Underwater World and kyaking

Tammie, me and Connie at Underwater Wor
Lots of fun - at least the girls thought so. Mark says when you have a stomach, it doesn't feel very good to sit like you have to in a kayak. I'm not sure how HE would know, but I'll go with him on this one.
Connie and me paddling against the current to Bribie Island
Priceless

the famous zoo - continued

Little sister, Tammie, feeding an elephant. We all got to do that.
A very sleepy koala
Did you know that tigers like to swim? I didn't. Being a "cat" you wouldn't think they would like it .
These are some large turtles

The famous Zoo

This was an amazing zoo - the best I've ever seen. Everything was so nicely kept - clean, big, informative, and natural. The staff was very friendly, enthusiastic, and they put on some great shows. We went to the Underwater World next and we realized that we should have gone there first, and THEN gone to this zoo, because it was sort of a let down after experiencing this zoo.
They had names and stories for all the crocs. I don't remember which one this was.
YIKES!
I was able to "pat" a real live koala bear :)
Steve Irwin's original jeep

Australia - part 3

Yep - it's the 3 "glamour girls" basking in the Australian sun
II believe that Connie was the first "brave" driver. Remember it's the left side of the car AND road - EEYIKES!! I wasn't gutsy enough to drive, but Connie, Loren, Mark and "Garmin" did a great job, with very few "close calls"
Lee got a kick out of all the "guards" on the vehicles there and had to take pictures to bring back for Scott. Also, notice the exhaust pipe.
This truck even has bars on the windshield - those are some pretty big kangaroos!!
I thought this was a cute sign - pretend the bird "doo" isn't there okay?

Australia - part 2

We rented a mini-van that seated 8 (?) while we were there, but WITH the luggage it was a tight squeeze, to say the least :)
This was the "HEAVENLY" pool that we looked out from our balcony at - which by the way, was right across the street from the beach (flip, flip). I took a video of Connie going down the water slide that is on the other side of the stairs that you see here, but I'm not sure if I know how to attach videos yet. After all, I AM still a "newbie" to this blogging thing.
Another pool shot
The sunrises there were breathtaking. I took this right from our balcony. . .
a. . . and there was this "HOT" guy at the pool - need I say more??? This "hot" guy's favorite sayings while in Australia were: "I'm on VACATION!!!" (meaning I can do whatever I want to, like wear camo clothes while I travel and etc. because I'm LEE SOPTICH, take it or leave it), and "Sometimes I have GAS!" I think "charming" sums it up best :).

30th Anniversary trip - 8 months late . . . but WORTH the wait :)

Here we are at SeaTac airport, Australia bound - Mark & Connie, Loren & Tammie, and Lee (stylishly outfitted in his custom "camo traveling clothes") and Me.
Mark and Lee immersed in a lively conversation at one of the airports, waiting for the next flight.
We endured some L O N G flights, alrightConnie's and my feet swelled up like we were pregnant women or something - I guess due to all the sitting and flying. Here's Connie trying to elevate her feet and get a bit of relief. . .And after what seemed like F O R E V E R we arrived ")

G'day, enjoy your stay! The next few posts will be of the "fun" part of the trip :)

Nellie's new "DO"

Part of our exciting (extended) weekend up in Oak Harbor was to make a stop at Aunt Connie's shop (OF COURSE) and get a new "do" for Miss Nellie. Here's Nellie getting some highlights with our FAVORITE stylist :)

Here's a shot of the finished product. Of course after we got home she played around with it for several styles. I think she likes it ") She gets her braces off soon - she'll REAllY feel like a new woman when THAT happens. She's looking forward to High School next year. My baby is growing up!