Sweet Tooth

I couldn't help it.  

When the fam came to visit, I had to show them one of my favorite Australian gems.

CHOCOLATE

Yes- Aussie chocolate beats American chocolate 100 to 1.

Hands down.

Needless to say, a trip to the Chocolate Lounge was definitely on our agenda.

Chantel, (our little chocaholic) was so excited for this adventure. 

The rest of the fam took some convincing but once they tasted the goodness, they were in on board.

{oooo! so many choices!}

and the winner is, the frog and the spoon!

 please note that this here is 
waffles with: 
~melted chocolate 
(picture the best chocolate you've ever had...but better!)
~strawberries
~and ice cream
ALL IN ONE.

...otherwise known as...

heaven.

bon appetit!

-December 16, 2010-

xoxo

Sydney Temple

We had a couple opportunities to visit the temple while the fam was here.  We did baptisms, attended Carols by Candlelight and even snapped this pic after picking me up from work.

Carols by Candlelight was amazing.  I'm so glad the weather cleared up so we could go.  Patrice Arkens (who stars as Elphaba in Australia's broadway Wicked) is a member of the church and came to sing.  

It was beautiful...listen...

  

We know how to kick-it.  We brought pizza along for dinner, spread out on the blanket and had a grand ole time!

  Mom even busted out her groovy 'christmas light glasses' to take a gander at the temple lights.  

There were heaps of people there.

...I love to see the temple...

~December 18, 2010~

Pool Time

There is no better place on a hot aussie day than out in the pool.  

My family found that out pretty blimin' quick!  I tried to call them from work the first day they were here and could never get anyone.  I came home and found out they'd been out in the backyard ALL DAY!  

Fancy that!  

Fact: When we weren't out and about, we were always in the pool.  

We're so grateful for it especially on those hot summer days!

Anyone who has been swimming at our place knows aaaaall about the infamous 'Submarines & Battleships'.  {it's phils mostest favorite water game}

He asks me to play it every time we go swimming. love you phil ;)  It's a great game, don't get me wrong, but with simply two people?: no thank you.  Needless to say, Phil was so excited to have more people around to play with.

Here we are, being battleships & submarines...

This is some game Braden and the girls made up.

1: Braden swims under the floatie

2: Braden-stand up...Girls-HOLD ON

We swam outside.  

Played cards outside.  

Chatted outside.  

And ate outside.

Outside was a much better alternative to our small granny flat that first week.  

Plus, we got to soak up the sun.

{me and my twin}

Good times fam, good times.

~December 2010~

The Beginning

excitement.

SYDNEY!

(Jocey is a creeper in this photo)

When I look at these photos, it's hard to believe that it all happened.  

My family was .here. in Australia!

In the beginning we managed to cramp into our little granny flat and spend our time out back in the pool through the days and spread out at our landlord's at night. 

(thanks Pownalls!)

This is just the beginning...stay posted!

~December 2010~

xoxo

Not Today

howdy.

I'd just love to post some fotos right now of the family gathering we had last month.

 What I just don't love right now is that I'm a tinge emo {for lack of a better word} when I look at the photos. 

So for right now, to avoid tears- we'll just put it on hold k?

Don't get me wrong.  It was fabulous.

But that fabulous ended with a farewell on Jan 3rd...and my heart is still mending and missing some special people.

In the meantime...this one's for Jamie.

-ps. Jamie is one of my very best friends who is always there for me...in case you were wondering-

I never knew I could be so close yet so far to Jamie's home-state. 

Wyoming?  In Australia?  

YOU BET!

Cute Little Wyoming.

I was so excited that we had to snap a pic.

Jamie: It's your home away from home!

...until next time

Lights

First of all...

THEY'RE HERE!

It's certainly a dream come true.  

Second: Phil couldn't wait to take the fam out to see the Christmas lights.  He was stoked.  

Like I said before, Aussie lights are just their own breed so our fam ventured out to take a gander.

Pretty amazing hey?

 

This house is complete with a snow machine and all.  Fewph!

and Mr. Santa even joined us.

Six White Boomers!

(check out the song here...then you'll understand)

This homeowner just told my sister to 'hop' right into the sleigh themselves.  Kind gent!

  

Mom brought these cool glasses over from the states.  You put them on and then look at Christmas lights through them.  All the little lights turn into snowmen or stars or even snowflakes! Although we kind of looked like blind wanderers out on the street, they were definitely a hit!

Phil's most favorite thing just got kicked up a notch.  

Those specs rocked his world.

First Oh B-ray...I'm so glad you're special here. :)

  

I can't believe they're here...in my house...in Australia.

I'm lovin' life.

xoxo

In the meadow we can build a snowman

{Remember last December?}

Living in this...

...and skiing in this.

Oh the memories seeing all the lights, all bundled up!

Well not this year!

                           We go for walks around the 

                            neighborhood in our shorts 

                           and tees just to take a gander 

                           at the lights.

I'd say Aussies have 

their very own method for lighting 

their homes...

                                                              ...plus you can do so much more 

                                                                               when it's warm outside.

You even meander around the house and look into 

their windows for more lights 

and christmas joy.

These houses were crazy guys...and there are more right down our street.

Needless to say phil is in heaven.  

These houses are unlike anything I've ever seen!

No snowmen this year in a whole new December for me.

xoxo