Christmas card 2023 before printing (fimo)
Since Finn was born, six years ago, I have wanted to spend Christmas
with the family. December 2022, I was able to share the magic with
Finn, Flora, Dani and Al in Australia.
got my feet beach and Christmas ready
said good bye to our little tree and Chris drove me to the airport through snowsqualls
1/3 clothes & essentials, 2/3 Christmas gifts
left a piece-a-day photo puzzle for Chris
gloomy wait in Toronto
on my way.....
Vancouver Airport is great!
wings had to be deiced before already delayed takeoff
Sunny Sydney
glorious green welcome
First Christmas gift: Al picked me up at the airport,Dani
Finn and Flora greeted me with big hugs and balloons
that were all named like Sunny, Pinky and Sky
we added a few more balloons and made a pen to "herd them"
as they were now sheep and were fed and let out in the field
regularly; the imagination of kids is incredible
backyard Wisteria
in the few days before Christmas, we played outside, pool,
trampoline, driveway, park
and did Christmasy crafts and baking
delicious grapes growing on the porch
Finn loves to catch and befriend little lizards
lizard love
Finn proudly shows his and Al's collection of natural objects
making soup
greetings for Salty, Pretzel and Jack
We made up many games, chase the wallaby or dingo,
chalk drawings of Christmas objects and characters that became
a jumping game, ball toss circle game where we had to act out the
command where the ball landed, sing, jingle bells, ho ho ho, stink, stank, stunk
and slid down and threw 'sock-ball' snowballs on snowy mountain (my bed) and
Santa Claus: 'pretend sleep', then open re-wrapped xmas gifts and snacks
we examine the decorations daily
Finn and Flora always check their gifts with glee
star tree topper with last years "Russian McEachern dolls"
'Train park' is close to home
amazing murals beside the park in Scone
F's went crazy finding this huge mystery box that had been
delivered while we were away; turned out to be Christmas
gifts for them from Aunty Trish
evenings glowed with Christmas lights
Dani dried lemon slices and intertwined them with lights and pine
Christmas countdown with elf advent calendar from Uncle Mark and Aunt Dina
kids open a small gift and a sweet from Grammy every day of advent
today was mini flashlight projectors
decorating cookies baked by Dani
some sprinkles actually made it onto the cookies
sugar and pride
kid comfort watching Christmas specials
Flora bakes a Christmas cake and sings carols
Finn helps Mumma with Christmas cards
pool play keeps kids cool
F's play with fimo after painting nutcrackers that Finn calls 'gentlemen'
Christmas activity books
throughout these days the kids sang Christmas songs and we listened to
the 1953 song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" about 30 times
posers
cooking class Dec.24 Christmas Ham 101
fresh out of the oven
Does it look like rain dear?
Dani prepared an amazing charcuterie board Christmas Eve dinner
Christmas Eve neighbourhood drive-about, not dark until ten pm.
Of course they have kangaroo and wallaby decorations!
Christmas wombat
as close to seeing a snowman as an Aussie can get
Santa and roses, says it all
Christmas Eve gifts for Santa and Reindeer
Ready for the Jolly Old Elf to arrive
Quick! We have to get to sleep before HE comes!!!
I read Mark's and my favourite Christmas book "Jolly Old Santa Claus"
to Finn and Flora. It has been a tradition as I grew up, then read it to Dani
and now to our precious Grandchildren.
The children fell asleep almost as soon as they were nestled
in their beds while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads!
The most magical thing happened after dark! Al called me outside
to experience 'The Smell of Christmas'. A combination of heat and
certain plants produce an enchanting scent during the Christmas season
in Australia. I was extremely lucky to be there with the family!
Scone sunrise Christmas morning 2022
squeals of joy rang out as the F's see that Santa's plate
was clean and stockings were waiting to be emptied
Flora tried on her Elsa shoes as Finn covets his Adominis Rex
both kids were amazed by the crafting skills of Santa's elves!
Santa left some chocolates on the tree!
Christmas breakfast feast with Dani's homemade bagels & Mimosas
Grateful
I know...photo overload, but I have been waiting for this moment for six years!
Finn gets right in to dig out his stegosaurus from Grandy
excavated and reassembled bones
love at first sight
Finn and "Hooty"
Raven from BC.
new Christmas earrings
caution, sugar plum fairy on the loose
Annual Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
play time with the new toys
filling the ant farm
watching the lava flow from the volcano
candy cane bath
post Christmas activities: visiting friends, cool pool fun, local parks
Australian views of Santa
visiting the "Wash Pools"
high water everywhere
cute wee Wallaby watched us from across the river
down river "Grinch Hair" weeds
another local park & bark
park visit 1 hour away with friends from Uluru
Christmas decorations come down
super hot day, shady drawing activities
thunderstorm brought hail
next best thing to snow near Christmas
so hot, the crayons melted
stormy night sunset
kids prepare treats for besties visit
enjoyed a plein air new year's dinner to usher in 2023
gorgeous road trip to Devil's Ark, Barrington Tops
cows decide to get some attention crossing the road in front of us
conservation breeding program for endangered Tasmanian Devils
oh look, such a cute furry critter
can't always tell a book by it's cover
one of the world's strongest jawed mammals
Tasmanian Devils are at risk due to a highly contagious facial tumour disease
"Devils" take a ferocious approach to feeding time
these marsupials naturally attack each other on a regular basis
ark staff disinfect their wounds to prevent infection
Ark employees are "tough cookies"
every marsupial at the Ark is named, our fave was "Nat King Quoll"
(Dani's photo)
introducing "Quoll" another cute marsupial
Finn and Flora's enthusiam was infectious
baby marsupials rest in sleeping bags
guests get to cuddle an innocent baby devil
Sure, I remember how to carry a baby!
F's put their new babies to bed every night inside winter toques
exciting, bumpy offroading best done before lunch
great picnic lunch beside lovely river
Monarch befriends Finn
butterfly stayed with Finn for an hour before they had to say their goodbyes
I can never get enough of these amazing views
selfie
Finn and Flora set up their own Ark at home
Finn performed the host role
Flora was a guest
Finn presents the wrapped Quoll for 'family photos' as we did at Devil's Ark
family road trip to Tamworth
Tamworth sunset
Finn was thrilled to see the prehistoric skull
enjoyed a guided tour by Dani's boss, Peter and volunteer at Tamworth Astronomy Centre
communication devices
numerous geology displays
telescopes of all sorts
Finn checks out a Red-back Spider nest in the corner
fun lunch in funky restaurant using former factory equipment for decor
Finn helps pack for an overnight "boys" adventure
this and the 6 following photos were taken by Al on their trip
boys are away, girls will play....
I was so lucky to stay a couple more weeks than planned.
days of crafting, swimming, baking, jumping on the trampoline, laughing..
kids can make a toy out of anything
red winged blackbird
King Parrot visits the yard
Finn gets a haircut for starting school
squirrel house made with scraps
amazing clay turtles made with river clay that Finn found camping with Dada
my bedroom most days, "playing santa claus"
fort fun
trampoline dance parties were a fave
kids collect items at the park in a scavenger hunt
meanwhile at the vet clinic.....
Finn starts Grade One in February
Finn and Flora use handmade steering wheels to take me to the train station
It is always difficult to say goodbye to my beautiful family.
Thanks for the hospitality and the love.
And, thanks for the fun and the laughter!
views from the train Newcastle to Sydney never bore
loaded up on cinema, snoozes and snacks during the flight home
new UV window coatings on aircraft produce a psychedelic sunrise
jelly fish joy at Vancouver's airport
you never know who your seat mate may be sitting beside
most amazing views of the Rocky Mountains as the sun sets
I scrounged some energy to hug Chris who picked me up at the airport long after midnight.
I was interested in only two things: having a bath and going to bed.
Much to my surprise, Chris had coached some friends in installing a brand new tub and
fabulous tile in my bathroom! What an amazing welcome home.
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