in pieces

These were my top 5 highlights of Christmas 2005! 5.Kris Kringle Instead of buying presents for everyone in the family, we decided to draw names this Christmas. Mum had me...and of course since it was our first Christmas here, she spoiled me and went waaaay over the limit. She basically bought everything that I put on my list and extras! Purple Luggage - so I could bring everything back that we got here. Butterfly tea cups and saucers - extremely cute! Pink Wrap around dress - adorable Gorgeous Butterfly Clip Butterfly scarf from China. Book of Australian Stories Leigh and I decided to save our money to put towards an Ipod Nano, but both caved in for "little" presents for each other for Christmas Day. Leigh got me a delicate silver bracelet, and I got him a yellow shirt, surfer necklace, and a Homer pez dispenser (which he loves!) 4. Family It's quite an experience being so far away from home for Christmas. This was my first tiune away from my Canadian family, and I hav...

Ben, and his MAF flying friend Matt, took Leigh and I on a 3 hour joy ride in a Cessna 172 ?? I think... It was so much fun. And what gorgeous views. We travelled from Melbourne down to the south coast, along the coast and back up. We landed in LaTrobe to get more fuel, and continued on. If you have a fear of flying I wouldn't suggest going in a small plane! on the coast we hit some good turbulance throwing us up and down. Fortunately we kept our food down. Well, Matt was actually having lunch at the time, not thinking anything of it,... Ben commented "wow, I've never been thrown out of my seat before!" but also had a very relaxed look about him. From that point on, I felt a little ill... but we sure had a great time - and got some great photos! What couple gets to go on a scenic flying tour for free on their honeymoon? Thanks Ben and Matt!

Leigh and I hosted a grande event - An Interactive Christmas Party! The evening started with a delightful array of hors d'oerves and Leigh's famous Thai Coconut Soup over a rousing game of Rummiking. Then we moved into the Dining room where we ate ham, and potatoes and corn. Under our plates I had placed a number of different roles and requirements that each party guest was expected to fulfill. The laughs continued on all evening as Mark was a born "preacher man", Ben continued to make toasts all evening, and Simon had to get people to come over and cut his food, since he couldn't use his right hand. Leigh was sarcastic man, I only spoke gibberish, Ross told stories of when he was young, Carlene interrupted with Christmas carols, and Sarah fed her mom and reminded us of the dangers of life. Later on we retired to the living room where we opened small gifts for each other. The girls watched "Elf" the movie, and boys got started on Poker. I guess Ben and L...

The other day, I had a hankering for mom's homemade fresh baked buns - YUM! So I went through all of the hallaballoo of calling mom and getting her to send me the recipe, and getting all the proper ingredients for it as well. It was the perfect time to make them too, as we were having guests over for lunch, and I thought it would be great to impress them with mom's good ol' homemade buns! It wasn't to be...as the buns turned out horribly wrong. Really doughy hockey pucks...Ross (Leigh's dad) who usually will encourage me on anything I've done, even said we should throw them out into the bushes - the dog won't even eat them... harumph! Well, I started cleaning the baking dishes, and of course this specific tap is very tempermental, and it chose this opportunity (5 min before guests arrive) to spray all over my shirt and all over the floor. "Oh Dangit" Leigh's mom, Carlene, sees my predicament, and hurriedly stops what she is doing, to help me ...

Look who's come to town! YWAM Vancouver takes on Melbourne...

I had a bit of trouble getting this decoration on the tree, but nothing these farm muscles couldn't handle... Sarah and I decorating...in shorts and tank tops. weird. ps - I made the shorts. (yes those are butterflies!)

Some of you may remember the lovely Louise (standing at the front, wearing green on my wedding day) Well, she has just annou nced that she and Kurtis just got engaged on top of Grouse Mountain. Leigh says "Way to go Kurtis - that's how you do it up right!" We are absolutely thrilled for them...We think the world of you both! Many Blessings!

Look out Australia, Angela has stepped behind the wheel. What a thrill. Just ask Leigh about it! Sarah is aces at dancing. This is her group at the opening for the Pacific school games. Can you pick out which one is her? There were thousands of people there attending, and it was quite a thrilling event, to be a part of this. Also I met Canadian athletes all the way down here ready to compete.

Leigh and I went to see where his brother Dean, and Dean's girlfriend Penne, work - as tour guides in an underground mine, and as an actor. It was truly a great experience. An entire town has been consutructed on a hill overlooking Ballarat, but is set in the 1800's. All the actors in town "play" their parts throughout the day and carry on as if their lives were set back in this time period. The stores in the town, actually sell thier advertized items, such as western wear, soap and candy, bakery items, and jewellry. The village has cottages, and churches, and the fire brigade, and a place to mine for gold too. The place is huge. Actors are calling out to other actors and asking about their day, and their families, etc. They play-act all day while they are on set...basically living in the old town Later in the evening we attended "Blood on the Southern Cross" which was an amazing 2 hour show of the history of the people and the land...and did you know that ...