Thursday, September 10, 2009

Dante at Ballina

Mornings with Grandma on the River
The Dolphins Ally found and Dante saw!


Kissing cousins..
Telling daddy a good joke

Checking the tide with Grandad



Helping Mummy find the best shells

Watching the tide come in on Grandma's riverside.

Reading a story to Grandad before bedtime.

Checking out Grandma's crabbing spot.

Saying goodbye at Cooloongatta Airport.

Four generations - Dante, Ally, Gemma and Thelma

The Paolino's outside Cafe Aqua looking back to Surfers Paradise.

The coffee break at Byron Bay.


Beyond Excitement - the trip in Grandad's boat.



Well I think the most exciting thing Dante did in Ballina was go for a ride in Grandad's boat. He was beyond excited - the little video tells the story. He slept well that night!

We did many trips to the beach and dined at Shelleys and at Pelican 128. We drove up to see my Mum at Southport and to take the compulsory four generation photos. Mum was in good form and we had a lovely session with her.

We had some quiet mornings on the riverside while the others slept and we had some great family feasts. Most days we went down to the beach and walked along the wall. Dante quickly sighted the dolphins and was able to see new sightings quickly.

Dante loved playing in the sand but wanted someone else to go and put the water in his bucket! He was excited about the crabs in the river here at Crowley but not so interested in the many pelicans and seagulls that were constants. It was lovely for me to walk him over the road to sit by the river and watch him explore along the river bank in safety while his parents had a sleep in.

A visit from cousin Billy Bellenger was great fun and it was lovely to see the two boys together. They seem to enjoy each others company and vie for the attention of their grandma and grandad. They both like their food so it is always easy to keep them occupied. they are both active but gentle little boys and I am so looking forward to seeing LJ again and getting three little boys in perspective before the next babies come along!

Another major enjoyment for Dante was to drive up to Southport in 'Grandad's truck'. He only got to get in the truck (the Discovery) on the last day but it was a wonderful day with morning tea at Byron Bay and lunch at Southport and afternoon tea at Marina Mirage. It was a long fun day and we all behaved. We dropped the Paolino's off at the Coolongatta airport and Bill and I were home in bed by the time their plane took off for Canberra.

It was a lovely visit. Monica and Steve - you are next!!















3 comments:

Trish said...

The video captured it all...good idea. We are in Nebraska this week. Looking forward to seeing you all in a few weeks.

Lincoln Jed said...

Loving the video footage! I am so jealous, I can't wait to we get over to Balina.Ally, Joe and Dante and Claire and family - how lucky are you! Looking forward to seeing Ljs grandparents soon, Francis, Jess and family in October, MOnica in NOvember and Claire, Allan and family in December - Ally and Joe - you are on notice!!

Lincoln Jed said...

and how could I forget Aunty Shae (the favourite Aunty for all of those you haven't visited recently) in October x