Our Beautiful City...Sydney

Even though I still miss my hometown of Seattle I can't help but know that I am so blessed to call Sydney home. I was reading a letter not long ago written by an immigrant into Australia from England. As the ship arrived into the harbour they described it as "...one of the most beautiful harbours in the world..." This still rings true today and I often hear tourists into this country describe it as such.

The past couple of weekends we have had the awesome privilege of spending some time together as a family in our wonderful city. We explored Garden Island where we viewed the tallest tall ship in the world. The Libertad graced our waters from Argentina and docked for all to have a look at her enormity. We had a lovely walk around taking photos and enjoying the beautiful spring sunshine.

After we had enough time watching the ship we headed toward one of the most famous beaches in the world...Bondi. It was a stunning, warm day and we certainly weren't the only ones with the idea to cool down with a sea breeze. We did as we have made tradition and picked up lunch and then sat at North Bondi in a park for the kids to play. Once we had finished and Felicity got to swing we took a walk on the glorious white sand.

This was Rowan's first time to the beach and he didn't know what to make of all the noise from the waves crashing on the beach. And even though it was unseasonably warm the water certainly hadn't caught up with the idea of warm weather and it was very cool to the toes! But lovely none the less!

The following weekend we were so excited to make another trip into the city...this doesn't happen very often but we made the most of it. Hillsong church in the city is busting at the seams and with 7 services on Sunday they had no other choice than to open an extension service and what better place to do that than at Bondi! Our brother-in-law, Daniel, helps with the technical side helping to make it all work so we skipped going to Hillsong in the Hills, where we would normally attend, and headed to the beach. Not a bad place to go to church on a Sunday if I say so myself.

After church we took Craig's parents to Garden Island where the Navy had an open day. We had the opportunity to go on board all the ships and explore the ships, the dining quarters, the captain's chair and of course look at the guns on board. It's always so much fun when we get to spend the day together!

Do You Love to Party?

Do you love to party? Rowan Craig does! Rowan celebrated his first birthday on the 6th of September and we had friends and family around to party with us!

We had originally sent out the invitations for a party in the park. We were going to go to Rouse Hill Regional Park which would have been fantastic for all ages of kids and is in a beautiful bush setting, but would you believe it rained? So, I made the decision the night before to move the party to my house, thinking that perhaps everyone would not be able to make it out to my place. In the end every single person made it, all 30 of them! In my little house! It was awesome and we had an amazing time, lots of food and lots of laughs.

I decided to do a game for the adults, purely to entertain the kids haha! I bought some balloons for making balloon and animals and had a representative from each family make the best animal they could. Some tried blowing up the balloons by mouth, which, if you have ever tried blowing up a long balloon is nearly impossible! We went through so many popped balloons but it was worth it in the end. All the kids watched in awe, or horror, as the adults tried to be creative.

Of course a party wouldn't be complete without playing pass the parcel. All the kids sat, and behaved themselves, in a circle as we passed the parcel round and round. Each kid got a little toy to take home with them.

And for the finale, you guessed it, presents then cake and ice cream. Unfortunately, Rowan doesn't quite understand the art of present opening just yet but there were plenty of other little hands who wanted to help. So wrapping paper went flying and all the gifts were revealed. The only present Rowan wanted to help with was his garden set that Grandma bought him.

In the end we had a fantastic day!

Wedding Weekend

Last weekend was Felicity's first debut as a flower girl! Our friends, Ben and Helen, got married at the Hillsong Chapel and we had the honour to be a part of it.

Craig was the best man and Felicity did an amazing job walking down the aisle by herself as the flower girl. The doors opened and closed as Felicity walked through but the people on the outside of the rows couldn't see who came through the doors because she is so short!

They thought someone had accidently opened the doors! Daddy knelt down and had the biggest grin on his face as she came toward him.

Ben did a wonderful job as he stood there waiting for Helen but was a little nervouse and accidently said his vows as "I promise to put my needs before yours..." That certainly relaxed the mood as everyone tried to contain themselves.

Craig's important job of giving Ben the rings also brought attention. When Craig pulled the rings out of his pocket he dropped poker chips on the ground and then a pack of cards (Ben's an avid poker player). Of course that was light hearted and everyone had a laugh. Not sure what Pastor Joel A'Bell thought though!

The bridal party headed to West Head, one of the prettiest places in Sydney to go. The photos had a beautiful back drop of Barrenjoey, Palm Beach, Lion Island and bushland.

While we were waiting for photos we had a little visitor. This lovely little black wallaby came out of the bush and wanted to join in on the festivities...or the food!

The reception was at Monash Country Club and was beautifully done with a great atmosphere, quick speeches, a wonderful dinner of lamb and chicken, and dancing the night away until Ben and Helen were wisked away together.

But if you think that was the end of it you are mistaken! Sunday night we were treated to a Chinese Banquet to honour Ben's Chinese heritage. We had a 13 course traditional Chinese banquet including games of Majong in the background. It was so much fun learning Majong, a traditional Chinese tile game, and witnessing the beautiful traditions that accompany a Chinese wedding. Much fun was had as we tried new and unusual foods and met new family and friends.

Congratulations Ben and Helen!