Mackie turns 18 !!

 Liza made some wonderful birthday things like cupcakes to celebrate.

Chris's birthday lunch at The Botanica

 

Elna's 50th birthday dinner

An absolutely amazing Indian meal at Delhi O' Delhi in Newtown.

Happy 50th birthday dear Jo

My birthday video

An amazing life map by Mikaela

Festivities

From Jo:

"Turning 50 is not so bad when you feel so loved and spoilt by so many amazing people!!  3 night breakaway to my favourite apartment block in Kalk Bay, champagne breakfast at Simon’s, baby tea friends for cocktails and cake on our balcony overlooking the harbour below, and a magical super full moon swim tonight x"

Posters Jo made for her party

Mum's 75th birthday

 

Hi there mum

Happy, happy birthday.  What a wonderful milestone. A great opportunity to reflect on the full and meaningful life you've lived so far and look forward to the years ahead. Thank you for being such a wonderful mum, I honestly couldn't have asked for a better one.  It's not a surprise that you're so loved by your all your family and life-long friends. It comes from being the beautiful, generous, loving person you are.  Hope you have a wonderful, special day.

Love

G

Martin's 65th birthday party at the park

 

Xenia 50th birthday party

 

Xenia 50th birthday

 

Jilly's birthday

 

Nic birthday

 

Mack's 15th birthday

I can't believe darling Mackie is 15. What a champion terrier he is. So wonderful that he's still going so strong.

My birthday dinner

Mike's birthday dinner

Mum's 70th birthday

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Dear mum

Happy birthday!  Happy 70 years young.

I feel so blessed to have you as my mum.  You have always been such a vital force in my life. Always there to talk to. Always ready to listen. Always ready to encourage. And always there to support us and love us no matter what.  

You've inspired me in so many ways ...
- your extraordinary, amazing, incredible  generosity of spirit
- your readiness to help anyone in need
- your warm heartedness and natural friendliness
- your resilience in the tough times
- the way you value and nurture your friendships
- your common sense
- your delicious cooking
- your being the most adoring, doting Granny in the world
- your readiness to learn new computer tricks
- your enthusiasm for all you get involved in
- and so much more

What a journey life is - a winding path of ups and downs; joys, adventures and challenges.  Thank you for the vital role you've played on my journey; for starting me on it, for teaching me to walk and run and climb, for encouraging and helping me on the uphills, for contributing to the joys and sharing in the wonders along the way.  Thank you for being the best mum I could ever ask for.  Thank you for being You.

Love
G

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Dear mum

There is no way I can really capture everything that has happened in your 70 years in one book but I hope that this gift gives you a small taste of all that you have achieved and experienced.  I have loved making it and reliving some of my favourite childhood memories.

We are all truly blessed to have you in our lives.  You have always been there to support me, both physically and emotionally -  in person and over the phone and, of course, via Whats App!  You are always ready to drop anything to come to the rescue if there is a crisis.

The first thing that stands out for me is your amazing baking - there was always a batch of crunchies at the ready when we got home from school (and recently your winning choc chip cookies) - and the way you always got involved with my school fetes.

I still remember those amazing teddies in a bed you used to make and the incredible dolls clothes you sewed for me.  That suitcase of dolly clothes is still one of my best presents ever received.

It has to be said that the parties you threw for G and I were the best.  Everyone with their own glitter crown and party box with their names on.  Let’s not forget my magical butterfly cakes that I asked you to make year after year.

Thank you for the incredible newsy letters that kept me going throughout my overseas trips and for all the special holidays you have taken us on.

Thank you for loving my children and being such a softie and spoiling them. I love that you are the best mother-in-law to Antony and an incredible friend to Liz, Wendy, Judy, and Barbara to name a few.

I am so proud that you are always pitching in and getting involved whether it be on the Woodsider Magazine, bar duty, project Daphne or making soup for whoever needs it in your neighbourhood.

I am so glad that you got to find happiness a second time after dad died.  You had inner strength that was inspirational to all of us.

I wish you all the health, happiness, love, laughter, sunshine and roses for the next chapter of your life.  Know that you are loved very much and you mean the world to us.

With all my love
Jo

 

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Jilly's birthday celebration at The Botanica

Happy 14th birthday, Matt

Written by Jo:

Happy 14th birthday to Matthew who always keeps me on my toes and in stitches of laughter with his sense of humour. Thanks for always being around for my technical support of all things phone and computer related and for keeping me up to date with the latest hip music!! Love you madly!!

Yogi's birthday

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Hi Yogi

Thanks for all the discussions, shared experiences, belly laughs, and invaluable support

Thanks for your priceless friendship.

We’ve solved it again !

G

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Hi Yogi

Hopefully you will have received or will shortly receive my birthday gift of 3 books.

I'm not sure if you've got them already on Kindle, but if you do, no worries, you can redeem them for Amazon gift funds that can be used to buy something else.  I can give you a hand with this if you need.

Never tried Amazon gifting before, let's hope it all works :)

Happy birthday,
G


Hi Graeme,

Just got what I thought was it - The Power of Now - & it loaded effortlessly & perfectly into my PC Kindle.  Fabulous.

About to email thanks -  & got the other two.  Just fantastic.  A great present mate - & it will be SO useful in our projects.  Just perfect.  Thank you so much!.

Cheers Yogi OOO

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Les Quatre Mousquetaires  (avec our official mascot, Big Mac),

We've done it again!  We're a legend in our own time - 4 months in a row now.

Thank you comrades for the day & your beautiful messages. Mac's is a very wise, if cryptic - "Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof".  It's obviously a double entendre - He's telling me I repeat often myself & also, just to speak my own truth.  Eckhart would love it.

I am overjoyed - & over whelmed - & overfed!  And it's not over yet. Move over Porthos!

Wonderful photos again Graeme - thank you.

And to our official scribe Aimee, thank you for such a superb lifetime memento of our mighty band

Four (& a half) cheers!!!
Yogi OXO

Happy birthday collage from Jo

Happy birthday to the best brother ever. Thanks for all the memories and special times we have shared. Have a fantastic day today!