Ulla Dulla: A weekend in Paradise

This weekend was Paradise.  It was great to escape Sydney and retreat to a place where the pace is slow, water is warm,  food is great, and company better!  We woke up early Saturday morning, picked up our good friends Shane and Alice and headed 3 and a half hours down the coast to a place called Lake Conjola.   Home to Alice, and close to Shane's home town of Ulla Dulla.  About 5 years ago Dan and I went with Shane to visit Ulla Dulla and fell in love with the place- so we were excited to go back, and to see somewhere new- Lake Conjola and Alice's family ranch/compound.  We got off to a later start than we planned (surprise surprise- I cant remember the last time Dan and I have actually left on time since Dyllan was born..)- and arrived at Alice's place around 1:30pm.  We were greeted by her mom, brother and sister.  We didnt know what to expect- and let me tell you- this place was amazing.  Alice grew up on a farm- with chickens, horses, dogs, and who knows what else.  They live on a HUGE piece of property walking distance from the beach and lake Conjola. 

Dyllan collected an egg from the Chickens

Telling the chickens what to do- with one hand.  Holding their egg in the other.

Giving the egg back..

Looking out from the boardwalk toward Green Island

Walking down the boardwalk to the beach

Shane showing Dyllan the pelicans- Lake Conjola

Climbing the ropes at the caravan park

Bouncing Pillow- I think we successfully scared off the little kids- and if it wasn't us..then it was definitely the Giant Banana!

Just hanging out.

Gymnastics class with Dad

Kangaroos!

Alice's house

Dinner for Dyllan

Bonfire

Outdoor Kitchen



Margarita O'Clock
 using egg whites from the chickens for added froth



Dyllans Best Friend, Lil.  Lil had to wait in the pool area while Dyl ate her dinner. 

Wishing she was with Lil.

Back over to Lil.  I swear Lil taught Dyllan to walk.. almost.

Kisses under the fence.



Cheers!



"Grantini"- our personal Italian Pizza Chef!  He fired up amazing wood fired pizzas.. all night!!

"Grantini"

Home made apple rubarb pie.

Moving the bonfire to our house... looks dangerous

All set.

Breakfast at the best vegetarian restaurant...ever.  Pilgrims.

Fresh juices

Playing with my souvenir- an aboriginal wind chime.

Pilgrims Cafe in Ulla Dulla

Monkeying Around.

More monkeying around...

Paddle Boarding - Lake Conjola

And they're off....

Off to Green Island.

Water was so clear

Wacky Wednesday



The Wacky Wednesday Crew

 Yesterday I decided to join Dyllan and go to Wacky Wednesday.  Dianna, one of Marianne's good friends and a Wacky Wednesday regular- picked Dyllan and I up- and we headed for Mossman to visit Dan at work.  Yunny, Granny and Gaga met us at the little cafe below Dan's work so that we could see Dan and get a tour of his club.

Granny, Gaga , and "Lady Gaga"
(Gaga has now nick named Dyllan "Lady Gaga")

Showing his claws?

Best Friends Forever.
Dianna and Yunny

Singing Dutch songs to Dyllan.. no time for posing for the camera!

.. Dutch song

Still singing

Looking for gold, money, goodies.. or a Kleenex...

Classic Gaga smile! 

Being told by a gal who knew A LOT about family genes.. that Dan resembles Gaga. 
(Apparently you get your looks (as a guy) from your mothers father (hairline, smile, etc)
 I see it!

Not sure what the hand puppets are for...?  But Gaga is amused!

"Lemme go! "

"humph"

After coffee in Mosman- we headed down to the Bathers Pavilion for High Tea
View is Gorgeous!  (Dan and I came here on the day we got engaged.)

Reading..

High Tea- a tier of goodies! 
Dyllan ate most of it!!  "Miss Piggy" was in full force!

Bull Dog
- snarfing down the last of the crackers.

Dyllan the Citizen

Australia has a new citizen... her name is Dyllan Bug Grace! 



Pretty excited!!



Great News!  After lots of hard work, waiting, and several calls to Dyllan's case officer- Yesterday afternoon Dyllan's citizenship arrived in the mail.  It was actually hand delivered to our front door- and I had to sign for the package.  Her citizenship certificate was much cooler than my plain white piece of paper!

After her paperwork arrived- we hopped on the bus and headed straight for the Medicare office- enrolled Dyllan in the Medicare program (health coverage) and booked her appointment for her 12 month shots.. finally! 

"Scuuuueees me!!  Citizen coming through... clear the way!"
Dyllan's special section on the bus.  Folds down 3 seats to park this mini motor home!

Today Dyllan got her shots- and she was such a tough girl!  The only time they could squeeze her in today was at noon- right smack dab in the middle of her nap time.  We spent the morning at a girlfriends house- Dyllan playing with her 2 kids, and us eating cake and chatting- and 2 min after we headed out the door on our way to the Doctors office- Dyllan passed out in her stroller.  I ended up having to wake her up for her shots- and she wasn't too happy.  I distracted her with a toy and she was fine.  One shot in each arm and no tears... then the killer in her leg... hurt so bad she couldn't even make a noise she was crying so hard.  Luckily it only lasted a second- then she was distracted again by the toy and stopped crying.  haha.  All done now- I think her leg is pretty sore- but no complaining from this bug.  We will see how tonight goes- apparently a temperature and sore arms and legs are some of the side effects.

Off to bed now.  Goodnight!

Tough girl- shots hurt!



Nice band-aid



splish splash i was taking a shower

Dyllan loves the shower.   I dont know if its because she was born in Seattle- where it rains 300+ days a year, or because she just loves water- in any way, shape, or form.  Lately, I have been letting Dyllan hop in the shower with me.  Not because it saves time, or because its easy.. because its none of those.. but because she just loves it.  She sings at the top of her lungs, as the "rain" poors down on her.  She will play with anything or nothing at all- just sitting there in this small rainy place makes her happy.   These pictures are from the other week, when I was in a hurry to get some visa papers signed, and I really didnt have extra time to dink around.... but Dyllan did...

This is my favorite sequence.... shower is over... Dyllan- its time to come out now...

"huh? come out? I dont think so... haha"

"ok ill come out... but just a second...."

"hang on...."

"I just need a second..."

"yep, ok.  I can come out now.."



"wasn't me."



These are from this morning.. she hoped in the shower with me- and I made a steam room for her to help clear her runny nose...

SO happy!

Titanic pose

climbing the shower wall

Entertainment for hours- a drum set



Come back!



Empty face wash container = lots of fun and noise

oooo shampoo AND facewash bottles!

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