Holiday {Surfers Paradise}

We just got back from a wonderful start to our Christmas holidays.

I so enjoyed last years Pre Christmas getaway that I searched Discover Queensland again and again to find another half price hotel. I was very happy with our 3 bedroom at Towers of Chevron Renaissance  Surfers Paradise. Parts of the suite were a bit tired looking (dirty windows and marred walls, broken shower door) but views amazing, pools fantastic, beds comfy and it was very quiet and had all the amenities, walking distance to grocery stores, restaurants and fun stuff.

 

I wish it was a few more days as the kids had us go going in water non stop I could have done with a bit more rest. It was bliss for me to live in a climate controlled cool environment and no cooking!

 

BLISS!!

 

^^ First night on the beach and the kids were being photographed. I let the man do his thing for quite a while before I sidled up and asked if he got any good shots. He apologised for not asking for permission first but kids change demeanour if asked first {I've heard this from several photographers so that's why I left him be} turns out he was from Turkey on a working holiday for a travel magazine/website. We exchange info and he sent me through a few pictures at 1am that night. This was actually his last day in a month long trip to Australia. So if you see us in a Turkish review......

 

 ^^ view 17 Floors up

 ^^ view other side

 ^^ pool

 

 ^^ Aussie Santa

 

^^ view down ~ Graffiti wall~ Paradise 

 ^^ Sunrise ~ darn Soul Building blocked the sunrise I woke up at 4:30 to see

 

 ^^Aussie Snowman

 ^^ Beach Armchairs

 

 ^^ Miniature Snowman

 

 ^^ Meditating

 

 ^^ Pool 5 Stories up

 

 ^^ Daily Spa Time

 

 ^^ Everyone bought Sunglasses ~ Summer necessity

 

 ^^ Loved the light fixtures

 

 ^^ Three times daily indoor pool swim

 

 ^^ Aussie Santa - pulled by surfing Kangaroos. He had shorts and thongs on. Might be our only Santa Photo this year. He was Free and really nice. Miss G wanted to visit him several times.

 ^^ Water was soo clear. I haven't been to Surfers since I was a teenager. The beach is very nice and water clear. Only sad bit - no shells or anything! I love beach combing and missed it.

 ^^ We had perfect weather.

 ^^ Koala Santa

 ^^ More shots from Sinan our Turkish editor

 

This was only our 2nd/3rd hotel stay ever and sometimes I'm sad that it took us so long, but it's $$$ for large families whom they force to book 2 suites or the large ones. However the kids are pretty perfect in their behaviour now and don't require as much attention and can all swim unaided and are  quiet so maybe its a good thing to have waited.

Now to attempt to cut down the amount of hours they spend in water.
7am beach > showers>hotel indoor pool> spa> outdoor pool>spa>beach>showers>indoor pool>spa
and repeat daily was wearing me out! I'm amazed at how well they swim in waves for hours.


Merry Christmas to our family. A great present to start the season. Perfect end to a happy year.

Christmas Craft {Stick Stars}

This year most of our decorations are from nature. ahem our neighbourhood.

I'm loving it and things are simple.
{really I just didn't unbox most of our stuff from storage}

I've wanted to make these stars after seeing them all over pinterest.

After a trip to our local park we had enough straight sticks to give it a go.

Grab 5 sticks of similar length and as straight as possible. {Can trim your twigs if needed}

Lay out in star shape and tie the 5 points with twine.

I put a little hot glue gun where the twigs cross in the middle.

Voila ~ you have rustic natural stars to decorate with.

Maybe even a nice photo wall backdrop for a party.

FHE Lesson {Nativity Devotional}

I like to hold weekly devotionals on 4 Sundays leading up till Christmas. See HERE 
Some years it doesn't always happen as planned, like this year we've only done one so far.
Here is the idea we used ~ inspired by A Christ Centred Christmas by Emily Freeman

Opening Song: Favourite Christmas Carols

Opening Prayer:


Lesson:

We had our candle wreath burning with four candles and huddled around our table. We listened to youtube videos of some of our favourite Christmas Carols - eg What Child is This?

Talk about some of the characters from the Nativity.
We only did 3 characters this first devotional, and will follow with more in a second one.


Joseph:
Take a moment to consider what it must have felt like when Joseph realized there was no room in the inn. What would YOU have offered Joseph and his family if you had been there? Does Joseph Remind you of Someone you know in need this Christmas?

Angel:
What was the great joy and good tidings that the angels bought? What would that news have meant to YOU if you were there? How does their announcement create feelings of anticipation today? Discuss our favourite carols/hymns that Testify of Christ. What makes them make you feel so good?

Shepherds:
Luke 2:15-18  - The shepherds talked with one another, went as a group, and went with haste to visit Jesus and then spread the word abroad. What can we learn from their amazing example?

Wise Men:
The wise men were privileged to be on a search for Jesus. They also had much spiritual sensitivity to even know to embark on such a journey. What does it mean for us to be like the Wise Men?

Baby Jesus:
The greatest gift ever was wrapped in Swaddling Clothes. Consider this gift. How has your life been blessed because of the birth of Jesus? What are the gifts he gives?

Mary:
Pondered in her heart the marvels of this first Christmas Miracle. What things do you think Mary Pondered about? What can YOU do to ponder this Christmas? How can we be like Mary at Christmas?

Simeon and Anna:
Consider the lesson of Simeon and Anna.(Luke 2:25-38)
How can we prepare OUR hearts to recognize the Lord?



Closing Song: Favourite Christmas Carols

Closing Prayer: Child

Christmas Pinata's

We love a good Christmas Piñata.

I had plans to make this beauty this year from ConfettiPop

Alas our Family Christmas Party is TOMORROW.... so sadly it's not gonna happen this year.

Maybe next?

So while I shed a tear and scrap yet another thing I haven't accomplished this Christmas off my list


Here are a few of our past piñata's with tutorials.


Candy Cane Piñata

Christmas Tree Piñata

Stocking Piñata

Tinsel Bauble Pinata


Enjoy a good party and a fun bash at a Piñata.

Grandparents Christmas Dinner

This is one of our most beloved Christmas Traditions.

Every time we have it I almost wish I could share it with all my other family members and friends.

It's just sooo GOOD!

However its stressful enough organising a dinner party for 11. Sorry Everyone!

This year The Mr and the kids prepared some questions to ask the Grandparents.

I loved the conversation that flowed between them about their childhoods, dreams, things they would change, funny stories etc. It really was lovely and I would recommend it for any family party!
They also bought photo albums along to look at photos of them as kids. Too fun.

 

 

Menu
Slow cooked Maple Ribs on a bed of mashed potato and peas
Roast Chicken with Mango Salsa and Asparagus
Mini Cheesecake, Layered Jelly Cups and Pistachio Icecream and Biscotti
Lemon Lime and Bitters


A huge shout out to The Mr who took a day off work and spent the entire sweltering hot day cooking! He's the Man! And the food each year is delicious. Grandparents Christmas Dinner is all his!


My dream is to have the perfect curated Christmas Dinner. Cheers to all the party planners out there - its hard work to get a perfect look and probably never going to happen for me. But hey we try :)


Previous Grandparents Christmas Dinner Menu's Here

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Christmas is Coming...

 

I'm so happy right now.

 

November was a really busy and pretty stressful time here.

I had none of my usual prep time needed for Christmas. But all is A OK now.

I'm behind but it doesn't matter.

 

We've put up the tree and nativity sets.

We've been to a carols with another coming up.

We had beautiful paper advent calendars delivered from Germany which the girls clamour to open each morning.

We've had one spiritual devotional with candles and carols, with more to come - its hard to get the girls in the calm frame of mind but when it happens {when I'm organised and prepared} its so lovely - and nothing beats burning candles in this house :)

We've searched the neighbourhood for lovely foliage to decorate with.

The 2 1/2 m Ikea fabric Christmas Tree hanging in the window like a boss.

I find the little girls under the tree playing with tiny toys early morning and nights

-that makes my heart soar. The tree becomes an anchor which time is spent under all month.

The little games and imaginations that go on. We always need a spot to draw us to.

I sit and look at the tree, house lights low just loving the twinkle emitted.

 

Its still a crazy time, and nothing is ever perfect, its often loud and noisy,

 

but snippets of joy are found when I look.

FHE Lesson {Wise Men}

 

Opening Song: The Nativity Song #52

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson:

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.
Saying where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.

The wise men spent a long time finding Jesus. They were on a long trip after seeing the star.
Just like the wise men we also wait with excitement and count down the days until Christmas.
 It is more important to count down the days until the birth of Jesus, than to think about what presents we are waiting for. Jesus's Birth is the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

The wise men arrived with special gifts for baby Jesus. What gift will we give him?
Have a special present box or stocking in which you will put 'a present to give Jesus'. Draw or write down something you are going to do or be better at as your present for Jesus. Leaving the present box or stocking out in a special place leading up to Christmas will remind us of our gift and to try hard.

These 'gifts' could be the first you open Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning.


Activity:

Watch the LDS Bible Video - Wise Men Seek Jesus (5 Mins)

Give everyone a plastic glow in the dark star to keep in their room, or stick to the ceiling above their bed leading up to Christmas  (idea from 12 Gifts for Christ by Merrilee Boyack ). This reminds us of the wise men that followed the sign of the star that led them to baby Jesus. We too must be like the wise men and remember to follow Christ.



Closing Song: Stars were Gleaming #33

Closing Prayer:

Treat: Use cookie cutter to cut bread or brownies into star shape. Sprinkle with coloured sugar.

Holiday - Redcliffe

When you tell people you're off for a holiday at Redcliffe {when you grew up 15 minutes away} everyone laughs and asks why?

Why not?

It was for a small family reunion, it was a beautiful beach front apartment and my girls were out in the ocean every day before 8am. There were views, cool breezes and 3 days of relaxing. Got up close with four sets of skydiving groups, collected 100 jelly blubbers and watched a storm.


I would probably do it again.

Even if it feels funny to holiday somewhere in your city limits that is usually just a half day activity.

We stayed  HERE  at Waves in a beautiful 3 bedroom ocean views from all rooms apartment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favourite things :

 

Waking up to sunrise, waking up sharing my bed with Miss 5 and her wolfie, the girls doing Grandma's long long hair, warm sea water, being the only ones on the beach nearly every day, time with family, gorgeous views, cool winds no need for aircon, finding some green sea glass, grandpa who entertains the girls for hours with long walks and exploring, winds that whip up froth aka snow!