Lots to Post...Lots to Update...

So, we've been pretty busy these days...trying to get a home and trying to make plans for the Easter weekend. They really take advantage of holidays here. Everyone has Friday and Monday off and lots of places closed on Tuesday too. I got my hair cut last Wednesday night and the shop was closing for 5 days. That would never happen at home!! So, they enjoy long weekends here!

We decided to rent a car for Friday and Saturday. Thought we would do a day trip out of the city and maybe do some shopping for our apartment. Yeah, home? Well, we found out yestday that we finally got a place!! They were suppose to tell us 2 days after we gave our application and it took about 10 days! Forever. We were hoping to know before the long weekend...so we would know what we could buy....but we didn't. I can't really remember what the place even looks like because we saw it about 4 weeks ago (one of Darryl's coworkers just moved out) so I don't know what will fit, what colours to use...we'll figure it out. At least we have a home!! It's not that big but no place seems to be very big. But, it's good for now. And the location is really good. And no stairs to climb with the kids. Like that!! We can move in on Saturday so we have alot to buy this week!!! Renting a car again this weekend. Eeekkkkk, going thru lots of $$$$$$$!!

So, we rented a car and really enjoyed it. It was nice to get out of the city and enjoy the beach. And the kids had lots of fun. This week is beer/pizza night at Pandemic and they organized a Ladies Night in April. So, I'll be going to that. It's a day at the racetrack. Apparently it's a really big thing here and the girls get really dressed up. Like - they wear dresses and hats. Yeah, pretty big deal. So, I don't know about the whole hat thing but I'll be going for sure. Sounds like lots of fun. As I mentioned before, everyone is super friendly.

....and here are some pics from Byron Bay and Surfers Paradises...our day trips.....

Byron Bay....

Friday was spent at Byron Bay. We went with Steve, Cari, Rej, and Clo..and of course the kids! It's about 2hours south of Brisbane and a beautiful beach and a really cute town. We didn't get to check out the town much since we stayed at the beach all day but we are hoping to go again soon and stay the night. The beaches here have very powerful waves so the kids can't go in very far without us holding onto them. It takes a bit to get them used the water but once they are, they love it.

Shamus could spend the whole day driving his cars/trucks thru the sand. And Breagha just enjoys the sand.

Entertaining the kids so Darryl and I could have a little down time too. Thanks guys!!


Darryl coming back from snorkeling. There was a small reef off the beach so they checked it out and saw a couple of underwater creatures.

Darryl thought this would make a nice pic. I agree...it just looks relaxing, don't you think?

Getting near the end of the day.


Ah, a little family photo thanks to Dickinson.

Shamus enjoyed frisbee with the boys.

Another pic that Purdy liked. This was cool too. The surfer finished his day with a few tunes on his guitar. No wonder the Aussies are so laid back....what a rough life they lead here!!!

A little fun in the sand before taking off. We grabbed a bite to eat in town before driving back. I can't wait to go back and see more of the town.

Surfers Paradise.....

Then we headed to Surfers Paradise on Saturday. Sounded like a nice place so we thought we'd check it out!!! We went to Ikea first to pick up a few things and then off to Surfers Paradise. It ended up being a great idea because they were having an Easter Festival and there were a lot of things for the kids to do. So, we had a great day and didn't head back to Brisbane until 9ish that night.

This is one of the streets by the beach....no cars allowed on the street so that was nice.

Cruisin' low and slow...

Breagha really did enjoy this slide even though it doesn't look like she did!! She didn't want to stop sliding down and got very anry when it was time to leave. I think she has the Purdy temper. Right Shirley?

This is the beach right in the city. It was beautiful and was super long. The city did fireworks on the beach that night and a big screen movie for the kids - "Happy Feet".

And of course no trip is complete without some dancing!!! They had a little dance floor for the young kids and great music. Shamus is coming up with some pretty funny dance moves!!

The evening was beautiful too.

Yeah, not the best picture but we wanted proof that Darryl and I do get a picture together every few months...even if we have to take it ourselves!!! :)

And ended the evening with the fireworks and a movie. It was a great day trip.

Sunday was an Easter potluck at Steve and Cari's. There were about 14 of us so lots of company and lots of food!! A few Aussies, English folk and Canadians. Great food and a good time was had!!!

We enjoyed our first Australia long weekend but we still miss everyone at home!! Can't wait to see who our first visitor will be!!! hint hint....

We are still here...

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the lack of posts but we still have limited internet access.

Here is a few pics of what has been up for the past week or so. We decided to have supper down at New Farm park last week. They have communal BBQs for the public. It is really cool. They are out door grills that are free for the public to use. So we met up with Steve, Cari and Jessie and had a little aussi BBQ by the water.

On another note ... we should mention that Shamus is becoming a very cute "big brother" to Breagha. He likes to read here stories. They are really starting to play well together. It is really fun to watch.

Here is a few pics to fill you in...

This guy was going through while we were eating our supper.
It love to paint!
This is quite a scenic part of Brisbane. It is along the floating walking path. We took this route to New Farm park for out BBQ.
Shamus doing what he does best.... Watching Cars!
Shamus reading to his little sis... what a good brother.

I love to paint... MORE!!!!

Home....No Home....

Ah, we lost our home. Yeap. Totally sucks. Apparently the woman who owns it had "something happen" and now she is moving in. I don't know how she is allowed to do that but she is. So, we're back to square one. That was the 2nd place that we wanted that we didn't get. Now we did put in an application for another place (it's a really long process here...lots of paper work) but we won't find out until Tuesday. I don't want to get our hopes up but it would be nice that we have a place. Will keep everyone posted. Cross your fingers!!!!

We found a home!!!

So, just wanted to let you know that we found a home. Ahhhh, it will be nice to not live out of a suitcase! And to be able to put up some pictures! I need some family/friend pictures! It wasn't our first pick but it's good. The area is called Teneriffe and it's really quite nice. It's kind of like it's only little village with character so we like that. Basically you have 3 choices for living in Brisbane. 1/ apartment high rise 2/queenslander (like a summer cottage) 3/ small apartment complex/townhouse style.

We wanted the third option. Just a small apartment complex, a couple of floors, not many apartments....that type thing. These are usually quite new and have big balconies. So, it's good for us. It will take getting used to as we were used to our own house, but I'm sure we'll survive!

Teneriffe is a good location for Darryl's office. It's about a 15minute walk. But, it's a bit further to downtown. Probably about a 40minute walk. We may buy some bikes later on but not looking into that quite yet!

Now we just need to buy stuff for the new home!!! We started buying the basics already but we need the big things - like beds! So, that's what we'll be doing for the next 2 weeks. We are moving in around March 26-30. We'll take some pictures when we're all settled in!

New Farm Park....

We went to New Farm Park on Saturday. It's a great park that is about a 20-30minute walk from our apartment. (depending how well you do with the hills!) It's a really big park and very pretty. The kids always enjoy going there so I thought it was about time that we took some pictures.

It has great climbing structures. And super cool trees!

Any where that brother can go, so can I! She's very determined!


Peek a Boo!

Apparently Darryl was very good at spinning this around...the kids enjoyed it.

And of course Breagha had to join in.

An Ibis. I'm sure Jolyne loved this bird when she was here!!! One of them came within a foot of Breagha. Tried to get her sandwich right out of her hand!! Pretty funny to watch! Breagha was not impressed.

Darryl loved this pic of Shamus.

And this one of Breagha. Very serious, isn't she?

We also went to the pizza/beer evening at Pandemic on Friday night. I got to meet some more people so that's always nice. Everyone is so friendly that once we get settled into our new place we'll definitely have a little "house warming".

Saturday night was dinner at Vic's. Thanks Vic! Great cooking!!

And then we rented on car on Sunday so that we could get out to Ikea, Toys R Us, and other shops. Darryl did the driving and he did quite well. And we did quite well with the shopping too!! EEekkkkk, too well! We also squeezed in lunch with a friend of mine from Antigonish. Kirk Pushie...Cheryl and Mom know his family. We got to meet Kirk and his girlfriend for lunch as they live outside the city (near Ikea). So that was a nice treat for us. Getting to hang with someone from home!

We picked up a few things for our new home and now we just need a new home! We're working on that again this week and crossing our fingers!! We'll keep everyone posted if we find something.

Oh, just one last thing. We're still looking into daycares too. I spoke with one centre yesterday as we filled out the application online and they were doing a follow up. You know how much it is? Ohhhhh, 70/day for Breagha and 59/day for Shamus!!! Ouch!! Don't think we can afford that! So, we really don't know if it will be worth me working. We'll see....

Update soon!!

Yeah, we're a little pokey!!

So, we are slow...posting our pics...but the internet use is still very limited! Thanks to Pandemic and Steve and Cari for the internet use!

Just wanted to post a few pics from last Saturday. We had Steve, Cari, Jeff, Vic, Rej, and Clo over for dinner. It was really nice. The guys are all into the guitar so I really liked that!

The guys starting their little jam session.

Ah, is Cari hitting on Vic again? Yeah, gotta watch her!!! :)


Yeah, me enjoying the wine. Enjoyed it a bit too much!

Thanks for coming over guys!!

Last night we went to Pandemic (Darryl's company) for pizza and beer. I got to meet a few more people so that was nice. Some other girls that are the same as me - new to Brisbane and trying to meet people. Everyone is so friendly. It seems like a great company.

Today we're relaxing and then heading to Vic's for a BBQ. And we're renting a car for tomorrow. We're going to do some shopping for our new place. We haven't had any luck with a new home yet. We just started looking this week but nothing yet. Crossing our fingers!!