Forster- Chrissy Holiday

Okay, moving right along to the beach holiday on Forster (pronounced Foster). We left on Boxing Day (after another kick ass feast) and drove four hours north to the coast. It was lovely. Pictures are on facebook of the beautiful blue water and the pretty scenic views. Now my favorite memory here is the time when Piper told us stories. She told us about a "gallant prince" and a "dragon cave" and a "princess named Piper." So freaking cute. By the time I had the camera rolling she was a little out of the mode, but she was going a bit. When she's cute she's got you wrapped around her finger. Geez. We stayed at Craig's mom's mum's house which had a POOL! I had a day to myself while the fam went to visit other family and the sun came out and I had one of the happiest times ever! Read HP Goblet of Fire and had my pineapple vodka and spiced rum (separately) and laid by the pool listening to my brand new "poolside, bitches" playlist. If I had to have a memory for my Patronus it would probably be this. Here is my video to everyone:

Yeah. I was so happy. Like my hat? Later we went to the beach and I got to play in the biggest waves I have ever seen in real life. Not quite Blue Crush size, but still pretty large. They were a bit intimidating but I took 'em on and won victorious. Watching the girls play was really fun. No matter the cold water they jumped in a loved it. I can't get enough of watching them jump in without fear. They are all little water babies. Check out the photos on facey. It's great stuff!

I'll post about NYE next!

Christmas Extravaganza

Ok I am going to have to start from a week ago and go forward. Christmas was great! Ever notice that the holidays get worse as you grow up? Kids make it AMAZING!  Next time I get down at Christmas I am going to find children and celebrate with them. They are so sweet and excited. I have some amazing video of them opening presents from Santa and parents. Also,  you have got to love their tradition. The reindeer get carrots and oats but Santa gets a BEER and milk and cookies. Simply brilliant. My kids will be doing that. Here are the kids Christmas morning, pay attention to Piper's voice if you can. I love it! She's the one who hands Taylor the bowling pin at the end. Bella is the youngest:

My gosh I love them! I have some more of them talking and being excited, they are a little overwhelmed here. The way they celebrate is Santa brings the kids smaller presents which he puts into sacks that have been placed onto the end of the girls' beds. Then they go downstairs and open the bigger pressies from Mummy and Daddy. Taylor got a basketball hoop as a big present, Piper got a shell sand pit and Bella got a glider bike (which unfortunately came without the seat and bolts meaning she is getting it after they get back from holiday.)


The morning was great. The Extrems gave me a beautiful silver necklace of a birdcage, the girls gave me a variety of nail polish and Grandma Halligan gave  me a great beach cover up! I gave the adults a night out and a gift card while we were on vacation and the girls got The Polar Express, Mary Poppins, Muppets Christmas Carol, a Fisher Price cell phone, and picture books.


I have uploaded all the pictures to snapfish. Here is the link if you would like to take a look.
<http://www1.snapfish.com.au/snapfishau/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4101152012/a=93672762_93672762/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/>
There are also some from the afternoon lunch which was STUNNING.  All the food was incredible AND we found out that I greatly enjoy oysters Kilpatrick! YAY! I'm growing up! There was snapper, oysters, ham, roast beef, caprese salad, Waldorf salad, Christmas pudding, pavlova (absolutely delicious- Casey/Martha/Shakira- DO IT.) Wonderful spread that they spent all morning making. Just fabulous. It was a great Christmas. The best I could have hoped for without being with my family. I am so grateful for the Extrems- they made me a part of the family and it was so clear to me how blessed I was. It was perfect! [Kenny Loggins couldn't touch this holiday!]

A Collection of Moments

So, sorry about the lack of contact. Our internet has been down and/or spotty for the last couple of weeks. Hopefully everything is fixed now...


Yesterday I went to the Powerhouse Museum for the Harry Potter Exhibition. It was a collection of items from all the movies and if you had the audio tour (sure did) you were able to hear the background of the items from producers and designers. I have heaps of mental images to share with you guys because cameras weren't allowed and there were "dementors standing by in case you whip out your camera." It was all very cool- I got to see the main cast's robes, their wands, Hagrid's hut, the chess pieces from no. 1, the flying Ford, the Death Eater masks, a dragon's head from no. 4, food from the feasts, Gryffindor's sword, Ravenclaw's diadem, the three hallows, the philosopher's stone... I mean you name it and I probably saw it. It was a fantastic exhibit. 


Halfway through I got really depressed that all my friends and family who like HP were not there with me (especially Mom). It made me think about last Christmas when we went to Harry Potter world at Universal Studios and I got super homesick. But despite all that, it was a wonderful tour.


Yesterday a bird flew so close to my face that I felt its wings hit my cheek. It was kind of terrible and kind of humorous. 


The day before that I had another old man accidentally sit on my lap on the bus. What is it about my seats? Glad I'm getting practice having awkward moments.


To complete this particular list of odd occurrences I am giving you a collection of Craig E's (the dad) sayings. He is very witty and random and I am here to pass on some nuggets of verbal delight:


"Taylor, not all farts are not not bad. Sometimes they are even funny."
"Did you drop you guts?"
Now these two are obviously referring to flatulence and he enjoys poking fun at his dainty little girls when they "pop off." Taylor does not usually think he's funny.


"That's a scar any boy would be proud of."
Taylor (who we have nicknamed "Bump" from all her accidents) had a particularly nasty scar on her knee and was seeking consolation.


 "With Piper, we wanted a name that was unique without being...Renesme."
Well, enough said.


"What does that look like, a ham sandwich?"
Teaching Taylor and the girls sarcasm at a young age. I was really delighted when I asked Taylor where her shoes were (they were on her feet) and she pointed down and said this to me. Awesome.


"Taylor's obviously giving birth."
About a rather long time Taylor spent in the loo.


"Red/blue/pink/yellow/orange car bingo!"
A game we play whenever we see a rare car color. It's fun and you never know when it's going to happen. Also less painful than Punch Bug. 


"Crash Cuddle!"
A great thing to watch. Whoever says this is on the ground, arms spread wide, and the kid goes from the opposite end of the room into the person's arms. So sweet to watch how much fun they all have with it. 

Gooney Goo Goo

On Sunday my friend, Cecile, asked me if I wanted to go to Bondi Beach with her. I had plans to go to church that day and I didn't feel like taking an hour long bus ride to the beach, either, so I declined. A few hours later she texted me and asked if Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire were still in Sydney because she was sitting next to two Americans that looked like them. I told her they sure were here and that she better go get some phone numbers for us. Naturally, she didn't believe me and was too shy to go talk to random strangers. She was taking pictures of these guys to send to me and some bulky guy went up to her and asked her to step away and stop taking pictures. 

Yeah. Once the bodyguard struck, we knew who it was fo sho. So of course I am mad at myself for being too lazy to go to the beach and go get my bathing suit on in hopes of meeting some celebs. While getting ready I saw the Clemson-USC game was on, so naturally I had to watch a few (a very few) minutes of that and drink some vodka. I figured a little liquid courage wouldn't hurt things with Hollywood A-listers and I had to honor my Tigers. So after seeing how dismal the footy was, I went ahead to the beach, with backup meeting me there. An hour later (3:30) I arrive and Cecile tells me that they freaking left at 2.  Seriously, Leo? And you, Spider-man?! How could you? I make the damn effort to leave the house and pick out the PERFECT bikini AND I've been working out and you LEAVE? COME ON. If either of you wants to marry this girl, you have GOT to be more considerate. I reminded Karen that I am still waiting on that BBQ with Leo and I intend on reminding Josh and Pippy (the mutual friends of mine and Leo's) that this has to happen. Or at the very least a poker night. Where I take enough money to not work for the rest of my life and perhaps woo someone nearly 15 years older than I am. It worked for Blake Lively. 

I can be Lively too. Anyway...

Thanksgiving was boring. I didn't cook because I am mentally insane but I DID go to a great little pub and have beef pie. YUM. With gravy. And smashed peas. Delish. 

For "Chrissy" I am tagging along with the fam to go to Forster's Beach. 
 
Yeah. That's real nice. They offered me time off but I thought, you have GOT to be kidding. You cannot get rid of me when you invite me to a place like that. 


That's all for now. I took some video of Piper so you can hear her voice, but I am not sure how it turned out. If it's good, I'll post it shortly! Love to you all.

And remember: I'm willing to accept dares if you think you can come up with any fun ones!