Austalia

No, not the movie... the actual country. We got back on Sunday. Only had a week there, found last a minute deal. Went with my mom, hubby and Siena (she was an awesome traveler!) We spent the first couple days in Cairns doing the Great Barrier Reef, where I did a dive and saw a sea turtle, HUGE clam shell (about 6 ft across!), among tons of other things. Snorkeling, we swam with a shark, Thad saw a cuttlefish, and TONS of other colorful and beautiful creatures!
The other 5 days were spent in Spectacular Sydney. We stayed at Manly beach, and enjoyed the opera house, botanical gardens, the zoo, the Blue Mountains, took a hike, traveled everywhere with the ferry and clean train system. I have never been to a big city that was so clean, beautiful and full of wonderfully happy, nice and helpful people! We liked it so well that we are making plans to move there when Thad finishes law school!

Siena zonked out

crazy flowers we saw in the Botanical gardens

Siena with a huge koala at the Taronga Zoo (don't worry, we saw real ones too. This one just sat still for us, so uit was easier to nab a photo)

Sign in the park/at the beach

Siena standing on her own!

Beautiful, beautiful Manly beach

reflection of Syndey Harbor bridge off of the Opera house

Beautiful Opera house from the Harbor View

Siena excited to get there









Siena happy as a clam :)


















Snorkeling on the GBR with my honey, Siena making a hair fashio statement (she could be on a commercial with this pic!)




The huge fish named Wally. Can't remember what kind he was...







Cockatoos are everywhere!




Trekking in the Blue Mountains
with the 3 Sisters rock formation behind us that you can't see

Happy Easter

Siena's first Easter. She really enjoyed those plastic eggs in her basket! She likes clapping now, so she started hitting 2 of the eggs together like clapping. So cute!

Peek-a-Boo

Siena has discovered how to open drawers and the like, as well as pulling herself up to standing position, so she had a great time playing peek-a-boo with the cabinet doors after crawling right in!

Thad's AWESOMEST 30th Birthday Party

I




I planned a Hawaiian birthday party for Thad's 30th (his birthday is April10th, we had the party the day after). Not a Luau, mind you, because I'm not into roasting pigs on a spit, etc, but I gotta say, it was definitely the coolest party I've ever planned! And we had a great turn-out too! And you HAVE to check out the cake, because I will NEVER be able to decorate one as cool as this one ever again!
We had leis, and boy, did we lei! I made hibiscus hair clips for all the girls as party favors, and I even made the pineapple pinata. It took me days, but it was definitely worth it!

Fairy Girl

I couldn't help myself. When I found sparkly fairy wings and a pink, glittery little tutu, I coudn't resist. And Siena doesn't seem to mind them one little bit!

Sweet Siena

It's crazy how much Siena has grown the past couple months now! She is crawling all over the place, saying "mama," "dada," and "yaya." So cute! And she is pulling herself to a standing position all the time, taking huge steps and loving it when someone is willing to help her balance to walk. We love our happy baby!

Sock Hop

My mom had a 50s ice cream social & Sock hop in her ward last weekend. My sweet cousin Camille watched Siena for us, while we had a blast from the past! After catching up with past friends from the ward, eating ice cream to our hearts content and taking pics, we headed over to the Malt Shop, a local, original 50s diner for a burger (Thad) and onion rings (me). I vote we do it again twice a month! It was worth it just for all the crazy looks we got from other people at the Malt Shop!

A night to remember

So a couple weeks ago, Thad had a work party at Thanksgiving Point. There was a gorgeous (not to mention tasty) buffet. It was so fun to have a real date, and an excuse to dress up all fancy-like. And Elena (one of my new best friends, from Moldova, future roommate) was sweet enough to watch Siena for the night.
The best part of the night? My mom helping me get ready, and asking me if I was going to do my hair "skanky-hot." I must admit, my hair was pretty freakin' skanky-hot that night. Thanks, mom!!!

Best Valentines EVER!!!

SO for Valentine's this year, Thad gave me the best present EVER!!! I have been wanting a bike for a couple of years-- not just any bike, but a vintage-y bike, with a basket, pedal breaks, blue, the whole nine yards. So I was beyond SHOCKED when he surprised me with this beauty- everything I ever wanted in a bike, and so much more! It even has Hawaiian hibiscus tread on the tires! I use every excuse I can find to ride this baby- it is such a sweet ride! Have I ever mentioned that I have the best husband in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD??!?! I made a gift basket for him with some of his favorite things, including a jar with 101 things I love about him.

Siena Eating

Siena is such a big girl now! She is eating solids, and is willing to try anything we give her! Even if she hates it the first time, she will try it again and again and again! It is so fun! I'm glad she's not a picky eater! And now she is starting to hold the sippy cup and drink all by herself! She won't take the bottle though, and she won't take breastmilk in the sippy cup, but she love to drink water in it. We love our silly girl!