Christmas Decorations

We put up our Christmas tree after church on the last Sunday in November. The kids were super excited to get out all the decorations. I didn't take that many photos but Clinton used his GoPro to take a time lapse of us setting it up! 

Time lapse of us putting up the Christmas tree...

Underwater Snorkelling Photos

Some underwater photos Clinton took of Harrison while they were snorkelling in Coral Bay

You can see ayers rock behind Harrison - it's one of the largest living brain corals in the world.

Birthday Trip - Exmouth

Once we had arrived in Exmouth we checked into our hotel and then drove straight to Turquoise Bay. It's easy to see why this beach has been rated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A couple of pics of me swimming with the girls with my preggo tummy! 

Sienna getting braver and snorkelling in some deeper water - she went on a few snorkelling sessions with Daddy and did really well!

If there are any shells to be found, these two will find them - no matter how small!

Clinton and Harry went for a snorkel together along the reef - at Turquoise Bay you walk to the end of the beach and start snorkelling and there's a strong current that naturally pulls you along to the other end. You just have to be careful to follow the signs and not get pulled out to sea! 

You guessed it, more sandcastles...

Pretty girl 

I brought along some santa hats in hopes of getting a decent photo for our Christmas card this year - it turned out pretty cute!

Then back to our amazing hotel where we stayed in a town house complete with jacuzzi on the verandah overlooking the beach!

Now for more swimming in the hotel pool...

Harrison and Daddy practising some snorkelling techniques 

Alissa loved the toddler swimming pool that she could stand up in - I was in there with her most of the time!

Then we had a visitor at the pool - a giant goanna or bungarra as they call them up here!

It was touch and go for a while when we thought the bungarra might decide to take a dip! The kids were freaking out! But it decided to change course and leave after a while. 

Alissa relaxing under a cabana - she nearly fell asleep!

Lunch at the hotel 

Harrison and Sienna collecting shells on the beach across from our town house

We had such a relaxing break in Coral Bay and Exmouth and didn't want to leave on the Monday to drive back to Karratha. It was seriously the best birthday present ever, spending quality time with my little family (especially before another baby comes along!). We really do live in a special part of Australia - I'm so grateful for this experience. Thanks for my present Clinton!

Birthday Trip to Coral Bay/Exmouth

Clinton kept asking me what I'd like for my birthday in November - I really couldn't think of anything and really didn't need anything either! Then I said, half jokingly, what I'd really like was a weekend away as a family. Clinton then found an RDO weekend that worked and booked accomodation for us in Exmouth for two nights! I was so excited! We decided to stay one night in Coral Bay so that we were away for thee nights altogether. We made good time on the Friday and arrived in Coral Bay around lunch time. We checked in and then went straight to the beach. Clinton and Harrison went snorkeling while I relaxed on a deck chair watching the girls play in the sand! It was a really nice, relaxed afternoon. 

Clinton and Harry were gone for ages - they swam about three hundred metres looking for a reef called Ayres Rock. Clint was impressed with Harrison's stamina! 

Then on to sandcastle building...

Clinton bought Sienna a snorkel which she was excited (and a little bit nervous) to try out!

Burying the girls...

These two are so cute together - I'm glad they are such good friends. 

Harry is getting very skilled at sand sculpture!

We then went out for dinner at Bill's that night. Unfortunately I had gastro or food poisoning later that evening which was a little bit scary considering I'm pregnant and we were miles from any decent hospitals. I called Health Direct and the nurse told me my closest hospital was Nickol Bay hospital - I told her that was in Karratha - 6 hours away!! Luckily, the vomiting etc passed quickly and by the next morning I was pretty much better. No one else caught it either which was a relief. The next morning we walked to the bakery for breakfast. 

Sienna eating a sausage roll for breakfast...as you do!

There are little birds all over the roof near the bakery - the kids enjoyed watching them. 

Then a quick play at the park before going back to the beach...

I love the kids facials in these photos of Daddy pushing them

Back to Coral Bay beach and Alissa is proud of her sandcastle! 

Clinton and Harrison went in search of Aryers Rock again but this time in a kayak...they found it and had a long snorkel around it.

Sienna practising

Such crystal clear water!

The girls having a turn with Daddy

After a nice morning at the beach we started the one hour drive to Exmouth.