We've just returned from the most amazing week away in the Gold Coast, Australia!
For years my Dad & Mum have talked of taking our 4 kids and us over to Australia for a week of theme park fun. Finally, during our NZ term break, the dream came true!
My Dad has had a crazy year health wise, so the fact we could still all go despite, and the fun time we had together as a family was very precious before he continues into some quite intense treatment ahead.
Thank you so much Dad & Mum for such a fun week away. I know the kids will remember this time forever - so many amazing memories were made and first time experiences were had!!
Our trip started with 3 of our 4 children experiencing flying on a plane for the first time...
We left New Zealand (and a very wet week) behind us and arrived to the most amazing weather, and breathtaking views from our apartments in Biggera Waters...
Symon's big brother Maurice, wife Sandra and family live in Brisbane, so it was wonderful to be able to catch up with them too while we were on holiday!
We had tickets for 3 theme parks for the week (Wet'N'Wild, Sea World and Movie World).
Firstly, we visited Sea World - the perfect place for all ages, with lots of fun rides for the family, animals and activities to fill our day with.
Our penguin-obsessed girl in her happy place...
So much fun, especially the Sponge Bob rides...
The highlight of our day would have to be the dolphin show. Our eldest daughter had been talking about this show for months - she had heard the usually someone was chosen from the crowd to pat and feed one of the dolphins during the show, and she totally believed she would be the one. Being the faith-filled mother I am (*cough cough), I gently encouraged her not to get her hopes up, but still to pray and see what happened.
To cut a long story short, our girl was chosen out of around 2,000 people to interact with the dolphin!
A pretty cool and emotion experience (a few of us had tears in our eyes, including the main guy in charge of the show!). FYI this dolphin is called Kiama and was rescued at the Kiama blow hole.
Highlights of Sea World would have to be the dolphin show, the rides (especially Jet Ski Rescue and The Storm Coaster), patting the sting rays, the Sponge Bob zone, and seeing our eldest enjoying the Dora show (hehe).
The next day we hit Wet'N'Wild, and had so much fun! So many extreme rides to keep the older boys happy, as well as a lot of fun for the younger ones (and us adults). I did try a few extreme slides and rides, but by the end of the day felt a tad nauseous! Absolutely loved this place and so did the whole family.
That night we checked out the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets. We really enjoyed checking out the different stalls, with the kids buying a few fun items and also having the opportunity to do this...
Slightly cheesy pics but a pretty cool opportunity for all of the kids!
This night was one of the highlights of the trip for one of our children. There was such a neat atmosphere as we walked along together at night - highly recommend checking this out if you are in the area.
We had a break day the next day, which included a road trip and doing a bit of shopping. A few people had recommended checking out the pelican feeding at Labrador. These birds are so massive and fun to watch as they gobble up the fish leftovers from Charis Seafoods.
The next day we decided to visit Movie World! This place is amazing - like a mini movie set with heaps of thrill rides, shops, shows and a great area for younger kids as well (don't tell anyone but I quite enjoyed the kiddie roller coaster after screaming my head off on the Superman Escape ride earlier in the day).
The boys loved Arkham Asylum (eeeek), Superman Escape, The Batwing Free Fall and The Green Lantern as well as many of the other rides!
The girls loved the parade, getting to be annoyed by The Joker, and the shops!
The next day Symon and the two boys decided to check out Dreamworld to overindulge in more thrill rides while us girls and Nan & Pop visited a shopping mall and more of Surfers Paradise!
The rest of the week included us re-visiting some of our favourite theme parks again, checking out more shops and ending our trip with a delicious all you can eat dinner at Southport Sharks Food Frenzy Court. I may have ended up becoming a Southport Sharks Aussie Rules club suppporter so that we could save some money on our meals (shhhhh - don't tell anyone).
We have had the most amazing holiday with so many memories made - times like this I am so thankful for photos to help the memories stick (just be thankful I haven't posted them all here!).
Thanks again to my parents for taking us all on such an amazing holiday experience.
We loved our time in Australia - but it's always so good to be home!
At the end of each year I love to look back at what has happened, what has been created, the adventures we've been on and the memories that have been made. It's amazing how you can forget the good stuff - being thankful is so important!
Here's a quick look back at some of my favourite moments and creations of 2013...
Here's a quick look back at some of my favourite moments and creations of 2013...
Meeting up with awesome bloggy buddies!
This year was filled with various blogger meet ups, but the highlight would have to be getting to travel to Christchurch, for the first ever New Zealand Blogger Conference - heaps of fun (plus my first time travelling to the South Island and going on an internal flight - yep, embarrassed much).
Blogging has opened up a door to some amazing friendships all over the country (and world). So thankful for this strange technological phenomenon called blogging!
Travelling to Australia
Another awesome adventure in 2013 was heading over to Brisbane, Australia with Symon to stay with his brother, wife and son. We had so much fun, and on top of visiting family and going to an awesome conference, I also got to catch up with one of my besties Anya, as well as Wezza and Leonie! When these girls get together, there is always fun!
Makings
I wouldn't have said 2013 was a very creative year compared to past years, but looking back there have been some fun things made!
Here are some of my favourites! Click on the images to visit each blog post...
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| Pink & Grey Granny Square Blanket |
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| Plaid Softie |
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| Cloth Napkins |
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| Floral Softie |
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| Deer Blanket Cushion |
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| Ripple Blanket |
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| Blanket Bunny |
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| Space Invader Cushion |
Roadtripping
I've loved the different road trips our family has been on this year. Sometimes I forget about the beautiful country we live in and some of the amazing trips that are just an hour or so away.
Wherever we travel, we seem to be a bit of a sideshow, like the time we visited our local Museum. I loved visiting Little & Friday (cause I'm a café loving girl!), and for some strange reason, we've visited Dargaville twice this year!
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Bakings
Despite have not much of a kitchen to work in this past year, there have been a few delicious things whipped up in my kitchen. Here are a few of my favourites (click on the image to visit the blogpost)...
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| Coconut Iced Chocolate Slice |
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| Favourite Coconut Loaf |
Reflecting
There have been moments of reflection here in this space during the year - reflection about Parenting (and staying sane), Tips for Fighting off the Winter Blues, How to Mine for Gold (figuratively speaking!), and the fact that you make the very best you!
Renovations
There have been 3 renovations in 2013! Massive thanks to my hubby who does most of the work while also being a fabulous Dad to his four kids, awesome husband and hold down a full time job being my most favourite Pastor ever.
Click on the photos below for more!
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| Kitchen renovation! |
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| Sleepout renovation for our big boy |
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| Son's bedroom makeover |
There has been so much other good stuff that has happened in 2013 - thing's like organising a special little surprise for my Mum's 60th, preaching my first proper Sunday morning sermon at our church, celebrating each of my children's birthdays (see Special Celebrations), getting a little spot in a British crochet magazine, plus so much more.
A massive part of my life that doesn't appear in this space too often is my church (and our role as the Senior Pastors). I love this place so much, and am excited to be able to be more involved next year in helping out. My faith in Jesus is a massive part of who I am and how I live and breath - cause without Him I'd have no hope. So thankful for God's love that is available for everyone who is willing to receive it.
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I'm looking forward to a fresh new year, filled with more precious memories to be made, crafty makings and bakings to be created and many adventures to be had.
I hope you have had a great 2013!!
