Christmas in Perth

This was our first Christmas celebration away from home... so what did we do? 

We did a little bit of shopping here and there - mostly to enjoy the air-conditioning...

We played some boardgames - mainly trying out the Small World expansions that Kevin's brother bought for us... it was fun! And Jacynth happily watched us play...

... until she fell asleep - must be bored...

And then there was cookie decorating at church... which was also fun... :)

Check out all our creations!

We decided to get ourselves a Christmas present.. and after considering for a long long time, we set our minds on a Nintendo Wii console! Since there was a sale going on for Wii consoles, it was probably a good time to get one, although there are some rumours that a 'Wii-2' may be released soon. Unfortunately, Donkey Kong Country Returns was sold out everywhere - but we got the new Super Mario Brothers Wii instead, which has been a lot of fun (and nerve racking too!)

Kevin setting up the console...

Then, we were in church for the Christmas Eve event and for the first time, Jacynth stayed awake for the whole time, paying close attention to everything that was happening around her. And guess what happened at church on Christmas Day? Jacynth had a starring role as baby Jesus! And she managed to sleep through all the music and singing!

She only started crying when Cindy started preaching, mainly because it was quieter then (nothing to do with Cindy's preaching!). Anyway, Cindy just picked her up (where she slept off immediately) and carried her around throughout the sermon!

Brooke and Naomi and baby Jesus.. oops... we mean baby Jacynth...

Working together to shade her from the sun...

After service, we were invited over to Perry and Judy's place for...

some very delicious muffins!

On Boxing Day, it was church again for the Sunday service...

Lyn and Cindy and Jacynth...

The kids really loved her and couldn't stop playing with her!

After church, we were invited for another meal... this time at the Skinner's...

... where we had a wonderful lunch...

... and Jacynth slept peacefully, for a while at least...

And that's how we spent Christmas here in Perth. :)

First trip to the park

... for Jacynth. :)

As the year draws to a close, we have entered the university shut-down period where all staff and students get a two-week break. Kevin's colleagues organized a year-end picnic/ BBQ at Sir James Mitchell Park, and we decided it would be a fitting occasion to introduce Jacynth to the people from the department. We were initially quite concerned about how Jacynth would fare in the hot weather that had been predicted. However, on the day, we were greeted by an extensive cloud cover to keep everyone cool - perfect weather for a picnic (for us non Aussies at least)!

Jacynth getting a feel for the mat on the grass...

Letting Jacynth sleep in the stroller... until she started screaming again!

BBQ kebabs...

Nick ended with Perth

The day after Agnes' parents left, we received our last visitor of the year. With his vast experience of travelling around Australia for 6 weeks, Nick is finally back in Perth before flying back to Malaysia.

It was a relaxing few days for Nick where he 1. helped entertain Jacynth, 

2. attended the ICRAR Student Day at Curtin University to listen to some astronomy talks, 3. treated us to a meal at the ever-so-popular (we arrived at 5.15pm and few minutes later the place was full!) Ciao Italia, 

It was actually our first time there, despite it being so near where we used to stay - we were just usually turned off by the crowds and the long queues of people waiting to be seated. That's why we went so early this time! Jacynth slept quietly in her stroller half the meal but soon woke up from the discomfort of the warmth. It was so crowded and the seats were all packed so close we were literally touching the people from the tables next to us! 

The bruschetta was SO good 

So was this creamy chicken dish....

The pizza was oooo-kay... 

4. tested out the expansions of Small World (the boardgame) with Kevin and 5. most certainly became a member of the casino (and had the Carver's buffet lunch). ;)

And thus ends our visitor spree... for this year, at least!

Baby Jacynth's Day Out... to Albany!

It's hard to believe that it has been 2 weeks since Agnes' parents left Perth! Just before they left, we made another trip down south, and this time to the very south of Western Australia.

First stop, after a 5 hour plus drive... Torndirrup National Park

Since Denny and Sheila were in Sydney attending their son's graduation, we borrowed their Nissan X-trail

Jacynth getting a feel of the ocean breeze blowing in from Antarctica...

Putting the stroller to good use at the wind farm...

 The next day, we stopped by Denmark...

Jacynth posing with some kangaroos...

Greens Pool...

Elephant rocks...

Stopping by for lunch... (no, Agnes was not feeding Jacynth potato wedges)

The Ancient Empire boardwalk...

Jacynth's first time driving!

Around Albany...

Views of Albany from the Mount Melville lookout...

Stopping by Porongurup National Park on the way back to Perth...

The 'amazing' tree in the rock...

Granite outcrops...

The Stirling Ranges in the distance...

Changing nappies anytime, anywhere... that's life now!