Sunday, July 27, 2008

Back to Normal!

Eden's been super happy to see us!
She doesn't seem too hard done by, and absolutely loves helping put washing away - must have been taught that by Nannie!
I'm not sure what she was thinking we were up to, but she looked very surprised seeing the photos on the computer!

And something she hasn't done for a while - a noisy, busy bath time! (Photos taken by Mike)

Friday, July 25, 2008

Sydney

Well, here it ALL is (well the edited, shortened, compacted version anyway!)
Day 1
Our first view of Sydney...
The CHB group touches down
Day 2
Ferry to the zoo (best tour operator ever, she was so funny and informative, and not pc at all!)

A must-have, shot of the opera house and bridge together...

With impressed kids

Lachie making friends at Taronga Zoo

Even Lily had a go
Except this time!
All the monkeys... Lily doesn't like this guy on Happy Feet - luckily she was asleep in the buggy... Don't wake a sleeping bear (or a sleeping Lily!)
Once awake, Lily found a rhino to ride
Heaps more, but that's enough of the zoo for now.
Here's the view from the gondola ride back to the ferry
And a wander up many stairs to the bottom of the bridge climb - got a nice view of the opera house
Day3
First trip over the harbour bridge, to St Francis Xaviers - where Mum and Dad were married (35 years ago today!)
Then a walk around the harbour
to Luna Park The coolest fun park! Can't wait to take the kids back when they're all over 106cm tall!
We all had a go on the ferris wheel that takes you out over the harbour
The opera house looking under the bridge from the ferris wheelWhacking for prizes
And a show off!
Bit of a cruise
And cuddles from Luna Bob and Luna Belle
After that a relaxing train ride round Darling Harbour
Very relaxing that is!
And to Wildlife World to check out all the Aussie creatures (and start Mike's foreign nature phobia!)
Took Daddy having a go to get the kids to pat this...
...sculpture
And finally got to pat a koala - (not something so accesible in Sydney as it was in Brisbane 20 years ago)
Lily was sad that we couldn't take one home
Not a sociable wombat
Saw a few butterflies
A very patient Lachie!
And he saw one closer than us!
Bye
A fancy dinner on the harbour, watching the sunset...
...while eating icecream!
Day 4
Heading out to Menai, Lily with her koala ears on! We got to meet Pete and Cheryl and their lovely kids, Matthew and JessicaDay 5
Opening Mass at Barangaroo
Lachie with the first of his "swaps" (kiwi and silver fern badges for something from another country - "HI" to all our swap friends!!!)
With Zack...
...and Josh from Nebraska (saved my back!)
After a wee sleep, full of energy again! Got a bit cold though!
Day 6
Catechesis at St Declan's - here's Lizzie getting us all doing crazy dancing and singing (wish I'd videoed it! You really had to be there!)
Father Peter Fahy leading the charge for the Hordern pavilion for the NZ event
Day 7
On the train from Penshurst - Jonny got the French pilgrims to sing for us - couldn't resist joining in, even though we had no idea what the songs were about!
The walk through the streets with half a million others (not all at the same place at the same time mind you) to see the Pope
That's the Pope's boat-a-cade
Trying hard to see...
My biggest zoom while sitting on my very strong husband's shoulders! The Pope is on top, middle in red
And the start of the motor-cade through Barangaroo before addressing us all
Little pilgrim and Daddy pilgrim
Very tight security for the Pope's motor-cade. And here he is...don't blink...
...or try and take photos with camera and cell phone at the same time!
A walk around the waterfront at Lachie's request to see the opera house up close
Behind us...
Images were shot up on the pillars of the harbour bridge (Mum told me about it the day before!)
Stayed for a concert (not in English) at the opera house
Pilgrim dinner (suited the boys ok)
Day 8
Catechesis music group (Lizzie, Rachel, Tim, Rebecca, Ben, Dione)
Then "Shebang" - again, you just had to be there!
I love this shot of Tim!
Here's the team (minus Lizzie, where did you go???)
Day 9
Ready for the walk to Randwick (they told us 15km, so we've been practising that - it was only 9!! Yay!!)
Which was good as I carried Lily the whole way!
At the start of the bridge
And the harbour bridge in the far distance!
We did stop for a yummy pizza at Darling Harbour though - then some Lindt chocolate to get us through the night!
Lily had a good sleep along the way, and look, I'm still smiling! You can see Randwick from here!
The Polish lads helping Mike set up the tent
Only 24 hours to go!
Lily making herself comfortable
Lots of swaps!
And tuna rolls for dinner (I zoomed in on this one so I didn't have to smell it!)
Glowsticks!
And dancing!
Four priests stopped nearby for a chat
More glowsticks...
The screen view form the air (we had the best view of a big screen, with the altar right underneath)
Day 10
Cold night, warm kids though! Great Mass, very long walk back to Central Station, and a lovely family to greet us! Mike's on bedtime story duty...
Day 11
Technically it's all over now.
The kids enjoying a "day off" - Lachie's words for we do what we want!
And not so crowded trains
Went shopping, out to Olympic Park, shopping, a trip on the monorail - where I loved this poster...
Then another great pizza restaurant - and Ferrero Rocher icecream for good kids
Then Lily helped us finish off our cheesecake!
And we had a show on the train
After a loooong week!
Day 12
Ready for another shopping day
Lachie took this one
Couldn't walk past this without taking a photo - it's an alterations shop - can you see the jeans? Giant jeans and Eden jeans (according to the kids!)
Day 13
Having a relaxing day at the Ross' - taking a walk along the fire track behind the house
A kookaburra watched us closely (and sung to us at 5.30 each morning!)
Mike had to check out the area for "nature" before the kids could go over!
Lachie asked me to take this one for Eden
Cool trees...
A play with Jessica and Matt
Looking like angels!
Last night, sad to be leaving (but really looking forward to seeing Eden!!!)
Lily cuddling Cheryl
Day 14
At the airport...
Worst trip ever home, well the landing part anyway (even worse than flying hungover after Megan's 21st!). I was so sick, but Lachie fell asleep on the second landing attempt while Lily squeeled with excitement all the way down as we went up and down and side to side! And Mike went straight to the bottle shop as soon as we got into the airport! We were very lucky not to be diverted to Auckland - 20 flights were cancelled after us that night.