Our trip to Melbourne was fantastic. I had such a great time. I loved it. We shopped, ate, slept in, relaxed, shopped some more, ate even more, talked, etc. I am so glad that we went. I am so happy that Lauren and Tim let us stay with them and that we got to have so much fun with them. I was happy to spend time with Lily and Sienna too b/c it was the first time I met them! (Lauren was pregnant with Lily the last time we were here in Australia). Click here to view all my pictures ofMelbourne Click here to read and see more about Melbourne
So to pick up where I left off... On Sunday we went to church with Lauren and Tim then came home to the roast dinner that Lori and I made. We all filled ourselves with a good ol Maher dinner of roast beef, gravy, potatoes, carrots and rolls. I later went through the baby clothes that Lauren has from her two girls. She is kindly letting me borrow some for my little Ashley. We hung out that night talking and watching "Kath and Kim", a funny Australian show.
On Monday we baked gooey cinnamon rolls in the morning. I had tried to make some the night before with a recipe from Martha Stewart, but it didn't work. I tried calling home to get my recipe and Jared answered- I could tell he was deep in the trenches of fatherhood. The baby was crying, Olivia was chatting loudly (as usual), and he interrupted our conversation to say, "Austin, one more time and you're going to your room!" I had to laugh (sorry Jared) b/c it is usually me on the other end of the line, tired and stressed. I was happy to hang up the phone and not deal with it! What are vacations for? So the rolls didn't get made that night.
The next morning I had my own recipe and the sticky buns were a success. Tim loved them. That day we went to the mall just down the street from Lauren. We both found some good clothes and Lori got shoes. Yes, I was tempted to buy some too (because I LOVE shoes) but I had already bought boots, so I restrained myself. We had lunch at the mall. Mine was a delicious Pumpkin Tortellini- can you believe it? Who knew?! I loved it, of course. (Yes, I am obsessed with pumpkin- it's official). Anyway, we saw an Australian movie, Jindabyne, at the Int'l cinema there, then did some more shopping. I went to Smiggle, which is owned by a guy in Lauren and Tim's ward. He's making a ton of money and opening like nine new stores this month in Sydney. It's all stationary stuff, which I have loved since I was a child. I remember for my 4th birthday I received a fishing tackle box full of pads, pens, erasers, etc. You would have thought I got a new swingset. I loved it. Still remember it. Anyway, other than Smiggle we liked Glassons (see photo below), Aldo (which we have in the States but not Gold Coast), and Planet Chocolate where we got Tiramisu truffles. Words cannot describe the delight.
The exciting purchase of the day was at Aldo. Lori and I both got the same bag and also bought Lauren a smaller version as a thank you gift. Thanks Mom for the shopping money. We love our bags!
Tim picked us up at 5pm from the mall and we went home. We all had Chinese food that night for dinner and were up talking until after midnight again. We had to get up at 5am for our 7:15 flight. OUCH. Unfortunately, after Tim kindly drove us there at the crack of dawn (before dawn, if truth be told), the flight was delayed due to fog. We got home two hours late. I am sure Jared was dying by the time we landed. He did such a great job, though. He had gotten Austin off to school, made his lunch, took Olivia to gymnastics, kept Ashley happy. He even took them all to church and taught his lesson on Sunday. I noticed in the car when he picked us up that Olivia had Austin's socks on. I cringe to think what my kids were wearing for the past few days... but you know what? I don't care! When I got home the beds were made, laundry done, dishes done, etc. Very impressive. Thanks so much Jared!
What a wondeful trip it was. I loved the shopping and the food, spending time with Lori and seeing Melbourne. A highlight of our trip though, was the fabulous time we had with Lauren and Tim. They were so accomodating, so much fun to talk to, and so enjoyable. I am so lucky to have married into such a great family! Thanks again Lauren and Tim. I hope that we get to see you again soon. I can't wait for Lily and Olivia to meet. Wow- a dangerous pair those two would make.
Here are the links to the other shops I enjoyed: Seed, Brunetti, Mambo, and Kikki.k.
4 comments:
What a great trip! I love it that when you called Jared he was knee-deep in fatherhood, and I also love it that Olivia was wearing Austin's socks. Don't you wish you could have had a hidden camera to capture him in action? The house was probably a wreck the entire time you were gone and then he raced to clean it up right before he picked you up--whatever works right?
Sounds like you guys had an amazing time. So glad you were able to take the break.
It is frightening to think what are kids look like when were not around, but at least you know they are well taken care of. I am impressed Jared got so much done. I don't doubt Adam would be great alone with the kids, but I know for a fact the laundry would not be done or if he had attempted it it would have only been his cloths. I don't know why he does that.
I must say that's a cute bag you both bought, though I don't think I could get away walking around with it. It totally looks like you.
What an exciting time you guys must have had! I'm so happy all went well for you and Lori AND Jared and the kids. Just how long did he have the three of them? I thought Diane was taking them. I love your turquoise bag and am so glad you got to buy something "on me". I bet it was just so great to see those three cuties when you got back home. I'm jealous.
Sounds like quite a fun time. I'm really wishing I could go to that stationery store.... how fabulous that you two had some time with no kids!
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