the gold coast!

so, after a few days in Cairns- we took the short flight to Brisbane. From here, we rented a car to start the drive down to Sydney.

Our first (and only) morning in Brisbane, we walked to see some of the city, but the weather was pretty crappy, so we decided just to get on the road and get going. Oh- and in Australia they drive on the left side of the road. I'm glad Ryan was the one that handled that!

Unfortunately, the clouds and drizzle stuck with us a good portion of the drive. But we still found some really awesome places. The first few towns we came to, Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta, and Byron Bay were amazing! They were very southern CA to us- think Manhattan Beach, Laguna, La Jolla. Made us a little home sick. :(

Quin had a blast stopping along the way at all the little parks in the beach cities. Every place is so clean and well maintained there! (I'm pretty sure I already mentioned that) We played on the beach a few times, and Ryan spent a while arranging debris for photos. (For those of you that don't know, my husband seems to think he was a photographer in another life?!) We also made a quick stop at one of the wineries, and Q posed for more photos, of course. ;)

Oh- and the road signs were great! I am sure people that come to the states from other parts of the world feel the same way when they see our wildlife warnings- but I still think it was crazy to see koala and kangaroo signs everyplace. Kangaroo really are like deer there- just hanging by the side of the road. Pretty neat.

And while on vacation, Quin started doing this super cute face every time she would see an animal (usually dirty old pigeons that just wanted to eat her fries), but her reaction to them was too cute just the same.

Australia!!

For those of you that didn't know...we just returned from our vacation to Australia. We have been talking about going since we moved here (really before that even- it just became a lot more realistic living on Guam) and figured we had better get it in while we could.
So- I know, I know... it is both pathetic and ridiculous that it has taken me over a week to get this series started. But let's face it, it takes time to get through 500+ photos and put something together worth sharing. And my free time at the computer is rather limited these days when the keyboard is constantly under the attack of a curious toddler. ;) For that reason, I have decided to break the trip up into 3 parts- in the hopes that I can get these posted quickly.

First stop...Cairns.

As friends had informed us, the weather in Cairns was really similar to that of Guam. It was pretty hot and humid. And, thanks to a colony (or whatever they are called) of bats they have occupying the trees in the middle of town, the entire city smelled like hot, sweaty mammal to me! ha! That said though, we had a lot of fun there! We spent the first day just walking and exploring. Lots of little cafes, bars, and shops. They have a great public pool they call a lagoon. It has a beach style, zero entry around one side with small fountains and shade for the kids. It gradually gets deeper- and people can hang out, sit and read, or swim. Quin had a blast and we were super impressed with how clean and well maintained it was for a free public space.

and the bats!

While we were there, we also did a boat trip and spent a day out on the great barrier reef. Because Ryan has taken up scuba diving since living on Guam, we figured there was no way you go all the way to Australia and don't dive the reef. Rather than take a day to go on his own to do it though, we decided to chance making it a family outing and picked a boat that had lots of fun options for everyone to enjoy. While Ryan was diving, Quin and I were able to take a ride on the glass bottom boat and submersible. They even had a small platform off the deck that they would lower into shallow water so the kids could safely swim and play. (eventually I will have more photos and video of the dive to share from Ryan's underwater camera)

Another day was spent traveling to visit the Kuranda, the rain forest just outside of Cairns. Here we took the sky rail and spent the day at a small little village (really just tourist shops) at the top of the mountain. You can stop along the way to take a few short walks to different view points. There were some pretty water falls, but I was a little distracted by spiders as big as my hand!? Yuck.

Over all, Cairns was a fun way to start the trip. Really, if you were not going to do the reef, I am not sure there is much to do there if you planned to stay long though?

Quin's 1st Birthday Party

last weekend we had a party to celebrate Quin's birthday. (yes- it has taken me a week to get around to posting this!) We decided to hold it in our complex since our place is right next to the pool, basketball courts, and pavilion. It worked out great! It was nice to be so close to the house to grab anything we needed, but at the same time, we didn't have to deal with the mess and clean up of hosting the party in the actual house. We lucked out, it only rained once for a few minutes.

We invited pretty much everyone we know here on the island. And everyone showed up! It was great! Ryan and I were so grateful to have so many great new friends (and a few old ones from home) here to celebrate such a special day! Our friends were so helpful- from bringing side dishes and desserts, to running the grill, and even sticking around to the very end to clean up!

Quin had a fun night (that didn't end until 11:30pm!!) Once she got comfortable with the crowd, which didn't take too long thankfully, she was busy playing and enjoying her new toys (which, um... I had requested people not bring on the invite). One thing she didn't really enjoy though...the cake!? You know all those pictures people have of their baby digging in, messy face, covered in the sugar loaded treat for the first time? Well, ours look something more like this...

 She wouldn't even try it? Our accomplishment for the night...? Not crying during the singing of "happy birthday". I was worried that Quin might break down in the spot light. But she did just fine. ( It may or may not have had something to do with the fact that we had started singing the song a week or so before the big day in hopes that it would be familiar and she would be more excited, less panicked when the mob started yelling it at her?!) ;) Hey- don't laugh. It worked.

just not a baby anymore

so...we no longer have a baby! I mean, she'll always be our baby, but our sweet little bear has turned 1! I wouldn't say it's crazy, or hard to believe or anything. I'm also not 'sad' about it. I am actually excited for her! It is such an exciting time and amazing age. Everyday brings something new and fun.

That's not to say that I won't forever look back on those early days and remember what an incredible first year she (we all) have had getting from this...

to this...

Q, She Sushi

With her first birthday just around the corner...our lives are full of exciting "first's" these days! Though next to everything else, this one was a little unusual and unexpected. Who would have known...but Quin LOVES sushi!!

Her favorite? The Lion King- a baked california roll topped with cooked salmon and melted cheese! (and of course the avocado roll was a hit)  Yum!! ;)