Remembrance Day

Lest We Forget.

Gratitude Sunday

It's been a couple weeks since I did one of these...so here goes.

Over the last month I have been grateful for:

- Having my little bro come and visit...a couple of times

- Building relationships with friends

- Having sunshine to break up the dreary winter weather

- New shoes...and the deals I got buying them

- Going old school and playing different boardgames with people

- Free weekly rentals from the video store

- SLEEP! Apparently we are best friends now

- Getting to watch bits of the olympics....some seriously amazing athletes out there!

- Reading stories of people doing the right thing and standing up for 

- A random late night chat with Dad while he has been in the United States

- Any extra work I can get

- Good hair days...they seriously just make it all better

- Chocolate

- Fresh water...seriously loving it at the moment

- My new phone

- Skype...THE BEST THING EVER!

- Mexican food...apparently I'm obsessed with it at the moment

- Getting in the Aussie spirit

- Tips that help me save just that little bit extra towards Europe

and finally

- New and exciting things in general

What are you grateful for at the moment?

Anzac Day

Here in Australia the 25th of April is a celebration and remembrance of those who have fought and died 

to defend our country.  

Today I attended the dawn service. I love going because it is something small that I can do to show

the respect and admiration I have for those who have allowed me to have the freedom I do. 

During most services someone will recite the fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon's poem,

'For the Fallen', which says:

" They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning,

We will remember them."

I have always loved this poem. It is just a simple way of expressing our respect for the fallen.

Lest We Forget

via

New Year's Eve Carnival!

From 3pm-1am today/tomorrow...minus the 3 hours of work I have to go and do...I will be having a CARNIVAL of a time :D

Kat has organised a YSA New Year's Eve Carnival! 

We are currently setting up...and getting sunburnt! I am going to be so red tomorrow! 

But the fun I have will all be worth it! :D 

More on this even next week...after all the festivities!! 

Have a safe New Year!

Bring on 2012!!

Christmas Photo booth

Oh Photo booth really is fun for the whole family!

Here's just a small snippet of what happens when your family finds out you have photo booth and what it can do! Especially on Christmas day :D

A belated Merry Christmas from my niece

My little bro (left), me and bro's friend (right)



My niece and I

Siblings!

Siblings, niece and nephew!

I love Christmas!!
and now onto a new year! 2012 here I come!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!! 

Christmas Day is just coming to an end here in Australia but for those who are only just starting...enjoy it!

As promised, a picture of my Christmas Truffles

I made them up a few years back and now make them every year

There was someone who wanted to help with EVERYTHING today! It was nice that she wanted to help but she became more of a problem most of the time.
Kids really do teach patience!

and lastly...check out the eye patch and hat I got in my cracker :D

We only had Sacrament meeting at church today and I was grateful that we got to sing so many Christmas Carols because I love them so much!

Well I am really tired and am heading to bed. As soon as Cars 2 finishes! :D

Gratitude Sunday is taking a break this week...I think it's pretty obvious for all the things I am grateful for this week. 

Christmas Week: Day 6 A Special Guest

As it is Christmas Eve I decided to have a special guest to share some of her Christmas traditions.

If you don't know Jenni...then you should!

She is an awesome American living and working in Germany!

I am seriously jealous!

Today Jenni is going to share a few European Christmas Traditions that she has been a part of.

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Spending the holidays abroad makes me miss my home (the United States) ever so much.  I miss the seasonal Christmas TV commercials, the radio stations that play Christmas music 24/7 and, you know, my family.  That's why I am incredibly thankful to be celebrating Christmas this year with my family in Oklahoma!

Staying in Europe for Christmas wouldn't have been the end of the world, though.  There are plenty of ways to enjoy the season in Germany and Austria.  My favorite German/Austrian Christmas tradition is attending the lovely little Christmas markets.  

Today I'm sharing some photos of Christmas markets in various cities.

The Nuremberg Christmas market is quite possibly the biggest, most famous market around here. Last year, I went, like, 500 times.  It was well worth it, too.  

The Salzburg Christmas market might be my favorite.  Does this have to do with the fact that Salzburg is my favorite city on earth?  Probably!  It's a magical city -- even more magical at Christmastime.

The Wurzburg market is equally as beautiful as the markets in the aforementioned cities.  Walking from booth to booth, sampling the food, trying the legendary Gluehwein and buying little trinkets for loved ones at home is my favorite way to pass the time there.  

If you haven't ever been to a Christmas market in Germany or Austria, I highly recommend it.  Nuremberg, Salzburg and Wurzburg are all wonderful but you can find a market in nearly every single city.  It's one European tradition that I hope to maintain for years to come! 

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Sounds like an interesting time! I've only spent Christmas in another country once. Thankfully it was still with my family :D They mean everything to me.

I managed to make my famous Christmas treats today and I'll share them with you tomorrow!

But I'm going to bed now to await Christmas Morning!! :D 

Christmas Week: Day 5

Today I headed home for Christmas...this is what this whole season is about.

Being with the people you care about.

I got to see my cute little niece and nephew...

Who basically attacked me for a couple of hours! But they're cute...so it's ok.

Then I got to decorate some gingerbread stars

and my SIL decorated a couple gingerbread houses

and to top it all off...I finally got to see my families Christmas tree all decorated.

It's massive! and I can't wait to get my presents wrapped and under there. 

Not long now till Christmas!! :D

Christmas Week: Day 3

Tonight we went...Christmas Light Looking :D

We didn't go for as long as I would have liked, but I did get to see some really good ones. 

There were some that were ok...

Then they got better...

and better... which we almost missed because they turned them off just as we were leaving.

I may have done a dance in front of the owner without meaning to...oops! :P

With the best being...

It was amazing! I love watching the lights go.

Thank you random people that put in the effort to put all these lights up.

I remember when I was little, I used to go with my neighbours (who were like grandparents to me) to see the lights around my town. There was a street right near our houses that basically everyone put lights on their house. It was an entire experience! I miss those days.

I am really getting excited for Christmas now!! :D

Christmas Week

Welcome to Christmas Week!

Everyday this week is going to be something related to Christmas! 

It is my favourite time of year after all :D

I also have missed half the month because I was in Japan and it didn't really feel like Christmas yet.

So to get things rolling...

Tonight I went to a YSA Christmas Family Home Evening

My Bishop took the message.

He reminded us about the real meaning of Christmas and what we should be focused on.

He shared this gorgeous video

We had a few snacks after and I found a cute Aussie wreath

After this Family Home Evening I headed over to my brother and sister-in-laws house for the end of their one. 

And to end the night I headed to Kmart with Kat, Jess and Zoe...where there was a massive 

Christmas Tree!

Oh this week is going to be awesome! Here's to a week filled with all things Christmas

Gratitude Sunday and A Christmas Video

This week I am grateful for:

- Being back in Australia...it's a surreal but good feeling

- Spending an afternoon at the park chilling

- Seeing baby Chiara blessed in my ward...so cute and surrounded by so much family!

- Sunshine! and the breeze to take the heat off

- Family!

- New goals to work towards

- Having more Christmas things around...I love this time of year!!

- Camilla for showing me this adorable video:

I can't wait to go and see my family later in the week! :D

A Little Visitor

He's a little shy...

But eventually he came out to play...

Our very own echidna!! :D

I've never seen one before, but it was cool to watch it break into the ants nest and then brush itself off.

It also head-butted our brick wall trying to get away from me...

oops!

It isn't normal to see these guys in our front 'garden', even though will live somewhat close to some bushland.

Glad Kat spotted him as she was leaving.