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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year!  2012- here we come.  

Lots to look forward to this year... Dyllan turns TWO (January 24)!  Dad and Tatyana have booked their flights to Sydney- we are so excited to see them March 5-18th- two of my best friends from college are getting married (Jenny, and Tone)- so we will be back in the US and A over the summer for that- I turn the BIG Three-O! Yikes..  its gonna be an eventful, and fun year.  

Do you have a new years resolution?!  Starting this year- I am going to make new years resolutions.. real ones.. that are not far fetched, and that don't set me up for failure.  I need to start with something realistic- and build from that.  Anyone who knows me, knows that my will power and self control- especially when it comes to snacks, candy, and exercise goals.. isn't great.  I generally try to eat healthy, and exercise, but when it comes to actually setting a specific goal, a time to achieve it by, and result at the end.. I am hopeless.  Some people are good at these.. my friend Natalie- one year- gave up all sweets for an entire year!  In all honesty- I don't know if I could even do that for a week (or more than 1 day).  Other people commit to training for an event- like Dan and Sean did last year for the Ironman.  Others give up drinking- like my dad and also Dan's parents- which is very impressive.  

So what have I ever given up?!  Well.. I DID give up drinking for quite a few months (probably not 9 since Dyllan was born at 7 months!- but close!)... I also gave up swimming after my senior year in high school- which Sean - to this day is still impressed (mostly that somehow I shimmied my way off the competitive swimming train.. while he was stuck swimming for another 7 years?!)  Haha- I didn't have nearly the potential Sean did though.. so it went rather unnoticed.  I have given up nail salons (no time or money for that), steaks and all red meat really (except when Dad makes it)  which was easy since I don't really crave red meat- and its not nearly as good here in Australia, I've given up pop and coffee- oh and bin candy- only cause its too expensive and super inconvenient or hard to find around here... so I guess I've given some things up... BUT not really on purpose- or even by choice.  

So this year- here are a few things I would be happy with achieving:

Achievable New Years Resolutions for 2012
  1. For the next 3 months I will be a pescatarian (sp?)
  2. Drink 2 liters of water a day
  3. Try something new at the gym/ train for something
  4. Run a marathon in 2012
  5. Read to Dyllan before bed at least 5 days a week (even if I am SO sick of her books)
  6. Sell something on ebay or gumtree
  7. No snacking after 8:30pm (and NO midnight snacks)
  8. Make 3 new "mom" friends before Dyllan's birthday (so she has at least 3 friends to invite to her party!)
  9. Go to the dentist before Dad and Tatyana arrive
  10. Get skin checked for skin cancer
  11. Research insurance- sign up
  12. Get a job that will give me a good work/life balance and time with Dyllan (i.e. part time, normal hours)
  13. Make a realistic financial budget and stick to it- start saving- and put at least $5 into Dyllan's savings account each month
Less Achievable- but will REALLY try
  1. Reduce ice cream consumption to 3 magnum's a week
  2. No wine on week nights (well Monday- Thurs) 
  3. Only eat healthy chocolate (70% dark cocoa or higher)
  4. Eat oatmeal or something else healthy for breakfast (i.e. no more pizzas or kebabs for breakfast)
  5. Sign up and finish 1 ocean swim

New years eve and New Years day were both super fun!  NYE we went to the Langridges- had dinner at their house- then headed to Tania park to see the fireworks.  We came back to their house- for desert and more champagne- to watch the fireworks on their balcony - of the harbor bridge.  Great night- good food- and lots of laughing and being wild.
Wouldn't be an Aussie NYE without shrimps on the barbie!

Misses Bug at the adult table- the girls had her all propped up with pillows and stuffed animals- she was in heaven

"Uncle Pete"- visiting from the UK (on his 3 months vacation that firefighters get over there!  no fair!?)



Tania Park- Misses Bug loves the glow sticks



 New years day- Dan encouraged me to go on a run to shake my hangover- and switch gears for the afternoons festivities- The High Fliers Little Secret- Warehouse party.  Luckily, it worked- and I was ready to go.  I think all the excitement at the beach helped pump me up! Check out Manly beach- on New years day..
Manly Beach- NY day






Later that afternoon- we headed to the city to see one of our favorite groups- Crazy P preform.  Natalie and Anthony were so sweet and volunteered to watch the bug- and take her to the beach while we were at the concert... do we have good friend or what?!

The concert was AMAZING- and the warehouse was probably the coolest venue we have ever been to.. some interesting characters - which made people watching a ton of fun!  Wish I took more pictures- but we were too busy dancing away!

Dan, Cliney, Pete, Tulla (and Tulla's friend- who was so much fun and I can't for the life of my remember her name!!)

Me, Rocky, and Wal

Friday, December 30, 2011

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)

Thursday, December 29, 2011

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