tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38916546382787566602024-03-05T12:32:20.046-07:00Do You Have the Time?Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-87981474463757892042012-12-03T05:19:00.000-07:002012-12-03T05:19:55.545-07:00Goodbye AustraliaYou have been so good to us. We have enjoyed your beaches, animals and warmth. Too bad we couldn't stay any longer. Our two year adventure was cut short by 10 months. The sun and relaxed lifestyle has been a nice change. I'm hoping to bring all that back with me.<br />
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Look at how much the kids grown!! <br />
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September 2011</div>
versus<br />
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December 2012</div>
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We will be back Australia!!! Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-74722213453585377892012-08-30T05:37:00.000-06:002012-09-02T17:14:24.250-06:00One Year Anniversary<div style="text-align: left;">
We have officially been in Australia for one year. Here are some of my favorite Aussie photos to celebrate.</div>
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"Brush Turkey"</div>
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Aussie's don't think much of these birds, but I love the bright yellow color. (or I should write 'colour')</div>
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Lorikeets. These birds are EVERYWHERE and they make me smile every time I see them.</div>
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Ibis. In ancient Egypt these birds are considered sacred. Here they are know as 'rubbish birds' because they will hang out at 'tipping stations' (garbage dumps). I like them because they look so scraggly and weird. They also remind me of my Missy dog because they are pretty large, but they will try to be 'dainty' and hop into little tiny bird baths.</div>
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Cotton Tree Park across the street from our apartment where the kids play after school.</div>
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The bay across the street from our apartment. I love sitting on my balcony listening to the waves.</div>
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Our apartment building.</div>
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We can never be permanent residents here because we can't figure out the difference between footy and rugby. The balls are different. This is all I know.</div>
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I was meant to live by the ocean.</div>
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Kookaburra. My favorite bird of all time.</div>
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I need to cuddle some more koalas before we leave.</div>
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Mum and Joey. It doesn't get much cuter than that.</div>
Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-44888287208468195002012-08-23T17:48:00.000-06:002012-08-23T17:48:44.434-06:00Snapshots from the last month The kids have been back in school this past month and winter is almost
over. Here's a look at what we have been up to.<br />
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Jessica's 'steam punk' creation for art class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Jonathan has such a great smile!!</span></div>
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<i>Visiting the Motorcycle Museum</i></div>
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<i>Alyssa keeps us laughing.</i></div>
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<i>View from our back balcony. </i></div>
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We are coming up on our one year anniversary of living in Australia. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by.Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-40421132580871310072012-07-19T21:25:00.000-06:002012-07-19T21:26:14.093-06:00Winter Holiday Trip (Part 4 of 4)Our last day of vacation was one of my favorites. Papa Echo had been told to 'make sure you drive up through the <a href="http://www.trc.qld.gov.au/discover/maps">tablelands</a>'. We had seen little brochures about things to do on this drive so we stopped at a store for lunch items and headed out for yet another drive. We showed the kidlets a brochure with "<a href="http://www.crystalcaves.com.au/the-crystal-caves/">The Crystal Caves</a>" shown and one of the kidlets (I won't say which one...) said it looked like it was just a rock store. We conceded that yes it was probably just a store.<br />
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The kids were less than enthused. Big sigh... we pulled the 'parent card' and said we were going anyway.<br />
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The drive was lovely and we came into the little town called Atherton. The kids knew there was no reason to complain, we were going to go to the rock shop. And frankly? They always enjoy themselves once we go in. The shop looked like any other rock shop. Lots and lots of pretty stones... geodes to crack open... jewelry that I like but won't spend money on... same old, same old shop. As we were looking around, I knew that the 'crystal caves portion' was in the basement and I thought that I would just send Papa Echo in with the kids and I would wait upstairs. (I wanted to save the $25 adult admission price.) But, as we went towards the back of the store, I saw that it wasn't just a boring stairwell going downstairs. It was decorated to look like an actual cave. I was intrigued and decided to pay the money and take a look.<br />
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We were given hard hats with lamps to wear and told to enjoy and touch everything and take lots of pictures. As we walked down the winding walkway into a man made cave with real gemstones placed in the faux rock wall, we realized we were seeing something incredible. The kids were THRILLED!! You felt like you were discovering these gems for the first time and the kids were encouraged to touch all the beautiful rocks. The cave system was HUGE with over 600 crystal formations.<br />
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Towards the end of the tour, we came upon "The Empress of Uruguay" which is the worlds' biggest amethyst geode. <br />
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Impressive, right?</div>
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So, here's the thing. Finding amazing wonderful things to do in the middle of nowhere is happening all the time here. We looked at and touched the world's largest amethyst geode in a tiny town 1-2 hours west of a smallish tourist town called Cairns. And the only way we knew about it was from little blips in some of the tourist pamphlets. If this attraction was in the U.S., it would be located in a big city and admission would be higher. Nobody would be able to touch the geode and to get your picture by it would be extra. This entire cave was designed just as well if not better than anything I've seen at Disneyland. And for anyone that knows me, knows that 'that' statement is saying a lot. <br />
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The kids admitted that they were glad we went for the drive. We ate a picnic lunch (in the car because it was starting to rain) and went to find some waterfalls. <br />
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We found our way back to Cairns with plenty of time to catch our flight back home to Brisbane. I'm so glad that we chose to drive north and fly south. It was a wonderful adventure to drive but flying home was a good way to end the vacation. <br />
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And speaking of flying? Does anyone remember what it was like flying in the states before 9-11? Because if you don't, come to Australia. When we got to the airport, the kids were getting nervous and worrying about what was in their carry on bags (like lotion bottles and a lack of ziploc bags). We told the kids that they didn't need to worry about that. They also didn't need to take off their shoes. And, if for some reason they set off the metal detector, they wouldn't get an invasive pat-down. They would just go back, take off their belt and try again.<br />
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It made me get a little teary because I know that the security system in the states will NEVER go back. And it makes me sad because we have lost so many rights because of the TSA and I don't think we are any safer. It's really sad.<br />
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I'll get off my soap box now. Thank you Australia for reminding me of what once was.Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-30855567754444154242012-07-15T20:16:00.000-06:002012-07-15T20:16:07.075-06:00Winter Holiday Trip (Part 3 of 4) On our way from Airlie Beach to Cairns, we stopped at an old Quarantine
Station and WWII post. It was a chance to learn a little history and
more importantly (for the kids) play on the beach.<br />
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We were walking back to our car, just visiting and laughing and suddenly Papa Echo stops. He turns to the kids and says, "I don't want to hear any commentary on what you are going to see in the next five seconds. We will talk about it later." Turns out we walked upon somebody sun bathing in the buff. Luckily for us, he had put a washcloth over himself. When we were no longer within hearing range, we had a lengthy discussion on the differences between the states and Europe when it comes to bodies and what is considered appropriate beach clothing.<br />
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Finally we made it to Cairns. The next day we went on a <a href="http://www.skyrail.com.au/">Skyrail</a> journey over the top of a rainforest to a town called Kuranda. After looking around town, we took a <a href="http://www.ksr.com.au/Pages/Default.aspx">Train</a> back to Cairns.<br />
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Along the skyrail journey, there were stops where we could get off and walk along paths to a waterfall. </div>
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I just love all the greenery here.</div>
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<br />Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-19873605511376719892012-07-12T06:47:00.000-06:002012-07-12T06:48:50.859-06:00Winter Holiday Trip (Part 2 of 4)We made it to <a href="http://airliebeaches.com/">Airlie Beach</a> and our day cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. Papa Echo found us a really nice hotel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9RgNiJ4wEI34LN0CboLz1xyroFgEXmXt-IyFeWr8XnqU3CiQNqZ-7hO5Ua7M7G6kupwKZ3HNhKTuKc70mDHulJI0-LvsoOHHjgk3tqm_rEcHXvczoa8pMcicrA1T1YxNX66s1qBCjy-z/s1600/20120701_152539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9RgNiJ4wEI34LN0CboLz1xyroFgEXmXt-IyFeWr8XnqU3CiQNqZ-7hO5Ua7M7G6kupwKZ3HNhKTuKc70mDHulJI0-LvsoOHHjgk3tqm_rEcHXvczoa8pMcicrA1T1YxNX66s1qBCjy-z/s320/20120701_152539.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here I am updating my facebook post from our balcony.</div>
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The following morning we were up bright and early for our cruise. You know the boat ride will be rough when the crew begs everyone to take 'motion sickness pills' before they even get on the boat.<br />
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We followed their advice.</div>
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We are ready for the cruise to begin!!</div>
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Don't we look calm and happy? This is before the boat began to move.</div>
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Just before we left for the three hour trip out to <a href="http://www.fantasea.com.au/services/reefworld/">Hardy Reef on FantaSea</a>, the captain said that the waves were high and that hopefully we could make it there. After an hour and a half of bumpy waves and people getting sick all around us, the captain turned the boat around and our reef tour was called off for the day. Our kids were so sad until we told them that we would reschedule instead of getting a refund. Sometimes it's good to not have a strict schedule while on vacation. </div>
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The next day we were back on the boat. We had all taken our motion sickness pills, ate a light breakfast and were prepared for another bumpy ride. Our second day our family made it without anyone getting sick. The other passengers were not as fortunate. A three hour boat ride is a LONG time.</div>
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Passing by one of the many islands on our way to Hardy Reef.</div>
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Here's a little section of where we were snorkeling and scuba diving.</div>
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I have never been snorkeling before so I was pretty nervous. (In fact, I haven't gone into the ocean once since we've been here... until this trip...) I've also been really nervous about all the jelly fish. We picked this time of year to go specifically because it's NOT stinger season. (We still wore the stinger suits.) And these jellyfish don't just sting and hurt... these are the ones that will kill you. There are signs all over the beaches warning about jellyfish. Big sigh... Let's just say I was nervous.</div>
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But the kids weren't nervous at all, so I kept quiet and just tried to keep up with them.</div>
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Jonathan wanted to go scuba diving, but he needed to be 12 years old to do that. So he and I went snorkeling and went on the special tour with the marine biologist. The tour guide pointed out so many things to see. It was hard to catch everything he was talking about because of the amount of animals that were there. It was a magical experience to see the huge amounts of fish. After about an hour we were pretty cold (it's winter here) and so we got out to warm up and went on the glass bottom boat ride.</div>
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Jonathan and I snorkeling.</div>
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Do you like our 'teletubby looking' stinger suits under the wetsuits? The stinger suits cover everything but the face.</div>
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Papa Echo and the girls took the quick scuba class for beginners and went scuba diving for the first time ever. They LOVED it!! The girls are looking forward to going again.</div>
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Papa Echo</div>
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Alyssa</div>
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Jessica</div>
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It was wonderful and I'm so glad we were able to mark this off our bucket list.<br />
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In the captain's chair.</div>Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-37899468585605699702012-07-09T05:28:00.002-06:002012-07-09T06:09:26.228-06:00Winter Holiday Trip (Part 1 of 4)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the Winter Holidays we decided to head north and explore another part of Australia. Cairns (pronounced like 'cans') was our final destination, but after seeing how long it would take to drive there we decided to rent a car, drive, and then fly home. It was a VERY wise decision. While it was a beautiful drive and we enjoyed stopping along the way to see different things, it was very, very long. <br />
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First stop the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropic_of_Capricorn">Tropic of Capricorn</a><br />
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Papa Echo is trying to explain the sundial and why it's here at this particular spot.</div>
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Next stop was <a href="http://capricorncaves.com.au/">Capricorn Caves </a></div>
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The kids and Papa Echo loved it.</div>
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And then we saw <a href="http://www.visit-queensland.com.au/113/queenslands_big_things/The_Big_Mango.html">The Big Mango</a></div>
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A busload of Aussie's asked Alyssa to take their picture. After she was done, they wished us all a Happy Fourth of July.</div>
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And we had many, many rest stops to get out and stretch on our long journey north. </div>
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And then we finally arrived at Arlie Beach and our Great Barrier Reef portion of the trip. Yippee!!!</div>
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(to be cont.)</div>Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-54861893305698002152012-06-27T23:32:00.000-06:002012-06-27T23:32:42.113-06:00The Ginger Factory<div style="text-align: left;">
A few months ago we visited the <a href="http://www.gingerfactory.com.au/gingerfactory/index.html">Ginger Factory</a>. Not knowing what to expect we headed out. Once again we were pleasantly surprised. You just never know what you'll find in this beautiful country. </div>
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Along with a tour of the ginger factory, there was a tour of the beehives.<br />
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And a fun little train ride around the property.<br />
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We never imagined beautiful ponds and gardens at a factory tour. </div>
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The VERY best part of this excursion was a boat ride. It was a ride very similar to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhlPxR9nHY&feature=related">"It's a small world" at Disneyland</a>... except instead of following cultures around the world, you follow a gingerbread man being chased by a baker. How twisted is that? I was so EXCITED to see this!!!!<br />
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The baker is coming.... to cook you alive !! (cue <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRamB30E9mU">Vincent Price laugh</a>....)</div>
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You can't really see it, but behind the gingerbread man are cookies going into an oven at the bakery. </div>
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The dark humor of this ride was lovely. I laughed the whole way through. </div>
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And this would be a grand example of what I LOVE about this country. You never know what you're going to find... and the humor is right up my alley.Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-90272636522559640972012-05-16T04:33:00.000-06:002012-05-16T04:34:11.148-06:00Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had a wonderful Mother's Day. I spent the day with my favorite people in a beautiful country. It could not have been better.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtVvGwttGnp29Hlt4Olf-3mCR9W8KohFBoplDm1xX4hNtePF5f5IDu9VvCFTlMKVKtGc-RrPz3hTQCuq5GyCAXgOrEO8VIU00Q9nNTKfx2mqYhS3Z1p2aHdyvnP6PhHOJt9TGiYJPtYpw/s1600/100_2918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<br />Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-35181149880042366842012-04-24T02:03:00.000-06:002012-04-24T02:04:02.194-06:00Gold FossickingYou don't go 'gold panning' here. It's 'fossicking'.<br />
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And it almost killed me. Okay, maybe just gave me a panic attack.<br />
<br />
There are so many animals, bugs and other creepy crawlies that can kill you here in Australia. We hear the stories. I internalize them. We see the warnings. I know those warnings are directed at me. I'm not paranoid. I just know that all the creatures are out to get me and my family.<br />
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But, I married a gold miner, so we headed into the bush to find gold.<br />
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Here's where I panicked. We were walking through tall grass and moving past bushes and I was just SURE we would come across one of the most venomous snakes in Australia. And then I wondered how far south crocodiles would go. Were we in 'crocodile country'? We didn't know.<br />
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WE. DID. NOT. KNOW.<br />
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Trying not to let the kidlets know of my panic, I followed them praying that if a snake was going to bite someone that it would be me. And then I thought that wasn't a great idea because while I would rather be the one in pain, nobody would be able to pick me up and get me to the hospital. So then I tried to figure out if there was a way to walk back to car while having a snake bite and NOT elevate my heart rate... and then I really started to panic.<br />
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In a quivering voice I asked Papa Echo if he was sure we should be walking through the grass. He said 'yes if we want to get to the water'. I sighed and asked if he had thought about snakes. He said 'we'll be fine'. I asked him if we were in crocodile country. He looked at me funny and said, 'I don't think so'. I latched onto his word 'think' and told him that we were going to be one of 'those' stories in the news of the 'stupid foreigners that go into the wild and die'. He pointed out that we were NOT in the outback and we would be just fine.<br />
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So, I followed on... for my kidlets.<br />
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We panned. I mean, fossicked.<br />
<br />
My family had fun.<br />
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No snakes or crocodiles were seen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTEFB_Iuu6hyphenhyphenmdOFWul9E_wqOyAxzV017dccBuM9y6Jfl7bOIOaAsRiEDW9UDrnANEk0t9oO9tzBqnHRhoJwf5Gtw9XkKOfqqJSdEjU2KU_81DesaRwNMK3z3u56bU3FoKexrKiw2hTNP/s1600/100_2532c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTEFB_Iuu6hyphenhyphenmdOFWul9E_wqOyAxzV017dccBuM9y6Jfl7bOIOaAsRiEDW9UDrnANEk0t9oO9tzBqnHRhoJwf5Gtw9XkKOfqqJSdEjU2KU_81DesaRwNMK3z3u56bU3FoKexrKiw2hTNP/s320/100_2532c.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtrM39Lj6cmL27yz3fRioLs8beXdygiyeHuOBDyvPJePNz4y4KsxAlEP8fobArtnn2-ePmfcBjsDtUX49aqgMvzYdc3ogvRkCJrgxll-X2EvbaG-za4oPTUHK48QVOV-YKOjL7GLsPajn/s1600/100_2538c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtrM39Lj6cmL27yz3fRioLs8beXdygiyeHuOBDyvPJePNz4y4KsxAlEP8fobArtnn2-ePmfcBjsDtUX49aqgMvzYdc3ogvRkCJrgxll-X2EvbaG-za4oPTUHK48QVOV-YKOjL7GLsPajn/s320/100_2538c.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Later, I asked my friends if we should have been worried about crocodiles. They laughed and said no. You have to go up north to Cairns for that worry.<br />
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I asked about snakes. They said, "Yeah... that's brown snake territory. But you really should have been worried about the red-backed spiders" <br />
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Big sigh... I forgot about the spiders.Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-40319409317246495852012-04-22T20:03:00.001-06:002012-04-22T20:04:02.071-06:00Daddy's Day Out With the KidsPapa Echo wrote about his day out with the kids. Go over to <a href="http://eightgaits.blogspot.com.au/">his blog</a> to read all about it.<br />
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I'm so fortunate to have such a great dad for my little kidlets.Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-17000958399146163602012-04-16T22:27:00.020-06:002012-04-16T23:00:34.408-06:00Easter Weekend GetawayPapa Echo had an extra day off of work Easter Weekend so we went on a mini-vacation up the coast.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcYorgKdsFgntY2NhF_swasbTSeJ5R-5SQSTqjUkWPJ-z6J75ScejwcwhpI-YSAWowpIa_UGrgZZT0WY_I5rTyVLTfJGiOL1WsQ930cP6F04Kp4JfMiiMFUWlEv1j4LNajS-QlQqGNbyv/s1600/100_2801c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcYorgKdsFgntY2NhF_swasbTSeJ5R-5SQSTqjUkWPJ-z6J75ScejwcwhpI-YSAWowpIa_UGrgZZT0WY_I5rTyVLTfJGiOL1WsQ930cP6F04Kp4JfMiiMFUWlEv1j4LNajS-QlQqGNbyv/s320/100_2801c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732224218843569154" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The kids miss our <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Flex">Ford Flex</a>. </span><br /></div><br />First stop was the <a href="http://www.bellmaze.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bellingham</span> Maze</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We were pleasantly surprised with how much there was to do here. There were all sorts of games to play outside the maze and then the maze itself was green and pretty and in the middle was a beautiful fountain. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjfZqa4TjhyphenhyphenIXtp_NJwrZ0nHB-_WtEQGwLJaadl2uJfICKhoEFkhyOY_TnjOiQ0S2HE_pHifzCA3sD8QF_KErp2J2vH3wDETPmpacSUz_HXzfhvfg0AbB6QXhrRxMp2dSTDnjkNvhyphenhyphenG_T/s1600/100_2760c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjfZqa4TjhyphenhyphenIXtp_NJwrZ0nHB-_WtEQGwLJaadl2uJfICKhoEFkhyOY_TnjOiQ0S2HE_pHifzCA3sD8QF_KErp2J2vH3wDETPmpacSUz_HXzfhvfg0AbB6QXhrRxMp2dSTDnjkNvhyphenhyphenG_T/s320/100_2760c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732224099369400018" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Alyssa and Jonathan working on the rope maze.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HC6ROnk64jQC1M1qFFWFpmwedwS4r4W_F5mTSw8mTCmcKX5Gf5G9UrS1ugA2zlnIWVqm7LRySC7FMy-I6SoBPcTKMzQ6F-WXk-vrsoNpe0B0tmsou-i5SQaX2jxdCCtiMDpoqjx7sCOW/s1600/2769c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HC6ROnk64jQC1M1qFFWFpmwedwS4r4W_F5mTSw8mTCmcKX5Gf5G9UrS1ugA2zlnIWVqm7LRySC7FMy-I6SoBPcTKMzQ6F-WXk-vrsoNpe0B0tmsou-i5SQaX2jxdCCtiMDpoqjx7sCOW/s320/2769c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732223969236099922" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This tyre maze was tricky.<br />(and yes, I spelled tyre correctly spellcheck... I'm in Australia!)<br /><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrUGeZ13n3DEn629LKFMJw94qDenzdfy4AXX43GBZgvu-5vRmnQsG59gx8YP9MEgYaVyzBHIr87ZnwoQRFjPQL0RbpxWwXu3pKJECgJ9HXW2sKSytcH9Y-cNbPUHLOTdILitI5g63zVAF/s1600/100_2770c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglrUGeZ13n3DEn629LKFMJw94qDenzdfy4AXX43GBZgvu-5vRmnQsG59gx8YP9MEgYaVyzBHIr87ZnwoQRFjPQL0RbpxWwXu3pKJECgJ9HXW2sKSytcH9Y-cNbPUHLOTdILitI5g63zVAF/s320/100_2770c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732223846285774626" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCzKaB1i5U-B6RSniWFI79_MwNQVm9Ahvc_u9JI3cXac6uOuOI7aUzbIAO3sW9wFGs4U5BhTKPrk3mGZ9WkcKlGDEIsI88XFCIP5gE7XoGG_a9dzUqF-Px89bGsENfxj-ZDbHSYVWsYls/s1600/100_2774c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCzKaB1i5U-B6RSniWFI79_MwNQVm9Ahvc_u9JI3cXac6uOuOI7aUzbIAO3sW9wFGs4U5BhTKPrk3mGZ9WkcKlGDEIsI88XFCIP5gE7XoGG_a9dzUqF-Px89bGsENfxj-ZDbHSYVWsYls/s320/100_2774c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732223713861848114" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJoWdHXB6t_6jk9GholLA0TGjWSl4umd3wPa2dV0s9QUxndmpHZ3Z6poMUj42TKNrIcZBxvW7APPIqH1k_YVtuWB2TOSUtQDfHgCOH4A-NEMyHCcKxdxggcX9NBU6D_zSJk5RL17Yaxps/s1600/100_2776c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJoWdHXB6t_6jk9GholLA0TGjWSl4umd3wPa2dV0s9QUxndmpHZ3Z6poMUj42TKNrIcZBxvW7APPIqH1k_YVtuWB2TOSUtQDfHgCOH4A-NEMyHCcKxdxggcX9NBU6D_zSJk5RL17Yaxps/s320/100_2776c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732223590647949586" border="0" /></a><br />Next stop <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Pineapple">The Big Pineapple</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-8ECA_RTv8GqinnniF8K5CLi8XYgOcECj9VpmZdCQ_VC40tnJxTuC_9cB8thnhnF9irUqEH3ddmGTTXKjtNQj2UJPEh1-P1ZRaVcE4Psap2kozHbiPyvysYuWluIIz8Oi_zGkfQnYcqq/s1600/100_2792c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-8ECA_RTv8GqinnniF8K5CLi8XYgOcECj9VpmZdCQ_VC40tnJxTuC_9cB8thnhnF9irUqEH3ddmGTTXKjtNQj2UJPEh1-P1ZRaVcE4Psap2kozHbiPyvysYuWluIIz8Oi_zGkfQnYcqq/s320/100_2792c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732223455446563602" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAAgJXZM_3Ae_56uo-bxELwhq_h2zNMd4pBbbWcYP6QQPb_MXZBm-peTUxXB_r97XsqJIgIyT0q0kNsd25usaqDNEZSIQMACB1jl3H3X5raZJ80c43zASQxcXuRHzI03XD7zgoescZ3hg/s1600/100_2795c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAAgJXZM_3Ae_56uo-bxELwhq_h2zNMd4pBbbWcYP6QQPb_MXZBm-peTUxXB_r97XsqJIgIyT0q0kNsd25usaqDNEZSIQMACB1jl3H3X5raZJ80c43zASQxcXuRHzI03XD7zgoescZ3hg/s320/100_2795c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732223322275452178" border="0" /></a><br />We found this cute little hotel to stay in for the night. We were in the top right room. Established in 1891 it is one of the oldest hotels on the Sunshine Coast. The kids LOVED sitting out on the upper <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">balcony</span>. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUhGxQCAzy31rF2AZ84gckpRBduxPWTIkhPeZfb-WnHC_QIBNn5R3MWVMM12ntYJmhQHBm8sa-rQ9ExIGoZ6VOoRLrbosWTdsdUWxGpCqszWZSNogzWMqlscOXLQVtqXiOBKMNkoZ1C4W/s1600/100_2800c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUhGxQCAzy31rF2AZ84gckpRBduxPWTIkhPeZfb-WnHC_QIBNn5R3MWVMM12ntYJmhQHBm8sa-rQ9ExIGoZ6VOoRLrbosWTdsdUWxGpCqszWZSNogzWMqlscOXLQVtqXiOBKMNkoZ1C4W/s320/100_2800c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732223152503860498" border="0" /></a><br />The next day we went to <a href="http://www.underwaterworld.com.au/">Underwater World</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixPZN_4QJPf4wbzQefdSg4BEPSBI_voPDFgDBwclX2sNxxyMwcDjIgQBwOKXvRKbajrimNgJbAqBQFanDAAukrUXTukCjx6GvanV3yFO_ArlwVs73Ns1CwL9qSaT0IfXalgl8pdVlH8Bf/s1600/100_2826c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixPZN_4QJPf4wbzQefdSg4BEPSBI_voPDFgDBwclX2sNxxyMwcDjIgQBwOKXvRKbajrimNgJbAqBQFanDAAukrUXTukCjx6GvanV3yFO_ArlwVs73Ns1CwL9qSaT0IfXalgl8pdVlH8Bf/s320/100_2826c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732223035673270242" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The otters reminded us of our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Oski</span> dog.<br /><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn39SQrANctVgBbJ8k4eoRzeh0_7rWQYRHSvYTisCOHj5_eTrcdQZ5_u7NXTA5d8xoKo1O2zyfNVS2Pbi9rx1XGtX1W7_JQPZo8txVS2xkdk5WB4gDdxIPXTcJ1fi_XLyuUtSjtEXGltG7/s1600/100_2824c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn39SQrANctVgBbJ8k4eoRzeh0_7rWQYRHSvYTisCOHj5_eTrcdQZ5_u7NXTA5d8xoKo1O2zyfNVS2Pbi9rx1XGtX1W7_JQPZo8txVS2xkdk5WB4gDdxIPXTcJ1fi_XLyuUtSjtEXGltG7/s320/100_2824c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732222939304072770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lekc57R9pIz8_9yJeZq26ZUwzumKSiD4AlvqmAWt-WOVQHkiWYJMiBzcXSwIkeClYEi008Q7lz8I0oxnFlF_zJvUWsFNM3BOO_rd2yJiLrlAHM0fKaED91j9r6JBHi9QVMrhXcD59ozR/s1600/100_2823c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lekc57R9pIz8_9yJeZq26ZUwzumKSiD4AlvqmAWt-WOVQHkiWYJMiBzcXSwIkeClYEi008Q7lz8I0oxnFlF_zJvUWsFNM3BOO_rd2yJiLrlAHM0fKaED91j9r6JBHi9QVMrhXcD59ozR/s320/100_2823c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732222829537349650" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Watching the otter show.<br /><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9sbBRjfj61yDUeIIcgdgYF9jDBP-67ug8ItKk_8B1Qc6Z1YRDTyaPMxEkwohpE6DWZhFFEbso5avG8IUh9IBfTWXhraJeCmhlgriitwwC527EhAoq3Bfkf_9FhnGedenf9MygpgVRr-r/s1600/100_2819c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9sbBRjfj61yDUeIIcgdgYF9jDBP-67ug8ItKk_8B1Qc6Z1YRDTyaPMxEkwohpE6DWZhFFEbso5avG8IUh9IBfTWXhraJeCmhlgriitwwC527EhAoq3Bfkf_9FhnGedenf9MygpgVRr-r/s320/100_2819c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732222714181350098" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp-ZaZYHLR6oJJy9iCMyyeJgAYq2eY7WAwJoeTPlJEPju6vwOzxyASnAfX-PlqAvYcKsgV7dHwo4ibL-BRF_mSCY2gE4U-QHjXQin7EwKiIUbqjR3IgRnm0lgWpn6lkrN6dnUmAEmWucp/s1600/100_2806c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp-ZaZYHLR6oJJy9iCMyyeJgAYq2eY7WAwJoeTPlJEPju6vwOzxyASnAfX-PlqAvYcKsgV7dHwo4ibL-BRF_mSCY2gE4U-QHjXQin7EwKiIUbqjR3IgRnm0lgWpn6lkrN6dnUmAEmWucp/s320/100_2806c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732222603689264402" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU46Geh2r83SviYC37PC9ISJC7m6uCiQBb7b4JUTA1cSpzcV2_wOd_aGwGygE2OzN_VEnIREE5UhJ4LV6UcyaQb5wNC1lC4ZtyJnDvFLwykhENv-jnOqPJk_fbAArGL74ziI5bJZyMSTn/s1600/100_2804c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUU46Geh2r83SviYC37PC9ISJC7m6uCiQBb7b4JUTA1cSpzcV2_wOd_aGwGygE2OzN_VEnIREE5UhJ4LV6UcyaQb5wNC1lC4ZtyJnDvFLwykhENv-jnOqPJk_fbAArGL74ziI5bJZyMSTn/s320/100_2804c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732222496095336466" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wYnnpG96dT0YnHuJ5hl8m0p-h4Ero9Xbh1wNH7TQk1g1UbbM4NQ-883BdDp4e91zFHMs2KZwF9giuJv8xtw7Jj0u8AkKKnEfMyR3-mKUKydZ9ir8xqpyZf7Gn2h9aJVsJEq8fqozXpIh/s1600/100_2805c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wYnnpG96dT0YnHuJ5hl8m0p-h4Ero9Xbh1wNH7TQk1g1UbbM4NQ-883BdDp4e91zFHMs2KZwF9giuJv8xtw7Jj0u8AkKKnEfMyR3-mKUKydZ9ir8xqpyZf7Gn2h9aJVsJEq8fqozXpIh/s320/100_2805c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732222397551165074" border="0" /></a><br />It was a wonderful weekend!!Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-86353986379065753172012-04-10T23:30:00.011-06:002012-04-11T00:02:26.886-06:00Festival of SailsEvery year on Good Friday there is a <a href="http://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/subsite.aspx?id=87298">Festival of Sails</a> here. It is a big carnival with lots of craft and food stalls, music and lots and lots of activities for the kids. Out in the bay you can watch the annual yacht race from Brisbane to Gladstone.<br /><br />It was so crowded (panic for me) but the kids LOVED it!!<br /><br />How better to start the day than a skydive visit from the Easter bunny?<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jEhKaI-cX74S78vgx1d1_A1a4iB8-erHWFt61T_mOitkkR-P9gPhj_Gjpwnu8BEn3SiPXzSCg0K2pvEH3z4wX49VuHZTymHcGBSXwHPUZGjsk_c1DnxsXJNhyXk9vlpFDqk1RuchZf2o/s1600/100_2722c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jEhKaI-cX74S78vgx1d1_A1a4iB8-erHWFt61T_mOitkkR-P9gPhj_Gjpwnu8BEn3SiPXzSCg0K2pvEH3z4wX49VuHZTymHcGBSXwHPUZGjsk_c1DnxsXJNhyXk9vlpFDqk1RuchZf2o/s320/100_2722c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730014201262933282" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2mMGAJ1GC2Nes9-GuTVV6fSlVUHrh29e07RLgFpD1nvDOEa1LbbrvsPsQvJ5G4VOP3XDVcU_nGnOp2-yUyxnnTZwgMD17R7MtssjObiUfPtDBj9NbeSQ4MjnWm2NdxWgYbJcBW1xyEVQ/s1600/100_2725c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2mMGAJ1GC2Nes9-GuTVV6fSlVUHrh29e07RLgFpD1nvDOEa1LbbrvsPsQvJ5G4VOP3XDVcU_nGnOp2-yUyxnnTZwgMD17R7MtssjObiUfPtDBj9NbeSQ4MjnWm2NdxWgYbJcBW1xyEVQ/s320/100_2725c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730014095741286338" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">The Easter bunny at the beach!! I love it!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTLKiw4CuipSZz_P6MHD0PWQvVztQoztenKw8wEGvHK-8x40tN7dFFlSbqzPh6BVWcgSVd0rvHh26gm-1Q_hmoVYH4JuCcvh1sXJRFROVX040SFBxDB9bj6CMBRnpEllXK2D1Lok77_a6/s1600/100_2728c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTLKiw4CuipSZz_P6MHD0PWQvVztQoztenKw8wEGvHK-8x40tN7dFFlSbqzPh6BVWcgSVd0rvHh26gm-1Q_hmoVYH4JuCcvh1sXJRFROVX040SFBxDB9bj6CMBRnpEllXK2D1Lok77_a6/s320/100_2728c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730013971394419106" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jonathan rock climbing</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">They brought in special sand for sculpting.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTkbgRQpi38w4ENj0FL_V9WBGdICz08rFX5B2Lfgk4viNRLWN9cKe3JeT4fMRyb4I_-a8jVqye9xYfccCgEiSPJX35y01sZ5aXMBPhmrw7x9GL0CDTeoo51ROgtVahidSnWb3mPIIRtSB/s1600/100_2733c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTkbgRQpi38w4ENj0FL_V9WBGdICz08rFX5B2Lfgk4viNRLWN9cKe3JeT4fMRyb4I_-a8jVqye9xYfccCgEiSPJX35y01sZ5aXMBPhmrw7x9GL0CDTeoo51ROgtVahidSnWb3mPIIRtSB/s320/100_2733c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730013844882205138" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jessica and Jonathan<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lWfOYGpruPSovF-Co2_PuIT62y2agDd5EHL46ezHpCDEkXzBdbiX1IIL1WPzc6iYkwQejlV7FAmQwp1agcfE2Nh14zN9ExzRXCN5t2GZY4Y2YN6BwTNk211WwpOqKoBbSe87evCz74_m/s1600/100_2734c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lWfOYGpruPSovF-Co2_PuIT62y2agDd5EHL46ezHpCDEkXzBdbiX1IIL1WPzc6iYkwQejlV7FAmQwp1agcfE2Nh14zN9ExzRXCN5t2GZY4Y2YN6BwTNk211WwpOqKoBbSe87evCz74_m/s320/100_2734c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730013686464084786" border="0" /></a>Alyssa and friend E.<br /><br /></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdqfWvxw4PcpSPX0ofGel9jb6DiXpWA3uTtu_gQKnv6f0GfQMsqcDxfNPq6AtraimZvaJQ_5S2x8n6YEPXfGRU_OAmgXQ-S4BY6njjYYLsEpIT1c9u-CjDO9y6BTGxlXQd7AR0VOjjmDx/s1600/100_2739c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdqfWvxw4PcpSPX0ofGel9jb6DiXpWA3uTtu_gQKnv6f0GfQMsqcDxfNPq6AtraimZvaJQ_5S2x8n6YEPXfGRU_OAmgXQ-S4BY6njjYYLsEpIT1c9u-CjDO9y6BTGxlXQd7AR0VOjjmDx/s320/100_2739c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730013521911867698" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The artist of this sculpture stayed all day and helped all the kids with their own sculptures.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>One of the highlights of the day was a LEGO competition for ages 8-14. <br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa08Tk0ZVcFfHx1lsvmcnvdwPcG8rBYnW3VyXs_INhxsqA-p8kseedPz3fwnVrL4qGcudpVlnvKSDwEOogqWOVayouudwyemqEjscFQUQf9EPVOZQjVZ_bWH3wpCCtyJv4uqyH5GnEXpT/s1600/100_2747c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa08Tk0ZVcFfHx1lsvmcnvdwPcG8rBYnW3VyXs_INhxsqA-p8kseedPz3fwnVrL4qGcudpVlnvKSDwEOogqWOVayouudwyemqEjscFQUQf9EPVOZQjVZ_bWH3wpCCtyJv4uqyH5GnEXpT/s320/100_2747c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730013349062054146" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Jonathan built a spider eating a green snake</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxFg6Utck02NYtz2171nv_XWmwc5mDjFRcLKPiUPNycsB9y9WMWaPgGD4-S_7BMAe7NSMO3VvxIptcJCW4pgVfdZD9vXH_Tx49SOrx7VuzAFlr8WUzd1IK-25IRBzvbvv1OpLasb2dbQC/s1600/100_2753c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxFg6Utck02NYtz2171nv_XWmwc5mDjFRcLKPiUPNycsB9y9WMWaPgGD4-S_7BMAe7NSMO3VvxIptcJCW4pgVfdZD9vXH_Tx49SOrx7VuzAFlr8WUzd1IK-25IRBzvbvv1OpLasb2dbQC/s320/100_2753c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730013203410873138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lyssa</span> built a bi-plane<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After a day of sun, beach, and activities we went home exhausted, and this was just the beginning of our Easter weekend.<br /></div></div>Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-50144031857436607012012-04-06T19:59:00.005-06:002012-04-06T20:06:32.196-06:00Stay TunedWe have been busy and playing the past weeks. So busy that I haven't had time to post pictures.<br /><br />Today we are leaving for a short adventure up the coast. When we get back, I'll be sure to write all about it and post pics. Until then, I leave you with this sand castle that we saw yesterday at the Festival of Sails.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRsxAATONM2EsqwnU4KY0yVBEtVXoyEBIxf9ePAmfSYyQ8YsyzyyDdb1A9XlMEFtt0tnzmZvUqZRzQ3zXVQucQuX2wCMkTBz2bop1wxt6XNeDSOka5w07piDVTTKh4ZGlZHEdyl5KCGqF/s1600/100_2737.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRsxAATONM2EsqwnU4KY0yVBEtVXoyEBIxf9ePAmfSYyQ8YsyzyyDdb1A9XlMEFtt0tnzmZvUqZRzQ3zXVQucQuX2wCMkTBz2bop1wxt6XNeDSOka5w07piDVTTKh4ZGlZHEdyl5KCGqF/s320/100_2737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728473711944250930" border="0" /></a>I LOVE Australia!!Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-10978159447963737972012-03-10T23:20:00.018-07:002012-03-10T23:48:32.118-07:00Our First American VisitorMy Cousin A's second grade son was assigned to send "Flat Stanley" to another state or country. The host family was asked to take Flat Stanley on some adventures specific to their area and then send him home with pictures (and anything else they felt would be appropriate).<br /><br />I can't tell you how excited I was for our little visitor to arrive. But first, let's see how far Stanley had to come... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTha699h0SE&feature=youtu.be"> click here for a map that Papa Echo made.</a> (We live FAR AWAY!!!)<br /><br />We took Stanley to <a href="http://www.gympiegoldmuseum.com.au/">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gympie</span> Gold Mining and Historical Museum</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsASbdsoGxkUHgyMxtAGTZpKyOb3JJDNVtF9tY-02txeoOc9zXI-vet4Y8rC74gMyf_Rz6Kqkx8m_oC4vZUVRRHgsLdhja6GIZQXv29aZHmfMqKA3PFuEAOMCUnOayKUlerO4cYmn-3oR/s1600/100_2517c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsASbdsoGxkUHgyMxtAGTZpKyOb3JJDNVtF9tY-02txeoOc9zXI-vet4Y8rC74gMyf_Rz6Kqkx8m_oC4vZUVRRHgsLdhja6GIZQXv29aZHmfMqKA3PFuEAOMCUnOayKUlerO4cYmn-3oR/s320/100_2517c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718524530058147778" border="0" /></a>Driving on the left is a little scary for Stanley.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNue-xgbs6McdwCwo5eelCTz0ijs6IvuIHVw5ow10YRc8LE_JEZnNs1Hf9rzxgobEb_-WRDjH9BdnOloUZvZ5Uhr1zcfbm3iXWF7bDV_t7JeiywqpzHI5V7jYd4OiDiNlOVy8Pa-uLfXa/s1600/100_2526c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNue-xgbs6McdwCwo5eelCTz0ijs6IvuIHVw5ow10YRc8LE_JEZnNs1Hf9rzxgobEb_-WRDjH9BdnOloUZvZ5Uhr1zcfbm3iXWF7bDV_t7JeiywqpzHI5V7jYd4OiDiNlOVy8Pa-uLfXa/s320/100_2526c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718524413047441282" border="0" /></a>He saw a little bit of color in one of the pans.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbuly8qeoWIBwY72hSScc_go3-akP622HRT830bZhxOf0TfzJNQZmv07CxFkU1J3sNE-8qtqiFXH2AsH1KpXSNKq9jU1FhzcJE9Zze7p6V4h-oirSE3nc2pDc1lJ_5J3Q8iv-yS71-Btu/s1600/100_2528c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbuly8qeoWIBwY72hSScc_go3-akP622HRT830bZhxOf0TfzJNQZmv07CxFkU1J3sNE-8qtqiFXH2AsH1KpXSNKq9jU1FhzcJE9Zze7p6V4h-oirSE3nc2pDc1lJ_5J3Q8iv-yS71-Btu/s320/100_2528c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718524255432959954" border="0" /></a>Then we took him to our favorite place, <a href="http://www.koala.net/">Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIx6C_V3N11tmCxbLOEPVClltdL9Lt28F-aamGlQFFTdn98y8mQUcO6jFwoZa041qa9drbLM_Ej8_5mmjZkicABzQmf1pF-Q0RuRK2xz0CWe_8U3DmwJVdEfc6_Z2NMC-6f9iKqf0dTcs/s1600/100_2545c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIx6C_V3N11tmCxbLOEPVClltdL9Lt28F-aamGlQFFTdn98y8mQUcO6jFwoZa041qa9drbLM_Ej8_5mmjZkicABzQmf1pF-Q0RuRK2xz0CWe_8U3DmwJVdEfc6_Z2NMC-6f9iKqf0dTcs/s320/100_2545c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718524111931638994" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SZyAmylVCxHRZ0Jrp_eqfMpbxU0ZJxke1a6-bka8pYGHnZL9mQoO-n-HGW6uZXZ9S7FZTj-vxeg3zYi02LKTsBB-DeE5JMINjVXPrsFOv9uuVrcscGX-MTEZhw4XDYzSk5i6wQ2ZE2Jw/s1600/100_2550c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SZyAmylVCxHRZ0Jrp_eqfMpbxU0ZJxke1a6-bka8pYGHnZL9mQoO-n-HGW6uZXZ9S7FZTj-vxeg3zYi02LKTsBB-DeE5JMINjVXPrsFOv9uuVrcscGX-MTEZhw4XDYzSk5i6wQ2ZE2Jw/s320/100_2550c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718523959573903234" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3EDc1pe4MiyTn50F1meJQ-JIjG7zQoC8wm-YF0yrpmBWBc8my_ZMrKvajVe8FrshuvU_uY4nCAkoSFzWb1-scrpBnxNPChly-Lc0TWPnFErht6shNjRd_b2h11_UnGri9PLS5nRdJbKD/s1600/100_2553c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3EDc1pe4MiyTn50F1meJQ-JIjG7zQoC8wm-YF0yrpmBWBc8my_ZMrKvajVe8FrshuvU_uY4nCAkoSFzWb1-scrpBnxNPChly-Lc0TWPnFErht6shNjRd_b2h11_UnGri9PLS5nRdJbKD/s320/100_2553c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718523812355648242" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MSvBlZEu7cScNA-dcGDKeIp6OgG6gI2kzBwr18NNybIy5L08fpmsXjo_M4qIYvzYnumeLbbkmj9CGrph4WLNs9otrupes_any9tVELEBvJuJGUx3-S9rB0H49qXQIkvA2o-w3_T0WI5x/s1600/100_2558c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MSvBlZEu7cScNA-dcGDKeIp6OgG6gI2kzBwr18NNybIy5L08fpmsXjo_M4qIYvzYnumeLbbkmj9CGrph4WLNs9otrupes_any9tVELEBvJuJGUx3-S9rB0H49qXQIkvA2o-w3_T0WI5x/s320/100_2558c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718523707345572770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDowX6FPc-o0U2nefwdhi4PRJEiVIUFuDy58meQ-dzwx0-TbEG-WV-_rEVWAaLns20nCQWx1zH2oaI3qKAJDAN1zoMMhYSpMfueZp9XeZaZ6ydYaa6e_6Eni6kcwmQU2JkcvNpLEO5fYsZ/s1600/100_2568c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDowX6FPc-o0U2nefwdhi4PRJEiVIUFuDy58meQ-dzwx0-TbEG-WV-_rEVWAaLns20nCQWx1zH2oaI3qKAJDAN1zoMMhYSpMfueZp9XeZaZ6ydYaa6e_6Eni6kcwmQU2JkcvNpLEO5fYsZ/s320/100_2568c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718523550391330050" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Eeek</span>!!! Fruit bats!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Stanley was nervous about getting into the ocean, so he played <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tiggy</span> (tag) on the beach.<br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSpuH-iZ0e7V26NsYhX9VEhIKIlAe4x3ZeJUDqFXfSLa6T2FKYyourUZGtufM48S0wx5T1OoUWJ_Ge9-W9m07FgMlC6pmx_XRqIuNbMJrqB4-O8HpWkqQz3EZQVXHxl6AfCX54LRK6GjU/s1600/100_2570c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSpuH-iZ0e7V26NsYhX9VEhIKIlAe4x3ZeJUDqFXfSLa6T2FKYyourUZGtufM48S0wx5T1OoUWJ_Ge9-W9m07FgMlC6pmx_XRqIuNbMJrqB4-O8HpWkqQz3EZQVXHxl6AfCX54LRK6GjU/s320/100_2570c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718523405481949106" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMDAx84UwSSHQ4-OhFoIfIWFt1oKPE_DXSUZrIuK8fQ4QJUYEIG5c2554mBLqBC0YoAYgmtE_Ba8F1Bgdkg9KITt_ikOS62Ix7eerTdLo0SZ9JdSDHH7EpS8xXdaCYbTFTpt6SZs73ENs/s1600/100_2571c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMDAx84UwSSHQ4-OhFoIfIWFt1oKPE_DXSUZrIuK8fQ4QJUYEIG5c2554mBLqBC0YoAYgmtE_Ba8F1Bgdkg9KITt_ikOS62Ix7eerTdLo0SZ9JdSDHH7EpS8xXdaCYbTFTpt6SZs73ENs/s320/100_2571c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718523292036422786" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvABH0ej1QQBhOBeFdjLebN800Q0z_ABSPL91EJ-CI-wxShQydWQMt9xwMgPTfy2AuGg72FgFl04fPJ7hnRv7PKiwDn_zH68GOJycCuu46hNvzYgRj31kIZqKEgP8dFtxik9P7UzHWhClE/s1600/100_2572c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvABH0ej1QQBhOBeFdjLebN800Q0z_ABSPL91EJ-CI-wxShQydWQMt9xwMgPTfy2AuGg72FgFl04fPJ7hnRv7PKiwDn_zH68GOJycCuu46hNvzYgRj31kIZqKEgP8dFtxik9P7UzHWhClE/s320/100_2572c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718523189449561634" border="0" /></a>Yum! Yum! Fish, prawns and chips.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All the students wear uniforms here and Stanley was no exception.<br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLsis9zu1w4zytglE7gyufDY9ZiaF1LxUceBe_YScGd5xxvPeRbLGKsnBKBnH3x4jLbTAeU2V59B0AQxvkOl_FCy74nIFa5Ny21MDhBiIdlX9wTahqkQKuoxVFtA3wNySYvyE_zM1bf-U/s1600/100_2573c.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLsis9zu1w4zytglE7gyufDY9ZiaF1LxUceBe_YScGd5xxvPeRbLGKsnBKBnH3x4jLbTAeU2V59B0AQxvkOl_FCy74nIFa5Ny21MDhBiIdlX9wTahqkQKuoxVFtA3wNySYvyE_zM1bf-U/s320/100_2573c.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718523065768870530" border="0" /></a>And of course he had to buy some souvenirs to take back to the second grade class. He also brought back two sets of togs (swim suits), postcards and a map of the koala sanctuary and the museum.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6muoqshA_-dwpbaTVNeG-_vFN-oiunEZRLTqWT8jVJQ3IO_SD5WfwVbQ50m7cyrIxiX4JQgwBH5gM4X-JdtSmOb8XhaTcaTK2uIe5bSuVX-rmJWhNt5UDKIxJeLNDzm705hsKKiR4Nur/s1600/100_2642.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6muoqshA_-dwpbaTVNeG-_vFN-oiunEZRLTqWT8jVJQ3IO_SD5WfwVbQ50m7cyrIxiX4JQgwBH5gM4X-JdtSmOb8XhaTcaTK2uIe5bSuVX-rmJWhNt5UDKIxJeLNDzm705hsKKiR4Nur/s320/100_2642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718522887542133698" border="0" /></a>Thanks for visiting Flat Stanley!!!Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-85005737866771015712012-03-06T02:59:00.007-07:002012-03-06T03:55:46.940-07:00New School YearThe Australian school year is from January until December. While I was in Salt Lake, the kids started a NEW school year. Papa Echo was really 'cute' and labeled the "first day of school" picture with the kids names... in case I forgot.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamNsWAoyabrsOVp0gWWmPMywtIVZ5f80uCk_85Lxysp6jHmIn675vFa3wSvyae8fQIoRxC0qgXyVwxX4lEcXxELWLOPzUF3EuVg91lDh4TEY_uEVNV2tkt2Ndvuu2hjDVlQMmybFD88Im/s1600/Skitched-image0.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamNsWAoyabrsOVp0gWWmPMywtIVZ5f80uCk_85Lxysp6jHmIn675vFa3wSvyae8fQIoRxC0qgXyVwxX4lEcXxELWLOPzUF3EuVg91lDh4TEY_uEVNV2tkt2Ndvuu2hjDVlQMmybFD88Im/s320/Skitched-image0.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716723903771045858" border="0" /></a>Jonathan is in Year 4 and Alyssa is in Year 7<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuBZOrzQqty7uzqAwpnFBrGIveU5CGbiL7IwdD88tPhBNuohzJzKpGWWoYTR5tlw_z7McXaqZnUajmabQnf_Qat7HkTTszzkTc9xDnyRlG6IUVzcZ_K-01UBkMvYd-UaDHQ9wh4YopFHm/s1600/2012-01-24+08.13.22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuBZOrzQqty7uzqAwpnFBrGIveU5CGbiL7IwdD88tPhBNuohzJzKpGWWoYTR5tlw_z7McXaqZnUajmabQnf_Qat7HkTTszzkTc9xDnyRlG6IUVzcZ_K-01UBkMvYd-UaDHQ9wh4YopFHm/s320/2012-01-24+08.13.22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716723715795062626" border="0" /></a>Jessica is in Year 10<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Alyssa was voted in as a School Councillor.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtelicJpdLMDH58B9KFZb8riK5tI1Sb5u_nktQcvXvaZoiEje0Ow7MlWEJzbSuxCQPQdrj8cAjDnpO-vl-0CDclX8jEwBtq_JBL5p2E9teFsZPyvox31aoSeAAdsr3GZmaeceYFiS2j5Ni/s1600/2012-02-20+09.47.19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtelicJpdLMDH58B9KFZb8riK5tI1Sb5u_nktQcvXvaZoiEje0Ow7MlWEJzbSuxCQPQdrj8cAjDnpO-vl-0CDclX8jEwBtq_JBL5p2E9teFsZPyvox31aoSeAAdsr3GZmaeceYFiS2j5Ni/s320/2012-02-20+09.47.19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716723502916324834" border="0" /></a>Congratulations Alyssa Kay!!<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8LpO7bJVbAX1UPcKrjkDCEMOo7saCkH-l06bDMbqIYP44AxpbXbugPs0xWCZo5uwNzkBwzwH8mQG5eaBoM-j-jLFbUSdtrO_yHu5cBcDPWIGvsFmFVWw2gjj7SXaio15Ax-Dgyb4WrV0/s1600/100_2578.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8LpO7bJVbAX1UPcKrjkDCEMOo7saCkH-l06bDMbqIYP44AxpbXbugPs0xWCZo5uwNzkBwzwH8mQG5eaBoM-j-jLFbUSdtrO_yHu5cBcDPWIGvsFmFVWw2gjj7SXaio15Ax-Dgyb4WrV0/s320/100_2578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716723206297060082" border="0" /></a><br />The kids are all enjoying school. Jessica LOVES having two different art classes and Alyssa and Jonathan both love their Japanese language class.Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-89879240367500531432012-03-04T00:35:00.013-07:002012-03-04T00:57:42.411-07:00Summer Birthday PartiesJonathan invited a bunch of friends to go bowling with him for his birthday. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuDU3fLp_CHRoaiH2qfua4v4isoK3eDMEh6l4-0V8vz9T79hNCbeHy_5ocb2CDrAEWRtxpm-KOZf2j4sn9GZsbqzPmoglIrabnfpChEGITiC4W58554iCeSE-sdjKiB2QptzgnKq0QP8C/s1600/100_2595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuDU3fLp_CHRoaiH2qfua4v4isoK3eDMEh6l4-0V8vz9T79hNCbeHy_5ocb2CDrAEWRtxpm-KOZf2j4sn9GZsbqzPmoglIrabnfpChEGITiC4W58554iCeSE-sdjKiB2QptzgnKq0QP8C/s320/100_2595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715945448921103890" border="0" /></a>Two good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lookin</span>' guys.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTo9X6BC44A3sF8_-oBXBpwtC9dcG5ggzEQKW22Ru82Nh3W0k0iy7znqXCsCcErgAO-uh0CZF62zWpPJyS_QyIeGdphvcfXYuKY2QhQaibTgKjeMLXhebz54dF0L9jI3XLcKcMAwLrGBs/s1600/100_2615.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTo9X6BC44A3sF8_-oBXBpwtC9dcG5ggzEQKW22Ru82Nh3W0k0iy7znqXCsCcErgAO-uh0CZF62zWpPJyS_QyIeGdphvcfXYuKY2QhQaibTgKjeMLXhebz54dF0L9jI3XLcKcMAwLrGBs/s320/100_2615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715945331698951874" border="0" /></a>Nice Jonathan!!<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8ZFF5ch3si4YTrh9-78q7U4Kt69rbqAJD3-Y3fldopqAwFWr1U797vOBgz9s-9zEJMvNKm-7nbF6ZdFPfyQf4iMxvx0uObBHgAAoFjZIBv6U_KaiavSIDcWYG6CR68oMKA4Kc-TyeCUX/s1600/100_2623.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8ZFF5ch3si4YTrh9-78q7U4Kt69rbqAJD3-Y3fldopqAwFWr1U797vOBgz9s-9zEJMvNKm-7nbF6ZdFPfyQf4iMxvx0uObBHgAAoFjZIBv6U_KaiavSIDcWYG6CR68oMKA4Kc-TyeCUX/s320/100_2623.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715945215145794114" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HdX3Y-qQgfAkpk8dCbQpZpiHorzvGp3YlMILHapqXkN9Rs3wyPeh80gNGDHx0S2tPI0-k0GZFbvB7HIFs8YYGhtrYX10VtW361Y5CxPImFFHsOvaUut0lq_r6P-FH65DJIICz5DnC9Dg/s1600/100_2634.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HdX3Y-qQgfAkpk8dCbQpZpiHorzvGp3YlMILHapqXkN9Rs3wyPeh80gNGDHx0S2tPI0-k0GZFbvB7HIFs8YYGhtrYX10VtW361Y5CxPImFFHsOvaUut0lq_r6P-FH65DJIICz5DnC9Dg/s320/100_2634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715945070574158466" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9NFk7yz6hDJuhyphenhyphen0wHYufILfD1hANArIdbSSGNUiPDKmWPjVk1rYhoTkzBoQppfISY3Z0ab6Z3HbI2AJdqkZO-of7BVCDCyWMuowYXz-WDWU_oeS1eR-zrRC2ekD64x_3Pd2ekIM6S3Ri/s1600/100_2636.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9NFk7yz6hDJuhyphenhyphen0wHYufILfD1hANArIdbSSGNUiPDKmWPjVk1rYhoTkzBoQppfISY3Z0ab6Z3HbI2AJdqkZO-of7BVCDCyWMuowYXz-WDWU_oeS1eR-zrRC2ekD64x_3Pd2ekIM6S3Ri/s320/100_2636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715944936191206338" border="0" /></a><br />And then it was Alyssa's turn for a party. She has ALWAYS wanted to have a summer birthday party... including swimming and an ice cream cake. <br /><br />Done and Done.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU9DSFsMsAwkSLEAdl_jYwAoJF5SThd_HZjiVD5hV_4JZcW6IFJ83ODfFhrgP2JqvReOcYi_UBr1Iw3TgHc6r5HEJNZBtCtWthyphenhyphenNYedSLuUwPem_W2V94raPov5EYRd6LmFhvtSApcKBr/s1600/100_2643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU9DSFsMsAwkSLEAdl_jYwAoJF5SThd_HZjiVD5hV_4JZcW6IFJ83ODfFhrgP2JqvReOcYi_UBr1Iw3TgHc6r5HEJNZBtCtWthyphenhyphenNYedSLuUwPem_W2V94raPov5EYRd6LmFhvtSApcKBr/s320/100_2643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715943852350686210" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsshy8zvkS-SdsOlqn0NnLsbD9vWotva3IQ9kQafyc8m1MCdMysKLoDFDr1uR4ArDcEHY_029Noq31yZ88YTMq_tZ3-v2JNaE6DOq0Bzie5-9TgVgkTCwMM0WBJ3_50oywzf7h8bf6s28/s1600/100_2653.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsshy8zvkS-SdsOlqn0NnLsbD9vWotva3IQ9kQafyc8m1MCdMysKLoDFDr1uR4ArDcEHY_029Noq31yZ88YTMq_tZ3-v2JNaE6DOq0Bzie5-9TgVgkTCwMM0WBJ3_50oywzf7h8bf6s28/s320/100_2653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715943746195589634" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWXJZmSjEwCR_GgP8eSRy5jcpQ5IEBM-W8TEI1L0-T8HKa0sbpx1x3ZH0J-lSnell3p1AcMb96t7DGfHPMHQlKKwzhvGpl1KKWNgNxYdYnmkPSB1BLG4WJ4SpdS_GYOqREQxuZCK3232q/s1600/100_2658.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWXJZmSjEwCR_GgP8eSRy5jcpQ5IEBM-W8TEI1L0-T8HKa0sbpx1x3ZH0J-lSnell3p1AcMb96t7DGfHPMHQlKKwzhvGpl1KKWNgNxYdYnmkPSB1BLG4WJ4SpdS_GYOqREQxuZCK3232q/s320/100_2658.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715943586129794962" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_v-EUdMUrywbxUHXaEXiuHPvm9G1eY0LjpvVxDCvg7WvmfRwe4u2uZ2XAp8jvBh6lgcuu8sCFAIK_IYTghA3r8ANcn4isURdGLFKFSUb-gQbGelCvPrYR9wx6A7B58saMe4IYaWJdypu/s1600/100_2660.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_v-EUdMUrywbxUHXaEXiuHPvm9G1eY0LjpvVxDCvg7WvmfRwe4u2uZ2XAp8jvBh6lgcuu8sCFAIK_IYTghA3r8ANcn4isURdGLFKFSUb-gQbGelCvPrYR9wx6A7B58saMe4IYaWJdypu/s320/100_2660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715943483982010146" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3pP7doUfN0sARJnGRrLOJ9DZJkwaQ9v62dmR-OctizVNYUHLt2Nr_7ZjnZEznsL0VxkNyXBlxDCc59RSW6-58bZlG1-ld93yARPbGr4Kmat9dWqS35QeqBqfZLxkbVgBrS_cCyaLzVJ6/s1600/100_2668.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3pP7doUfN0sARJnGRrLOJ9DZJkwaQ9v62dmR-OctizVNYUHLt2Nr_7ZjnZEznsL0VxkNyXBlxDCc59RSW6-58bZlG1-ld93yARPbGr4Kmat9dWqS35QeqBqfZLxkbVgBrS_cCyaLzVJ6/s320/100_2668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715942530381923714" border="0" /></a>No party is complete without "Just Dance 3"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Happy 12<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> Birthday Alyssa!!!<br /></div></div>Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-4326406220916758392012-02-22T03:18:00.005-07:002012-02-22T03:31:02.063-07:00Happy Birthday Jonathan!!Jonathan turned 9 years old today. While he will be having a bowling party this weekend, I thought I would give you some pictures of his pre-party party. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4i1AEwvN2d5Ta-Dcdx8WMotVa7LglDi1AFdfg7_EB0zfeaAKji3fpeUrGAiNSfxSHAYoCLKsuFAeAbl26bvmLmKBxwRmSliBRmkwfVU_dHqJTMX0rV5WpCkccCoy57_rGgJrw_P8R3pxO/s1600/100_2580.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4i1AEwvN2d5Ta-Dcdx8WMotVa7LglDi1AFdfg7_EB0zfeaAKji3fpeUrGAiNSfxSHAYoCLKsuFAeAbl26bvmLmKBxwRmSliBRmkwfVU_dHqJTMX0rV5WpCkccCoy57_rGgJrw_P8R3pxO/s320/100_2580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711903167584834258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfjHY_12n-__GhDQJWf0lHBjr-ShVWm0kRHSOodMqWTkzTBITT7sVhrQEhMPaQaNqN0E3UUmYxihILR4TGycQQSXTIKVMbjwYnqJhkG5ZGCm-R8_GfN-Z_2yq_t46do9PnpgUVsRCWuyk/s1600/100_2586.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfjHY_12n-__GhDQJWf0lHBjr-ShVWm0kRHSOodMqWTkzTBITT7sVhrQEhMPaQaNqN0E3UUmYxihILR4TGycQQSXTIKVMbjwYnqJhkG5ZGCm-R8_GfN-Z_2yq_t46do9PnpgUVsRCWuyk/s320/100_2586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711903462421560242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug7nG58CWNxu09u8641FgOXd-c__r2FAfCwgt5g69ZOfk6xXCxzzeGozLyw1UbDQbVewhAdB6RgbOKaI6BqCInfpClVtPDgk4_p_5LzPYyFgIiZgX-3clkvIqh7H2LdcN69JwOdiEYgDH/s1600/100_2589.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug7nG58CWNxu09u8641FgOXd-c__r2FAfCwgt5g69ZOfk6xXCxzzeGozLyw1UbDQbVewhAdB6RgbOKaI6BqCInfpClVtPDgk4_p_5LzPYyFgIiZgX-3clkvIqh7H2LdcN69JwOdiEYgDH/s320/100_2589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711903839940301090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrFLlpmqgPaFWkqHg2XzQ3nEP3g4hbgDkXhO5WAlYF-xDb6D-sHJfETSt-d5wJHVv4aSMaedTwuZ3SB0WTq67MASNDUVT7Z3ABJhlX23XbI_kBgqDO86mawCufAbEqS4NyLH4rQ2fVz6a/s1600/100_2593.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrFLlpmqgPaFWkqHg2XzQ3nEP3g4hbgDkXhO5WAlYF-xDb6D-sHJfETSt-d5wJHVv4aSMaedTwuZ3SB0WTq67MASNDUVT7Z3ABJhlX23XbI_kBgqDO86mawCufAbEqS4NyLH4rQ2fVz6a/s320/100_2593.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711904343209303986" border="0" /></a>Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-77970736483156078412012-02-06T23:38:00.004-07:002012-02-07T04:01:39.159-07:00Goodbye Whymommy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7DQyIB3k3pcdvH4yvgJxJcS0_inSgyRS3uprx7o6afC2HEUp30N0w0cywX2CVoQiTTtZclWvoPnEECmq6Tl3DXznXSp5r-CcgXZWhACjGesPWhql3tAPktb_RPvCTuddkZTnwPOV90py/s1600/Whymommy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7DQyIB3k3pcdvH4yvgJxJcS0_inSgyRS3uprx7o6afC2HEUp30N0w0cywX2CVoQiTTtZclWvoPnEECmq6Tl3DXznXSp5r-CcgXZWhACjGesPWhql3tAPktb_RPvCTuddkZTnwPOV90py/s320/Whymommy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706280321221742434" border="0" /></a><a href="http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/"><br />Goodbye Whymommy</a>. Through your blogs, you taught me to be a better mom, wife, teacher, and person. You fought a good fight and now it's time to rest. You will be missed more than you could ever know. I only wish we could have met in person.<br /><br />I'm sending hugs, thoughts and prayers to your sweet husband and two little boys.Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-88872756027747953872012-01-30T21:19:00.011-07:002012-01-30T22:38:53.185-07:00Back HomeMy grandmother has been in an assisted living center for the last six years. The two years before that were spent at different aunt's homes. She became really ill at the end of October. She would 'rally' a bit and then look as though she was going to pass away and then 'rally' again. During this up and down time, there was a lot of family drama. I heard about it and could do NOTHING... Then I heard of an inability of the care center to take care of basic needs. Again, I could do NOTHING...<br /><br />And after hearing about escalating family drama (people can be so cruel sometimes) and even more neglect on the part of the facility.... I said to my dear sweet husband,<br /><br />"I need to go home."<br /><br />And as we bought the plane tickets he pointed out that even though I was going for two weeks, she may not pass away while I was there. It had been over two months from the initial time we thought was 'it'. I told him that at least for those two weeks, I would help in any way I could and hopefully give my cousin, mom and aunts a break.<br /><br />We booked the tickets on Wed and I left Friday morning. I kept it a secret from everyone except my siblings. When I arrived in LA on Friday morning (dang International dateline) my sister called and said that my Grandma had passed away. So I spent 6 hours at LAX thinking of my Grandma and knowing that my mom was very, very sad. I couldn't wait to give her a hug.<br /><br />With Julie's help, I surprised my parents and gave lots of hugs and did what I could to help prepare for a funeral. It was very important to my aunt to dress my Grandma in special religious clothing and do her make-up and hair. There were not too many others that wanted to help. My cousin Lisa and I went with my aunt and we took care of my Grandma one last time. It was a very special experience and I'm so glad I went. The funeral was lovely with many wonderful stories of her life.<br /><br />And when that was all over on Monday, I realized that I still had a little less than two weeks before flying home. I spent that time with my parents, siblings and friends. I also filled that time eating things that I had been missing. I also saw my Missy dog.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptiu46sRqOQGTizS7ScIq4GacWMpb3rYHewyakO13scbTSpzQBeAM7nMIGJeM3v__ptTjNzifpbEC3lfCYOxwdwZC5sekymXCfaiidV_ttE5QBm9Ctd1xhLq_yzIaiC3ncPQtigdSt0Lg/s1600/100_2509.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptiu46sRqOQGTizS7ScIq4GacWMpb3rYHewyakO13scbTSpzQBeAM7nMIGJeM3v__ptTjNzifpbEC3lfCYOxwdwZC5sekymXCfaiidV_ttE5QBm9Ctd1xhLq_yzIaiC3ncPQtigdSt0Lg/s320/100_2509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703652277532645698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I don't think she remembered me, but she did like me after I scratched her belly.</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQTiDPRi1IT_LyMLx3CzxafiohrqHwhKLe1-o8V5ZXhwJYwbY9c8Ykc3IZIK4k3yanDbO35eGagSNabdMTF1IMJDAmqQ8ScS5T88t9cfah2EYZukoAVjMmLUlSe0C4_SXpb0GkbLf99st/s1600/100_2497.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQTiDPRi1IT_LyMLx3CzxafiohrqHwhKLe1-o8V5ZXhwJYwbY9c8Ykc3IZIK4k3yanDbO35eGagSNabdMTF1IMJDAmqQ8ScS5T88t9cfah2EYZukoAVjMmLUlSe0C4_SXpb0GkbLf99st/s320/100_2497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703652410670188578" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Snow? I much prefer sandy beaches thank you very much!<br /><br /></span></span></div>Any trip to Salt Lake always consists of at least one visit with my high school friends to <a href="http://www.chilis.com/EN/Pages/home.aspx">Chili's</a>. We like it because it has good food, good service and an unlimited supply of Diet Coke. I asked the waiter to NOT remove any glasses so I could get a picture for my Aussie friends. FREE REFILLS and the waiter just keeps bringing them.... Ah, God bless America.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuSoVcBUnwy8KdGskAYVc9RuUksQ6k-p6S0D87F4W0xBhclW6MhVXqOfsejo0BnG59Di_h8JQegiaqoVrhY34FAvoD-Po8-cVm75Q28SFwSeuM1Kpb8RNk008a1A4SaSuFCdOcR9k9z8j/s1600/100_2496.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuSoVcBUnwy8KdGskAYVc9RuUksQ6k-p6S0D87F4W0xBhclW6MhVXqOfsejo0BnG59Di_h8JQegiaqoVrhY34FAvoD-Po8-cVm75Q28SFwSeuM1Kpb8RNk008a1A4SaSuFCdOcR9k9z8j/s320/100_2496.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703652130788747810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">That's 15 drinks (there was 18, but another waitress was 'helping' and took 3 away) for 5 people.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFGa08o1DOU1ptWxZPuq1Uw51k8E5PimlcsCwDBGuLlxY4YQ0lm4eylqsQ4LvHkoFFRY3I54lAkZpkJLevBbz4zMvDiCumW-mTmwwKVoniE-ZujBB5lJ_oSsIGSok5mwdU3UM_gGd-E89/s1600/100_2504.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFGa08o1DOU1ptWxZPuq1Uw51k8E5PimlcsCwDBGuLlxY4YQ0lm4eylqsQ4LvHkoFFRY3I54lAkZpkJLevBbz4zMvDiCumW-mTmwwKVoniE-ZujBB5lJ_oSsIGSok5mwdU3UM_gGd-E89/s320/100_2504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703651990384901810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I LOVE me some <a href="http://www.caferio.com/">Cafe Rio</a>!!!</span><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I get asked all the time what I miss most from America. I always answer with 'Fountain Drinks'. Turns out that nobody understands what this means here. (I've heard someone refer to them as 'post-mix' drinks.) Australia? I would consider living here forever if you offered the following at your petrol (gas) stations.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyb7xxWibcjATlBcHS-kx8AnQ7jCDFwwDVnjALKCe6DhfI25omfBg1QePbw4XATgr1cp4isNuyrT9vqMMzoqk5hUGivhAN2gm6r5_v9nBtUfAko-gGRU-uQZXp9GmGmKBdaNr76MM55md/s1600/100_2501.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyb7xxWibcjATlBcHS-kx8AnQ7jCDFwwDVnjALKCe6DhfI25omfBg1QePbw4XATgr1cp4isNuyrT9vqMMzoqk5hUGivhAN2gm6r5_v9nBtUfAko-gGRU-uQZXp9GmGmKBdaNr76MM55md/s320/100_2501.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703651833051448066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cheap fountain drinks of any size and flavor. (Notice $1.49 for the XXL?)<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLUdu0v3HUqRFX9uJVp4Sl41pDvW22FL8ejnzESLEjgGLlfJwXrS_hH7GCnxfJdTvzSCJZPOHxyMG1sDgT4Spo9iuSUG7l8UNzbhRruQP-RI_a2OpwIKRPR0j-H73OA4Eyc4YMAQXzXlM/s1600/100_2503.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLUdu0v3HUqRFX9uJVp4Sl41pDvW22FL8ejnzESLEjgGLlfJwXrS_hH7GCnxfJdTvzSCJZPOHxyMG1sDgT4Spo9iuSUG7l8UNzbhRruQP-RI_a2OpwIKRPR0j-H73OA4Eyc4YMAQXzXlM/s320/100_2503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703652881553986754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And lots and lots of lollies (candy).<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I'm starting to see why I have a weight problem...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Anyway,<br /><br />Before I knew I was going to the states, we found a lolly shop in the shopping centre (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hee</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hee</span>, I said lolly instead of candy and shopping centre instead of mall.... I even spelled centre the Aussie way....)<span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> and found some lollies that we had been craving. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79a5u1cp70J-ZUndsknYof89fayMk6X65s45oTIpY3z5-cpMhbIkn04m_REnzUEW4FDm4DiDop4BpKTRJNYIo_55WUQpKzm3TiHlwAe-ofbALeAHwZNMefq9aA3jeqLsXQTjLS4wgMxf2/s1600/100_2495.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79a5u1cp70J-ZUndsknYof89fayMk6X65s45oTIpY3z5-cpMhbIkn04m_REnzUEW4FDm4DiDop4BpKTRJNYIo_55WUQpKzm3TiHlwAe-ofbALeAHwZNMefq9aA3jeqLsXQTjLS4wgMxf2/s320/100_2495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703651606157880146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I spent $5 on these two packages and the four of us shared them. (Papa Echo refrained from eating the treasured candy.)<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">Grandma wanted to get the kids something they would enjoy and something that was difficult or impossible to find in Australia.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSrAd9hxNKaLeKUb01vwM7JayLy7OFCYmSTmydJ44VV4-rMJNCmn1AU8FTdGOXcr2t2Hxv3IjvEfxjioXADpOCriyqX9kW5biV7IsnlvC-Z3zoIYDtehAA-FciaeN5KtucP_hZRZ2SGH5/s1600/100_2512.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSrAd9hxNKaLeKUb01vwM7JayLy7OFCYmSTmydJ44VV4-rMJNCmn1AU8FTdGOXcr2t2Hxv3IjvEfxjioXADpOCriyqX9kW5biV7IsnlvC-Z3zoIYDtehAA-FciaeN5KtucP_hZRZ2SGH5/s320/100_2512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703651436540954370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ya' gotta love <a href="http://www.costco.com/Home.aspx">Costco</a>. Thanks Grandma!!<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>As much as I loved seeing my friends and family again, I sure did miss my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">kidlets</span> and husband. Two weeks was a VERY LONG time to be gone from them. I also missed the beach and the lifestyle here. I was so HAPPY to be getting on the plane to come back home to Australia.<br /></div></div>Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-74426854441564293342012-01-08T02:54:00.012-07:002012-01-08T03:26:27.523-07:00Quick Trip SouthSummer vacation + Papa Echo has time off + a soon to end Harry Potter exhibition = a quick run to Sydney. <br /><br />On the way down the coast we had to stop and ride camels... on the beach of course.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbyKeetr3ZdGLlsm24wWb9OYSVcnRR9aMCrK4R5ASpHuBatDQXCEJGmLKCo952GWepG4ujGn2V9ZXxS7fmB7q_3iz-9DFWNUb9D9eU8OghEsd6QNDyWMyR_BAGGjrcCvGFOPWVid-7Owv/s1600/100_2442.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbyKeetr3ZdGLlsm24wWb9OYSVcnRR9aMCrK4R5ASpHuBatDQXCEJGmLKCo952GWepG4ujGn2V9ZXxS7fmB7q_3iz-9DFWNUb9D9eU8OghEsd6QNDyWMyR_BAGGjrcCvGFOPWVid-7Owv/s320/100_2442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695201202045994226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihflcSs-R82qAqlWWGxM6JlmRjlT42ScbjAZ7J8ewwIU3cJR9z0JwFhtg6UYsmkKtOFsYSOH8RdDuNd1vdVj1dueqVaK0na0rUhQMkcZEGewPYjX6zS7-BOMALz0YKR29dpT00RfaoaM9K/s1600/100_2443.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihflcSs-R82qAqlWWGxM6JlmRjlT42ScbjAZ7J8ewwIU3cJR9z0JwFhtg6UYsmkKtOFsYSOH8RdDuNd1vdVj1dueqVaK0na0rUhQMkcZEGewPYjX6zS7-BOMALz0YKR29dpT00RfaoaM9K/s320/100_2443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695201049654265170" border="0" /></a>Look out! They spit.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNTtn-pFHbjCDpmS3YOIzZURx-qYdoA4awzokWffCCJ9LxkTGkcLOLnqs4cefvtAYO_X51m7_uckFiGj-PvfzkICHieoeBWMvKpBwUkofpftuSc87HgeKGH6fmcNpIxSk46HC050a5mWG/s1600/100_2455.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNTtn-pFHbjCDpmS3YOIzZURx-qYdoA4awzokWffCCJ9LxkTGkcLOLnqs4cefvtAYO_X51m7_uckFiGj-PvfzkICHieoeBWMvKpBwUkofpftuSc87HgeKGH6fmcNpIxSk46HC050a5mWG/s320/100_2455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695200908234272322" border="0" /></a>I think we are the first tourists ever to get this picture.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74dPztrRD19jRRVn6kzPrOEr4BvuSh66xDjBKO1Q6bKBZvVAm07cWls_y1lRuBQ9f6SzDSyDZgpz4F2xVu3QEDPNzAcUYxs-HJY54tnZD-XXRDS_BYgLSeEsNL8HVBhznBiwQaJ8EH75v/s1600/100_2456.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74dPztrRD19jRRVn6kzPrOEr4BvuSh66xDjBKO1Q6bKBZvVAm07cWls_y1lRuBQ9f6SzDSyDZgpz4F2xVu3QEDPNzAcUYxs-HJY54tnZD-XXRDS_BYgLSeEsNL8HVBhznBiwQaJ8EH75v/s320/100_2456.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695198335250072674" border="0" /></a>And this one...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDPxkYyP0b4eFEgjk4ZsEyiw1vM9PvkMsVpFNuyk2MjeFZQfL0dxBF92k5CrV7Wjuh279XLwsF_2-g66XY8q_FmwABD2KEETyqLu_YlsqbkMPQfk3NW10L_lFG1bwZCwgAUG3XfECZsIS/s1600/100_2460.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDPxkYyP0b4eFEgjk4ZsEyiw1vM9PvkMsVpFNuyk2MjeFZQfL0dxBF92k5CrV7Wjuh279XLwsF_2-g66XY8q_FmwABD2KEETyqLu_YlsqbkMPQfk3NW10L_lFG1bwZCwgAUG3XfECZsIS/s320/100_2460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695198193959029106" border="0" /></a>Dave- How would you like to tile the OUTSIDE of the Opera House?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrvc9qVinho8QbRmo-cugbH4rV1x4LSwxFLwhFcRcn8DJxXu6UK3qZHSttN2Tar2vIqwDJmNAGAK-BvewYj8af69BJRnNZ8Au14yFp-I42NoKA4WZ8MdcUT7RTaJctl0lKoAIfi0mhl4C/s1600/100_2479.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrvc9qVinho8QbRmo-cugbH4rV1x4LSwxFLwhFcRcn8DJxXu6UK3qZHSttN2Tar2vIqwDJmNAGAK-BvewYj8af69BJRnNZ8Au14yFp-I42NoKA4WZ8MdcUT7RTaJctl0lKoAIfi0mhl4C/s320/100_2479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695198014742953106" border="0" /></a>The Harry Potter exhibit had all kinds of props, clothing, and backdrops from the movies. They would not allow cameras, so this is us waiting in line to get in. The wait was worth it!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDtli4pEXNYNAkKSZXPlnTnj6jvUIZpGM3HoPno-c-GBSy1cllBroUH7l7HxxwtSw93L_kONMT-Wu8_yyDCxtsr7AhnehGtlWhUzaCT0arO0z-UVP4o59WZlVAo6OZWNWfncpE0Z39cUs/s1600/100_2482.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDtli4pEXNYNAkKSZXPlnTnj6jvUIZpGM3HoPno-c-GBSy1cllBroUH7l7HxxwtSw93L_kONMT-Wu8_yyDCxtsr7AhnehGtlWhUzaCT0arO0z-UVP4o59WZlVAo6OZWNWfncpE0Z39cUs/s320/100_2482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695197867724606194" border="0" /></a>FYI... Bertie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Botts</span> Every Flavor Beans are disgusting. Or so Alyssa says... none of us tried any of them after watching her try a "rotten egg".<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoCd3hsV2BcADdpI2lchJek2eO1hO1W4KVUEPTsg6SDw-p8GeKsaXDBgou0t_cKxxtPKyrs4KGT979nabXpu0TYXOuTRCM4F1izLXYccZR22fnNj7_ZRxqJLMT6gKGHaFHOKhe_pbpRYM/s1600/100_2492.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoCd3hsV2BcADdpI2lchJek2eO1hO1W4KVUEPTsg6SDw-p8GeKsaXDBgou0t_cKxxtPKyrs4KGT979nabXpu0TYXOuTRCM4F1izLXYccZR22fnNj7_ZRxqJLMT6gKGHaFHOKhe_pbpRYM/s320/100_2492.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695197723033799778" border="0" /></a>Before we left for home the next day, we went to a Lego Exhibition. This was Jonathan's favorite sculpture.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was a quick trip to Sydney, but fun!!!<br /></div></div>Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-79454045506567494082012-01-04T17:04:00.003-07:002012-01-04T17:11:04.348-07:00You Are Welcome<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvkl_9jD3vVjxTON9YByJJaG-N5LT0T_FslR6jpMPoljLQu_tW2SzfDhQWMsxwlW2wRfofb9W9BWoMUw02ZpxeLfMwZ38AURerk5U8pjdNBQYYQTo6GcaZobsqx5XzaRL0usXVtkZQrS2/s1600/100_2401.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvkl_9jD3vVjxTON9YByJJaG-N5LT0T_FslR6jpMPoljLQu_tW2SzfDhQWMsxwlW2wRfofb9W9BWoMUw02ZpxeLfMwZ38AURerk5U8pjdNBQYYQTo6GcaZobsqx5XzaRL0usXVtkZQrS2/s320/100_2401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693932502104429218" border="0" /></a>At 3 inches this is a tiny spider. </div>Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-60273189273161141002011-12-31T04:27:00.013-07:002011-12-31T04:54:40.090-07:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!2011 has been a very eventful year to say the least. We wouldn't change any of it though. Before we sign out for 2011 and begin 2012, I better post Christmas pictures. (Otherwise it might be June before I get around to it.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf5vrQGTSdZg9b6hhQTze7IVKnJPBMxCjnronw72xdj0sAx_vpA1Y1jDg8H6pJS8ojehDppWG5qswicIKtSyriTYgX5d8XCJ-4iIirk5FmqDvLI8mlY9yPCovPNN-QJJl3htomzeEN_SR/s1600/100_2360.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf5vrQGTSdZg9b6hhQTze7IVKnJPBMxCjnronw72xdj0sAx_vpA1Y1jDg8H6pJS8ojehDppWG5qswicIKtSyriTYgX5d8XCJ-4iIirk5FmqDvLI8mlY9yPCovPNN-QJJl3htomzeEN_SR/s320/100_2360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692254764398840178" border="0" /></a>New PJ's for Christmas Eve<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfKt5kkkGmBq4FatuZF559Xb7eNnzZGSi6axC4_Ectn-CfbYxbMEo7BbpmKDqPRMh_RpdAC_02U3BxTq4MqZXv75Vyrkfz71xekWXr790ovRwWYQ7piQB3ZGh5gKtKlR0NKGh6dBEhL8S/s1600/100_2367.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfKt5kkkGmBq4FatuZF559Xb7eNnzZGSi6axC4_Ectn-CfbYxbMEo7BbpmKDqPRMh_RpdAC_02U3BxTq4MqZXv75Vyrkfz71xekWXr790ovRwWYQ7piQB3ZGh5gKtKlR0NKGh6dBEhL8S/s320/100_2367.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692254631875276834" border="0" /></a>Tracking Santa using <a href="http://www.noradsanta.org/">NORAD Santa Tracker</a>.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_CUbWAIw0XnEmQ3B-_AjqpfRhvQAl_HkYEc213Eab4afx4Z0ohiPOvqdwG69kosBa5FX7Li6VwE7_3hF0vZghquWtdsyZS6paG7MxX6aPAClrT84_gTyk6HufkS2du9QhZUKKfeDwrAf/s1600/100_2369.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_CUbWAIw0XnEmQ3B-_AjqpfRhvQAl_HkYEc213Eab4afx4Z0ohiPOvqdwG69kosBa5FX7Li6VwE7_3hF0vZghquWtdsyZS6paG7MxX6aPAClrT84_gTyk6HufkS2du9QhZUKKfeDwrAf/s320/100_2369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692254461123363394" border="0" /></a>Santa found us.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapAaYJS4djbWbtF1FEhPyqaPWsRhYCT0Je-5GlJwk_jbNk61qFx2cWCjKogCBeExTUYFJwad5NHlxe8-xD3UCXUT8HxCTDaCwYfEI5sSyfv_uO7YUfkB54FKSjPQZwBAefvyQ78zw_lC0/s1600/100_2370.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapAaYJS4djbWbtF1FEhPyqaPWsRhYCT0Je-5GlJwk_jbNk61qFx2cWCjKogCBeExTUYFJwad5NHlxe8-xD3UCXUT8HxCTDaCwYfEI5sSyfv_uO7YUfkB54FKSjPQZwBAefvyQ78zw_lC0/s320/100_2370.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692254349007620482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX2vFrOGmRu3wPGc8v2ijrhRcXfJkS9r1k8zoBN5ZFI0xGbweE_LfLFitQi5wcWOR4AIn7Q3E_QZrOHjYCbmvgDYwXzWWeIwneXtHJ4h5pwbyrffWNm8eLOsrOWKoKZREcDFmY0ju_n7x/s1600/100_2378.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX2vFrOGmRu3wPGc8v2ijrhRcXfJkS9r1k8zoBN5ZFI0xGbweE_LfLFitQi5wcWOR4AIn7Q3E_QZrOHjYCbmvgDYwXzWWeIwneXtHJ4h5pwbyrffWNm8eLOsrOWKoKZREcDFmY0ju_n7x/s320/100_2378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692254217390939474" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtmblJMPxbJgZykZVa278bOalg0RaKbb08nSex7UcRsnPoEmSql5L_m6rf5bxnrN49YZ_oJA8vCbvwUzfJJxoHNzD0uBMz3rcsjuW61jR-mITfyBP1B-XZpcjUfyz68Hhyphenhyphen0wFK8wEIxqS/s1600/100_2381.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtmblJMPxbJgZykZVa278bOalg0RaKbb08nSex7UcRsnPoEmSql5L_m6rf5bxnrN49YZ_oJA8vCbvwUzfJJxoHNzD0uBMz3rcsjuW61jR-mITfyBP1B-XZpcjUfyz68Hhyphenhyphen0wFK8wEIxqS/s320/100_2381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692257206581479042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlP3fKVd4JNNBhyphenhyphen4Uz8oIG_H9edqMrBLmqhDjGUEWolnRcIuiKX18xdZNdAqzgmgQRHp28eWbMb4OXpZuxI-TGjcKxBELl5rJe8Ggn72et9n7E45NXL8ABLOMCuCHPJIx-M_fzfKjMHHt_/s1600/100_2385.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlP3fKVd4JNNBhyphenhyphen4Uz8oIG_H9edqMrBLmqhDjGUEWolnRcIuiKX18xdZNdAqzgmgQRHp28eWbMb4OXpZuxI-TGjcKxBELl5rJe8Ggn72et9n7E45NXL8ABLOMCuCHPJIx-M_fzfKjMHHt_/s320/100_2385.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692253925360434338" border="0" /></a>After dinner we went on a walk along the beach.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ickqtPI7SroQvlJHB0dsUWZ3LygF_6LG2nbMRwVuPFjRePvs24oKFDtlBts1uXSi9A5HYWysZoResgBOz5553mfG_k2s1yUfDIzP15ymRPejRhTEdzKeU3yJrpCnrQPkl45wVYI2goac/s1600/100_2391.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ickqtPI7SroQvlJHB0dsUWZ3LygF_6LG2nbMRwVuPFjRePvs24oKFDtlBts1uXSi9A5HYWysZoResgBOz5553mfG_k2s1yUfDIzP15ymRPejRhTEdzKeU3yJrpCnrQPkl45wVYI2goac/s320/100_2391.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692253712823152306" border="0" /></a>It was a little windy. (All together now... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ahhh</span>.... so sad....)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The next day was Boxing Day and we went to a friend/distant relatives home for that. It was a BLAST!!! Her whole family was there and they were just as fun as my family... made me not feel quite as homesick. Oh and for those that are wondering what Boxing Day is? Nobody knows... it's just another day off work to drink and play. Ya' just gotta' love the Aussie life. <br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZd_CixyQ627LRQWdpLw4V9iGHvbkQnMHj2KXNMISLmBl77uZF-2DMvn2hKWTfjCRtqSeDLh6lpTrO6TiuUqwRDX0y_BcTaqlOA5W_nzhw1eniqmsbqXpn7KdQsCbZZt5r7wvtuAmADqr/s1600/100_2402.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZd_CixyQ627LRQWdpLw4V9iGHvbkQnMHj2KXNMISLmBl77uZF-2DMvn2hKWTfjCRtqSeDLh6lpTrO6TiuUqwRDX0y_BcTaqlOA5W_nzhw1eniqmsbqXpn7KdQsCbZZt5r7wvtuAmADqr/s320/100_2402.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692253426013114786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpM-s8rQVYcdqVYEivbHRuntOJXYdISbQKBpDY6Bpzqk4fR1kI4b0n_ZqXgXl8IIVB68f_QtQh4QnlP7ogbQcR9J8rltg6JGlXk8SPrknPTNJMe6BU_hWbgOKhZiDZtcjb7XBAFDuMrIZ/s1600/100_2422.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpM-s8rQVYcdqVYEivbHRuntOJXYdISbQKBpDY6Bpzqk4fR1kI4b0n_ZqXgXl8IIVB68f_QtQh4QnlP7ogbQcR9J8rltg6JGlXk8SPrknPTNJMe6BU_hWbgOKhZiDZtcjb7XBAFDuMrIZ/s320/100_2422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692253116104001010" border="0" /></a><br />Do I have to come home in two years?Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-49047825963238610342011-12-21T05:17:00.007-07:002011-12-21T06:12:47.114-07:00It's the same, but different<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJcVo6nmFtHE4QCLmT3Zqoe_Ht4BTZgv-yDtAkn6JvdQCd8aUZhUVl4qsZqM6md-j81-k4_XCM0qnqo2lWqCvhsw39YmTXOdQO4wmNJFDYRPIWI3nlTzv3w6BY4971DqybMMESR1KovvI/s1600/100_2345.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJcVo6nmFtHE4QCLmT3Zqoe_Ht4BTZgv-yDtAkn6JvdQCd8aUZhUVl4qsZqM6md-j81-k4_XCM0qnqo2lWqCvhsw39YmTXOdQO4wmNJFDYRPIWI3nlTzv3w6BY4971DqybMMESR1KovvI/s320/100_2345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688563841101445042" border="0" /></a><br />The main question I'm asked right now from friends and family back in the States is, "Is Christmas the same in Australia?"<br /><br />The short answer?<br /><br />Yes, but not as much drama.<br /><br />Let me try to explain...<br /><br />When we arrived in Brisbane at the first of September I noticed Christmas decorations in the stores. (similarity) Friends started to put up Christmas trees and decorations at the end of November. (similarity) There was a big Christmas festival up the road from us one weekend and then one across from our apartment the following one. (Christmas festivities-similarity) Shopping centre's/malls are busy. (similarity) There are Christmas carolers all the time. (similarity<span style="font-style: italic;"> if</span> we had lived someplace warm)<br /><br />BUT there was NO 'Black Friday' to start off a spending frenzy. Stores are not staying open late. (We found that out the hard way.) And those that will stay open late for two nights this month? It's not that late. There are Christmas decorations, but not <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> many. All the drama seems to be so much less here. It's really hard to put into words.<br /><br />When we were preparing (and I use that term loosely because I hardly feel like I had the time to prepare for anything) to move here, we found on the <a href="http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/moving-emigrating">Australian Quarantine and Inspection site</a> that Christmas ornaments were especially troublesome because they may have touched a live tree and be harboring pests. So we decided to just leave it ALL behind in storage. And, because we are only here for two years, we don't really want to purchase a lot of items. So, we bought an artificial tree and a box of ornaments and one string of lights and some Christmas-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ey</span> scrapbook paper. And then we let the kids loose with the decorating. Every day they seem to add something new to the tree or walls. Oh, and I can't forget to share two fabulous websites <a href="http://anthonyherreradesigns.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56%3Astar-wars-snowflakes&catid=34%3Aanthonydesign-blog">here</a> and <a href="http://mattersofgrey.com/diy-star-wars-snowflakes/">here</a> on how to make Star Wars snowflakes. Jonathan and I have had a lot of fun making these.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufN7fTfhqbaPNcRk1l1sU9MBrreE8EbHzFqiBVEjSNH_sEMODoBsswUyUpN4wZuJEKOv-cue8kiGIvqqbWN3G9T4DMudnvUmWSBc94EgxtrwBtT5A4mZ8W19T3zGwNe8sjwWdEkVAkExL/s1600/100_2352.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufN7fTfhqbaPNcRk1l1sU9MBrreE8EbHzFqiBVEjSNH_sEMODoBsswUyUpN4wZuJEKOv-cue8kiGIvqqbWN3G9T4DMudnvUmWSBc94EgxtrwBtT5A4mZ8W19T3zGwNe8sjwWdEkVAkExL/s320/100_2352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688563725713597314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">My favorite is Yoda and C3PO</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H2TiwD1Ua08TYSUyCx3woKNfTMrCBAx_orAPsiO0H4O8ilWu8MiXFJMadqGZ17u9L4i6_iAIdWtSEwMftOwxzV2M3aBzX4_Jjw_Mqs5AoN_XAMfQXmbUg_hDQHdsakDx8x92fLfBpcWg/s1600/100_2354.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H2TiwD1Ua08TYSUyCx3woKNfTMrCBAx_orAPsiO0H4O8ilWu8MiXFJMadqGZ17u9L4i6_iAIdWtSEwMftOwxzV2M3aBzX4_Jjw_Mqs5AoN_XAMfQXmbUg_hDQHdsakDx8x92fLfBpcWg/s320/100_2354.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688563408100278002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This is 1 of 4 that I made using 3 inch circles. It is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">obscenely</span> large compared to our little tree so the plan changed and I used MUCH smaller circles for the tree ornaments.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGwIuxnc0Bbh_cuWVzEj_JjsCcgqw51dQ0WaWKeAIG51mGbt4WbiBJB64vWsm5HnVU-X9Kn6S9KM57EKCpVIzGc8wCkFPG0mJwUrdTNrAS3oaDSbVdwNCslf674NWmr28MqfPbEb65Xui/s1600/100_2346.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGwIuxnc0Bbh_cuWVzEj_JjsCcgqw51dQ0WaWKeAIG51mGbt4WbiBJB64vWsm5HnVU-X9Kn6S9KM57EKCpVIzGc8wCkFPG0mJwUrdTNrAS3oaDSbVdwNCslf674NWmr28MqfPbEb65Xui/s320/100_2346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688563576439131810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The main question is 'Does Santa come to Australia and will he know the kids are here?'</span><br /></div><br /><br />This years decorations may just be my most favorite yet. Merry Christmas!!!Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3891654638278756660.post-56003776872679561082011-11-28T04:46:00.005-07:002011-11-28T05:35:41.422-07:00From One Extreme to the OtherThis post was originally going to be a lot different. I've been planning on a "Thanksgiving Post" all month. I'll have to tell you all about the dinner and the "Great Gecko Hunt" that occurred following dinner... and I will... It was fun and wonderful and I was excited to share all the silliness.<br /><br />But first, can I ask for a moment of silence and/or prayer?<br /><br />I'm writing this post with tears streaming down my face because my heart is broken for a friend in Billings. She has been posting on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">facebook</span> all about her pregnancy, the baby showers, the nursery, and all the excitement of being a mom again for the fourth time. I couldn't help but be excited. Just before Thanksgiving she posted that little baby Ramsey was born early and was in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NICU</span> and she asked for prayers for her little girl. Of course I prayed. I also thought that everything would be okay... Two days later, baby Ramsey returned to our Heavenly Father and my heart broke for my friend and her family. They are strong. Their faith is strong. I know they will be okay and I know that they are being watched over. But, my heart literally hurts for their loss and the pain they feel.<br /><br />Sigh...<br /><br /><br />Let me wipe away my tears... because I do want to share how we celebrated Thanksgiving here.<br /><br />I had to keep reminding myself that Thanksgiving is NOT a national holiday here... duh, I know... but it is such a tradition in my brain that I kept forgetting. For example? I was surprised the kids had school last week. I know.... I know... give me a break... and wish me luck on the fourth of July. (big roll of the eyes)<br /><br />We had a lovely dinner. We were grateful to be together and to be on this new adventure. (It doesn't hurt that we were looking out on the beach instead of snow.) The kids were understanding that we 1) couldn't find a turkey and 2) even if we found one, couldn't cook it in our little oven. The only thing that they requested was that we at least have a whole chicken and that we have cranberry sauce. Well, we found the chicken easy enough and luckily the little market down the street had a jar of cranberry sauce tucked away on the back of a shelf. The rest of the dinner was pretty standard including our favorite "Aunt Amy's Special Sweet Potato" recipe. I can't say it's healthy, but it sure is YUMMY!!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgRSckwyOzr0rKSnqjId1p7CxLvKvl-A0HDnSRjKakVzLPfVBUpduoHpLa0Fs8selI67URFhP0eRkJa7uU0m3MzwVWs4tLHGVAo_HvGx5-Az166b9Lr8sztlu4VomJr95SgTuxifZC1ul/s1600/P1010001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgRSckwyOzr0rKSnqjId1p7CxLvKvl-A0HDnSRjKakVzLPfVBUpduoHpLa0Fs8selI67URFhP0eRkJa7uU0m3MzwVWs4tLHGVAo_HvGx5-Az166b9Lr8sztlu4VomJr95SgTuxifZC1ul/s320/P1010001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680018954087464418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Hurry and take the picture so we can eat!!</span><br /><br /></div>While I was cleaning up, the kids were running around. I heard from the back of the apartment something about a gecko. I figured they were playing a game or teasing each other. After about 5 minutes, one of them comes back to the living room and says that they can't find the gecko anymore.<br /><br />Wait.... WHAT?!?!<br /><br />I have a gecko in my house?!?!<br /><br />So, the hunt was on to find the little beast/creature.... it may as well have been a <a href="http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/gila-monster/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">gila</span> monster</a> to me. There was NO WAY I could sleep knowing there was a little animal running around. Luckily, my husband is persistent (or knows me well enough to know better than to give up) and the little gecko was found and captured. We did release him into the wild (or the ledge of the apartment building) after looking at his cool feet and getting a scientific lesson from Papa Echo on how geckos can climb anything with their special feet and how science is looking into how they can use the same idea on ...... well, you get the idea. And by the way? Geckos are pretty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stinkin</span>' cool!! <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7oUwNb2TMWO_mtyV9wwdRZCriKAccAHHbLyPRAvh0QFzYbRKUU8LQUD7sG0CQhUhwcBvXKUKOQw35R2pLiHEIzhMQOTXdsjyuZBeqUIO4Ly-1rOAJ88qhXiP3Z_dmh6KIeRiF1lsco3K/s1600/DSCN2238.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7oUwNb2TMWO_mtyV9wwdRZCriKAccAHHbLyPRAvh0QFzYbRKUU8LQUD7sG0CQhUhwcBvXKUKOQw35R2pLiHEIzhMQOTXdsjyuZBeqUIO4Ly-1rOAJ88qhXiP3Z_dmh6KIeRiF1lsco3K/s320/DSCN2238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680019102766576946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Maybe it is a Gila Monster...<br /><br /><br /></span></div>It was a weekend of emotions. Please know that I am grateful for all my friends and family and I would hug you all right now if I could.Mama Echohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05496781962417357589noreply@blogger.com0