Last Asian family vacation

There are lots more pictures that I haven't gotten around to sorting through on my phone and camera, but here are a few that the hotel's professional photographer took.  We opted for the low-maintenance Club Med vacation one more time, this time in Cherating Beach, Malaysia.  Hannah loved the trapeze, which Abbey couldn't do given the cast on her arm.  But that didn't stop Abbey from becoming an archery pro over the course of the week.  The Father/Daughter dance was a hit again this year but of course the girls spent more time in the pool than anywhere else.  More (and more varied) pics in a later post, but for now here are a few shots.

Last Hoorah at Balmoral with Lucy

So many lasts this week :(

Farewell, Aussie style

What could be a more Australia way to say goodbye to all of our good friends than with some boozy lawn bowling.  Some action shots here for your enjoyment.  Thanks to everyone for the awesome send off!

Besties

What? A cresting wave at Balmoral?

I've only ever seen that one other time since we've been here and it was in the middle of a cyclone. Our sleepy, calm Balmoral even had surfers on it this week. We've experienced some crazy weather since we've been here but this week's insanity was definitely the most extreme. I know it's not the Snowmageddon that our friends and family in Boston had to endure this year, but our softened Sydney tolerance for anything but perfect weather was really tested.

Best big sister, ever

Hannah left this note, along with a bag of candy from her own private stash, outside Abbey's door on Easter Eve because she "felt bad that Abbey couldn't have all of the chocolate the Easter Bunny will bring so she needs to get something else". Too sweet.

First (hopefully not of many) broken limb

Magical Balmoral - even more so today

Another sunset-over-Harbour-Bridge shot??!

Yes, sorry, just can't let this beauty go undocumented especially when it comes at the end of a hard day at work. I'm really going to miss this commute home. Not that the South Station T platform isn't a sight to behold also, but still.

Gotta love Sydney buses

Yes, they are expensive ($7 to get to and from work, on the BUS and more than double that to take the ferry), the drivers are mean (I've banged on many a door after sprinting for the bus only to have the bus driver pretend not to see or hear me by some miracle), and the maniacal nature of Sydney motorists means you take your life into your hands with every ride. But, you can't beat the propensity of the drivers to play music to try to take the edge off of an otherwise unpleasant experience. Tonight was especially awesome as we enjoyed the musical stylings of Air Supply's Can't Fight this Feeling. I've been humming it since I hopped off the bus hours ago. Thanks Mr. Cranky Busdriver, you made my day.

Nanny love

What would we do without Lucy?

Friends old and new

So nice to see Jo here in Sydney this weekend. Lucky for us, she has lots of reasons (especially a new baby nephew) to escape the snow in Boston and come visit sunny Sydney. She was generous enough to share some of her precious few hours here visiting with us.

In new friend news, Abbey has announced that she'll be leaving all of her toys here in Sydney when we move home so that she'll "have room to bring Robyn to America with her in her suitcase." It's going to be sad to see them say goodbye to each other :(

Best way to see a movie

Must put this on the list of "things to do before we leave Sydney"

Little tikes on boats

What is cuter than a bunch of little kids having a sailing lesson? Nice way to grow up! Much better than soccer in the New England rain.

Daredevil

Cuteness

How lucky are the girls to have someone like Lucy who is fun and patient enough to make their dinner in creative designs? Not to mention the time it takes to do those hairstyles!

Still my favorite run

Despite the availability of a million great places to run, walk or just wander around slowly this one that is right in our neighborhood is still my fave.