NEW YEARS 2014

Christmas passed and we wanted to ring the the New Year with a bang.  Gram and Papa Wardle were staying with us for another week and we wanted them to see some more "Australian" wonders.  Papa Bruce loves to take the grandkids on ADVENTURES.  He planned a huge day of going to the Featherdale Wildlife Park and Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains on the 30th of December.  I stayed home so that I could get us packed to visit Melbourne, Australia on News Years Day.

Claire and Jane had an AMAZING day with Papa Bruce and Gram.  They loved the wildlife park and got to interact with so many wild animals.  It has become a must see for visitors.  They loved it more than the Tarango Zoo. Who would not like to pet Kangaroos and Koalas? (Grace woke up feeling ill so she stayed at home with me.)  Gram and Papa Bruce really enjoyed the day and I am happy to say that they all returned with Tom's car  with NO SCRAPES, DENTS or ACCIDENTS on the car or themselves at the end of a busy eventful day.  The girls said that Papa Bruce was really good at driving on the wrong side of the road and had no problems navigating the Australian outback.  Here are some pictures from their gorgeous day.

Python - no problem - go Janie Girl.

Gram does not mind snakes - she loves them as shoes and handbags best!

Claire even joined in…I could not believe my eyes.

Jane with her FAT Koala.

Kangaroos - YIPPEE!

Petting a baby calf - Jane was in heaven.

Wentworth Falls - Great View

We polished off 2013 with unbelievable fireworks on New Years Eve.  New Year's in Sydney is AWESOME!  They have fireworks all through the night with the HUGE show at midnight.  However, the kids were tuckered out from their adventures with Gram and Papa the day before so we stayed for the family show at 9 pm.  Then we went HOME to bed to prepare for ourselves for our early departure in the morning for Melbourne.

We found some shade with a fantastic view.

Mom was freezing waiting for fireworks to begin, however she would much rather be cold then HOT!

Camped out waiting for the show to begin.

Our view before the fireworks.

We were very excited to ring in 2014.  We know that it is going to be a year full of travel and new experiences.  We are thrilled to have the opportunity to live in such an exciting place and soak up all that life has to offer.  Happy New Year!