G'day Mate!

Well it has been far too long since our last update, but better late then never I suppose!

Currently we are in Sydney, Australia and loving every minute. We flew to Brisbane on Dec. 20th from Bangkok. After a 3 hour flight to China, 2 hour layover, and 9hour flight to Oz we were ready to be there! We spent our first week relaxing pool side and beach side in Noosa Heads at the amazing resort my cousin Angie runs.

Side note: For those of you who don't know, my Grandmother was Australian, making me 25% Aussie. She met my Grandad during WWII, he left the country then returned and they goy married.  They moved to the US and settled in Texas where my Dad grew up.  SO this means I have heaps (as the Aussies say) of second cousins, third cousins, great Aunts, etc who until now I had never met.  They have graciously been taking are of me and Patrick as we tour around, hopping from family to family.

So, back to the pool...

We had an amazing time in Noosa, catching up on some much needed rest. We had an Aussie Christmas with wine, BBQ, and swimming. A very different, but wonderful way to celebrate. We got to know Angie and some of her good friends, as well as her two kids Juliette and Eddy ( more cousins), and my Great Aunt Margo.
We decided to make or way to Sydney for New Year which was a great choice.  The city s known for its fire works and they completely lived up.  We got up early to get a spot and waited for 15 hours in the Botanical Garden for the show to start. At midnight we were surrounded by fireworks from all angles, it was incredible.
Other than that we have been loving Sydney. It is a beautiful city, clean, we'll set up. A smaller city, but with tons to do.  There are parks everywhere and little neighbourhoods to explore with vintage shops, happy hours, and friendly people.  We have been very impressed.  We have been staying with another cousin if mine, Mia, who has set us up in her beautiful "granny cottage" which feels like our own little hotel room.  It is more than we could ask for.
So with only two weeks till our return, we are amazed at how much we have done in the past 2+ months.  I'm excited to come home and see friends and family, but can't believe the journey will be over soon!
So happy 2013 to all, we will celebrate by soaking up the last of our beach time before going back to the frigid weather that will feel even colder compared to the typical 80 degrees here.
Love to all. See you soon!