What a difference a year makes!

One year ago today Hannah Grace, Ellis, and I boarded a plane to the other side of the world with swollen eyes after saying our good-byes in South Carolina. Over the year, a few more tears were shed, but lots of laughter happened, too. We have been lucky enough to have experienced things that may not have been possible otherwise. We have held koalas, fed the kangaroos, toured the Sydney Opera House, viewed some spectacular scenery, swam the Great Barrier Reef, went whale watching, and who could forget the wonderful swooping of the Magpie’s!  Yep, it has been a fabulous year! What I am most grateful for, though, are the friends that have entered our lives. Ellis and Hannah Grace have met some adorable friends that put smiles on both of their faces and who certainly made this move a bit easier. Tony and I are just as lucky to have met people that will forever remain in our hearts! Okay, Tony would say that is a bit sappy. Forgive me. So, here is to another year of making good memories! Cheers, Big Ears! (That one is for you, Amy!)

 

 

 

Our second visitors: Mom and Dad

I have spent the last two weeks soaking up every moment. My parents arrived in Australia on July 31^st and I loved every minute of their visit! I had to try very hard to just live in the moment and not worry about how quickly time was passing.

Here is a little piece of our journey:

 

If you know my family, you know we love food! This picture was taken on the day they arrived at a café on Oxford St.

 

The kids were so excited to see Papa and Grammy...

and the extra suitcase full of goodies!

 

Each night, we made it our goal to watch the sunset.

 

I took them for a ride on the citycat before walking their feet off through the city.

 

 

Stradbroke Island: My mom and dad love the Florida Beaches and the Gulf of Mexico. With all of their travels across the globe, Stradbroke has been the only beach they have loved as much as PCB!

Dolphins!

Dad enjoyed barking like a dog to get this kangaroos attention. Dad's lucky he wasn't this kangaroo's lunch!

She couldn't resist touching the water.

 

 

Lawn Bowls: I thought for sure that, with Tony on my team, we had this game in the bag! Apparently, I am that bad! Mom and Dad are quite competitive, though!

 

Winners!

 

Not the winners :(

 

After lawn bowls, we headed to New Farm Park for a little tree climbing and...

I am guessing a little sports or political talk.

 

 

 

Mooloolaba: On Monday, we ventured out to Mooloolaba Beach for a little walk and lunch.

 

Whale Watching at the Gold Coast: The whales were quite active on this day, so we were lucky. We came across four different pods, one of which had four whales in the group. I wasn’t successful catching it on camera, but three different times a whale breached!

My unsuccessful attempt at catching one of the whales breaching.

 

Here is what it looked like from someone with a little more skill.

Coming up to take a look.

 

 

 

 

 

 Sydney: We spent the last weekend with my parents in Sydney. I love surprises and thought this was perfect for the kids. We told them we were dropping Mom and Dad off at the airport to spend the weekend in Sydney before heading to the states. We, though, had their bags packed and were ready to jump on the plane with them. To explain the extra luggage, we said that Papa and Grammy were taking stuff back to the states for us.  In Australia, you can still go all the way to the gate without a boarding pass. So we waited until it was time to board the plane before letting them in on our little secret. Ellis said it was the biggest surprise I have ever done. He could hardly control his excitement! Hannah Grace was in shock…and glad she decided against wearing her uniform to the airport!

I am not sure what had them so tickled, but I loved it!

 

 

Dinner in Darling Harbour: The lighting isn't great, but I love this picture!

 

 

 

 

The memories we made over the last two weeks put a smile on my face and my heart. I will always cherish this time we had together!

 

 
 You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you. - Frederick Buechner