Happy Anniversary to Us!

We had the best day on Wednesday! Firstly, it was our 9th wedding anniversary, then it was even better because it was a holiday here in Brisbane, so we all got to spend it together!
We started the morning off right with waffles. Then we packed a picnic lunch and headed off on our adventure!

We took the kids on the City Hopper, which is a free pedestrian ferry that travels up and down the Brisbane River.





We saw a nice park along the river and said "hey, let's stop there." So we did! It had a little walkway down to a sandy bit by the river...


And we saw dead jellyfish washed up on the sand!


Crazy! They are "blue blubbers" and were about as big as small dinner plates. Our guess is they somehow came up the river and died then washed up on the shore? Totally crazy, but also really cool to see! At the end of the day the kids listed the jellyfish in the top 3 best things of the day.

The playground was great too.


As was balancing on posts.











Here's our anniversary self portrait. I love the weird neck one gets while trying to take their own picture. But here we are, 9 years! How about that facial hair?


Oh, but the fun doesn't stop! Near the close of quiet time that afternoon we got Lydia and Isaac to help us clean the bathrooms and it was great! I love a day where I feel accomplished! And who doesn't love clean bathrooms? The kids were awesome. They washed the mirrors and the shower walls and giggled while they took turns scrubbing the toilet. Sigh, potty humor begins so young.

Then to celebrate we all went to the famous gelato shop not far from our house, Milany's. We each got to pick a scoop and we all shared. Isaac chose mint (good choice) and Lydia chose bubblegum (which actually wasn't as obnoxious a flavor as I anticipated it to be). I got my usual macadamia (which is to die for) and Mike tried the apple pie flavor (a lovely cinnamon flavor). It was fun to do something "fancy" all together.

Then we went home and had a dinner of cheese fondue! We had apples, cauliflower, broccoli, sausages, bread, and little tomatoes.








It was such a special anniversary, to be able to spend the whole day celebrating together with our little family. I am so grateful for my handsome man who actually wanted to marry me 9 years ago. And it just keeps getting better!

Location:Brisbane

Hooray for Lydia!

Lydia had some great accomplishments a few weeks back. She received an award at a school assembly for being caring. That's our Lydia! Mike even took off work to see her receive it. And yes, that is a bit of facial hair on Mike. I'll have to take some pictures of his current beard.



Lydia also learned to ride her bike without training wheels!


We took the kids to park that has a little asphalt track just for kids bikes. It was good to let them ride around somewhere other than our drive way. Our neighborhood is a bit hilly and busy for bike rides.


Evelyn is still learning to pedal. Her bike riding abilities are mostly just sitting on her bike watching everyone else with an occasional pushing off the ground to move.


It was a great Saturday! When the kids were tired of riding their bikes they went to play on the playground. These big plastic merri-go-rounds are popular here. The kids enjoy pushing them as much as they do riding in them.


Then we enjoyed a picnic lunch in the sun. Some harsh winter, huh?

I'd been made privy to some exclusive information. Frozen fruit cups. Just the regular fruit cups you buy in the canned fruit aisle, just stick them in the freezer. You could probably make your own with little bowls. The kids were elated when I brought them out as an after school snack. Like Popsicles, or as they say here, ice blocks! Good fun!

Location:Brisbane