Getting Settled....

When we first landed in Sydney it was cloudy and raining.  I honestly didn't think much about it because it of course rains sometimes, but we were going up to Brisbane, Queensland which is known as the "Sunshine State".  I, of course, had been before and I knew that it lived up to it's name.  So when we got to Brisbane and it was cloudy, I still didn't think much about it.  I was incredibly tired, I was incredibly happy and I was ready to enjoy my family, my surroundings and hopefully take a nap. 

I had wondered how Emmaline was going to get along with my cousin's three girls.  I didn't need to worry at all!!!  Our plane came end at the far end of the terminal and by the time we arrived in baggage claim, Emmaline and Sophia were holding hands and had pronounced that they were going to be "Best Friends Forever!".  I didn't get a picture of them holding hands, but I did manage to snap this one of them while we were waiting for our bags with my cell phone.

I really wish I had thought to have my camera out when we first got to the airport.  I expected my Aunt Elaine to be there, I expected my cousin Caroline to be there.  I didn't expect to be greeted by two of her girls, Abbey and Sophia and I certainly didn't expect my cousin Daniel to be there with his fiance Elizabeth.  It was wonderful to see everyone!!!  We sent Emmaline with Elaine, Caroline and the girls....Steven and I along with our bags rode with Daniel and Elizabeth and my parents went to pick up the rental car.  I remembered Daniel's driving from the last time we were there.  I sure am glad he has grown up and slowed down :-)

We got to my aunts house, unpacked and settled in.  Finally, Emmaline just couldn't take it anymore and had to take a little nap.....I took it with her.  We got up, ate some dinner with the entire family and we all crashed!  That is until Emma decided to get up at 3:30 in the morning.  But it was all good!!!  We were in Austrailia and we were on vacation.

We got up the next morning.........and it was raining......and forcasted to rain all day.  C'est la vie!!  We finally got ourselves motivated and out of the house.  I love to shop, Caroline loves to shop, so we headed over to a local shopping center to eat some lunch and of course....do some shopping.  I started off with a beautiful iced coffee.....

and then we headed off to do some exploring and find some lunch.  They did have a "Macca's" (Aussie for McDonald's), so Emmaline was happy.  Steven and I had  mixed grill Kebab...YUM!!

Caroline introduced me to The Pumkin Patch.  I loved it!!!  We got Emmaline and Sophia coordinating outfits to wear to church on Sunday.  We don't have a store near us, but I will definately be ordering online :-) Of course, since their seasons are opposite ours, the US website doesn't have the same things that the OZ store has.

Here is Emma and Sophie in their cute outfits.

This is Daniel and Elizabeth.  They look pretty calm and relaxed for two people about to get married in a few days, don't they?  Trust me, it was an illusion :-)

The girls spent a lot of time playing games indoors.  Since it rained so much our first few days, along with some of us getting sick with the "Crud", we spent a lot of time inside.  This gave us a chance to visit and the girls really got close.  Elise (on the right of Emmaline) had to go to school each day, but she looked forward to coming and getting into plenty of mischief with the rest of them each afternoon.

Stay tuned....there is more to come.....

We got there!

Getting ready for a large trip is a LOT of work.  I started months ago gathering new summer clothes for Emmaline and trying to figure out what to take for her to keep her occupied on the plane. I tried to stay organized....but I didn't always succeed.  By the night before I realized that I was going to need more time.  My solution - stay up all night.  I thought it would help me get my "clock" reset for when we got there.  WRONG!!!

Emmaline was soooo excited.  She eagerly got up, got dressed, and got in the car.  She couldn't wait to get on the plane.  She told everyone that she was going on four planes and we were going to the other side of the world.  We did however have a bit of drama before we got on the first plane.  We went through security, where you have to do everything but completely disrobe and somehow in the midst of us putting everything back together again and trying to keep our eye on Emma, our Passports and Boarding Passes didn't make it with us.  So I ended up having my first meltdown before we even got to the gate for our first flight.  Luckily a very nice TSA agent found them sitting on the floor by the bench and returned them to us.  Whew!!!!

It still amazes me after all these years......He can sleep anywhere in any position.  We hadn't been on the plane but for about 20 minutes and he was OUT!  If you are friends with me on FB than you have seen a picture of him sleeping in the waiting area waiting for our next flight in Washington DC.

Emmaline's bag of "Things to keep her Happy and Occupied".  I kept that thing close at ALL times!!!

She took her first nap during the layover in DC.  Luckily, while she slept, Steven and I were able to enjoy a very yummy lunch in a very nice restaurant at the airport.  She woke up just as we were finishing so we were able to just stop and get her some chicken nuggets from Wendy's.

After our first layover, I quit taking any pictures.  I was so exhausted already from having stayed up the night before and I hadn't got to sleep at all yet.

Emmaline is amazingly well on the trip.  I was so impressed with her!  My parents met up with us in DC and from there we traveled together.  Every once in a while they would come and get Emmaline and take her to sit with them to give me a bit of a break.  It was great!

We flew in to Sydney and we had to collect our bags and go through customs before we checked our bags back in to Brisbane.  In Australia, they let you use a cart for your bags with out charging you two fingers and 1/2 your arm. 

My parents DID not want me to take a picture of them!  I personally thought they looked pretty good.  Oh well!!

We were waiting in the Quantas Lounge for our next flight and it overlooks a bunch of hangers.  This plane pulled out of one of them and I just thought it was neat! 

This neat sign was on the back of the luggage carts.  Took a picture of it cause I just liked it :-)

Here is My sweet Emmaline.  We were able to take showers once we got to Sydney while we were waiting for our last flight up to Brisbane.  Talk about refreshing!!!!  She was still happy even after being cooped up all that time.  Of course at this point I was happy too.....I was showered, I wasn't sitting on an airplane, I had just eaten a crumpet, and I knew in another couple of hours it was going to be over!!!

I will have plenty more pictures!!!!

Here we go!!!

Bright and early tomorrow....before dawn even....we will be in the car headed to the airport.  THIRTY NINE hours later we will be at my Aunt's house in Australia!!!  I am super excited for the trip, but stressed to the max over getting everything ready for the trip and then even more stressed about the getting there part.  I have made the trip before (a few times actually) and I know how grueling and exhausting it is.  But I have never done it with a little one.  She loves to fly, but has never been on a plane more than three hours and she HATES layovers.  Of course, our first layover is five hours. I am taking what I hope is a lot of goodies to keep her occupied.....not to mention the Benedryl to help her sleep :-)

We are going over for my cousin Daniel's wedding.  It is  nice to have family in such far away places, but I sure do miss them when we aren't together.  I can't wait to see everyone!  Steven and I went eight years ago for my other cousin Caroline's wedding.  She now has three little girls and I am looking forward to meeting them and watching Emmaline play with them.  Fun times ahead!!!  Not to mention lots of picture taking is in my future! :-)

Please say a prayer for my family as we travel.  Thanks!!!

It's the middle of January!!

I was not fortunate enough to have a "Snow Day" the day it actually snowed. I did however go into work late. So once we got Emmaline bundled I let her go out for a few minutes. As you can tell.....she was really happy!

She tried very hard to make a snowball. She really wanted to make a little snowman, but....

Every time she got a little ball made, and went to open her hand........it was all stuck to her glove.

So, she just took to picking up the snow and throwing it. It made her happy!

Very happy!

When we got home that night, she wanted to get out in it again. This time she laid down and made a little snow angel. But after she got up, my little angel was ready to go inside and get warm again!

It ended up snowing off and on for three days.........and we never had more that an inch and a half of snow!

The Nutcracker Tea Party

Emmaline has been taking dance for two years now at Dance Arts. Every year, Ms Martha puts on a performance of the Nutcracker for the little ones. It is an interactive production where they get to dance during the performance. After it is over she has a tea party for them. We got up and got Emmaline all dressed up in her pretty Christmas dress and headed on over. She was "super duper excited" (her words).

Emmaline and her little friend from her class.

They have them sit on the floor in front while they perform......

Then they would call them up to dance. Later on in the production they were teaching them how to do some of the more simple dances. Emmaline loved it!!!

Once it was over, they headed into one of the other studios that had been all set up for their tea party. I think Emma was more excited to drink out of a real teacup than she was about the cupcake!

All in all, it was a wonderful morning and I look forward to doing this with her again next year.

'O Christmas Tree....

'O Christmas Tree....How Lovely Are Your Branches......

Due to some unforeseen circumstances regarding our beautiful prelit tree last year, we decided to actually get a real tree this year. So, we called my BIL to borrow his truck and of course my nephew wanted to come along......

It was a beautiful afternoon and even though it was cold, it felt good to be outside. We walked around for a bit and looked at ALL the trees. Emmaline spotted one and we all liked it, so that is the one we got!

Once we got it home, we realized that we were going to have to go get lights for it since we no longer had any. Steven was not thrilled about having to put lights on the tree, but we did it!!! But explain to me why they would sell lights for your green tree that have white cording instead of green!!! Talk about standing out like a sore thumb!

The tree looked good....except for the white strands of lights. Either we are going to have to get a new prelit tree next year, or I am going to go on a hunt for new strands of lights for the tree!

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!

The Santa Express

Every December the Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven has a special treat for everyone. A train ride with Santa!!! We were going with a large group on Sunday, so immediately after church, we hopped in the car, grabbed some lunch and hit the interstate to New Haven (which by the way....is in the middle of nowhere!!). This was our first time to do this and Emmaline was all excited to not only go on a train, but to see Santa. We had booked the private car, so the kids were going to get to spend a little extra time with Santa telling him what they wanted :-)

Emmaline and Sydney waiting to go

Our little family.....

This is the actual train car we rode in. It was once a presidential car that was used on the campaign trail. It has been restored to closely resemble how it looked back then.


Emmaline and her Daddy

Emmaline and Mommy.....notice the missing bottom teeth!

All the little ones piled on the couch in the parlor......

After a little bit, they set out cookies and hot chocolate in the dining room, the kids came down to get their cookie and in walks Rudolph!!!

The kids loved the long hallway between the dining room and the parlor, I think they spent more time in the hallway than in either room. Emmaline had the best time looking out the window watching the scenery go quickly by.

Excuse the sideways picture....blogger is being stubborn!!

Santa finally arrived!!!! They were all SOOOO excited. Here is my nephew Ethan with Santa. We couldn't get a picture of Sydney with him.....she did NOT like Santa!

The Hills with Santa.....

Emmaline giving him some love after telling him that she wanted a "yellow Belle dress" for Christmas. Luckily, "Santa" knew in advance and had already gotten one back in July!!!

All the kids gathered around Santa before he left. He was talking to them and he looked around and all of a sudden he realized......

That Emmaline was missing her two bottom teeth!!!

So he started singing to her! "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."

She just started laughing....

She talked about him singing to her for DAYS!!!

It was a wonderful day spent with friends and family. It was so much fun to watch the excitement on their faces. The Holidays are such a magical time for kids and parents too!!!