The McInnis Family arrives in Australia!

The anticipation of the arrival of my friends had been building up for months. The McInnis family finally landed in Brisbane on Sunday, June 9^th.  We waited patiently for the doors to the gate to open so we could see their faces. I can’t describe the joy I felt when they walked through that gate! Jensen was the first person I grabbed and I just didn’t want to let go! Their smell was familiar… it felt like home!

Each day was filled with adventure! I was worried about the weather (it was quite rainy), but each time we got to our destination, the sun peaked it’s face through the clouds. We walked through the city, rode the Ferris wheel, embarked on a trip to Stradbroke Island, had an impromptu whale watching trip, traveled to Cairns to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, and played with kangaroos at the nighttime tour of the Cairns Zoo.

As we parted ways in Cairns, we gave lots of hugs and waved 1,000 good-byes. I was sad our trip had to come to an end. I will miss them, but know we have memories that will last a lifetime!

 

"Reunited and it feels so good!"

 

Brisbane Ferris Wheel

 

Botanical Gardens

 

Carter and Jensen meet Hannah

 

Stradbroke Island:

 

 

Swimming at the pool in Cairns. Why?

 

Because of this sign:

 

The Great Barrier Reef. Too bad I didn't make this shot :)

 

....or this one

 

Couldn't escape this one. Lovely!

 

The whole crew

 

 

The Cairns Zoo:

 

Carter plays the Didgeridoo

Kristen cuddles a Koala

Feeding the kangaroo

The McInnis and Rutland families join the band. YEE-HAW!

"Where are we?!"

Of course, a funny face picture!

 

GOOD-BYE HUGS!

 

*Disclaimer: Mark is the photographer. I captured most of these with my I-phone. Our whale watching trip was so impromptu that I didn't capture a single photo. Thank goodness for Mark!