Back home and settling in

Leigh-on-Sea
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Yep, we are back home safe and sound.  Its absolutely superb.

The flight was all fairly uneventful, we managed to scrape in on the baggage allowance, and had fun at Gatwick airport getting the bags to the car with 2 tired kids in tow.  It was such a relief to walk in the front door of our house and be home.

Matthew is absolutely loving being back, his face slowly lit up as we went indoors, he had definitely forgot about home, but slowly slowly he is beginning to slot back in.  The first night back him and Lloyd both cried a heck of a lot, think the jet lag had got to them.  But last night (Tuesday) Matthew walked upstairs on his own about 8pm and put himself to bed!  Matthew loved seeing everyone, including "Grandad" whom he wouldnt let go of when we went out together.  He is also loving his toys, and the freedom of the house and garden.

Last piccy of the kids in Vegas
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Lloyd is good, he is exploring all his new found toys, and starting to get used to having a cot and sleeping in a room on his own during the day.  I've noticed he is sleeping for longer, probably because he has more peace and quiet.

We have caught up with lots of friends and family, and it has been fantastic.  Matthew has definitely changed, he is a lot more self-assured, and adventurous.  Its good to see this new confident little boy, and I shall do all I can to promote it.  I think the holiday will have an impact on Matthew for many years to come.

Grandad and Matthew at the Circus
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We are still in a state of chaos re the house, there are clothes everywhere, the house is in dire need of a spring clean, and the garden looks like a jungle.  Steve has been very busy clearing up outside, so we are starting to make a dent.  Ive just been visiting friends/family!!!  Surprisingly its not too dusty, and the cobwebs are hidden in the beauty of living in a 1930's house!

I'll put some photos on by the weekend, havent found the camera yet.  Thanks everyone for reading my blog, I hope you've enjoyed it.  We have had the best time of our lives, and for my part it has definitely been a life-changing experience.  I appreciate my life in essex and my friends/family so much more now, and have a pile of memories of my kids to look back on for many years to come.  I am also determined that some of the lifestyle we have been living whilst away will be transitioned back to our lives at home, and we dont fall back into the rat race too much.

The lift home
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And the highlights of my trip.  Well, I think the top highlight for me was visiting my family in Albany, Australia, right back at the start of the trip.  Their kindness and warmth was unbelievable, and well, they are just really nice people, and Im proud they are part of my family.  We will be visiting them again soon, if they will have us of course!  The other highlights have of course been Fiji, and the wonderful people of Fiji that we met there.  Again we shall be visiting soon.  New Zealand was spectacular, the day we spent in Abel Tasman park really sticks out for me, and also when in the USA I really enjoyed our few days at Zion National Park.

Its good to be home, for those of you that are travelling, or about to travel then have fun and enjoy it.  If you arent travelling then take a look around and you will see that there is a richness of life right in front of you, just grab it and hold on tight.

Goodbye for now.