DIB DIB, DOB DOB

Last year Chey and my niece Taylah started going to Scouts on a Tuesday night. They have both really enjoyed being a part of this group and we have done a couple of fun things now...including our first family camping trip....that was interesting to say the least. Not sure how into it I am....but its good for Chey.

Chey and Taylah stayed at underwater world up the coast, sleeping in the tunnel with the sharks swimming above them! I didn't think she would survive the night...but she proved me wrong. Tay on the other hand is a tough nut...so I didn't have any worries about her!

This year they marched in the Anzac parade and really enjoyed it, although it was as stinking hot day and they didn't have any shade to sit under, so it was a bit much!

Not a great photo....but the girls are there marching! Tay took it very seriously.

My checky nephew Aidan

JAPAN


It has been a while since our holiday to Japan, but we had such a great time and it was so awesome for Chey. Chey just embraced the culture and learn't a few cool words and enjoyed dining on noodles everynight! Occasionally we succumbed to eating McDonalds - i was well in truely over noodles and meat by the time we came home, I cooked a roast the first night we were home with LOTS of veges! Even Chey happily ate her vegies.

I was impressed with how well my girl managed to keep up with everyone on all the walking we did and late nights. Although we didn't have as many late nights as the others.

Chey of coure was the centre of attention everywhere we went. Strange how in Australia, we don't even look twice at a foreigner walking down the street, but in Osaka, we certainly turned some heads....well...Chey did more than anyone else. We always knew that would be the case, but honestly, Chey was given so many toys and lollies and ice creams from strangers - even given ice cream before her dinner was served! Didn't Chey just think that was awesome!

Here a a few pics of our holiday....

Banging a gong in Nara

This was at dinner for the bride & groom whose wedding the people we were travelling with, were there to attend. Seriously, Chey and I tried to hide up the back and blend in with the crowd since we were just hangerons....but alis....it was only a matter of minutes before Chey was presented with this cat from these guys (who are the family of the bride)! I'm not sure who has a bigger smile, the cat or Chey? These guys went out and bought this for Chey after they met us that night - it would have only been minutes after we arrived as well.

And this is the bag of lollies the Aunty whose restaurant it was we were dining at bought for Chey. I came back form the loo to find Chey all coated up and ready to walk out the door with these strangers who wanted to take her across the road to buy lollies! If this was Australia, I would not have let her go, but the Japanese are so respectful and just wanted to lavish her with gifts. Chey of course was not about to say no!

She also received a mini mouse and mickey mouse toy from some other family members as well as ice creams literally thrown down her throat. I think the entire family ended up sitting up the back of the restaurant with us....so much for blending in!

Here are Matt, Carrie & Chey hanging out in Hiroshima. We visited the Atomic Bomb Dome Meseum this day. We took the bullet train from Osaka to Hiroshima - took about an hour in travel time. Was really sad but interesting.