Hi Em,
Hope you have been having a lovely birthday! This is just a few more comments from me that I didn't make this morning (before rushing off to church :) ).
I have uploaded the photo of the presents and you can see an Easter egg in there as well. That was for Easter sorry but still hadn't posted it - sorry about that!! I'll post it with the others.
The other news I wanted to tell you was that my old friend, Alex, passed away last Sunday, 20th May at 7.50am. It is a bit sad but he had a wonderful long life of 102 years and he died peacefully in his sleep.His funeral was at St Andrews on the Friday morning just gone and it was a wonderful service. It was taken by Rev Graeme Kerr, who was a student of Alex's when Graeme was a school student. The church was full and the singing sounded wonderful with so many people joining in. So it was sad but also a celebration of the wonderful life.
Hope everything is going well with you, Miss Em. I know I should write more in this blog, so I'll try to do that. Thinking of you and wishing all the very best.
Lots of love,
Aaron :)
xxxooo

Hi Em,
Grandma (or Mum as I call her!) sent me an early Xmas present that I thought you'd like to see. It is a donation on my behalf to help save the Australian Numbat. Don't you think it is just beautiful?

Lots of love,
Aaron xxx ooo

Dear Emma,
Merry Christmas and I hope you are having a lovely Christmas day! I have got you some presents but I was too late to post them before today (sorry! - I went to the PO yesterday but just missed the closing time, will post as soon as the post office opens again in a few days). See below for a photo. I hope you will like them!

I was at church last night and this morning. We had a nice service last night with carols at 8pm and then a midnight communion service starting at 11.30pm. The 11.30pm service is one of my favourite services as it is very quiet and simple and gives more time for reflection. It was a very hot, humid day yesterday but a cool change and then rain came in the evening. It was quite dramatic to see lots of lightning in the sky as I drove back after the late night service.

I am going off to see my friend Alex soon. He is staying at the Aged care facility in Thames street, Box Hill, so close to his house in Station street. It will be good to see Alex again. Spending Christmas together is quite a tradition now (though his sister, Nancy, passed away this year, so we will miss her).

Lulu is fine and I'm looking forward to having a few days off work. It has been a busy year, so good to relax now (and spend some time snoozing with Lulu and reading some books :) ).

Hope you have a great Christmas for the rest of today and wishing you a very happy New Year for 2012!
Lots of love,
Aaron :) xxx 000

Dear Em,
Just writing to wish you a very happy Moon festival!! I hope you having been having a nice day. I took a photo of the moon tonight and also of another creature that was looking at the moon with me (not sure if you can make her out in the second photo!).

Things are OK here. I'm busy with work and study as usual. The Mullum Mullum festival opened last weekend at Yarran Dheran (the nature reserve near me) and I have been helping out with that. There were a few showers but it was a good day.
Wishing you all the best Em and looking forward to catching up sometime.
Love,
Aaron xxxooo

Dear Emma,
Wishing you a very happy birthday today!!!. I hope you have a wonderful and special day. Congratulations on your 16th birthday. You really are a young adult, which is great - good for you!
I have some things for your birthday (nothing special but I hope you like them). I took a photo of them this morning (will insert below). sorry I haven't posted yet. I'll try to do that soon!

Everything is OK here. Work and study are busy as usual. Lulu is fine though she is staying inside more now that we are heading into winter (it is quite cold in the nights). I quite like this weather though where you can dress up and feel warm despite the weather being rough (it probably reminds me of New Zealand :)).
Wishing you a very lovely birthday Miss Em and hope everything is going well for you. Looking forward to catching up at some stage.
With my best thoughts and birthday wishes,
Aaron xxx ooo