Final Memories of Oz

 Hey Friends!  Did you ever think this time would come?  It's time for this boomerang to head back to where it came from (regarding the name of the blog).  What an amazing blessing to be here in Australia for 3 years.  There are so many memories that I hold so dear to me.  I am blessed with so many friends that have become my family away from home.  The above picture is of the group of ladies who attended my goodbye party.  I am truly blessed to know each one of you. xoxo!

 I dug up some more photos of fun memories in Oz.  Here's memory 21 and possibly my favourite memory.  In moving here, I found it hard to find a group of moms to hang out with.  Our neighbourhood playgroup was closed to new members, and I didn't connect with anyone at the playgroup at the park.  I decided to put an add in the Embassy newsletter about getting together with other moms.  I was shocked at the response and had every one over for a play date at my house.  The 5 ladies who attended the first playgroup have become such wonderful friends of mine and through these last 2.5 years, the group has grown so much.  I was so happy to have other moms to look to for advice and to understand me just as I am: A mom.  Thanks, playgroup mommas!  I'm so lucky have known all of you!

 Memory number 22: I love all the indoor play areas here in Canberra.  We have such fun memories of birthday parties and play group meet ups at the play centres.  I will really miss Kid City in particular! 

 Memory number 23: I LOVE that Destiny got to attend a few discos while going to school at Harrison School.  She had so much fun bebopping around on the dance floor with her classmates.  What a fun school activity!

 Memory number 24: Floriade!  The Spring flower festival that really brightens up the whole city of Canberra.  Whether it's just for a walk through the flowers or a picnic with friends, we have enjoyed Floriade each year we have attended.

 Memory number 25: Dusty's best buddy Boomer!  We loved watching Boomer and meeting up with Matt's boss and his wife for doggy walks!  Matt's boss, John and his wife Fran will always be like family to us.  What an amazing blessing to be posted at the same location as them for the last 3 years. 

 Memory number 26: A special camping trip to the beach.  We enjoyed the sun and the sand and all the fun that camping brings! 

 Memory number 27: Thanks to the lovely Burke family, we had a fabulous day at the circus!  The girls enjoyed every second of it!  We also enjoyed a circus when my mom was visiting. 

 Memory number 28: We had a fun-filled family day at our house having 6 families over for a craw fish boil!  We have been so lucky to have amazing friends and co-workers that there is never a dull moment or boring weekend around here.  This was a particularly fun event that we hosted at our hosue.

 Memory Number 29: I know I have mentioned some fun activities for school, but I think an amazing memory for me is just the fact that Destiny went to school here and that she learned some amazing things while in school here.  She now has her little Aussie accent and says things like zed, texta, rubber, and have a go.  She really is quite clever!

Memory number 30: Another fun memory of our time here has been Matt's time spent marching in the Anzac Day Parade with other Americans.  What an honour to display respect to the Australian Defence by marching along with them in memory of troops who have gone before them. 

There are so many other memories that have been amazing, but there is just not enough time in the world to share every fun experience we have had while living here.

With all of the memories comes many tears as we say good bye to amazing friends!  Thank you, Australia, for being an amazing place to live!  We will hold this time in our lives in our hearts forever.  Our time here has helped us define who we are as a family. 

For now, I'm signing off, but plan to fill you in on our next adventure soon.  Our belongings and our sweet Dusty left for America today and we will follow shortly after! 

Enjoy today!

Catching up on memories

 Memory Number 14: Our 3 trips to the Royal Canberra Show.  The show is kind of like a county fair with food, rides, animals, shows, show bags, etc.  We have enjoyed each year.  We especially loved the first year when they had a VERY large Ferris wheel and we could see the entire city of Canberra from WAY up high!

 Memory Number 15: Fun outings with the Military Spouses.  Within the first year of living here we had a military spouse event every other month.  I really enjoyed our trip to the Vineyard and Winery.  I also loved the time we did a Murder Mystery Dinner.  During my pregnancy and after having Oliver I wasn't able to join in on most of the activities, but for my first year of living here I really enjoyed my time spent with the military spouses.

 Memory Number 16: I had the wonderful opportunity to join a group of ladies from my church at Hillsong Church in Sydney for a HUGE women's conference called Colour Conference.  I loved the amazing lessons I learned and especially loved the humanitarian portion of each conference.  I got to see one of my favourite bible study leaders, Beth Moore!  Each year, I was blessed by this conference!

 Memory Number 17: One of my all time fave places to go in Canberra is Max Brenner Chocolate Bar.  I love it!  I have so many memories from this place. I have experienced fabulous dates with Matt there, kiddie dates with the girlies, Mom's Night Out chit chat time, and I especially love that each time I go there I run into some one I know!  It has been a great place to connect with friends!

 Memory Number 18: Getting up close and personal with the giraffes at Toronga Zoo in Sydney.  That is the closest I have ever been to a giraffe.  It was amazing and the view of Sydney harbour from the zoo is absolutely stunning.  We had a lovely visit to the zoo as a family! 

 Memory Number 19: Each year there is a balloon festival in Canberra called Balloon Spectacular.  We have participated in different ways each year we have lived here.  The first year we attended take off at 6 AM.  It was a beautiful sight!  The next year, we saw the balloons rising as we were taking off on an airplane to Cairns.  This last year, we saw a trapeze act performed hanging from two balloons as a part of the Enlighten Festival here in Canberra.  It was really neat and we have loved seeing the balloons.  Unfortunately we have not gone up in a balloon, but one day I will!

Last memory for today, Memory Number 20:  I have loved getting to know the Aboriginal culture here in Oz.  I love hearing the didgeridoo and seeing dot paintings.  I love watching the people perform dances, eat the native food, and so many other activities.  It's a neat way to experience the people of the land. 

For now, enjoy today!

Aussie Memory 12 and 13

 G'day mates!  Today I have for you my special memories from Oz 12 and 13.  One of my all time fave places to go right here in Canberra is on the top of Mount Ainslie.  We have hiked up it and hiked down it multiple times.  You can see the amazing lay out of Canberra from the top!  I love that you can see Parliament, Old Parliament, Anzac Parade, and the War Memorial all in one shot!

 This particular pic was taken the very first time we went there.  We drove to the top...hiked down it and then hiked back up!  That was a huge mistake with a 1 and 3 year old :)  The hike down was easy, the hike up...not so much!  Nevertheless it is one of my favourite memories of living here.  Hiking Mount Ainslie really helped me learn the layout of Canberra.

 

 Speaking of learning about Canberra, that is my next special memory!  There are so many amazing and wonderful things to do and explore in Canberra.  We enjoyed checking out Cockington Green, a village of miniature houses.

 The girls LOVE Questacon, the science centre here.

 We've checked out Parliament on a number of occasions.

 The girls enjoyed dressing up at the Old Parliament Museum.

 A picture with Old Parliament and New Parliament in the back ground.

 We've enjoyed trips to the National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery, National Library, National Museum, Dinosaur Museum, Botanic Gardens, Reptile Centre and Aviary.

Last but not least, we toured the Austrian Institute of Sport. 

Canberra is so full of things to do and see, many of them have free entry too!  We have really enjoyed getting to know this amazing city!  These memories are so dear to our hearts!

Enjoy today!