go-kart and cleaned it up. It has become her most favourite thing of the week, unfortunately the go-kart was built for a child up to about 5 years of age - we will see how long it lasts.

Brooke went with Grandma and Pa to Araluen to see the water falls and the flowers.

Today they girls had a play date at a friends house and then we went bike riding and go-karting at the duck park. Brooke is getting very close to riding her big bike by herself... and Dad is getting very good at running along side, breaking his back.

No plans really for the weeks ahead - Maybe the Royal Show on Wednesday...

What to say?

Hi everybody its me Courtney…….on the crane girls we do not know what to say any more. so I thought you can tell us   

Wall E

Dad and the girls went to the movies today and watched Wall E. Tonight CJ is cooking dinner and dessert - she is very excited.

First Place

Yesterday Brooke ran the 100 meters at the interschool carnival and she came FIRST. She was so happy with herself, and rightly so. Pa, Aunty Kirstie, Mum and Dad were pretty chuffed as well.

Another Catchup

On the weekend the girls and Dad sat down and worked out most of the things that have happened over the last few weeks.

The girls did swimming lessons at school, CJ is in level 7 and Brooke level 4. Both of the girls seem to like swimming but there is a lot of protest each day when they are asked how they went. Apparently it is boring and they don’t learn anything.

The school carnival went really well. Brooke came first in her race and is now in the interschool carnival at the end of the week. Courtney came second in her race. They both really liked the running races.

The girls and Mum have moved house. They are looking after Nana and Grandad’s house while they are overseas. After that, they will all be looking for a new place and Courtney has not given up on her desire to have a two storey house – good luck to her.



The girls have found out that early next year they will have a baby boy cousin to dote over. His name is Xavier and everyone is looking forward to meeting him – especially Aunty Kirstie and Uncle Peter.

Brooke had one of her adult teeth break through behind her baby tooth. The little tooth was not ready to let go by itself so she went to the dentist and they used “the sucker” to pull out the little tooth.

On things medical, Brooke has been to the doctor to have some of her warts burnt off and CJ had to have an ultrasound on her kidney – Nothing to worry about.

For Father’s Day the girls gave Dad a puff ball and a beanie kids teddy bear for him to put on his desk at work.

The girls are doing a public speaking assignment at school. CJ is talking about Ultrasounds and Xrays and Brooke is talking about her three favourite animals - Harry the hairless horse, the painting horse and the worlds smallest horse.

Aside from all that the girls have been happy, healthy and spend most of their free time with their noses in their Nintendos. Bring on Spring (for real) so we can get outdoors.

It’s been a while so Dad had the girls sit a survey again;

Courtney -
Favourite Food : Mum’s fried rice
Favourite Drink : Pink lemonade
Favourite Book : Just Tricking by Andy Griffiths
Favourite School Subject : Clubs (group excercises)
Favourite Colour : Black and Red
Favourite Football Team : Richmond Tigers
Best Friend : Lane
Oldest Memory : Putting pegs on Chloe
What do you want to be when you grow up : Writer

Brooke -
Favourite Food : McDonalds
Favourite Drink : Coke
Favourite Book : Fairies
Favourite School Subject : Art
Favourite Colour : Purple
Favourite Football Team : Fremantle Dockers
Best Friend : Kennedy
Oldest Memory : Raining – with Courtney felt a splash going through a puddle.
What do you want to be when you grow up : Animal Rescuer

Election Result

State Election was held on this day. Colin Barnett defeated Alan Carpenter and eventually became the Premier of Western Australia, after forming a coalition with the National Party.

Lots of News

Over the last week a lot has happened in the girls world - most of it Dad missed because he was in Karratha.

Nana and Grandad have headed off on their holiday after some last minute hiccups, hopefully they are having a wonderful time.

Brooke went to the dentist and had a pesky tooth pulled. One of her baby teeth had hung in for far too long and the adult tooth was growing in behind it. We hope that things straighten themselves out now there is some room to move.

Courtney had her learning journey at school - Mum and Pa got to see all her great work.

Brooke won her 200 meter race at school and is very happy with herself.

The girls demanded to be woken at 5:30am this mornign to watch the luna eclipse - amazingly they made it through the day - they even went to a baby expo with Uncle Peter and Aunty Kirstie and did not have a melt down.

Mum and the girls have moved into Nana and Grandad's house whilst they are away.

Scitech

On the weekend the girls got to go to Scitech again. Courtney was stoked when she was asked to go on stage and help with the demonstration. She got a little more concerned when she found out her job was to try and blow up a ballon until it burst.

As always, the girls had a great time although we're not sure if they learnt anything.

Time to catch up

A lot has been happening over the last month. The girls and just about everyone they know have had some sort of cold or flu which has kept us all rugged up at home from time to time.

The biggest and best news is that the girls are going to get a new cousin. Aunty Kirstie is pregnant, expecting in the new year - so we're sure the girls will be very helpful little hands to have around.



After the school holidays, Mum took the girls for a few days of holiday down in Busselton. The girls had a ball - even though it was very wet and the chalet park they were staying in flooded a little.









Chloe has been back to the vet and had another operation - but as you can see, she still thinks she is human.



In general the girl have been their normal selves. When they do not have their noses jammed into a Nintendo, they are happy little young ladies.