Evie loves her little apron from Muzzy — especially the fact that she can fit a little book and a little Elmo in the front pocket while she cooks. Though I’m not sure what Health & Safety would say to the rest of the outfit (nappy + winter crocs + apron = ready to cook in Evie’s book).

Judith (my niece), Richard Alex & Ross over in UK for a visit from Perth, Stayed with us in Oxford for a few days  and the weather was great - well actually they thought it a bit chilly but we were sweating!  Eating outside but no prawns on the Barbie I’m afraid! A little bit of competition crept in!! The boys played cricket on our sloping lawn and neither Christian …… or I could shift Alex. (I’m sure my arm was a bit higher in my prime!)Then after dinner, lit the chiminea and on with the darts against the garage door ..Various style employed .. Richard definitely showing signs of a misspent youth Hannah looking very stylish and even my Mum joined in! The girls (Mum, Dianne, Judith, and Hannah) beat the boys (Me, Richard, Alex and Ross) on consecutive nights and the undoubted star was Judith here showing proof of an impressive 66 checkout (treble 8, single ten, double 16) PS Note the Simpsons dart board which was the only one available in Toys R Us!! Decided we needed reinforcements so called in James Martinelli next day … didn’t help! Meanwhile Megan up to mischief as usual! and the excitement was obviously all a bit much for Alexander.Next day off punting with Hannah and Chloe (Definitely a good decision not to try and take Megan along!!) Punted up to the Viccy Arms for a pint and then back again Richard seemed to get the hang of it quite quickly ..Variable success for the girls. Hannah pretty good .. Judith very calm at first .. but then just a few problems! Then a detour on the way home for a bit of go-karting … Looking very relaxed before the race, with the inevitable good looking woman getting in the picture!! Boys and their toys getting ready. and then the final pose on the podium. Fastest lap to Richard but definitely the most spectacular crashes for Alex and Ross!A really super visit, and now I’m trying to work out if there’s anyway I can justify returning the visit in time for the 3rd Ashes Test at the WACA in December!

Just another day hanging out at the beach — this time in the cabana at the Bel Air Bay Club. Evie shows off her old cowboy hat and her new Indian-style boots. She picked these out herself at Old Navy — she wouldn’t even take them off to pay for them! So Rob just had to rip off the tag and take that up to the till.

We found out today that we have to be here in L.A. for another few months, until the end of November — yes, you heard it here first: exclusive breaking news on QO! — so Evie and I decided to dig in and confirm our status as beach bunnies. Today’s trip was to the Annenberg Beach Club to meet up with the newly arrived Alicia, Jack and Sam. Not a bad day to be outside, as you can see…Evie was so excited to see Jack and Sam.The three of them entertained themselves for hours — literally! — on the beach while Alicia and I sunned ourselves.Evie would pause every now and then to point out a particularly note-worthy rock (and Jack and Sam were very patient later on when they were playing catch and she continued to show them each rock she found, causing them to pause their game):Snack time back at the pool. Tough life being the Bean…Lounging in the middle of a workday is hilarious!This is Jack and Sam waiting for Evie to finish her snack so she can come play with them again.Evie in the thick of things — and yes, moments after this photo was taken, the ball — not surprisingly — went plunging into the pool, just as everyone was all clean and dressed ready for dinner!We then drove over to Santa Monica to meet Steve & Rob — still in their suits — for dinner. Alicia’s and my verdict: So far, being WhoSay wives is a lot more fun than being Pump wives!

Evie and Gus Weber (a.k.a youngest son of Kara & Ben), just chilling out with lollies together in the Webers’ back garden.

Just one last adorable pic of Alexander that I found on my camera when I downloaded for the first time in a while. Come back, Big Al, we miss you!

Evie gets even braver at a friend’s pool party and works on her jumping skills:Hard to capture on camera, but it was quite a feat…And then, as Nurse Becky might say, time for a well-deserved break. A “bit of a lull”!

Bex and Alex drove over from Gerrards Cross  for day at QO with Chloe and Megan.  ”Row row row the boat” in the washing basket was popular! Then out with the tea-set.but not sure Alex understood the rules of the game.The hose pipe made a great water gun. Chloe quickly decided which side of the gun was best!and Muzzie gets it! a super day … and I dont know why Megan doesn’t feature anywhere. She was definitely around!

“Will you still need me,  will you still feed me,  when I’m 64″  Yes it was Dr John’s 64th  so  Dianne Mum and I went over for a dinner. The old boy looking quite good with his child bride!

We seem to have been a bit lax in recent postings so here’s a bit of a random catch up …. starting way back with a party on Chloe’s birthday at Quince Orchard taking advantage of the beautiful weather. The beautiful birthday girl tackling her jigsaw present from Uncle Mark Her Snow White costume present from Emma, Rob & Evie proved very popular (although not sure where the hat came from!)and hows about the “stick horses” Muzzie made for the girls Chloe gets the hang of “riding” her horse Very exciting that for the first time, Bex drove over with Alexander Carlo the great I think he misses darling little Evie!and Meanwhile Megan discovers ice-creamMegan gets a bit too friendly with little Alex Chloe still in her favourite costumeAlex doesn’t quite get the hang of Megan’s stick horseChloe helps Muzzie with cooking the lunch .. whilst Alex investigates the photos in the lounge and Megan gets into mischief … again!Finally, a quick trip to the park … Alex on the swingand Chloe looking after her little sister …. ah bless!!