This weekend was so much fun. It was Australia Day here on Saturday, but since the Holiday fell on a weekend they decided to take Monday . Then most people thought as long as it was a 3-day weekend, why not make it 4 and take off Friday as well. I love this country already.
Mark from the home office was in town Friday night. Victor, the accountant here in the Sydney office, thought he would treat us to our first Persian. It was our first experience so it was good to have native Iranians {Assyrians actually} show us the ropes, and we had a great time. The food was wonderful, and we loved the Arabic music and especially the Belly Dancer, she really put her back into it.
Saturday we celebrated by going to the city for dinner and fireworks at Darling Harbor. It was incredible. It was packed with people and food and vendors and live music. It was like a huge country fair {minus the white-trash} but you were surrounded in all directions with massive, illuminated skyscrapers. We loved every minute of it! Australia Day has been described to us as the equivalent of the American 4th of July. It was great.
Ben and the kids in front of the Thai Restaurant where we ate, so yummy!
Gabe was really not too sure about the fireworks!
After the fireworks Laine got to ride the Ferris Wheel all by herself, Gabe was very jealous. Then we let the kids play at the park until late, I wasn't ready to leave the beautiful sights anyway!
Me and Darling Harbor
Sunday was a nice relaxing day and then we spent Monday at beach, FINALLY! Some friends from the ward invited us to go spend the day with their family and it was such a fun group. They brought a BBQ right down to the beach and we ate and played all day long. We went to a gorgeous and very kid friendly beach called Crunella. Pics to come.
Though we have had some nice highs this week, it has also been trying. Along with the high profile deaths we all heard about this week, my Maternal Grandmother also passed away. She was sick so I was glad that she no longer has to live in pain and suffering . But I also felt that everything in my life had been so crazy lately that I didn't really get a chance to say goodbye before I left. I also feel terrible that I wasn't able to make it to her funeral. My 4 sisters sang "How Great Thou Art" together. It makes me most sad that I wasn't able to join in and that I wasn't able to be there and mourn together with my family. I feel terrible that I couldn't be there to support my Grandpa most of all. This is the really hard part about being so far away!
15 comments:
Sorry about your grandma!! I am anxious to hear how the funeral went and how Katie did in her talk. I love all the pictures. It sounds like you are always on the go. You are adventurous in your eating. I am jealous because I am not!!
I am very jealous after seeing all of your pictures of you and your family wearing shorts! You should be so thankful you aren't here in Utah. It has been dumping snow almost every day. It is so bitter cold. We haven't had snow like this for a very, very long time. I am ready to come and visit!
Hey Nat -
I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandma. I hope you and your family are doing well.
You were greatly missed! It was a really nice funeral and Kate did a marvelous job on her talk. She payed a really nice tribute to grandma. All of the other grandkids were saying that they wished they had known that lady! She was a great lady. I am going to blog about it when I get a chance. I am still at mom's she had a bad cold. We miss you and wish that you could have been there. I got a program from the funeral for you. Love you!
Natalie, Sorry about your Grandma. Death is the hard part about life. Thank goodness we know of the Resurrection. My heart goes out to you about not being with your family. My mother had breast cancer during the time Chris and I lived in Georgia and I couldnt get to her, to be with her or anything. I couldnt share that event with my family and it was hard. One of the hardest times in my life. We again are lucky that we have cell phones, email, blogs, texting, various ways we can be close, even when we are far away. Take care my friend. And keep having loads of fun, it looks so exciting. I am happy for you!! - Sues
What a fabulous weekend! I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma.
I love how you just jump into life wherever you are and have fun! I would be freaking out and trying to gather my surroundings. I love learning from you! Also...best wishes to you and your family. I will be thinking of you. :)
It's so great to see how you are doing. I'm so jealous! Someday maybe I'll be as adventurous as you. I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandma! I guess that's the downside to your highly adventurous life...being away from family. Good luck with everything and keep in touch!!
Hey Natalie! It's so fun to see pictures of you and your cute family! I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma and how hard it is to not be near your family! Hang in there!
Nat, you really always do have some sort of adventure happening in your life! It's funny that you posted about Australia day because my calendar has all of the holidays around the world and I noticed Australia day and thought of you. It sounds like a blast! Your mom came out to help Kristine with the wedding so I got to spend some quality time with her and Katie since they were staying at my mom's house. Katie and I stayed up until like 2 in the morning. I was so tired the next day but had such a blast chatting with her. I was so sorry to hear about your grandma. It is good that she is out of pain, but hard to let her go I am sure. I'll be thinking about you guys!
Ok...so despite all your fun adventures, yummy restaurants, etc. etc., do you want to know what made me the most JEALOUS?!?! You're short sleeved shirt. Don't worry about us....we're freezing to death and stuck inside our homes for the next few months. You enjoy!! :) I'm so sorry about your Grandma, too. Hard to miss the funeral...
Natalie,
I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandma. I'm sure those days are really hard to be away.
Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Hi Natalie! I want you to know how thrilled Grandpa was to think you would EVEN try to come for Grandma. Dad is here with me now. Jacob Stockwells home coming was today and He came for it, will stay until Tues then go home .. Hes doing well He took the time HE needed before he called any one about her passing. I think this helped him sooo much. Katie did the BEST job with her flirty funny laugh and sweet smile she told of ALL the fun parts of Mom, you all have such great recall of your memories, a great gift for MY children as they never experienced this, they have had a great oppertunity of serving my parents the past 21 months.It was a sweet time at the end and they are so thankful to have had this time to get to know them.... Maybe I should save ALL my pennies and come and see you always wanted to go.. I havent seen pics of your kids sooooo cite! My Mom wants us ALL to know how much she loved each one of us... and from heaven she is watching over us all.. I hope your days are happy and you are letting your light shine! Love, Cathy
So sorry to hear about your grandma, Natalie. Hope you are doing okay. I know this post is older, but I'm sure you still miss her a lot so I thought I'd send it.
Hi friends. I'm Daniel, from Cádiz Spain. Casually find your blog. I'm happy for this. I'm sorry about your Grandma. Shure She is very happy in heaven for her great family. I hope the best for you.
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