Fun in Florida

We finally got internet and phone set up at our new house in Florida. Since Devon has been so busy, we still haven't put up pictures on the walls yet. When he isn't on such a time-consuming rotation like PICU, then we'll work on decorating the inside. So that's why I haven't posted any new photos. The kids and I have been able to explore our new area, though. My sister came to visit and we went to the I-75 Flea Market in Ocala, Florida. We went on Friday so it wasn't as busy as it usually is on the weekends. I found a retro-style pattern for a nurse's uniform for $.50. So I want to make it for my halloween costume. Then we took a trip to Itchitucknee Springs located 20 minutes to the Northwest of us. We went tubing down the river three times. The kids had so much fun, and so did my sister and I! Then, last weekend we drove down to Orlando to attend the Orlando Temple. It is a beautiful temple! Another couple in our ward watched our kids at a local park while we went and then we switched so that they could go. Then, I went to see a friend from high school, I hadn't seen in 12 years! It was so great to visit. She and her husband were so much fun to hang out with, along with their four kids. I can't believe we didn't take a photo of us all, but we did have a great time. I will make sure to bring our camera for our next visit.
There is lots of shopping close by. There is this great store next to Target called Rack Room Shoes, and I found a pair of Clarks sandals on sale for $20! I was so excited about my find. I got another pair of strappy sandals for my brother's wedding in September. Can't wait to wear them!
I am busy putting together my kids school registration forms. I can't believe they start August 24th. Summer has gone by fast. We have spent most of our days sleeping in, hanging out at home and swimming. We are all enjoying the hot weather here in Gainesville, Florida. Well, until next time, Sonia XXOO

Facebook

I have learned to share photos on Facebook recently and I just posted several albums that I know my family in Utah would really enjoy seeing. The photos include our visit to Mantua Lake, the Tree House Museum, Fran's Birthday Party, The Dinosaur Park, the Smart Family Reunion, Swimming with the Gregory's, and our visit to Preston, Idaho. I have yet to organize and put titles into each photo, but its a work in progress. There are about 120 pictures that I took over a month's time! Looking back, the kids look so young and that was less than a year ago!

So now that I into Facebook, I'm less likely to post on this blog. I know-how rude of me right? But if you haven't already set yourself up an account on Facebook, there's no time like the present to do so.

I'm looking forward to keeping in touch. See you around! Sonia XXOO

Family Tree Project Finished:Wall-Worthy?

So, several days ago, before the rush of Girl Scout Orders were due (I'm Faye's Girl Scout Cookie Leader) and before my first-ever Beauty Control Party (Yes, I am a new Consultant), I went to my friend's house to finish a project that has been unfinished since June. I had all the materials I needed, but couldn't get the creative juices flowing. I worked on getting my family' names neatly penciled in the leaves while enjoying my friends' company. I didn't finish it for another few days. Still, after everything I am unsure if I like it or not. My friends like it. I really think it looks too home-made for my taste. I'm wondering if it's still wall-worthy. What is your opinion? Take the poll now. Sonia XXOO

Glass House Mountains, Nutworks and Brisbane, Australia

Well, there were so many more photos I wanted to show that I decided to break them up into a series. Last week I showed you photos of the Koala Sanctuary. This time, I have photos from the hinterland, a place up in the mountains that separate the Gold Coast from the Western Australia (the bush). It is beautiful and where you'll find dairies, quaint little shops and a rainforest. Pretty amazing.

We are with Lynn and LuAnn Cole, Devon's parents and they are the couple who made this trip to Australia possible for us for two reasons. One, they were serving a mission in Australia for the LDS Church at the time, and second because they wanted us to come see them. We missed each other and it was wonderful to experience the best of Queensland. They took us around to see the sights.

One of our favorite places to visit was Nutworks, a macadamia factory. We tried so many kinds of flavors of macadamias there and I bought a recipe book too. One thing that caught my attention was the cool way they recycled the outer macadamia shell. They used it as mulch in their landscaping. I thought it was really creative! There is also a photo of the city of Brisbane. It is just beautiful. It was taken at the top of Kangaroo point where the LDS Temple and Institute is situated. What a wonderful place to gaze upon the city, don't you think? If I ever figure out how to get a video up and running, I would show you the "flight of the fruit bats." At twilight we got to see them up in the air, getting ready for their nightly feast. Very cool. I do love bats.

Sonia XXOO

It may not be the best video of a bat, but check out how huge he was!!!

Some Photos of Australia

So I thought while we're in the thick of winter, I'd show some photos of our trip to Brisbane, Australia from last year where it was hot, sticky and absolutely fabulous!!!! When I look out of the window here in Wisconsin and see four feet of piled up snow, I just close my eyes and imagine myself in the thick of the rainforest again and smelling the gum trees and holding Orien, my koala. I hope you can imagine it too with these photos. There was so much more that I did there that I can show you, but here is just a "taste"

Love Sonia XXOO