SIDE NOTES: things I forgot to write, but want to remember.

There are a few things I forgot to write in my post last night - it was late and I was tired, plus it was long already. These are little things that I don't want to forget.

1. I threw up on the plane - yep you heard me. I get motion sickness pretty easily and don't always like flying because of it. I have never gotten that sick on a plane. We were at the very back of the plane on the way back to Sydney, and there was turbulence. Needless to say I was keeping it in check until we landed and it is a good thing for those lovely little bags in your seat pocket.

2. Three girls got kicked off our plane on the way home. They were sitting across the isle from us and they were taken off the plane. The pilot told us sorry for the delay, but they were being "silly". What does that mean? We are still wondering what they did.

3. Madi cried the night before we left when I tucked her in. She is such a sensitive girl. I told her she could call me whenever she wanted - she took me up on the offer.

4. While talking to Cooper one night he proceeded to tell me everything he had done that day. Then all of a sudden he stopped and said, "So mom, what did you do today?" He was so sincere and excited to hear about my day. I told him I was going to see the #1 tennis player in the world play the #1 tennis player in Australia and he wanted me to call him and tell him who won. Sorry kid, the game ended at 11:00 pm. I told him the next day when I got home.

5. The first day we brought sandwiches for lunch. I wanted a drink and some fries to go with it. Kev went down and got a little box of "chips", a bottle of Coke, and a bottle of Powerade. It cost $20. We bought drinks outside the stadium the next day and brought them in.

6. You forget how hard it is to be a parent until you get away from it all for a few days. While you miss all the endearing things, there are a lot of hard things about parenthood. Why don't people tell you that?

7. I thought that since Melbourne was the fashion capital of Australia everyone would be dressed up fancy and in the latest and greatest. Not so much. They look like everyone else...LOL!!

8. I talked to Rylee once on the phone and while I didn't understand a thing she said it was so awesome to hear her little voice tell me she loved me before she got off the phone!

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2010

Kevin and I had our first KFW (kid free weekend) since coming to Australia. It was wonderful!!! We are lucky to have wonderful friends, the Graces, who stayed at our house and took care of our kids! We could not have done it without them! Every time I called the kids told me something else fun and exciting they had done. Thanks Jared and Regina for being willing to help us out. Words can't express how much we appreciate it!!!

We went to the Aussie Open. I still can't believe that we went. It has been on our list of things to do while in Australia, but I didn't think that it would actually happen. Things fell into place and we found ourselves in Melbourne for a long weekend.

We had to start out really early and get up at 3am to get to our plane on time Saturday morning. I was lucky enough to meet some Aussie on-line scrappin' friends in the morning after we arrived for morning tea/brunch. It was so fun to meet IRL.

(Sharon, me, Bree, Maz, and Pene)

After that we headed over to Merv and Margaret's house - they are friends of Kev's parents, whom they met while serving a mission for our church in Melbourne. We are lucky enough to know them as well and we were so happy when they said we could stay at their house while in Melbourne.

We drove over to see the temple. Kev and I went inside shortly after it was dedicated while visiting John and Susan in Melbourne while they were on their mission. It was nice to see it again - even if it was just through a locked gate and fence.

Sunday morning we got up early to head over to the tennis center. Yep, we went on Sunday, don't tell anyone we broke the rules and went to a sporting event on a Sunday. It just happened to be when the tickets were bought. Since we don't normally do things like that we hope that we won't be struck by lightening any time soon. We were there for the fourth round and went to see tennis on the Sunday afternoon session and the Monday evening session.

We had tickets in center court, Rod Laver Arena. The atmosphere all around was fabulous and so much fun!We got to see some good tennis.

Sunday afternoon session

Andy Murray - GRB (5) vs. John Isner - USA (33) final 7-6 6-3 6-2

We cheered loudly for the underdog and our fellow countryman. Although he lost he played hard. He is young and I think we will hear more from him in the tennis world!

Ivo Karlovic CRO vs Rafa Nadal ESP (2) final 4-6 6-4 4-6 4-6

If you know anything about tennis you know who these pictures are of by the first one (yep, butt picker himself Rafa Nadal). For those of you who don't know. He has a routine that he does before every serve and it includes picking his butt. Kev waited and got this picture just for me...LOL!

Monday evening

Roger Federer SUI (1) vs Lleyton Hewitt AUS (22) final - 6-2 6-3 6-4

The crowd was out to cheer on the #1 Aussie tennis player vs the #1 player in the world. The atmosphere was charged and fun! What a game to see!

We also saw a women's match, but we didn't stay for much of it. By then it was so late and one of the ladies was making a funny bird like noise every time she hit the ball. Kev was snickering and we decided since we didn't know them we would head out.

While we were there we also took in the sites of the city of Melbourne and did some shopping in the fashion capital of Australia. It has such charm. I wanted to take pictures of all the old buildings and fun alley ways, but forgot...OOPS!

The problem with a KFW is that I have to be in all the pictures...LOL!

The cathedral on Flinder's Street outside the station

Federation Square

We had dinner with a friend of Kev's from work, who was also going to the tennis, and her friends. It was at this Greek restaurant. I have never had Greek food before. I have to say now that it is one of my favs!!!

While there we also took the time to see Avatar in 3D (this was the one thing Kev wanted to do besides watch tennis). What a cool movie!!! Seriously, I know the message is a bit political, but it was such an amazing movie!!! I LOVED IT!!!

Thanks to Merv and Margaret for dotting on us and letting us stay with them!

OH WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE SUMMER TIME?

Well summer holidays are coming to an end.

I have been thinking a lot about what I used to do during my summer break - which was three months long and I am still not sure how my mom survived that.

I remember going outside, after chores were done of course, and playing all day long.

I was so tan by the end of the summer because I just stayed outside all day - some days in my swimming suit the entire day.

My friend Karina and I would build huts in the field by her house.

My friend Maria and I would jump on her trampoline, singing Grease songs at the top of our lungs, and creating our own dance moves.

There were sleep overs and bike rides.

We would put the sprinkler under my friend Kori's trampoline and jump and cool off.

We had our own beauty pageants at Kristi's house and I remember practicing until my talent was just right.

My brothers and I created our own circus in our backyard a few summers in a row.

We had a tight rope walker - Robert on the top of the swing set.

Synchronized swimmers in our little plastic pool.

A lion tamer - I think Travis was the lion.

And so much more!

We made our own ticket booth out of a huge cardboard box.

Popped popcorn and baked cookies to sale.

We would play baseball in the church parking lot across the street during the day, and kick the can or spotlight tag at night.

We played tag and stuck in the mud in the backyard. Along with colored Easter eggs.

We built cities in the sand box and filled it with water.

This caused us on more than one occasion to get hosed off with cold water.

We picked peas in the early morning light and ate fresh veggies all summer long.

We just headed outside to see who could play and let the adventures begin.

Summer holidays seem different for my kids.
You have to schedule play dates with friends because everyone is just too busy.
"Screen time" has to be limited so kids will just go outside and use their imagination.

I don't feel safe just letting them go outside and run through the neighborhood.

How I wish they could have the carefree days I remember.

Although, maybe they will - just in a different way.

MY LITTLE MAN

I love my little man. He is loud and a bit crazy at times, but he is who he is and I love him for it.

He rarely stops to pose for pictures and when he does we have to get them fast.

When he dances we all laugh - he has his own rhythm and his own style.

He has grown a bit taller and still is very picky about what he eats.

Nutella and PB are his favorite - yes together.

Tastes a bit like a Reeses PB cup.

He makes friends easily and I have almost forgotten what it was like when he was so shy and anxious about everything.

He has the best smile and the cutest dimple.

I always know when he is truly happy because that dimple shines bright.

Today this little man gave a talk in Primary.

He helped me write it by telling me all the ways he knew people loved him.

Here it is:

I know that my daddy loves me because he plays with me, he gives me hugs and kisses, and because he gives me treats. I know that my mommy loves me because she cuddles with me, she reads stories to me, and because she makes dinner for me. I know that Heavenly Father loves me because He created this beautiful world for us to live on. I know that Jesus Christ loves me because He came to this earth to die for me that I can return to live with Heavenly Father and my family again someday. I am grateful for all the people who love me and all that they teach me. I will show my love in return by listening and obeying. I know this Church is true and I am thankful for my family and for my Father in Heaven and for my brother Jesus Christ. I love them just as they love me. Amen.

He read the entire thing by himself with no help from anyone.

He snicked a bit when he got to the part about his dad giving him treats.

I sat at the piano where I was filling in and felt so honored to be his mother.

He is a special boy and we love him so much!

CHANGES COME HER WAY

Finally after years of talking about it, Madi decided that she could ride without training wheels. I know she should have done this long before now, but what can I say she is a bit stubborn. We have taken them off a few times before, but she always gets scared and says she wants them put back on. I admit that it is partly our fault. We just don't ride bikes around here much. We have no sidewalk, and I don't let the kids out by themselves in the front yard because Rylee is too little. It is a pain to pack up the bikes and go to the park - scooters are easier. Some of this is our fault, but as usual Madi had to decide before it would happen. A few weeks ago when Kev was just finishing up mowing the lawn she asked to take them off. She was a pro. She needed just a bit of help and she was off. Now she just needs a bigger bike. This one is too small. We have a replacement in the garage at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Next we need to do the same for Cooper - he is dying to have his off. We just need to get it done. It's a pain not having a sidewalk to ride on.

(this picture was taken last week at the park)

Also , she got her ears pierced again. We let them grow for the past six months or so because one of her ears was done too low and was almost pulled out. She now wants to wear small dangley earrings so we figured we better get that fixed. Yesterday, while Cooper was at a friends playing, we went to get them done. I am not sure she believed me when I told her it would hurt. She put on a brave face until we walked out of the store. Then the tears fell and she told me how much it hurt. I was just glad they had two people available to do it - we may have just had one earring. In 4-6 weeks she can be back to wearing all her pretty earrings again!!!

SHE'S GOT A NEW STYLE!

When we were in Jervis Bay Rylee cut the bottom of her foot on some rocks at the beach. It should be noted that Kev also cut his foot on these rocks. They were dangerous hiding there lurking under the white sand. She would not walk on her foot. We put a band-aid on it and for five or six days this is how she walked. Even when it started looking better. It should also be pointed out that this wasn't a bad cut - apparently she is a bit of a wimp when she gets hurt, who knew? Yep, that's right she walked on her tip toes for days. She fell over a few times, but she has proven that she may be a good ballerina someday!

She also has a new style that has kept us all busy.

This little girl is wearing big girl underwear and doing great. I hate potty training, it is by far the worst thing I have had to do as a parent so far. It seem so unsanitary and takes a lot of work. Always running to the potty and cleaning up mistakes. This time it hasn't been too bad. It has only been a week and a half and she is doing great. Yesterday she wore the same underwear all day long!!! Hopefully this keeps up because Kev and I are leaving the kids for a long weekend next week to go to the Australian Open, and that is not something our friends need is to worry about.

No more diapers for a while!!! Hallelujah!

2010 - changes

all from STOLEN MOMENTS Scraps by Number: Just Call Me Niki & Resolutionary

The end of 2009 was a bit hard for me. I can't pinpoint it to one thing - I just know that I have been struggling with many things.

My back has been hurting for six months now - chronic pain is no fun. I have had a back problems since a series of car accidents in my early 20's, but it was getting better. The problem is that exercise is good for me to keep my back feeling okay, but when it hurts like this it is hard to exercise. A catch 22.

I am worn out with many things and just can't seem to find enough energy to make it through everyday. I find myself dragging all of the time. I get a headache every Sunday, and it takes me days to feel better. I need to find my "good place" spiritually.

I want to change this for 2010. My goal is to live in the moment. I am not really sure how to do this, but I will take it day by day. If I live in the moment I will appreciate all the little things, I will grow, and I will stop thinking about when the things I really want will happen.

OLD LIGHTHOUSE

There is the hollowed out remains of an old light house in Jervis Bay. I found the story quite amusing. Long ago it was determined that a lighthouse was needed to help the ships and guide them on their way. The man in charge didn't ask any seamen the best place to put a lighthouse, he just built it in the easiest spot. Needless to say, the ships continued to crash into the rocks below and were not guided safely into the bay. The lighthouse should have been built on the other side. Soon another lighthouse was built and the Cape St. George lighthouse was turned off never to be lit again. However, when the moon light shone on the lighthouse the rocks sparkled and shined so the ships were confused. It was then decided that this once majestic lighthouse should be turned to rubble. That is what it is today - a shell of it's old self.
This is where I spent my birthday morning in 2009.

The views were amazing!

Rylee loved all the little rocks around and the puddle she found to throw them in.

On the way down the dirt trail to the parking lot there was a side trail. The signs told us to stick to the trails because there were sheer cliffs. This trail ended at the edge - with no fence mind you. I was a bit nervous and told the kids not to get to close.

This is what I found in the pictures when we got home....

...apparently their dad's idea of too close to the edge and mine are two different things.

JERVIS BAY

About three hours south of us is a beautiful bay.

A bay that is twice the size of Sydney Harbour Bay

A bay with water like this

Where about 80 of these dolphins reside year round and can be seen regularly while sitting on the beach.

A bay with the whitest sand in the world

A great place for a family vacation. A vacation with no pre-planned agenda. A vacation full of smiles and tired kids. A vacation to remember!

HOLIDAYS COME AND GONE

Christmas has come and gone and so has the New Year - with a birthday thrown in there for good measure. I can hardly believe that we are into 2010 - how did that happen? Where did the time fly?

Although I admit I wasn't too excited about Christmas this year it still came with all it's magic and wonder. It turned out great. Christmas Eve Kev had to work for the last time in 2009, but only for half a day so he worked from home. I tried to keep the kids busy and the excitement level down. We did crafts in the morning trying to make our house more wintry - snowmen and snowflakes. I also made the kids clean the house - I know mean mommy!

After Kev was finally done with work. In Cooper's eyes it took FOREVER! Kev entertained the kids while I went to the store for a few last minute things. I admit I have never gone to the store on Christmas Eve and I will never again. It was INSANE!!!!

When I got home we had some outdoor fun to cool down. We played in the pool and Rylee had her first water balloon fight. She loved it and was so funny running up to Kev and throwing water balloons at him.

We then moved on to the cookie baking for Santa. We do this every year and it is so much fun. The kids love to cut out their sugar cookies and decorate them after they are all cooled down. We left out carrots for the reindeer and some pistachios for good measure! While we were waiting for the cookies to cool down I had a new game to add to our traditions at Christmas Eve. We had to pop balloons and do what the strip of paper said inside. There was also a toy or a treat in each balloon. Some of the questions had to do with the Christmas story and baby Jesus. While some were just funny like you have to walk like a penguin or act like a chicken. It was heaps of fun!

Christmas morning the kids woke up around 7am. Cooper was up earlier than that, but the rule is they have to stay in their rooms. Kev went in there around 7am and Coop was up on his bed saying, "This is too hard! I can't do this! It is just too hard!" Finally we all went out to see if the kids had been good or bad and what Santa brought.

The weather wasn't the best and we debated whether or not to go to the beach. In the end we decided to just get out of the house and go. The weather held out and the rain didn't come until after we were driving home. I didn't think it was warm enough to get into the water - but that didn't stop everyone else. Rylee stayed with me most of the time on the sand.

People often ask me why we go to the beach on Christmas Day. There are two reasons really. First, it is something we definitely can't do in Utah. Second, it breaks up the day and keeps us from thinking about the things we are missing out on.

Kev had the rest of the year off from work so on Monday we took off on a family vacation to Jervis Bay (about three hours south). It was BEAUTIFUL!!! Dolphins reside in the bay and you could see them from the beach. I will do another post later on just our trip to Jervis Bay - as you can imagine we took a lot of pictures. All I am going to tell you is that I spend my birthday sitting on the whitest sand in the world! Not a bad day!

We got back New Years Eve and somehow Kev had talked me into going into the city to see the fireworks in the Harbour and off the Bridge. I wasn't really looking forward to it, but marriage is about compromise and sometimes you have to give in so the other person can do what they want to do. I don't like huge crowds and I dislike drunk crowds even more. Luckily we had a sitter lined up to watch the kids - there is no way I would have taken them into the city. All in all it was an adventure, something I am glad we experienced while we were here. Not one I think I would like to redo anytime soon, but it was AMAZING to see the fireworks shooting off the Harbour Bridge. We originally wanted to go to Blues Point, but when we got off the train that area had been shut down because it has reached capacity. So we walked down to to Milson's Point - us and thousands of other people. We found a great spot where we could see the Opera House and the Bridge, but we couldn't really see down the Harbour. When the family fireworks started at 9:00 we had to laugh because they were on the other side of the Bridge and we couldn't really see them (maybe our seats weren't so good after all). We knew that the midnight fireworks also were done on the bridge so we figured it would be fine. We sat and waited, played a few games, took trips to the bathrooms and stood in long lines, and watched some around us consume too much alcohol. On my way to wait in line for the toilet the police ran past me on their way to stop a fight. It was interesting to see all the people running after them to see what was going on. I also got stuck in a crowd of people and never thought I would make it back to Kev. It was crazy - so many people in one place!

It was so funny to see the crowd once the fireworks started. All eyes to the sky and all cameras as well. I know the picture isn't the greatest, but you get the point. Look at all the camera screens. So funny!!

Here's a link if you want to see them yourself: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2009/12/31/vo.sydney.australia.new.year.img?iref=allsearch

Kev was the camera man and my new tripod Santa brought was helpful. He got some great shots. After the fireworks were done I was done with the smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke. Then we had to make it home. We started heading to the train station and got stuck in a huge crowd of people all trying to get on the trains. I was a bit of a nightmare for me. I was a bit worried about the drunk crowd and what they might do. After some walking to another train station and standing in a queue we finally squished onto a train at 2am.

Mrs. Santa did arrive with the one gift that Santa forgot on Christmas Day (a Hutchinson tradition) - but I was allowed to sleep in (thanks Kev) so I didn't even take any pictures. Today was spend sitting around doing nothing.

I think we are allowed that.

I am interested to see what the New Year has in store for us!