New Years Eve 2011

2011 Firework Show- Sydney Harbor Bridge (photo from here)

Last years Firework Show (pic from here)

Happy New Years Eve!!

What are you doing for New Years Eve this year?!  Its crazy how fast a year really does fly by.. One year ago today we were en route to Sydney- with our final stop in LA to visit Grandpa - and then spend new years eve with our good friends down in orange county.  Its so fun reflecting back.

 Here is what we were up to last year, today.

The Brown's saved us last year by watching Mylo over NYE- so we could go down to Orange county and stay with our friends- The Bentley's and Bocktings

Here is the year before- a new years celebration at the (vacant) casa pregnant with Dyllan.  Wow.

29 weeks pregnant

This has been a BIG year for us Newtons!  A Move across the world, trip back to the US for the summer, friends getting married, a few pregnant (Yay!), Ironman, another move, new friends, and good times with the best of old friends.  My 10 year high school reunion, Dan's promotion, Dyllan's many many milestones (walking, talking, potty training, horseback riding... the list goes on).  Its been a great year, and things just keep getting better.  Although I am sad to see 2011 go.. and my 20's (!!) this year.. 2012 will be another amazing year.

Today we will be celebrating with our friends- The Langridges (the family who we stayed with while we were looking for our new place- in Sept) at Tania Park- up on the hill- where we will BBQ, light sparklers, and watch the 9:00pm fireworks over Manly.  Then, we will walk back to their house- and continue the celebrations- where we will watch the midnight fireworks from their balcony- off the harbor bridge!  I am especially excited for the harbor bridge firework show- as it is renowned for being one of the best in the world, and I have yet to witness it live!

Happy New Years Eve to you!  Until next year....

Sydney Harbor Bridge Fireworks (pic from here)

HoHoHo Merry Christmas (Day, 2011)

Dyllan Clause heads down to Manly beach to meet Yunny and Lozzo for a walk and swim

Cruising in the Bug Car

Yunny and Bug Clause

Watching dad and lozzo swim from Manly to Shelley beach

Looking for the boys

Dyllan Bug Clause at Shelley Beach- waiting for Dad and Lozzo

My first batch of homemade cinnamon rolls (carrying on a Sussex family xmas morning tradition)

Swimming at Shelley beach with Yunny and Lozzo

Christmas Eve at Yunny and Lozzo's

 Summer has finally (knock on wood) hit Sydney.  Just in time for a traditional Aussie Christmas.  Its been abnormally overcast and cold ( meaning 70's) for this time of year.. but the sun came out just in time for Christmas- and we were roasting!  It was perfect.

We spent Christmas eve at Dan's parents house- with the gang:  Yunny and Lozzo, Brenden and Libby, Lionel and Kayleigh, Dianna (good family friend), Dijiere and Jacinta (neighbors), and Gaga.  We all contributed to the feast- Libby was in charge of Seafood- and did a great job.. I was in charge of the Punch and Salad, and Marianne did the meats.  And for desert- Kayleigh made a Triffle, and we had a costco pumpkin pie (which I was sooo excited about- thank god Costco decided to bring over the pumpkin pie.. Australians haven't quite adapted to it..yet.)

We ate, opened presents, and had a visit from Santa!  Marianne slaved over her sweing machine to make this years Santa costume- one that will hold up for years to come.  Next year we plan on making everyone their own stockings (when I say "we"- I mean I will choose the fabric and she will sew them, hah.)- with fabrics to fit each persons personality!

This year we did "Chris Kringle"- where each couple drew another couples name- so we could get better presents and focus on only 2 people.  Kayleigh and Lionel drew us- and I got a pretty necklace with blue beads made from native wood- and colored in the sun.  Dan got a cool singlet (ha), and we both got lots of candy, a nice basket, and "my family stickers" which I refuse to put on our car!  haha.  Dyllan of course- was the most spoiled- everyone got her presents- new clothes, candy, a few toys.  Lucky Bug.

Just some Christmas Shrimps on the Barbie

Santas visit!

Dyllan got scared when she saw Santa

So much excitement for the Bug!

Dyllan's new skirt- courtesy of Yunny and her fabulous sewing skills

Ooooo , Pretty Dyllan!  Dyllan LOVES dressing up!