It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

So this week I have heard a number of people mention Christmas and it's freaking me out a little bit. I am not sure if it's the fact that I don't feel like I am ready for Christmas, the fact that I will be in HOT Australia for Christmas, or just that it will make me realize how long I have been here already... what? Not sure.

I was laughing on Friday when Chelsea said (while standing on the deck at Kate's place near the ocean) "Mmm, that smell in the air, it makes me think of Christmas. The sea breeze... and it's getting warmer." I had this puzzled look on my face, then we both laughed because she realized that for me, Christmas has nothing to do with the ocean, warm weather, or sea breezes. Isn't it weird to think that for some people, that is what they think of at Christmastime? The way most of us think of snow, warm sweaters, and hot cocoa? It's odd. I remember when we were here for Christmas in 2002, I couldn't get over the fact that we went swimming on Christmas morning before we opened presents. We did the whole Christmas thing- presents, roast dinner, etc. but it sorta felt like Christmas never happened. I am hoping that won't be the case this year. I will just have to do my best to create the whole atmosphere.



One good thing that I am looking forward to is that we are going up to Noosa for New Year's with Jared's cousin, Mike, and his family. They have a tradition of going up to Noosa during the holidays- New Year's- and usually a couple weeks into January. So we'll be going up on the 29th and staying with them, well, not in the same place, but you know... On our trip last weekend, Jared and I never got as far north as Noosa. We were just a bit south of there. Everyone says it's really nice and the beaches are gorgeous. I have been to Fraser Island, which is very close, but never into Noosa itself. I am not sure why I am agreeing to go NORTH in the middle of summer, since that only means greater heat and sweatiness (a state of being sweaty), but we'll be at the beach and swimming 90% of the time, so I guess that's ok. Hopefully Ashley will be big enough that we won't be in the hotel all the time and revolving everything around her naps. Vacations with a baby aren't always 'vacations'.



The other good thing about Christmas coming soon is that it means my trip to America is getting close! By my count I have about 41 days to go. Can't believe it. I know it's going to fly by and we'll be on the plane before we know it. Must get heavy drugs for my kids. It's on the TO DO list. With each passing day I am more and more nervous to get on the plane with Ashley (see previous post). I will just have to pray (hard) that it will be ok and she will cooperate. It will be worth whatever pain I go through to get there. Can't wait to wear warm clothes, boots (yes, I know, but I love shoes especially boots), and maybe even a scarf. Wow, what a thought!

We had a gorgeous day today (looked nothing like MY kind of Christmas) but we really enjoyed it. We took the kids down to Tallebugera (a small creek which feeds into the ocean that has a nice little beach) they played so nicely and we even saw 3 dolphins swimming in the creek about 5 yards away from us! A friend from Austin's class was there with his family so he had fun and Olivia played with his sister AND (it gets even better) Ashley slept in the stroller for about an hour! My my my what a beautiful world (in the words of Colin Hay).