Too Soon?

Well, it’s official!  Nick and I are in the Christmas spirit…in October!  This Christmas will be especially exciting as we will be reunited with our families after being separated for more than 6 months, the longest amount of time we have ever been away.  So if we buy a tree, decorate it and dance to Christmas music that means Christmas is right around the corner, correct?  We are having a Halloween party at our house this weekend and Nick says that we should put the tree in the garage; he doesn’t want to confuse our Australian friends.  I said we could tell them that the house was dressing up as “Christmas” for Halloween.  He didn’t buy it.  

Aside from decorating for Christmas this weekend, we also had a get together with friends from Nick's work to go lawn bowling.  It was a lot of fun...very similar to bocci ball.  Here are some CBI friends giving their best bowling pose.

Sherry, Ange, Steve and Cindy

Calvin, Stella, Princess and George

We also took some time this weekend to walk around the botanical gardens.

Nice to see some fall colors in Gladstone

Yeppoon

Nick and I traveled about 1 1/2 hours north to Yeppoon this weekend.  Yeppon is beautiful!  If there is one thing that Queensland is not lacking, it is beautiful beaches.  There is a 10 mile stretch where you can drive along the coast and Nick and I stopped at various beaches to walk around and take pictures. 

On our way home Nick and I were delighted to find a Sizzler which speaks volumes about our craving for a good American meal.  Many of you may not see the Sizzler as a great American meal, but Nick and I were desperate.  Two salad bars and $55 later, we left feeling disappointed.  I think Nick is still in shock from the cost.  Feeling defeated from the Sizzler incident (or the restaurant that shall not be named, according to Nick) we stopped at the grocery store to do a little shopping.  Feeling adventurous, we picked out some fruit that we had never tried before.  My favorite purchase was the passion fruit.  I almost didn't try it because the inside looks less than desirable, but I am so glad that I did.  I would say that passion fruit is my new favorite fruit!  

Nick cutting into a coconut

Paw Paw

Vlog...Video Log

We wanted to share some videos with you, most of them from the past year.  Hope you enjoy!

To Sanna and Riley, Love Cinderella

Dear Sanna and Riley,

I'm sorry it has been so long since my last letter but I have been busy!  I traveled out into the bush in search of my family and to my great surprise I found my cousins, Simon and Reggie!  Simon and Reggie are twins, just like you two.  Can you see the family resemblance (they have bigger noses but don't tell them I said that, they can be very sensitive)?

Since I found Simon and Reggie they have been staying with me at Aunt Katie and Uncle Nick's house and we have been having a blast!  Check out the pictures of some of our activities:

Playing "Road to Mexico"

Going on a bike ride

Ready to hop in the pool

Drying off after a long swim

Simon and Reggie have never been to America.  I told them they should fly on an airplane with us to America at Christmas time. Then they could meet you both!  What do you think...could we show them a good time? 

Hope you girls are doing well, can't wait to see you at Christmas!  Write to you soon!

Love,
Cinderella

Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast

Nick and I had a wonderful long weekend in Brisbane.  It was really exciting to explore a new city and get a feel for Australian culture outside of the small towns we have experienced so far.  Nick and I agreed that Brisbane reminded us a lot of an American city.  It was really pedestrian friendly and an easy city to see by foot.

On the way home from Brisbane we stopped at a few towns along the Sunshine Coast.  Both towns we saw were beautiful, however it was raining and made it difficult to walk around.  We managed to do some shopping and a lot of eating.  There are wonderful restaurants and shops as well as awesome places to hike along the coast.  We hope to get back as soon as we have another long weekend.