Melbourne Cup 2012

The media calls it the "Race that stops a Nation". I knew it was popular but really had no idea what to expect things to be like in the city. Last year I was off of work and watched the race from Hogs Breath Cafe with David and his parents. We saw a few people dressed up but nothing like I saw in the CBD today! 

At the start of my day I was greeted at the elevator by my co-workers who were headed to the TAB (bookie) to place their bets on the big race. Then it was back to the office for a little bit of work before we had a catered lunch and afternoon drinks. The race was broadcast in all the conference rooms so everyone that was not attending an off-site party at a local pub could watch.  

My team was rather subdue compared to most of the people in the CBD. There were large parties in the nearby restaurants with lunch and drink specials. Everywhere you looked you saw people dressed in stylish outfits complete with fancy hats or facanitors!

Two of the girls on my team, Leanne and Brie, off to party with a supplier.

Now that I know what to expect and just need to plan ahead for next year!

Finished product

David did an amazing job with the deck. Now we have a LOT more space for entertanining. I can't wait to have a BBQ and enjoy the fruit of HIS hard work! I am very blessed to have such a great husband.

Photos with David's family

We took photos with David's family yesterday. Something we never found time to do when Amanda was here in April. :(

They turned out pretty good considering it was really overcast.


Dawn and the granddaughters



The Gang

Dawn and Jannene

Pumpkin seeds

Roasted pumpkin seeds..... Yum!

Halloween 2012

Halloween has never really been celebrated in Australia but is finally becoming more popular now. Nothing like in the US but nonetheless more popular.  For instance, last year I had to go to a speciality beauty store to get black hair spray and we could not find pumpkins anywhere. It was the girls first Halloween that we did not carve pumpkins. :( This year however, the local supermarket has Halloween candy, some decoration, a few costumes and even pumpkins! Only about 30 to choose from and very expensive, but at least we got one. They are sold by the kg so I had the girls weight a few and then I made the choice. 

 Allie carved it all by herself while David worked on the deck and Emily "relaxed" before work (her way of saying she is finally too old for pumpkin carving). It was worth every penny of the $12 the pumpkin cost. Look how cute it turned out!

Day with the girls

Yesterday was my last day of vacation so the girls and I went bowling.

We had a lot of fun being silly and cheering each other on. It had been a while since we last bowled and none of us remembered how challenging it actually is. We got our fair share of gutter balls! Well Emily and I did, Allie used lane bumpers!!! 😃

Reno job #1

David took some time off this week to start renovations on the area around the pool. Allie is on school holidays and so she has been able to help with some of the work. 

Like father, like daughter!

Busting the stone pillar from the old fence was more work that expected. 

Just in time for summer, we will have a lot more space to entertain once the new deck is finished. I am sure David will he happy to kick back and have a cold one once all the hard work is done. Keep watching for photos of the final results.

On bloom

I noticed last week that the lime tree I got for my birthday had a lot of white blooms on it.... Well today I noticed that some have actually turned into little lines. Yea! Can't wait to make a key lime pie and cut one for a cd beer!!

Off to do good...

Today Emily left for Vanuatu on a mission trip with her school. She worked hard for the last 10 months to pay the $2000 airfare all on her own. It won't be fun all games for her though - She will be working hard teaching English & Math to the kids of the small village her school has adopted while other kids in the group build a classroom and furniture.

She and her best friend Natalee are both going and will be sharing a room. 

Aren't they cute?

The FLAT kids in "Tour 2"

You can follow the group this week on the FLAT Blog:   http://flatvanuatu.wordpress.com/

I hope she has a great time - I am so proud of her and her hard work!!

Allie turns 12

We had a birthday celebration with David's family on Allie's actual birthday. Everyone came over for burgers, chips and home-made cheesecake.

Allie and her cousins - Ashlee, Abby & Georgia 

Very happy girl - She just opened her gym membership. Now she can workout with David!

Her reaction to getting her horse camp!

 This was the first time Allie's birthday fell during school and not over summer vacation so she was super excited. We had a sleep over and all of the 9 girls she invited actually got to come!

Emily made Allie's cake - She did a wonderful job of her first time decorating!

No longer a teenager

Today my first born turns 20! She is such a strong , bright and beautiful young woman.

Happy Birthday Amanda

We love and miss you dearly!

More photos from Amanda's visit

We crammed a lot of stuff into the short time Amanda was here and made some great memories.

About to go listen to a live band at the Redland Bay Hotel (Pub)... Amanda was old enough to drink as the drinking age here is 18. She was so excited when they would card her and she would smile and hand over her Texas license! It was super cute. 

If they look a little blurry its because I took this photo~ Whoops!

We rode the big ferris wheel in Brisbane one night. David, Amanda, Allie and I did... Emily opted to keep her feet firmly on the ground!  It was really neat to see everything at night and not scary at all. 

Playing on the beach!

Nat, Emily & Amanda catching some rays!

We had a great time with Amanda while she was here but I already miss her so much and can't wait for her next visit!

Amanda's visit

Here are a few photos of Amanda and Allie at Movie World. We had such a good time while she was here!! I will post more soon.

My wonderful husband turns 45

David got a case of his favorite German beer from the girls and I. He was a very happy boy!

I make baked cheesecake with homemade raspberry sauce.... Man it turned out nice if I do say so.

Happy Birthday David. I love you very much!!!

Emily turns 17

We celebrated Emily's 17th at Raby Bay Oriental with two of her good friends - Vanessa and Natalee. 

Happy Birthday Em!!!

Our first camping trip in Australia

Camping in Australia is a bit different......no RV for starters!!!! We went over Easter weekend - much warmer weather than we usually have for Easter but we made due.... 

Emily & Nat made sausages for dinner....

 Smiling for the camera in her camo suit from Academy... Won't find one of them here.

 The water in the river was deep and clear but super cold! 

The "big kids" hanging out by the campfire. 

Allie and I got a little too much sun

Allie, Georgie and little Emily getting out the sparklers.

We had a nice time but all the work packing, setting up, tearing down and unpacking once you are home really make you appreciate the ease of the RV. I don't expect us to do very many one or two day trips like we use to. You really want to stay for longer to make all the work worth it.