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.

Morning commute surrounded by beauty

There is still goodness in the world

What's amazing about this is that this person took the time to pick up the lost item from the sidewalk, go to their office to type up and print off copies of this sign, and then return to the street corner the same morning to tape it up in several spots.

Today's love letter from Abbey

Thanks sweet pea :)

Sometimes I forget how beautiful it is here...

... but then something as simple as an after-work jog reminds me very quickly. I've become desensitized to the constant views and lush natural environment from being surrounded by it every day. Now that our time here is short, I need to make sure to appreciate it while we have it!

Happy Birthday Abbey!!

It's déjà vu from Hannah's birthday party complete with 15 sweaty kids and one rainbow cake that took all of my patience and artistic skill. 6 years old! Where does the time go? :(

Last NYE in Sydney

The "last" of everything has been going on for a while now, but it really hit us on NYE that our time here is coming to an end. We'll be watching the fireworks over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on TV at 8:00am on Jan 31 next year instead of live from the patio of our friends' house while sipping champagne on a balmy night.

Watching the Sydney to Hobart Race from our usual spot on the beach

Nice way to spend Boxing Day