TOOWOOMBA... ba da boomba!!!

Okay... this is going back a ways, but hey, the kids are napping and it's warm inside so here we go...

July 30...After about 48 hours in Taipei we were finally on our way in the direction of home. Well, we were heading in the same hemisphere at least... We had a fantastic flight from Taipei to Brisbane on Business Class!!!! OH YEAH!!! Actually, there was a bit of frustration at the Taipei side because we were on a codeshare flight and they said there were only 2 seats for us in Business Class... you can imagine - after that long haul from LA just hours before we were both ready for our rightly earned places in BC (this was Tony's official return to NZ flight so we get business tickets) then to be told we only had two spots!?! What were those poor kids going to do with themselves in Economy?!? Of course I said I'd take Hunter in Economy with me and leave Helena with baba if that were the case. Well, praise be to the God who cares about the little things - when we got to the gate they walked us right in to 4 seats in Business Class!!! YAHOO!!! And oh what a difference that made!

Pajama princess - the cutest little thing on the plane - hands down!!!

It was after 10pm when we got going so thankfully Hunter and Helena drifted right off into la la land and we parents got to enjoy a delicious meal and some uninterrupted entertainment (good priorities, eh... should've gone for uninterrupted sleep, but how often do I get to fly stretched out with my own movie and actually finish it?!?) And I really have to gloat a bit - the food is actually really yummy! I've only ever flown Business Class two times - on our way to Taiwan and now 5 years later on our way back - and oh, it was a nice trip!!!

Both kids slept for a good solid 6+ hours of the 9 hour flight so it was wonderful and restful! Hunter enjoyed his breakfast (as did Helena) and he even got to watch his own movie before we arrived in Australia!!!

So... Toowoomba!!! For those of you who have no idea where or what it is (like me before this trip) - it's a town located about 2 hours inland from Brisbane near the Gold Coast of Australia. Our dear friends Lucas and Justine Anstiss transplanted their family to this fine town about two years ago so this was a perfect chance for us to catch up and see their new life.

The four big kids would meet at the breakfast bar in the mornings and challenge each other to eat more or different foods... next visit they'll have to sit somewhere else though because I think baby Zander won't want to miss out on the action again - this time he was none the wiser!

Antonio is just about 6 months younger than Hunter and the two of them got on pretty well... we brought him a Lightning McQueen shirt from Taiwan so the boys shared their love of Cars!

Now this is the funny part... we thought we'd have a relaxing week catching up with old friends, exploring the region, basking in the Anstiss hospitality we've come to know and love... and of course we did get to experience all those things and more - much more! But Lucas had 'other plans' for his time off work to create a bonding experience with one of his closest friends... take a look at this...

When we arrived Lucas informed Tony that he wanted to build a shed in his backyard... yep - it was a kitset so it would probably only take a day or two right... yeah, right!!! Of course these guys couldn't just pop up a shed - they had to do it properly... so here we go... they first dug out a plot (after buying Tony some coveralls and gum boots)...

(they found a few treats in the process)

Then filled in the plot so it would be even...

then built a foundation from planks to insure proper ventilation.

They did start to get weary at times so they hired a few other workers, but most of the time it was just the two of them (or one of the two of them depending on what the day's activities held).

It was cold most days - but in the sun it was pleasant... yet with any household project we've ever encountered it always takes more time than you expect. This project took pretty much the week (well, admittedly they did have a bit of time off the shed intermittently)... but finally on Friday, August 6 they had something to show for their time together...

A NEW SHED!!!

Well done, guys! And though we laughed about it, you know, isn't it what friendship is about!?! It's not always about what I want or how I can be entertained. True friendship is living life together in community, helping each other - emotionally, spiritually and practically. We appreciate a rich relationship with this family because over the years we've visited them in their home, cooked and eaten meals together, sat around the source of warmth discussing work, marriage, parenting and how Jesus wants to help us in all those areas of our lives. And after this week in Toowoomba, Tony and Lucas now have a tangible memorial to the friendship they have been building for over 15 years! That's a pretty good week if you ask me. (then again, I wasn't outside hammering...)

And while the men were working on the shed or taking breaks from working on the shed there were plenty of other things going on during our week. This was hilarious! Keep in mind it was winter there, so although Tony and I did each get out for a couple of runs, it was much more appealing to do a workout video. So the first time I fired up my Jillian Michael's dvd Liberty came to join me before heading off to kindy... honestly, she did most of the workout in her school clothes while I sweated alongside her... then for the rest of the week she kept asking "Jen, when are we going to exercise" Talk about accountability!!! One day she even dressed up in her gear with pigtails and everything... we had a blast!

And on August 4, thus said Miss Liberty turned 5!!!
I made her some pink pancakes for breakfast then she went to kindy in the morning and the Anstiss's did a 'normal' day - while we headed back toward Brisbane to hit an outlet mall to update my winter wardrobe...  Now anyone who knows me knows that I really am not that good at shopping for clothes - Tony pretty much has to drag me out (unless I'm with my mom or sister)... but I was determined (and desperate - really, I did not have much in the way of winter clothes since our 5 years in the subtropics)... and I struck gold at a shop where I got some nice things for just $29 each!!! What a bargain!!! Then anyone knows that feeling when you have tasted success you just want more... Anyway, we stopped the spree and made it back to Toowoomba to join Liberty's birthday celebration at the restaurant of her choice - Sizzler!!! I haven't eaten at a Sizzler in years... but there was plenty of food for the kids to eat and plenty of healthy options (why was I just drawn to the bread pudding at the dessert bar???)!

Happy 5th Birthday!!!

On August 5, I got a special treat... Justine helped Tony look after the kids (well, he was on shed duty) while I got away for almost 4 hours by myself... I came back with a new hairstyle after a wonderfully relaxing trip to the hairdresser!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

And then on August 6... we got to celebrate my actual birthday with a lovely day at a women's Bible study Justine goes to and a delicious chocolate cake (my new favorite made with beetroot) before a fun dinner out with Tony... spoiled!!! (notice the hair...highlights, color... best 'do I've had in years!!!)

We went to a place called "Chutney Mary's" and absolutely stuffed ourselves on the Royal Feast!!! Good thing we had our cake before we went out!!! We thought about going to the movies too but hey, you gotta remember those kids don't sleep in!

For our last full day together, we had originally thought about a day trip, but then the reality of driving for hours in separate cars caused us to come up with a more creative solution: A PARK CRAWL!!! For anyone who's ever heard of a "Pub Crawl" or a "Cafe Crawl" (you go from place to place to place enjoying the specialities of each) this is where I got the idea (though I've never participated in either before)... Toowoomba has lots of lovely parks but we hadn't been to too many so we decided to hit three of their favorites... The kids had a blast and we got more quality time together. It was really a fun way to spend a Saturday morning!

And of course the traditional pancake meal with the Anstiss' took went to a whole new level with Lucas and Justine preparing them on an outdoor grill... way to go!!! Aren't you just drooling thinking about it!?!

The kids loved them so much that they in fact ate most of them leaving the dads a bit unfulfilled, but I think the overall experience served them well!

We had to get the tourist shot at Picnic Point overlooking the land to the east of the town... it was such a beautiful day that we shed a few layers and enjoyed the sunshine!

Justine and Liberty just hanging out while the boys were climbing around (I think Helena must've been climbing around too... or stuck in her stroller for running off).

This was Hunter's first 'slumber party' week - he slept on Antonio's trundle bed... what a great deal! The two really ended up working well together... it was fun. Thanks, again, Anstiss family for your amazing hospitality... we're looking forward to seeing you in NZ next time!!!

And then, like all good things, on Sunday, August 8 it was time to leave the comforts of the familiar and get back on another airplane... after these hugs and kisses we were actually going to arrive on home soil...

(oh but let me say, travelling Business Class for only 3 hours on a smaller plane is totally different from the big international flight - but at least the food was still so yum!!! We even got ice cream!!! YAHOO!)