Australia Zoo

This past weekend we took a trip to the famous Australia Zoo that Steve Irwin is so well known for.  It is a beautiful place and the scenery on the drive there was absolutely stunning!  The zoo itself is only about an hour drive from Brisbane...I can see us making several trips there during our stay here!  We all enjoyed it!  The best part, in my opinion, was the main attraction where they showed how aggresive and strong the crocs can be.  These animals are truly amazing especially after hearing how they have been saved and how they are the last living link to the dinosaurs.

Wait!!

These are the Ibis birds.  They are scavengers and are everywhere!

This is one of the many crocodiles (crocs) that Steve Irwin rescued.  There were several at the zoo and some were rather large!  Not sure how the men who "rescue" these animals get up the courage to do so!

Adalyn next to an owl.  

Cuddly Kolas....which we have been told can become very aggressive if provoked!

Girls being silly!

Here's another shot from the show.  The trainer was exhibiting the strength of the crocs.  He stated that if you are out and about to not walk too close to the edge of the waters here or even hang around in trees over the water.  Reason being is shown here...they can jump rather high (in this shot the croc is only half way out...he was still coming up as I snapped the photo)  using their tail to balance!  The trainer was holding up a treat and the croc actually jumped up to where his hand is to eat it!  

Catching Up

 I guess we'll start where we left off 2 years ago!  Adalyn and Brandon celebrated their 6th and 39th birthdays this year!  We did our usual at home celebration with dinner, cake and gifts and then Adalyn her party at a great local venue where they do ALL the work!  (no clean-up for us!)  One of Emi's favorite gifts (at the time) her big sis received were some high heel dress up shoes.  She loved wearing "high shoes" around the apartment!  It's hard to believe 6 years has passed and our Adalyn is growing up too fast!  She loves her horses, playing with friends, reading books, drawing and being outdoors!  Emi is 22 months old and is talking/singing all the time.  There is never a dull moment in our house with these 2 around and we wouldn't change it for anything! 

Posing at the birthday party

Happy Birthday!

My "High Shoes"

Happy 6th Birthday!  It was a Princess Fairy kind of day! :)

It's been 2 years....

Okay....2 years has gone by without ONE update!  Sorry....things have been a little hectic!  We had Emi in September of 2011, moved from Argentina to Texas, stayed in Texas for almost a year and a half, and have moved to the place we NEVER thought we'd get the opportunity to visit much less live!  Brandon, the girls and I packed up our things the week after Easter (2013) and moved to Brisbane, Australia.  We have been here a little over 2 months now, LOVE the people, the atmosphere, and the crazy wildlife, but still miss the little comforts of the quietness of our country life back in good ole Hallettsville.  We know its still there and will always be, but we needed/wanted to explore a bit more and let the girls see a little of the world live and in color besides pictures in a book.  I promise to update with pictures as soon as I find the camera cable in the few boxes we have left to unpack!  We are slowly,but surely getting settled and once all of the boxes are unpacked and things are tucked away, we can't wait to see what Australia has to offer!  Hope everyone is doing well and we'll see you all soon!  xoxo

4

We celebrated the BIG 4 with a bang!  Daddy and I were treated to breakfast complete with decorations and gifts, lunch at my favorite place after church, and homemade strawberry cake to top off the day! We had a birthday party with some of my friends the following weekend with a good time being had by all who attended!  I love being 4!  (I even told mom that since I am 4, I can do everything grown-ups can do now)

Global Gardens End of Year

Our baby is growing up!  This past Friday her school had their end of year program.  Adalyn's class sang "Humpty-Dumpty" and "1-2 Buckle My Shoe" as well as "God Made Me" and "Deep and Wide".  After the entertainment from all the classes, the 3's and 4's were given their "diplomas".  Here are a few shots from the morning.

  Proud Mama and Daddy

 My Teacher, Ms. Andy and my "diploma"

1,2 Buckle My Shoe

BRAZIL

We were so excited to get to travel to Brazil with Brandon the end of April.  We FINALLY got our visas, packed our bags, and headed out early one morning.  We had plans to go to the beach and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer Statue) after Brandon finished working.  We arrived and drove 3 hours from Rio to Macae where Brandon had to go for work.  That evening we headed down to the beach, checked out the ocean and the sand, had dinner and decided we'd head down to the beach the next day. That was Wednesday. Thursday it rained all day and Friday we had just enough time to head to the beach to walk around and play in the surf a bit before heading to Buzios.  After that, it was all downhill from there.  Adalyn started running fever before we left and did not feel well at all.  We got to Buzios, had dinner with Brandon and some others in town for a golf tournament and headed back to the room.  We spent the whole weekend in the room except for venturing down to eat.  Then, when Brandon got back from the tournament on Saturday he wasn't feeling well.  He and Adalyn spent all of Sunday sleeping before we had to leave for Rio.  We got to Rio that evening, had some dinner, and spent the rest of the evening in bed. Poor Brandon still wasn't feeling well on Monday, so Adalyn and I ventured down to Ipanema Beach and played in the sand and surf.  Even though we didn't get to do everything we had planned, we still made the most of it!  We'll head back, hopefully, in the next month or so.  (we all 3 ended up at the doctor on Thursday when we got back to B.A.--it was either the flu or bad colds!)

                                           

 Ipanema Beach Bound

 Running on the Beach in Macae



Ipanema Beach

Best thing about hotels....JUMPING ON THE BED!!

EASTER

Easter was a lot of fun, again, this year!  We went to the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the community Church here.  Adalyn got to do a few crafts, read some books, and of course, hunt for eggs! Then, that evening, after choosing just the right flowers for her Easter nest, she got it ready for the Easter Bunny.  She still wasn't sure what she wanted him to bring at nest building time, but was thrilled the next morning when she found what he left for her.  After church and lunch, we came home and had our own egg hunt.  Good Times!

On Your Mark.....

 Checking to make sure I got my alloted 10

 Looks Good!

 Easter Bunny's Nest

Checking Out the Loot from the EB

I See Another One!!

Any in here?