Love.

Last night I painted my toes red in honor of Christmas, while Jesse laid by the tree and Steve and I watched Die Hard on TV, a Christmas classic according to Steve. It was really nice. It didn't just feel like Christmas, it felt like home. I'm really learning that it's true what they say...home is where your heart is and there's no doubt, mine is pretty cozy and snuggly in the hands (and paws!) of Steve and Jes. Love you Babe! xo

I love you Christmas!

I'm just like a kid at Christmas. Seriously. I am so, so in love with everything to do with the holiday and I'm counting the days until Santa comes, right along with the kids! It's been such a busy, bustling 2 weeks since I returned to Australia but exciting, all the same! There's been nothing but ornament making of all kinds, card creating, gingerbread house decorating, present wrapping, carol singing and Christmas parties in the last 10 days and that's only just at work with the kids! I've been writing cards (which have been posted late due to my travels to Canada, but mailed none the less!), decorating, Christmas shopping, crafting and cleaning (it makes the decorations seem nicer if the house is clean!) at home. Tomorrow night Steve and I are off to enjoy an eggnog latte at Starbucks (I've been craving one all week!) and we're going to buy each other's stocking stuffers, separately, of course! Is there anything more fun than opening a stocking on Christmas morning?! Saturday is being completely dedicated to Christmas baking. I even bought a new magazine full of yummy recipes that I can't wait to try! If all goes well, they'll make some super gifts for the neighbors:) We're not exactly sure what our plans are for Christmas just yet, but after a very exhausting 2 weeks in Canada, I'm looking most forward to a bit of down time, relaxing with my favorite boys! So, like I said, I love Christmas! The exciting energy is just contagious! Do tell...what are you most excited about this holiday season?:)

Gatorade Triathlon Series - Race 2

On Sunday I participated in race 2 of the Gatorade Triathlon Series Super Sprint. What a fantastic event and only a 15 minute drive from our house. A super sprint means its super short, 500 meter swim, 20km ride, 5km run. I finished with a time of 1hr 15min 54secs.
Swim - 12min 6sec
Bike - 35min 44 sec
Run - 23min 53 sec

Getting all my number stickers on my bike and helmet.

Clo came along to help cheer me on. You can't tell at all in this photo but shes 7 months pregnant.

Setting up my transition area.

Jesse also came along.

My support crew.

Finally got to use my new wetsuit.

Need to stretch before I swim.

Santa stopped in to officiate the race.

Waiting for my swim wave to start.

I am smiling...

Looks cold? It was cold... I'm very happy I had a wet suit. The swim was extremely hard, the distance was easy but the size of the waves made it very difficult. They don't actually look very big from this pic but when you were trying to swim through it the waves felt like they were 10 feet tall.

I look like I'm drowning in this pic! I was actually trying to exit the water after the swim leg.

Coming out of the water, on my way to the transition area.

Starting the 20km bike ride.

Finished my 2nd lap, on my way to transition again to start the run.

Done like Dinner, coming across the finish line after the 5km run.

Jesse needed some refreshment after watching the race.

Now you can see some baby belly!

Love my lucky shark pants. I had a great race, it was awesome having Cari and Clo cheering me on as I raced, thanks for coming guys! Next race is Jan 10th. This one will be an Olympic distance event, 1500m swim, 40km ride, 10km run.

Steve (how can 2 girls talk about babies for 4 days straight) Dickinson

Show some love.

Jesse isn't always up for cuddles. He has to be in the mood. I laughed today when Steve tried to lay with him and Jes acted like it was total torture! See him pulling away? He wasn't impressed!

A real Christmas tree!

A highlight of getting back to Australia was decorating for Christmas and going to get a Christmas tree. A real Christmas tree farm! It's a definite bonus of living in the state of Victoria, rather than the subtropical state of Queensland. I was very excited!

On the drive to the farm, we saw lots of trees for sale. I was shocked! It was just like Canada, only not so cold! We never saw that in Brisbane.

More trees!

We weren't sure what to expect at the tree farm but we were pleasantly surprised! The trees were beautiful and very reasonably priced.

It took us awhile to find the perfect tree for us. It was lots of fun looking!

Once we found it, we tagged it and a guy chopped it down for us.

You could catch a train around to look at the trees also.

We headed to the Christmas shop to buy some lights, a tree stand and an ornament while we waited for our tree. Santa also made a visit for the kiddies.

They even had Christmas trees like in Canada, although they were a bit pricey!

The tractor delivered the chopped trees. They were netted and then ready to take to the car.

I liked the Aussie flag against the Christmas trees.

Muscle, Muscle Man.

Perfect fit. Our Yaris never lets us down!

Jesse was very excited about the tree, as you can see;)

Lights go on.

Lights go on dog.

Ornaments go on.

Star goes on.

Looks so pretty and smells oh so good!

It was strange wearing sunhats and swatting flies while picking out our Christmas tree! I LOVED it! Another exciting Aussie adventure!:)

Canada!

My trip to Canada was a bit of a whirlwind! After having not been home for almost 3 years and then only having 2 weeks to see everyone and do everything meant a very busy visit! I've been slowly recovering over the last week, lots of naps and healthy eating. The jet lag really hit me when I got back. I think I was just getting used to the time change in Canada when I was back and trying to get used to the time change again. Anyway, having just spent the last 2 sentences belly aching, I had a great time seeing everyone and loved experiencing all the things I have missed over the last few years. Definitely lots of very yummy food and LOTS of shopping!!

I took over 200 photos but here are a select few of some of my favorites...

My welcoming crew at the Halifax airport. A very nice surprise!

My Nanny Henley. A beautiful lady.

Mama Bear. Another very special lady.

Dollar stores were everything I remembered and more! Loves.

Oh and Frenchys (a used clothing store) was everything I remembered and then some!!!

A hairdo with Heather! Much cheaper than having it done in Melbourne! Thanks Heather!

You know how some people say that going home is never like you remember it to be? How those fries or chocolate milk won't taste as good as you think? Yeah, that didn't happen to me. The food was awesome! I loved my Arbys, Pizza Delight and Waves fish and chips!

I had lots of laughs with my sisters. This is me and Connie being goofy.

It was wonderful catching up with old friends, some I haven't seen in over 5 years. This is me with my friend, Carolyn. I used to work with her at China Town back in the day. She was as energetic and inspiring as ever!

The time I spent with Lorianne was wonderful. Just like the old days. She also got me addicted eggnog lattes!

Halifax is a very nice city, even in the rain. Speaking of the weather, I couldn't believe how warm it was while I was home. I took winter clothes but ended up wearing a light jacket or zip up the whole time. Luckily, I did see large snowflakes falling on December 1st.

Ah, Canada. You rock.

Dinner and drinks with my high school friends was terrific. It's amazing how well we still all mesh a decade later.

One of the highlights of my trip was seeing my friend, Brianna who flew into Halifax from Montreal and my cousin, Kathy who flew in from Ottawa. I am so blessed to have such special people in my life who care enough to go out of their way to see me!

Lovely Brianna.

I had a really fantastic visit with my brother and his family. I was shocked at how much my niece and nephew have grown!

I was glad to get to spend lots of time with Steve's Mom and family and meet Steve's nephew, Aidan. He was such a sweetie!

Loves.

I also finally got to meet my Mom's new hubby, Wilfie. He is a really nice man who clearly makes my Mom very happy!

It was sad to be home and not get to visit my grandmother, who recently passed away. I went to her house and snapped some photos for memories and found closure. She was a very special woman.

Lots of memories I hold very close to my heart.

My nephew, Corey and I.

This was the Halifax airport, as I waited to leave Nova Scotia. I was sad to leave everyone but happy to get back to a routine and get back on track!

Hopefully, it won't be 3 years before I get home again! Thanks to everyone for the laughs, the company and new memories! xo