Presents!

As some of you know, while I was enjoying my last couple of days in New Zealand with my family, Jonathan (who was back in Australia) was out shopping for me! He thought that a bunch of gifts waiting for me on my return would ensure that I would be happy to be home again! :) Here's the gifts I found waiting:

http://www.breville.com.au/cooking/fry-pans/the-thermal-pro-stainlesstm-bef500.html

I've been wanting a large electric stainless steel frying pan, and I unexpectedly found this beauty hiding behind the TV on Sunday. It will greatly assist me in getting my freezer stocked with meals before bubs is born. It is a very nice looking pan, and I finally gave it it's maiden voyage this morning with the girls help. Very happy with this present!

Toasting rolled oats for muesli (pineapple on bench is from our garden!)

I also got a number of yummy treats: fresh dates, dried figs, dark chocolate and chocolate rum balls.

I got a leather bound copy of Streams in the Desert.

And my gold chain (an engagement gift from Jonathan) which was snapped by Abigail when she was 6 months is in for repair - I shall have it back this weekend.

(I need to re-update my wish list now; I don't think there is anything left on it after getting all this stuff!)

I can assure you that I was happy to be home even without any of these gifts, but I certainly enjoyed getting them all! I am one spoilt happy wife - thank you, Jonathan, for blessing me with all these things. I am very happy to be home with you again.

A Snapshot of our NZ Trip

Last week, the girls, Grandma and I went to New Zealand for 6 days to visit my family.

Snuggles with Grandad

Cousins!

"Christmas" time!

I enjoyed being with my family again (very much) and all the conversations that happened with various members. We celebrated mum's birthday and had a mid-winter Christmas, and simply had lots of family time together. Thanks everyone for a great time!

Snippets of (the rest of) our time with Kim

Kim left us for the UK on Wednesday. On the way home from the airport, Abigail worriedly said, "but I need her!" and Sarah is still asking for "(K)im?"

During Kim's post-camping time with us we went to see the Ark Van at a nearby church (and patted the horses in the paddock adjoining the church car park); lunch at Sizzler; played not quite 18 holes of Pitch and Putt Golf; had a picnic lunch at a nearby park; afternoon naps; and we spent a morning at the Logan Hospital (for my booking in appointment)! Abigail would snuggle into bed with Aunty Kim in the mornings (even if aunty Kim was still asleep!); and Kim taught the girls how to 'fly'. They had lots of fun! Good times with good company for all. We really enjoyed your being with us Kim! Thanks for all the time you spent with the girls, and for spending your last week in the Southern Hemisphere with us. Now we look forward to hearing about your adventures (and misadventures?)! :)

Camping with Kim!

 My good friend, Kim, stayed with us the past 8 days - it was so good to see her again. The girls especially enjoyed having their 'aunty' around!

As many of you know, we decided to give camping a go. So on the Thursday we headed out towards Toowoomba to Murphy's Creek. The weather was absolutely beautiful during the days, but the nights and mornings were cold - we got down to -0.04 degrees the first morning! The girls found the cold mornings miserable until a warm breakfast filled their bellies and the sun made its way to us over the trees.

We ended up camping for only two nights due to the cold. We had a campfire burning in the evenings and mornings for warmth; marshmallows were toasted on it and evenings spent sitting near it playing Rummy (which Kim won). Then when it was too cold to stay up, into bed and games of Super Stickman Golf were played on the i-devices (which Jon won).

The campsite was beside Lockyer Creek; Abigail enjoyed climbing the rocks that lined it. Pole tennis, frisbee, and trips to collect water (from the distant tap) were our main activities! :) (Jon would argue that dishes was his!)

On the Friday we went for a drive into Toowoomba, stopped in at the Information Centre, and then went to the Botanic Gardens for a picnic lunch. The girls had a good play and then we did some geocaching before heading back to camp.

We packed up camp Saturday morning and geocached our way back to Brisbane (seven caches were found!). We arrived back late that afternoon. Jon unpacked the car, Kim cleaned and washed the car (thanks Kim!), and I unpacked our gear and started the big wash of smokey, dusty clothes! Amazing what can be accomplished as a team!

So we survived (and enjoyed) our winter camping adventure. Next time we'll remember to pack gloves (and maybe go coastal)!