Party in the USA.

Home Sweet Home.

Life has been busy, busy, busy.

But I'm loving time with the friends and fam.

Our flight came in on Sunday the 30th at 6:30am.

Once we hit the ground I hopped in the drivers seat and took us straight to Caribou. We did some grocery shopping, unpacked and headed to our BBQ.
There was no time for a nap to be had, unfortunately.

Dad and Joshy Loo.

Don't judge my awkward stance.

Juzzy, Mumma, Molls, and Hailey.

My Sister made the cutest dessert.

Juzzy <3

TCSpine girls.

The boy.

Mom and I.

Paul with baby Audrey <3

Paul is proud to be an Aussie-American :)

The BBQ had good food, great weather, and amazing people. 

We had a great turnout. We're so lucky to have such amazing friends and family. By the end of the day it's safe to say that we were both walking zombies. It was a really crazy long day for us, but so very worth it. I even had a bite of a hamburger! Sorry Vegetarian, gods!

Suffice it to say we slept like, well like we'd just flown half way across the world. Our flight debacle was one for the books. Our original flight was delayed by 13 hours. So instead of arriving at 5pm on the 29th, we arrived at 6:30am on the 30th. We had to contact a Delta call center to correct our connecting flight, because of course Delta couldn't be bothered doing so. In between all of that Paul and I were seated in separate rows from Melbs to LAX. I was asked more questions at customs than Paul (the foreigner) was asked. Our luggage took almost two hours at LAX (this happens every other flight for us). The Virgin staff ignored us as best they could with any info on what was going on with our luggage. We almost missed our layover (which was over 3 hours). Then we hopped on our red eye flight. We were separated again on our LAX to MSP flight. Winge, winge, winge. I know it's all so tough for us. But, seriously all of that made our 20 hours of travelling very frustrating. I went from loving Virgin Airlines to being very frustrated with them. I went from having a stern distaste for Delta to hating them. I would think twice about flying with either airline again. There's my unsolicited opinion on that matter.

Slowly, but surely I'll continue to update the bloggity blog. 

I've been slacking  lacking any time to do so.

But cheers to one of many updates on mine and Paul's time in Mn.

A year down under: Part One

In just a couple short days we'll be homeward bound. I've now been living in Australia for just under a year. My, oh my, time sure does fly!

My Visa began on July 5, 2012.

I left with many going away presents. This one was from my baby brother.

He did a stencil of Minnesota, and added roots to the bottom.

We have this beauty hanging in our kitchen.

I still have the "I love you!!!" note hanging on a cork board.

July:

It's official! My first ticket to my flight across the pond!

Ready for take off!

I've got my ear plugs, neck pillow, and sleep mask!

Touch down.

My first day in Australia.

We went for a nice walk all over Williamstown, where we live.

After just a couple weeks in Australia we flew to Perth for the first time.

It happened to be over my 26th birthday.

I had my first Aussie birthday.

I met Pauls family for the first time.

We had prawns on the barbie!

I got another beautiful cake! This time a pavlova from the Dempsey's!

My birthday present from Paul was to get my nose pierced!

I'd been telling hinting to Paul that I wanted it done again.

Before we were off we had a beachside brunch with the Dempsey's!

August:

After just six weeks in Australia we flew back to the states.

Our friends Britt and Andy were getting married in Tahoe.

 I was a bridesmaid, so there was no way we were missing that! 

Even my Dad and bro met us in Tahoe for a little visit!

September:

Paul had some work in Darwin & I tagged along for the ride!

October:

I forced Paul to carve his first pumpkin with me.

Also, I found a bone suit...so....!

Here's what spring in Melbs looks like.

 The same weekend as Halloween we went to Cox Plate for Spring Carnival.
We met up with one of Paul's oldest friends & the reason we met, Leon.

November:

Paul had a couple weeks of work in Perth in the beginning of the month.

We got some quality time with the Dempsey's and little Charlotte.

Then before we knew it we were stateside again for Thanksgiving!

 Josh and Paul in the kitchen on Thanksgiving.

 Paul had to cut the turkey!

With my bro. Just being ourselves.

Just a day after we returned from the states we were in the air again.
Paul had another work trip to Sydney!

December:

After Sydney we were sent to Perth for Pauls work for the long haul.

We met up with Ness and the boys in Chidlow or the hills, where Paul's from.

Splish splash with Uncle Paul.

 We cooled down with a beverage at a local watering hole.

The boys opted for a mist fan cool down.

Christmas Eve we had some more quality time with the Forsyth clan.

Christian was the builder in charge of the sand castle development.

Then Paul and I opened one present each.

This has been my families tradition for as long as I can remember.

It's probably one of my favorite parts of Christmas!

Christmas morning we opened presents with the Dempsey's for Charlottes first Christmas!

 

How cute is Uncle Freddy with baby Charlotte in his lap!

I die.

The boys each got jocks from their ladies!

Coffee for two!

Christmas lunch, curtesy of the wonderful Mrs. Dempsey.

We spent Christmas day at the beach too!

Charlotte was so teeny!

Boxing day we had a bbq down at the river with good friends.

 December was filled with lots of bbqs,

 and the like with this little cutie and her parents.

 January:

We attended this little one's Strawberry shortcake party.

Mr. F had a birthday of his own.

K-man and Mr. F share a birthday month!

We were back in Melbs for Australia Day weekend.

 We took advantage of the free time in search of some kangaroos.

 And we kangaroos we found!

Me oh my does time fly by!

Part two, February-June to be continued!