Olympic Aquatic Center

Australia dished us out some rain in December.  Never fear!- It didn't stop us from having F.U.N.! 

The Olympic Aquatic Center was perfect.  Indoor swimming and so much more!

They had a lazy river, water slide and blow up obstacle course.  We LOVED it.  The boys raced around the lazy river and Jocelyn, Chantel and I even made it around backwards!  Oh my, that was definitely a work out (specially having to drag/push Jocelyn the whole way)

I know people: there are a lot of photos and videos in this post, but guys-it was great so I have to share.

{the boys}

Ok...so Jocelyn made me laugh so hard.  She got up on the wall and did a flat out back flop.  I caught it on tape see...

Hurt your back Jocey?...I bet it did!

Why she did this?  I do not know!  Hahaha...it's certainly a common occurence for us to not know why Jocelyn does what she does...oh but we LOVE her so!

Here's the obstacle course.

I've never seen anything like it before. They continually squirt it all with a hose to keep it nice and slippery.

It was so much fun!

{Jocelyn}

{Justin}

{Braden}

{me!}

I fell off many-a-time...and this one was on camera, riiiiight at the beginning in front of everyone waiting in line.  Lovely.

You see right at the end when chantel flies off the left side?  It's cuz big Andrew JUMPED on at the beginning and popped her right off!  I laugh Why?  I do not even know!  I laugh every time I see Chantel fly off!  

{Andrew, Phil's brother}

Mom didn't make it through her first time, and then she headed over to the other pool for a swim.  When she came back, it was do-or-die.  She had to make it through the obstacle course.  She had her own little Perucca/Bennallack cheering squad.  It's maybe even be good enough to watch full screen...maybe!

VICTORY!

I like to think that perhaps fellow American friend, Michael Phelps, stood on this podium.  Yup, Perucca girls are def up to par with Michael.  Thank You!

We love swimming! 

Even inside. 

With an obstacle course.

and a slide.

and lazy river.

We'll take it.

Over and out.

-December 20, 2010-

xoxo

Something Old...Something New

Aqua Golf?

Haha- I'd never even heard of such a thing until Phil decided to grace my family with this experience. 

Golf clubs & golf balls.  Understood.

Add water, targets and money prizes. What?

Yes-that is Aqua Golf.

We had a jolly ole time.  

Dad was the first one to take a whack at it.

I have zero photos of Justin (not sure how I failed on that one) but by golly-he could certainly send those sorry golf balls soaring.  He hit some right over the whole lake!

The Mrs. wasn't too shabby either.

and little Jocey could've just charmed the balls right to the targets.  Just give them that cute friendly wave Jocey!

Braden rocked it as well.  He got preeeetty close to those darn $100 targets.

Look at that beautiful form.

There goes Chantel,

and Philip Ross himself.

 I ain't no golfer and I don't even pretend to be.  Promise.  

Me actually trying to aim at something?...hahaha, good luck!  

No worries though-I'll just smile and act like I didn't just completely MISS that ball!

This just makes me happy...

...all we're missing is Nicholas who was just marching around on a field with some drums slung on his back.

He'll arrive in a couple days from this photo. :)

Then much to my donut loving Phil's delight, we finished off the night with free Krispy Kremes.  You read right, free.  Three dozen of em.  Not too shabby hey?

-December 17, 2010-

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