Off to Whitsunday Islands

After spending one day at our home exchange, we had to get up on the 26th to make a flight to the Whitsunday Islands.  Actually flying into the mainland at Airlie Beach and then boating over to Whitsunday Islands.  It was a short two night trip but definitely worth it.  Airlie Beach was a fantastic beach town (half family oriented with a beautiful ocean front lagoon that was perfect for kids and the other half geared toward backpackers looking to take advantage of the Great Barrier Reef).  Our hotel was an apartment styled and was gorgeous with views of the ocean.  We had a wonderful day on a full day boat tour.  We snorkeled, hiked and got some great pictures.  It was a gorgeous day and Lily really seemed to enjoy herself.

 Airlie beach

Lagoon at Airlie beach.  Very nice salt water pool right next to the ocean with lots of stuff for the kids to play with.  A nice diversion from the actual beach.

Chris and Lily on our boat to the Whitsunday Islands near the Great Barrier Reef

 

Overlooking Hill Inlet on the further side of the Whitsunday Islands.  Yes, the sand was really that white.  It was amazing.  And because it was so light it didn't get hot.

Our boat.  It looks a little small in the picture but actually fit about 45 people comfortably.

More pictures of Hill Inlet

Thanks goodness for full rash guard swim suit for Lily.  No burns for this little girl.

We had to wear full stinger suits when swimming in the deeper water or snorkeling.  Apparently in Australia they have over 100 types of jellyfish that are incredibly poisonous.  One sting and you are dead.  Thus the reason for the stinger suit.  I think Lily looked so cute in hers.

We stopped at Whitsunday beach for a nice BBQ.  The beach was wonderful for swimming and we had  lots of fish all around us.  It was a warm up for snorkeling for Lily.

Some little fish while snorkeling.  There were some big ones too.  And we did see lots of jellyfish so thank goodness for the stinger suits.a

 A picture of Lily starting to snorkel on a snorkel board.  The mask was a little much for her but they had a great little board for her to look at all the fish with.  Plus they threw fish food all around her and let the fishes swim all around. I thought she would freak out but she loved it. 

A goanna (large lizard) hanging out while we at our lunch.  He was about 4 feet long which was plenty big for me.  But apparently they get 7 or 8 feet long.

Christmas in Australia (at the beach)

Somehow Santa seem to find Lily in Australia.  Amazing how that happens.  Some candy and a Cinderella video.  We also got to spend a wonderful Christmas day visiting Noosa Heads.  About 40 minutes from our house swap location in Woombye.  It was a beautiful day to be out at the beach taking a hike around the National Park at Noosa.  The shopping was top notch and the hiking excellent as well.  It was strange to see so much activity at the beach on Christmas day.  Seemed pretty normal for the Australian's however.  After some hiking we thought we would drop into a restaurant for a nice meal.  Only to have the hostess tell us that it would be $155 per person (no drinks included).  So we got a salad and burger and ate on the beach instead.  And we did have a great Christmas dinner once we got home.

Main beach at Noosa

Our first Kokabura (remember that song? Kokabura sits in the old gum tree...)

Lily enjoying a little hiking at Noosa Heads National Park... okay she did more stroller riding than hiking, but at least mom got a good workout pushing the stroller

Dolphin point at Noosa Heads

Lots of surfing going on in Australia... although these guys were spending more time waiting for waves than riding them...

Australia 2012/2013

Well, we had a very exciting trip to Australia.  We tried to leave on Dec. 21st, but due to bad weather in Chicago we had a delayed plane and missed our connection in Dallas by 10 minutes.  Only to find out that we couldn't get another flight to Brisbane for 2 more days.  But heck, we were on vacation... so we made the best of our time in the Dallas/Houston area and checked out the Houston Zoo for a day which is one of the top zoo's in the country.  It was definitely not crowded and it turned out to be a great day.  This zoo also happens to be the location of one of Lily's Barney "Zoo" videos so she was pretty excited.  We finally left on the 23rd but the biggest surprise was that they upgraded us to business class so we got full lay down seats on our 16 hour plane ride (which turned into 25 hours) and we got to use the Qantas club amenities.  Free beverages, food, everything.  Very nice.  I hope Lily doesn't get used to this.  On the way home she asked at the airport "can we go to the club".  Oh dear.

Lily was a fantastic traveller.  She slept most of the way.  Thank you full lay down seats.  And watched a little TV (lots of options on her pull up airport TV).  We had to stop unplanned in Auckland, New Zealand for a five hour layover.  It was supposed to be only to get more fuel because the head winds were so terrible, but one of the engines broke and ended up getting a repair while we were there.  For a while I was beginning to think we might have an extra vacation in New Zealand.  But finally on Dec. 24th in the late afternoon we made it to Brisbane.  From there we caught our shuttle, got to the house we were staying in and rushed as quickly as possible to get some groceries before everything closed for the holiday.  Luckily we made it just before the shops closed.

The Houston Zoo has an incredible crocodile display that you can sit and watch crocs while you are eating your food.  Lily seems a little afraid of them now however.

Lily's favorite animal at any zoo = flamingo's!

By this time, we were running out of pants (notice the pajama bottoms under the skirt) and we were desperately looking forward to our trip to Australia (so much that she took to posing with "fake" kangaroos)

Great hippo exhibit at the Houston zoo

Finally on our way to Brisbane flying in business class

Lily's Field Trip to the Nutcracker

A couple weeks ago I was fortunate enough to get to go on a field trip with Lily's school to see the Nutcracker at the Baltimore Symphony.  The bus road to the even may have been the most challenging with restless kids and long wait to get the bus parked.  However, once we got inside and the ballet started they were quiet as a mouse for the next 45 minutes (it was a condensed version of the Nutcracker).  Seeing Lily's face light up when the first dancers came out was absolutely amazing.

Celebrating the holidays

While we are in fact getting exciting for our upcoming trip to Australia.  We are still trying to take time to enjoy the holidays.  Lily definitely seems to enjoy Christmas the most already.  Everything from the tree to the lights to marking down on her chalkboard how many days until Christmas.  On Sunday we made and decorated sugar cookies for Christmas.  Lily is a pretty decent froster and definitely an expert at the sprinkles.  OK, maybe just an expert at getting a LOT of sprinkles on each cookie.  She hung in there for three or four pans of cookies though.  What a trooper.

Then Sunday afternoon, she had her two best friends over (Lluc and Gianna) and their families for a play date.  We were planning to take the kids to Zoolights at the National Zoo, but the rain and inclement weather kept us from going gung ho.  Never the less we enjoyed dinner, gingerbread house making and the kids even sat down to watch Polar Express.  They even had hot cocoa to go with the movie.  She and her friends had a lovely time.  I won't mention the fact that we found them upstairs in her room with their shirts off.  They were all trying to put Lily's pajamas on before the movie.  Yes, I was slightly embarrassed.  And Chris refused to address the issue.  Hopefully the parents don't think we are teaching our kid bad habits.  I happened to think it a little hilarious.  O.K. a lot hilarious to find three kids on the upstairs landing dancing around with their shirts off.  So innocent.  Not for long I suppose.

Attaching some pictures of our wonderful weekend.

Lily with a Christmas present box on her head

Enjoying Chex Mix that she just took from her gift box from Aunt Nene & Uncle Dave

There is no getting this chex mix away from her...

Lily & Dad getting ready to frost cookies

Lily taking her baby for a ride on her pink car

Lily and her friends Gianna & Lluc

Lluc, Gianna & Lily decorating their gingerbread house

The finished product

Wrapping up time with Grandpa & Grandma

The time with Grandma & Grandpa visiting just flew by.  On Saturday we had to put Christopher on a plane back to Indiana to return to college.  Lily wasn't happy about this, but is starting to get used to it.  Then Grandma & Grandpa were able to stay for an extra four days.  We were able to hit the museums and see more sites.  Including a trip to Gettysburg for them.

Did I also tell you that Christopher went Black Friday shopping with me.  O.k. it was light in comparison to what I am used to, but still nice to have a shopping companion even if its a 19 year old young man who has way better things to do on his holiday break (including sleep).  What a sport.

Kim, Lily, Grandma Norma & Grandpa Cliff in front of the Botanical Gardens

(right next to the US Capitol)

The botanical gardens had a great holiday display complete with plant only replica's of the major D.C. landmarks.  Very cool.

A Fantastic Thanksgiving

I'm a little late with my posts, but I haven't forgotten.  Thanksgiving was a wonderful time this year.  We were lucky enough to have not only Christopher this year, but also had Grandma Norma & Grandpa Cliff join us.  We spent time being tourists and then headed to the beach for the Thanksgiving holiday.  The weather was fantastic.  Sunny days that allowed us to get out and see the beach, doing some walking, and a little crabbing.  Although the crabs were definitely not biting.  Or jumping in our crab traps anyhow.  None the less, we had a great time.

Lily at Rehoboth Beach

Grandma Norma, Christopher & Grandpa Cliff

Enjoying some pool time

Trying to crab, but coming up empty handed.  

At least the walk was great and we found five golf balls.

Back at home with Lily and Grandpa Cliff decorating the Christmas tree.  

They were really good at it.  And Lily was so proud of her tree.