Family catch-up in Sydney..(Lots and lots of Ben photos...indulge me)

Flew up to Sydney on Thursday evening...Thought I'd be clever and go via Melbourne so the flight times were better...didn't really work as there were delays and I missed my connecting flight...so lost time in the end...Oh well..worth a try.

After a cosy sleep at Libby and Tim's I set out on the train to Ashfield to visit Pa.

Delighted to see him looking so well. He invited me over to new Coffee shop and Jess, Aaron and Ben arrived too...what a treat! 

Ben is so close to walking independently...and loves to keep on the go..

Pa was so on the ball with conversation topics...such a joy

We go back to Pa's 'digs' and Ben has a wonderful game chasing a ball around the floor

 We say our goodbyes and Aaron drives us to The Grounds at Alexandria for lunch..

Ben enjoys seeing 'Kevin Bacon' 

Love the pastry display

Love this boy

 Jess, Aaron and Ben head back to Kenthurst as Aaron's mum's flight has been delayed due to bad weather on Sunshine Coast..
I catch the train to Strathfield where Chris picks me up.
We go over to Rookwood to drop of paperwork for inscription on Ma's headstone..
We manage to dodge the rain and visit Genevieve's gravesite...I have not been here before.
Very moving....Chris Sprinkles rose petals collected from Becky's garden..

Then we visit Ma...strangely comforting...

Back to Libby's and we enjoy a lovely Thai takeaway dinner, lovely conversation...then have an early night

Saturday, after a lovely breakie and amazing tour of Tim's office/workshop to see what he is working on...dear Libby drops me out to Parramatta so I can meet up with Lucy and Paul.
We drop Paul home then Lucy treats me to an early Mother's Day high tea at Dural..
So so lovely..

 We have our own little alcove all to ourselves...Thanks Lucy

 Made even cosier by the pelting rain outside our window..

We are excited to hear that Jess , Aaron and Ben are on the way over for the evening

 Jess is looking wonderful at roughly 30 weeks...

 Lucy is delighted to have Ben try feeding her..

 Special time with my boy...

 Close up and personal...

 Lucy trots out some birthday pressies for Ben and he soon gets into the swing of things...

The unwrapping of my quilt

 And Ben is straight onto it..

 Gorgeous boy..

 Then he is off ....

 Back again..

 More pressies...

 Story time...

 Delights in book from Jane and Ali..

 Keeping and Eye on Lexie and Dally

 Exploring the Kitchen...

Ben is fed bathed and settled to bed.

We enjoy a delicious dinner...thanks Lucy and Paul...and have a wonderful evening together.

Sunday and the Party in the park is relocated to Kenthurst due to the rain..

Two of my gorgeous girls

 Jess is looking stunning at 30 weeks...

 Birthday boy all ready...

 Hard to get everyone looking at once...but these family portraits are beautiful..

 Aaron , Ben and Grandma Karen...

 What a darling face..

Heath has a go at Ben's didj...while Great Uncle Paul holds Ben

 Then Ben has a go..

Did I do it right Great Uncle Paul?

Our best attempt ....

 Cake time...

 Happy Birthday to you...

Dad gives a hand with the candles

 Yummo

A second slice ...

 Another attempt at a photo with Katie Nanna ..

 Presents time...

A wonderful boy...managing his birthday celebrations with no fuss.