Better Late Than Never

Yes, I've been slacking!  Here is a recap of Katie, Colin and Lucas' visit to Oz!

Tuesday - Sydney Harbour was to be visited by the very famous Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Ocean Liners.  Apparently it was the maiden voyage of the QE3 around the world.  Katie and I woke up at 5:30 that morning to watch the spectacle from my window.  Too bad they didn't show up until 7.  I got mom and dad on skype and they watched both ships berth into the harbor.  It was a fun thing to share with them!

Queen Elizabeth - Biggest ship I've seen 'park' in circular Quay

Queen Mary - HUUUGGEE

After watching the ships come in, we decided to spend the day walking through the botanic gardens.  Colin really wanted to see the giant bats in the trees so we were on a mission!

First the must have pic with the dijeridoo player

Then off to the Opera House.

Katie, Colin, Lucas and Isla went inside

Ian, Drew and I hung out on the stairs

Then off to the gardens dodging rain on the way.

SPIDER

Snuggles

BATS!  Success!

Really cool flower that looked like it had grass growing inside of it

Pretty

We went swimming in the Olympic pool on Wednesday.  It was a little chilly and rainy, but that didn't stop us!

The lap pool

Isla getting in the kiddie pool.  Non-heated salt water!

Lucas gives it a try!

So fun!

Mommy and Isla

That night was date night!  We got babysitters for all the kids and went to the Opera House bar for drinks before dinner at the Belgian Brew Cafe for half off mussel pots.

Opera Bar

Sisters

The guys eating their mussel pots

Thursday: Aquarium at Darling Harbour.  Third time for us!  Sorry for all the repeat pics!

Walking to the Aquarium from the ferry

Looking at the fishies with Auntie Katie

Sea Horse!

The boys love to just run around

Playing in the fountains

Friday: Paddy's market to pick up kitchey souvenirs.   Colin came with us!

Cute Tuggle Fam

Then back home for a snack for Luke:

Yummo!

Drew was very interested

Colin and Drew bonding over guac and beer

Saturday and last day in Sydney!  BEACH DAY!!!!!

Gorgeous day!  Drew playing with his bucket

Isla and daddy heading towards the water

So much fun!  Isla didn't want to get out

Momma and her boys

A nap on the beach

My Ian

Loving the sand

What isn't shown is the amount of sand consumed by all 3 of my children.  They eat a snack, they also eat a handful of sand.  They take a drink of their water - they drink sand.  Sand is EVERYWHERE - all nooks and crannys.  Bath time after a beach day is fun times at the Gifford house!  Also, Devon and Colin rented boogie boards and had a blast out in the waves.  I was able to try it out with Devon until he got hit by a blue bottle jelly fish.  It got his hand and stomach.  He immediately told me to start swimming towards the shore.  At first I'm thinking 'SHARKS'. I swam so fast out of there.  Poor guy was in a lot of pain.  He had to take the tentacle out and then wash it off with water.  He immediately went back for more boogie boarding with Colin to take his mind off of it.  What a trooper!

That night was supposed to be Kangaroo steaks for dinner.  Unfortunately they were a bit old and were inedible (I'm sure Katie and Colin were super disappointed.)  Instead, we had potatoes, salad and pizza.  And for dessert - Devon's favorite Aussie Ice Cream bar 'Golden Gaytime'.  It's this carmel cookie coated ice cream treat.  Very delicious, but a funny name!

Katie enjoying her Golden Gaytime

They left us the following morning bright and early.  Such a fun time with the Tuggles.  I so appreciate that they made the loooong trek out here for a visit.  I just hope it was worth all the jet lag and sleepless nights!  That will be me in 5 more days!  WOO-HOOOO!!

Love ya and see all of you soon!