Showing posts with label australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label australia. Show all posts

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Over the Moon for "Down Under"

Our dear friends, Richard and Shanon, from Tasmania, Australia, were able to visit the states again - and fortunately they were also willing to set aside some time for us during their visit.  This is our 3rd year in a row and we hope they continue trekking to the other side of the world EVERY year, as we never tire of them and look forward to their company with great anticipation!  Shakira (their now TEENAGER) of course was with them, but in addition we got a special treat this year...meeting Richard's "mum", Joyce, who was just as lovely, warm, and kind.  And who spoke with the most beautiful Irish brogue!




We wanted them to experience Dutch Oven Cooking, which they do have in Australia but not as commonly as here, and so I asked my favorite in-laws to prepare some delicious food as I have very little (okay, none) experience successfully cooking Dutch Oven!  John prepared the tastiest potatoes and barbecue chicken to go with our dinner, followed by raspberry cobbler so rich you had to have a tall glass of ice water to accompany each bite!  So scrumptious and a lot of hard work on the part of my sweet mother- and father-in-law!


The kids had fun running around the yard playing while we visited.  
Here they are with a giant "human slingshot".
The McKinley's had just heard of S'mores for the first time so 
of course we had to prepare some!  
Shakira said she "liked it" but did not "love it".  
WWWWWHHHHAAAATTTTT?!  :)


Richard and Shanon, it was lovely as always!  
You know you are welcome anytime.  
We just love you and can't wait to see 
pictures of your new granddaughter, 
especially in her new shoes to match her "Shanny"!  
Thank you for stopping in our little neck of the 
woods and spending time with us - 
safe travels and keep in touch!


Hope Sig1

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

it's a matter of simple math, really...

+

=
Diggin' the Tim Tam Slam,
Explorin' different varieties of
Tim Tams & Hot Cocoa combos...
Hope Sig1

Saturday, July 31, 2010

new friends, down-under style!

We have had the most awesome experience in young womens this spring. I have struck up a friendship with an Australian YW leader named Lisa King. Lisa told another Aussie YW leader, Shannon McKinley, about our correspondence and since Shannon had plans to visit America anyway, Shannon and her husband Richard made time to stop by for a quick visit. It was wonderful! We so enjoyed getting to know the McKinley's and feel they are treasured friends already. Halle has become penpals with their daughter Shakira and Shannon and I continue to write. The McKinley's as well as Lisa King live on Tasmania which is south of Australia (or Tassie, as they call it). Our young women and their young women exchange letters every couple months and it has been a real treat! I hope we all get a chance to visit in person again someday!
~~~~~~~~~~~
We invited our bishop and his parents, The Langelands,
over for dinner during the visit since the Langelands had just
been called to be mission presidents in Australia.
Our kids adored all the attention and fawning from Shannon and Richard! And we even got fun Aussie surprises: Shannon gave me an Australian Flag apron which I LOVE and for our family and the young women they brought ANZAC biscuits (cookies) and lollies (sweets) from Australia. My favorites were by far the Jaffas!

"The democracy will cease to exist when you TAKE AWAY from those who are willing to work AND GIVE to those who would not."



Thomas Jefferson