Jared's sister, Lauren, has been here from Melbourne for the past week, so we've been busy every day doing something fun and exciting with all the cousins. Lauren has two girls, Lily (4) and Sienna (2). Between our family and the other 3 families, there are 11 grandchildren aged 16 mo (Ashley) to 8 years old (James and Emily). So, it has been pretty crazy over the past week. My house has never seen such destruction but it's been a good time and after a thorough vacuuming we've recovered.
L-R James, Erin (Kate's neighbor), Kate with Courtney and Ashley, Emily, Sienna, Nathan, Colby. Back row- Olivia, Lily, Austin, William
Yesterday we went to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Lori came with us last year when she visited. It's a great big animal park with various shows about different animals like snakes, wombats and echidnas, kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, dingoes, birds of prey, etc. We have been a few times before, but they have recently added a big playground/park for the kids which was great. We had a picnic lunch and the kids ran around. Ashley just watched the birds, fascinated.
Here's all the kids lined up to see the Rockin' Ranger Show.
Olivia sat with Grandad during the show but later she actually touched a snake- I was so surprised!
One of the best things at Currumbin is the Kangaroo Feeding area. You walk through a gate and there are dozens of kangas and wallabies just lying around, hopping around, etc. They sell some food and you can pet them and feed them. The kids love getting up close to the animals... except Ashley. She has a psycho phobia of large animals, for some reason, and will pierce your ears with a shriek if you get too close. Cute little Sienna, however, is like the animal whisperer. She LOVES all animals and has NO fear of any. She tried to grab a snake earlier in the park area (they had a ranger there holding one and you could pet it). Here she was laying on top of the kangas and stroking them like she was speaking some animal language to them. Good thing they are very tame.
We walked around the park and saw a huge crocodile named "Holy" as in "Holy (blank)" because he's 3 meters long and weights about a ton. This year he was moving, at least. Last year when Lori and I went he was still as a statue under a heat lamp since it was 'winter', a very loose term on the Gold Coast. At least it 'warmed up' to 24 C (69 F) degrees today- we've been freezing lately. It dropped below 60 degrees last week!
We had some snacks, watched the bird show, had a train ride, then went home. It was a long day but all the kids did so well. Ashley even had a 2 hour nap in the stroller. She is such a good baby! We decided to get the GO WILD passes this year so that we can go back as much as we want. After seeing the great new park they've added I am sure we'll use it often. It's only about 15 minutes down the highway from where we live.
(L-R) Mum, Lauren, Katherine
Today was shopping at the outlets with the girls. Mum watched 9 grandkids on her own. She is SUCH a great nanny! Tomorrow we're having a picnic lunch and bike ride at Katherine's place. We'll have to say goodbye to Lauren and the girls since we won't see them Thursday morning. It's been a lot of fun having them here- I wish they didn't live so far away.
3 comments:
I loved that placed! We visited there during our honeymooned. The feeding of the kangaroos was my favorite. I think I will get out my pictures tomorrow and show my kids. I think they will really enjoy them. Take care!
I'm surprised every time you post a picture of yourself because your hair is always a different color or texture, you're a chameleon.
This place looks amazing, and how fun to have so many cousins together. Tom and Diane must have loved it! I can't believe Siena had no fear of the kangaroos, that picture is cool.
oh that sounds like a lot of fun, and touching kangaroos...wow that must be something. i asked my brother what he missed about australia and he said after 10 years of living there...football...typical male...and the beach of course.....
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