Twelve Months

Twelve months ago- Dan, Dyllan and I were en route from LA to Sydney- where we were about to embark on the next chapter of our lives.. Australia!  Time flies, I can't believe its been 12 months already. As I look back and reflect- although it seems to have flown by.. we have accomplished A LOT!  

Over the past 12 months we have...

Packed and Moved Countries (again!)
Mylola Maria Sussex- Newton was adopted by my awesome Aunt and Uncle (she has quite the life!)
Celebrated Dyllan 1st birthday- A "Bug" Party
Had our first US visitors (Dave and Enso) come visit us- went wine tasting in the Hunter Valley
Joined our first "mum's" group
Dyllan's hit many milestones- talking, walking, growing hair (kind of), potty training (almost), swimming..
Dan returned to work at Fitness First
Got promoted to NSW Sales Manager
Got initiated into Wacky Wednesdays
Lost another loved one to Cancer- but are thankful for all the fond memories we had with Granny in the 7 months we could

Dad had heart surgery and recovered effortlessly
Dan trained for- and completed his first Ironman - with an impressive finish
Dyllan and I took our first plane flight alone (probably won't be doing that again at this age)
Spent 2 jam packed months (Dan only 1) - fun filled months in Seattle, LA, Penticton, Las Vegas..
Flew back to Sydney- and moved straight in with the Langridges (strangers then- but now as close as family)
Found a great new place- in Balgowlah- close to the beach, gym, shopping..everything!
Got an annual Zoo pass at Taronga Zoo- and visit regurly
Got bikes and a trailer/ buggie for Bug to ride in
Celebrated Christmas at the beach
Talked to Dad and Tatyana on Skype (this is BIG for dad! and so much fun for Dyllan)

2 close girlfriends have had babies- and two more close girlfriends are currently pregnant

I got a new job !

... and much much more..

Dyllan Bug in her bassinet on the plane- 1 year ago! (This was the Brisbane to Sydney leg- after no sleep!)

Just before heading to the airport- cuddles for Great Grandpa Sussex

Getting ready for take off..

Playing in her new back yard

Learning to bodyboard from uncle Brendo

Helping mom fill out immigration paperwork so we could get our visas

Nice!  Dyllan's an Australian Citizen now- dual citizenship

Fish lips

Playing in her cupboard

Finally walking!! The first days of walking for Dyllan were at this park in Mona Vale.

Playing in the ball pit at Cheeky Monkeys

Watching swimming (obviously) with Poppy

Hanging out by the "Newton Running" sign at the Ironman

Playing with my Aunt Becky's horse at Cam's wedding- and so her love for horses begins...

Rocking out at Sean's "Saved by the Bell" bday float party

Moving into our new place

My 29th bday- at the Langridges- and a homemade lemon cake (Bug even helped!)

Lots and lots of dancing..

Halloween- Dyllan Bug

Christmas morning- in Manly with Dyllan Clause

Happy Birthday Mombosock

October 21, 1955 - my mom was born.  Today she would have been a young 56 years old.  Although she died way too young.. she lived every day to the very fullest.  Today- on her birthday I want to reflect on all the great things I loved about my mom- and be happy for the times we shared together.  My mom was truly my best friend- when I was little I would dress up in my spandex tights mom made for me- and do aerobic videos in front of the TV along side her.  I idolized her.  As I grew older we grew even closer.  From mother daughter National Charity League meetings and events in high school- to trips around the world - Japan, Greece, Turkey, Mexico, Australia.. we always enjoyed each others company.

I love the way mom...

Always (yes! always) had a positive attitude

Took her passion and made a career out of it.. 3 times! (Baby furniture rentals, Spandex "Sussex Sport" and Real Estate

Put her family first- and always wanted the best for us

Believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my passions

Lived a healthy lifestyle- and made daily exercise a (fun and social) priority

Taught us to give to people less fortunate- especial during the holidays (delivering sack lunches downtown)

Lived in the moment

Lived spontaneously- she was up for anything anytime

Loved animals (especially adopting peoples used pets- Sandy, Cosmo, and my two gerbils that bit)

Dressed 80's - probably for way too long

Sang out loud to whatever song was on the radio- even when she didn't know the words

Substituted missing items in her recipes.. for what ever was in the pantry (but still made a great meal)

Loved the water and sailing- especially with her dad, brothers and cousin

Never gave up on her dreams and the dreams of those closest to her

Totally blurry- Ill have to find the original photo somewhere
Gilda's club fashion show- mom threw her wig off at the end of the catwalk- and everyone cheered!

Mothers and Daughters

So mom- on your birthday- I am going out... on the water- "soaking up the sun" - living in the moment- eating birthday cake and enjoying your day!

Happy birthday to Grandpa Sussex too!!  They shared the same birthday- pretty neat.

Heading down to catch the Ferry from Manly to The opera house to meet Dan 

Manly Wharf

On the ferry- with Manly Wharf bar behind

Dan waiting for me to arrive - at the Opera Bar

The sail boats were out- on mom's birthday!

The harbor bridge at sunset

I took the jet cat (18 min fast ferry- as opposed to the 45 min ferry- cause i was running late.. oh surprise) We passed the ferry- as well as a pirate ship (on the far right of this photo)- NBD

See the opera house in the distance?

Pulling into Circular Quay- not a bad time of night to be out on the water

We met up with Stacy and Bushy at Opera Bar for some drinks- apparently we weren't the only ones with this idea.. but we got super lucky and snagged a table with a great view 

Congratulations to Stacy and Bushy!  She is now 17 weeks pregnant- and they are both glowing!

The lemon poppy seed cake I made in honor of mom's birthday- yum.

Santos Boys do Sydney

Busy is an understatement.  We have not stopped going-going-going, really since we got here.. but especially this past week or so.  Our good friends- Dave and Enso Santos came to visit us last Thursday from Seattle.  I used to work for Dr. Santos and nanny Enso when he was a baby- and on and off since (he is now 4 1/2, wow time flies!). 

Santos Cafe at the Airport- how perfect!

We had a packed schedule- trying to fit in the sites and highlights of Sydney in 5 short days.  And I must say- we did a darn good job.  They arrived on Thursday morning at 8:30am- and we wasted no time getting started on activities.  After a quick stop off at Dan's work for lunch and to say hello- we hit the Tonanga Zoo.  We spent some time checking out the local beaches and headed home for dinner before passing out.  The jet lag had kicked in- and everyone (including Dyllan and I with our sympathy jet-lag) passed out early.

Gondola Ride up- over the elephants

Clock Garden

Friday morning Dan took Dave to Manly for his Friday morning ocean swim - group practice.  Dave joined the pink caps and kicked off the morning swimming with over 150 other pink capped die hards + 2 sharks.  I stayed home with the kids (haha, not that I would have been up for plunging into the ocean with sharks at 6am anyway)- and got them ready for our overnight trip to the Hunter Valley for some wine tasting. 

Pepper Tree Winery

We got up to the Hunter at around 1pm- checked into our villa and headed straight for the wineries.  We had a ball- Enso and Dyllan enjoyed smelling wine and playing in the fountains as well.  We went to Pepper Tree first- which was probably my favorite of them all.  Next we went to Tyrell's, then David Hook and the Enzo Cafe, and finished at Tempus Two and the Smelly Cheese Factory. Big day- great wine- awesome weather- perfect location-and fun company sums up the day.

Pepper Tree

"Leave me alone mom, I'm wine tasting"

Enso entertaining Dyllan at Pepper Tree

Tyrell's Winery

Hi Dyllan!
Tyrell's Winery

David Hook Winery and Enzo Cafe

"David Wines"

David Hook Winery

Enzo Cafe

David Hook Winery

Enzo Cafe

Tempus Two and the Smelly Cheese Shop

The next morning we had breakfast and did some back country sightseeing- er... exploring up the mountains on a gravel road just to see whats up the hill- and to make sure we wernt missing out on any hidden wineries..

Broke Back Mountain

View from the top

We did one more winery before leaving the Hunter Valley- Rosemount and Lindemans (same building- two tastings).

Looking for ants...

Look, Dyllan wasnt the only baby wine tasting!

Saturday night we did an Aussie BBQ at the house- and drank wine.. obviously.

Sunday morning Dave and Dan did the Manly 2k Ocean swim race.  Enso, Dyllan and I cheered from the beach!Followed by Thai in Manly and a ferry ride to the Sydney Opera house and drinks at the opera bar.  Dave and Enso even did a Jet boat ride around the Sydney Harbor while Dyllan and I stayed back and took photos.  After a big day touring around- we headed home, ordered in, and crashed.

Manly Surf Club

Race Start - Manly 2k
Do you see Dan and Dave?!

Just cruising down the beach... in his Budgy Smugglers.  No. Big. Deal.

Ferry Ride to Circular Quay- Sydney Opera house

Opera Bar

Opera Bar

Having snacks at the Opera Bar

Monday we woke up early and spent the morning at Mona Vale beach.  Enso was excited to do some snorkeling- and after some time in the water- he had his dad bury him completely in sand- nearly getting stepped on by an old man walking toward the pool.

We had a quick bite to eat- and a little rest for Dyllan- then headed to Manly for some shopping and to meet Dan for dinner and drinks at the Manly Wine Bar.  

Watching Enso at the playground on the Manly Corso

Manly Wine Bar

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our roommies this morning.  We had a blast- and can't wait for them to come back!