Aussie Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone! We sincerely hope that your Christmas was a special time of celebration, a time where you were able to experience a reflection of God's love for us through time spent with family and friends.

We were blessed to spend time celebrating with good friends and good food here in Australia. Aussies are so hospitable and we have always felt so welcomed by them in general.

This is a longer post than normal! Feel free to just skip ahead to the pictures, but if you're curious about how we celebrated Christmas this year....read on!

Here they have somethings they call "Christmas Carols". This can actually start a couple weeks before Christmas day. It is a production put on by a band. The one we went to was at the C3 Church and it was more like rock carols! It was fun and we got to see some friends we met while playing at the park! Then we went to the "Christmas Lights" at Maroochy Baptist Church. There was a walk through the manger with lots of little baby animals to see and touch. Aubrey was very gentle with her petting. They also had a small production of "The Whole Christmas Story", a little market to buy some crafts, and then the BIG production. I think they got like 3000+ people coming every night this was on!!

When we sat down and waited for the show to start, we thought there was no way Aubrey was going to sit through this. It was already past her bedtime, she was squirmy and whiny. But alas, the Christmas rock music and dancing began and wow! Aubrey is quite the little party girl! We finally just let her loose to dance and twirl to her hearts desire in the aisle. We couldn't stop laughing - missing most of the actual show to watch her spin, arms in the air, head bobbing to the beat. She loved it!

For Christmas Eve we took on the rain and drove north out into the hinterlands past a little town called Pomona, QLD. We drove into the rainforest, following a long muddy driveway across a narrow wooden bridge (with no rails), across a creek that tends to flood when it rains, and up to a house and family that is very dear to me! The last time I lived in this part of the world I was blessed to spend some time with my Aussie Family and really get to know each of them. We had a great time catching up, and eating fabulous, FRESH food (they are the best gardeners!!). Sorry, i have no pictures of their beautiful place that has the feel of a toxic-free, rejuvinating rainforest getaway...but I will take some next time.

THEN (yes it continues!) Christmas morning...we slept in, opened a few pressies, skyped with family, and got ready to have lunch at our friend's house in Caloundra, QLD. This is a special family as well, the kind you just instantly connect with. They have two beautiful children who adore Aubrey. We met them at the park about a month ago when their daughter (5) played with Aubrey, taking her all over the playground. She had a lot of fun yesterday too! Their little boy (3) is the sweetest little guy! He is quiet, happy, and so gentle with Aubrey. Ben even saw him take Aubrey's hand and give it a little kiss...aawwwwwww!!!! We had an amazing day chatting with their family, swimming in the pool and playing with our new underwater camera, and eating really good vegetarian dishes.

We just feel so blessed to have met some really wonderful people already, and are so excited that we still have 6 more months here to hang out with them more!

Now for the pictures!












I love how she is gently squeezing the duckling's ear! So sweet.

For the BEST photo with the animals you will have to check out my photography blog-site!


Taking a little break from twirling, but not from dancing!


Mommy and Me opening pressies from Grandpa and Grandma !


Opening pressies from Nana and Gramps!


Saying hi to family in the US. Why yes we do let our child open pressies nude.


2 things : 1) Aubrey loves camera's, this is our new underwater camera!! Thanks nana and gramps! Get ready for some videos! 2) Aubrey is not one of those children who loves the paper more than the present. Notice all of the clips in her hair? She wanted each and every last one clipped on. She also tried to wear mommy's new flip flops. And loved her new pjs!

More photos on my blog-site! www.chelsaschaefer.com